Although visually pugs somewhat resemble English bulldogs, boxers and the now-extinct bullenbacers from Germany, in fact their roots should be sought in the East. Moreover, you will have to dig deep, because the first extant images of short-faced dogs on ancient artifacts and mentions of them in historical documents date back to the VI-IV centuries BC. The famous ancient Chinese philosopher and politician Confucius speaks of them as companions of the nobility moving on chariots.
For a long time there was an opinion that another popular Chinese breed, Pekingese, originated from pugs. However, genetic studies allow us to confidently say that kinship relationships are built in reverse order: long-haired dogs appeared much earlier, their direct ancestors were Lhasa-apso or Chemdze-apso, who guarded Tibetan monasteries, and pugs are either a cultivated natural mutation, or the result of crossing with other short-haired breeds. Perhaps that is why Pekingese have been considered exclusively imperial pets for centuries. But not everyone could afford to have pugs either. This was the privilege of the courtiers close to the ruler. The conditions of keeping miniature dogs were truly royal, they ate much better than most ordinary subjects, often had their own rooms, servants for walking and personal guards. An attempt to steal such a dog was subject to severe punishment, up to the death penalty.
Researchers suggest that the first European to see the unusual pets of Chinese nobles was the Venetian merchant and traveler Marco Polo, who lived in an exotic country for a European for seventeen years. His "colleagues" from Holland and Portugal found themselves in the Middle Kingdom only two centuries later, in the era of Great Geographical Discoveries. They brought not only silk and spices to their homeland, but also charming Lo Chiang Tse, soon renamed to a simpler pronunciation "pug".
The sturdy fawn-colored guys with cute faces and big eyes immediately attracted the aristocrats of the Old World. However, they played a special role in the fate of the Netherlands: the vigilance of the faithful Pompey helped William the Silent to avoid death at the hands of an assassin in the midst of the war of independence from Spain. Subsequently, the revolutionary leader of the Lower Countries became the founder of the royal Orange dynasty, and the pet accompanied the owner even after his death – a sleeping dog is expertly carved at the feet of the marble figure of the Dutch founding father on the lid of his sarcophagus. Pugs have become a symbol and a living mascot for William's heirs.
Through their efforts, the dogs got to Britain, where they quickly gained popularity with the local nobility, and subsequently dispersed to the royal courts of continental Europe. Especially much for the revival of interest in the breed among the British in the second half of the XIX century was done by Queen Victoria, who doted on her pets. Then the "British" pugs were taller, lean, with an elongated muzzle and had an exceptionally light color. But, as a result of the looting of the Beijing Forbidden City during the Second Opium War by officers of the British and French armies, previously unknown black individuals came to the West. The latter are still quite rare and therefore more expensive. In general, pugs are an example of a breed whose popularity is quite stable.
The ancient breed was recognized by international organizations of dog breeders at the end of the XIX century, and the official standard of pugs was approved only in 1987. Its main criteria are as follows:
Weight and height
The norm for an adult pug is the weight range from 6.3 to 8.1 kg. The height in the standard is not clearly spelled out, but on average it is 25-30 cm for bitches and 30-33 cm for males.
General appearance
A pug is a stocky dog with square outlines (the length of the trunk is equal to the height at the withers). The musculature is well developed, gives the impression of compactness and proportionality.
Color
Pugs have fawn (beige), apricot, silver or black colors. In the first three cases, a prerequisite is the most clear contrast between the main (light) color and the dark "mask" on the muzzle, ears. The so-called "belt" is allowed – a dark stripe of fur running along the spine from the occipital protuberance to the base of the tail, and "diamond" - a dark spot on the forehead.
As noted above, all owners of pugs characterize them as friendly and lovely companions. Puppies are quite playful, but as they grow up, the need for active leisure fades away, and the main joy in the pet's life becomes quiet hours on the couch in the company of the owner.
Pugs are extremely attached to people, so it is not recommended to leave them alone for a long time, so as not to provoke stress. If you are planning a vacation or another trip, feel free to trust your pet to the care of neighbors or friends – these dogs easily come into contact even with strangers who show interest and kind feelings for them. The love of the "little tank" is enough even for children, but it is worth keeping an eye on their communication, since during the game they can inadvertently seriously injure the large and bulging eyes of the animal.
Unlike other decorative breeds, pugs are calm and balanced. They are not characterized by the "spoiled child" syndrome, which can often be encountered when dealing with "ladies" dogs. If the pug wants your attention, he will just come and settle down next to you.
Owners of pugs will not have to listen to neighbors' complaints about intrusive barking, which, of course, does not guarantee silence. Your pet will constantly sniff loudly, hiss and experience bouts of flatulence. And pugs are absolute champions in dog snoring, which you wouldn't suspect given their modest size. However, many consider the latter to be a funny feature rather than a disadvantage.
Despite their friendliness and sociability, pugs are quite stubborn, so their training seems to be a difficult occupation, without a guaranteed result. If you still decide to teach your pet simple commands, be patient and ... goodies. The carrot and stick method is simply not applicable here. Completely non-aggressive dogs do not tolerate hostility towards themselves, they can only be trained with the help of encouragement.
Taking care of a pug will not require any extra effort from the owner. Short and smooth wool does not need professional grooming, it is enough to comb it at home. During the molting period, which happens twice a year, it is recommended to do it daily, and the rest of the time – less often. By the way, the future owner should know that the pug sheds surprisingly abundantly, and be prepared for frequent cleaning. But experts advise bathing a pet as rarely as possible, so as not to violate the natural protective barrier on its skin. The best option is considered to be bath procedures once a month.
Folds and wrinkles on the muzzle require constant and close attention. They must be regularly and thoroughly cleaned of food particles and debris that gets there during their stay on the street. This will avoid inflammatory processes and infections.
The duration of daily walks depends on their intensity. A leisurely walking step can take up to an hour and a half, but a light jog should not exceed 10-15 minutes, since your pet's respiratory system is not designed for marathon races. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the temperature and humidity of the air – for a pug, hypothermia or overheating can become fatal without exaggeration. Short wool without a powerful undercoat does not protect it from low temperatures, so in the cold season it is important not to forget about special clothing. The features of the structure of the muzzle do not allow you to effectively remove excess heat, and even with an increase in body temperature by 3-4 ° C, your pet may die. In connection with this summer, it needs to be kept in an air-conditioned room.
Unfortunately, we have to admit that pugs are not the healthiest dogs. Throughout their lives, they have to deal with both congenital and acquired diseases. The most serious of the first category are encephalitis, the cause of which has not yet been definitively clarified by veterinarians, and epilepsy.
The most vulnerable places in the body of representatives of this breed are the eyes and respiratory system. Many pets go partially or completely blind as a result of mechanical damage, infections and other diseases. Cases of seasonal or chronic allergies are not uncommon. But the most common problem of this breed is undoubtedly obesity against the background of excessive appetite and low physical activity. By itself, it is not lethal, but it shortens life expectancy, exacerbating existing health problems.
