PugHistory: Ancestors of the Pug have been around for thousands of years, although a truer form of the breed as we know it today began to arise in the 16th century, in China. 
History: Ancestors of the Pug have been around for thousands of years, although a truer form of the breed as we know it today began to arise in the 16th century, in China. Although there is not much information about how this breed came to rise in China, it is known that they arrived in other parts of the world, mainly Europe, because of the Dutch East India Trading Company. Sailors on ships that landed in China took to this breed and eventually brought the dogs back to Holland. From here, the breed spread throughout Europe, but was known by several different names throughout Europe. It is believed that this dog was at some point mixed with other small, compact dogs, such as the English Bulldog, although records of this are not official. During the American Civil War the breed began to arrive in America, although they did not become popular until after WWII. For the most part Pugs remained in Holland until this time and were not officially registered by breeders until the 1950s. Description: With short, coarse hair in either fawn or black, this breed has a compact, muscular medium length body, with very short legs. There are slight variations of color available for these dogs, but they are most common in fawn and black. The average weight for this breed is between 14-18 pounds, although there are teacup versions available that will only weigh between 5-7 pounds as an adult. Keep in mind that the American Kennel Club does not officially recognize the teacup, though. The face of the Pug is the most distinguishing characteristic. With bulging eyes, a short, wrinkled and black mask, they almost always have a sweet, sad look about them. Because of the shortness of their face, their tongues are often hanging out in an exhausted expression. They also have very short, dropping ears and a tail that curls to a stop on the top of the back. Life Span: 12-15 years Common Ailments: Susceptible to a genetic disorder termed Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), which is a fatal disease that has no cure to date. PDE is not a major concern, though, as it only affects a very small portion of the Pug community. Careful selection of breeders will eliminate the chances of acquiring the disorder. Also prone to breathing problems like snoring and can overheat in hot weather. Suitability with Children: Yes, excellent family dogs Suitability with Other Pets: Yes Living Conditions: Can adapt to any living environment, but may have trouble in extremely hot climates, because of their tendency to overheat easily. Training: Will do best with a gentle, guiding voice, as Pugs do not do well with harsh training or punishment. Can be stubborn or without care to learn excessive commands, so owners may have trouble past the basics. Exercise Required: Low Cost of Maintenance: Low Breed Temperament: A wonderful family pet, these small dogs have an abundance of energy to please their owners and love being part of the family life. Keep in mind that they do have a tendency to be stubborn and strong willed, so a firm “no” may not always do the trick. Of course, their adorable spunky attitude will usually keep owners laughing despite their disobedience. While they do not need a great deal of exercise, they almost always enjoy a walk in the park, or a good game of fetch. Owners may be surprised at how much energy they can exert. Keep in mind that exercise sessions should be kept short, especially in warm temperatures, as they do have a tendency to overheat. For new owners, it is important to keep eating habits and weight in check, as this breed does have a tendency to gain excess weight, especially those who receive limited exercise. It will help to begin establishing limited eating and minimal treats with this breed when it's still a puppy. Leave Pug and Return to Homepage
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