Terrier University: Pug The Dog Breed

Three Fawn colored Pugs sitting on a Designer rug head tilted to the side staring at the camera

(Toy Group) The Pug is well described by the phrase "multum in parvo" which means "a lot of dog in a small space." They are recognized for their even-tempers, playful personalities, and their outgoing, loving dispositions. This square and cobby breed comes in fawn, silver fawn, apricot fawn or black, with a well-defined "mask" on his muzzle. A popular companion dog, the pug also excels in the show ring.

Pug AKC Breed Standards

General Appearance
Symmetry and general appearance are decidedly square and cobby. A lean, leggy Pug and a dog with short legs and a long body are equally objectionable.
Size, Proportion, Substance

The Pug should be multum in parvo, and this condensation (if the word may be used) is shown by compactness of form, well knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle. Weight from 14 to 18 pounds (dog or bitch) desirable. Proportion square.
Head
The head is large, massive, round not apple-headed, with no indentation of the skull. The eyes are dark in color, very large, bold and prominent, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and, when excited, full of fire. The ears are thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two kinds the "rose" and the "button." Preference is given to the latter. The wrinkles are large and deep. The muzzle is short, blunt, square, but not upfaced. Bite-A Pug's bite should be very slightly undershot.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is slightly arched. It is strong, thick, and with enough length to carry the head proudly. The short back is level from the withers to the high tail set. The body is short and cobby, wide in chest and well ribbed up. The tail is curled as tightly as possible over the hip. The double curl is perfection.
Forequarters
The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, and are set well under. The elbows should be directly under the withers when viewed from the side. The shoulders are moderately laid back. The pasterns are strong, neither steep nor down. The feet are neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well split-up toes, and the nails black. Dewclaws are generally removed.
Hindquarters
The strong, powerful hindquarters have moderate bend of stifle and short hocks perpendicular to the ground. The legs are parallel when viewed from behind. The hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The thighs and buttocks are full and muscular. Feet as in front.
Coat
The coat is fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither hard nor woolly.
Color
The colors are fawn or black. The fawn color should be decided so as to make the contrast complete between the color and the trace and mask.
Markings
The markings are clearly defined. The muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond on forehead, and the back trace should be as black as possible. The mask should be black. The more intense and well defined it is, the better. The trace is a black line extending from the occiput to the tail.
Gait
Viewed from the front, the forelegs should be carried well forward, showing no weakness in the pasterns, the paws landing squarely with the central toes straight ahead. The rear action should be strong and free through hocks and stifles, with no twisting or turning in or out at the joints. The hind legs should follow in line with the front. There is a slight natural convergence of the limbs both fore and aft. A slight roll of the hindquarters typifies the gait which should be free, self-assured, and jaunty.
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Pug Health Issues

Chart showing all the defects of the year 2007 breed Pug

www.pugslife.org

Since pugs lack longer snouts and prominent skeletal brow ridges, they are susceptible to eye injuries such as proptosis, scratched corneas, and painful entropion.They also have compact breathing passageways, leaving many unable to breathe properly or efficiently regulate their temperature through evaporation from the tongue. A pug's normal body temperature is between 101 °F (38 °C) and 102 °F (39 °C). If the temperature rises to 105 °F (41 °C), oxygen demand is greatly increased and immediate cooling is required. Should the temperature reach 108 °F (42 °C), the internal organs begin to break down at a cellular level, which can lead to severe long term health issues or even death.
Pugs who live a mostly sedentary life can be prone to obesity, though this is avoidable with regular exercise and a healthy diet.Pugs are also prone to breathing difficulties caused by constricted windpipes and flat faces. The median life span of pugs is 11 years.
An investigative documentary carried out by the BBC found significant inbreeding between pedigree dogs, a study by Imperial College, London, shows that the 10,000 pugs in the UK are so inbred that their gene pool is the equivalent of only 50 individuals. Pugs can suffer from necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), also known as pug dog encephalitis (PDE), an inflammation of the brain and meninges. NME also occurs in other small-breed dogs, such as the Maltese and Chihuahua. There is no known cause or cure for NME, although it is believed to be an inherited disease.Dogs usually die or are euthanised within a few months of onset of clinical signs of the disease, which typically appear between six months and seven years of age.
This breed, along with other brachycephalic dogs (e.g., boxers, bulldogs), are also prone to hemivertebrae.The screwtail is an example of a hemivertebrae, but when it occurs in other areas of the spine it can be devastating, causing such severe paralysis that euthanasia is a serious recommendation. The condition occurs when two parts of the spinal vertebrae do not fuse properly while a young pug is still growing, resulting in pressure on the spine.

