A Pet's View / June 2005
Pug-Nacious
Pugs charmed Chinese emperors, Dutch
princes and European monarchs and have
had no problem at all endearing themselves
to American owners from coast to coast. Pugs
rank #15 in the top 50 of dogs registered with
the AKC. Jaunty, self- assured and playful,
pugs have a sense of humor and a sense of
dignity. Clowns at heart, they are small but
sturdy, the perfect mix for portability and
play.
Pugs have an irresistible appeal. Perhaps
it’s those big, dark, prominent eyes filled with
solicitude and ringed with deep wrinkles of
worry and an overall air of concern. Perhaps
it’s their cocky, rolling gait. How such short
legs under a stocky, square little body can
manage to look free-wheeling is a Pug mystery.The tightly curled tail serves as an exclamation
mark to pugnacious hip action.
With their short, blunt button nose
and decided underbite, Pugs look like Peter
Lorre, but they act like they’re Richard Gere.
Compact and dense, Pugs should weigh
between 14-18 pounds. However, they are
skilled negotiators, enthusiastic diners and an
appreciative audience even for bad cooks, so
many tip the scales upward of their prescribed
weight.
The American Kennel Club first recognized
the breed in 1885 but Pugs have
flourished since before 400 BC. They were
prized possessions of the Emperors of China
and lived in luxury, which may explain their
supremely confident attitude. Records indicate
that three types of short nosed dogs
were bred by the Chinese-the Lion dog,
the Pekingese and the Lo-sze. The Lo-sze
or “Foo Dog” was the ancient Pug. Pugs
were also pets of the Buddhist monasteries
in Tibet.
Dutch traders brought Pugs from the
east to Holland and England. With their
outgoing, loving disposition and comic
appearance, they were soon the darlings of
monarchs across Europe. The Pug became
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.
Pugs were kept in the household of William
III and Mary II when they ascended to the
throne of Great Britain in 1688. Josephine,
Napoleon’s wife, used her Pug “Fortune” to
carry secret messages to her husband while
she was imprisoned at Les Carmes by putting
them under his collar.
They were called “Dogullo” in Spain,
and, in Holland, called “Mopshond” from
the Dutch words meaning ‘to grumble’. But,
the name “Pug” probably originated from the
similarity of the dogs facial expression to that
of marmoset monkeys, called Pugs, that were
popular pets in the early 1700’s.
Pugs come in silver, apricot-fawn and
black. Their coats are short, fine, smooth,
soft and glossy. Fawn pugs have a distinctive
mask to focus attention on their round,
upturned faces.
The shortened muzzle that contributes
to Pug appeal can cause them breathing
problems. The breed is especially vulnerable
to heat issues and heat prostration, so in hot,
humid climates or summer months, air conditioning
is essential Wheezing and panting
are common. And, many Pug owners are
lulled to sleep by the deep, rhythmic snuffle
of a Pug snoring. PL
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
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