Eye prolapse is a common problem among pugs and other brachycephalic breeds, and can be caused by trauma to the head or neck, such as an injury or using a tight leash instead of a harness.While it can be fixed by returning the eye back to its socket by the owner, a visit to the vet is required to check for eye and eye socket injuries.If the prolapse happens on a regular basis, the pug might require surgery to save the eye, or in a worst case scenario the dog may have the eye removed.

Fawn Colored Pug with head tilted to the right

Pugs have many wrinkles in their faces, so owners clean inside the creases to avoid irritation and infection.Hip dysplasia affected 63.8% of pugs in a survey performed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; they were ranked second worst affected by the condition out of 157 breeds tested.
Pugs, like other short-snouted breeds, have elongated palates. When excited, they are prone to "reverse sneezing". During this phenomenon, the dog will quickly (and seemingly laboriously) gasp and snort. The veterinary name for this is Pharyngeal Gag Reflex. This is caused by fluid or debris getting caught under the palate and irritating the throat or limiting breathing. "Reverse sneezing" episod
es are usually not harmful to pugs. Massaging the dogs' throats or covering their noses in order to make them breathe through their mouths can often shorten episodes.
Pugs are one of several breeds that are more susceptible to Demodectic mange, also known as Demodex. This condition is caused by a weakened immune system, and it is a minor problem for many young pugs. This causes them to catch diseases much more easily than regular dogs. It is easily treatable, but some are especially susceptible and will be presented with a systemic form of the condition. This vulnerability is thought to be genetic, and breeders avoid breeding dogs who have had this condition. Inbreeding is also a known cause for these problems.

Pug Breed Temperament

Fawn colored Pug running to the right with a tennis ball in its mouth

Pugs are strong willed but rarely aggressive, and are suitable for families with children. The majority of the breed is very fond of children and sturdy enough to properly play with them. Depending on their owner's mood, they can be quiet and docile but also vivacious and teasing. Overall the breed is even-tempered, exhibiting stability, playfulness, great charm, dignity, and an outgoing, loving disposition.

Did You Know This About Pugs?

The Pug is one of the oldest breeds of dog; has flourished since before 400 BC.
Authorities agree that the Pug breed is of Chinese origin with some basic similarities to the Pekingese.
The Pug was pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet.
The Pug was the official dog of the House of Orange in Holland after one of the breed saved the life of the Crown Prince; the dog appears in the effigy of the monarch over William's tomb.
Josephine, wife of Napoleon, used her Pug "Fortune" to carry secret messages under his collar to her husband while she was imprisoned at Les Carmes.
Though called "Mopshond" (Dutch, "to grumble") in Holland and "Carlin" in France, but the name "Pug" probably comes from the dog's facial expression, which is similar to that of the marmoset monkeys that were popular pets of the early 1700's and known as Pugs.

Pug Breed History

Historical black and white picture of a Fawn colored pug turn to the left standing on all four.

The truth of how the Pug came into existence is shrouded in mystery, but he has been true to his breed down through the ages since before 400 B.C. Authorities agree that he is of Oriental origin with some basic similarities to the Pekingese. China is the earliest known source for the breed, where he was the pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. The breed next appeared in Japan and then in Europe, where it became the favorite for various royal courts.
The Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange after one of the breed saved the life of William, Prince of Orange, by giving alarm at the approach of the Spaniards at Hermingny in 1572. Later when William II landed at Torbay to be crowned King of England, his cortege included Pugs and they became the fashionable breed for generations.
By 1790 the Pug's popularity has spread to France where Josephine, wife of Napoleon, depended on her Pug "Fortune" to carry secret messaged under his collar to her husband while she was impresoned at Les Carmes.

Historical picture of black pug standing to the left with a juvenile fawn colored pug with forelegs hanging over is back.

In 1860 British soldiers sacked the Imperial Palace in Peking and dogs of the Pug and Pekingese type were brought back to England. This was the first time since the early 16th century that dogs in any great number had been brought out of China. Black Pugs were imported from China and exhibited for the first time in England in 1886. One year earlier, in 1885, the Pug had been accepted for registration with the American Kennel Club.
The Pug is well described by the phrase "multum in parvo" which means "a lot of dog in a small space." He is small but requires no coddling and his roguish face soon wiggles its way into the hearts of men, women and especially children, for whom this dog seems to have a special affinity. His great reason for living is to be near his people and to please them. He is comfortable in a small apartment or country home alike, easily adaptable to all situations.