Pug

There is a well known joke in the Pug world: the Pug is "a lot of dog in a small package"�. Indeed, it is a little dog with a great big personality. This happy little dog makes an ideal companion and family pet. That is, after all, the sole purpose for which it was bred. The Pug has a short (brachycephalic) face covered with wrinkles, bug eyes, and a tail that curls playfully over its back. The word "Pug"� comes from an old English word "pugg"� or "puge"� an endearment for a mischievous, playful little monkey or little rascal. The male of this breed stands from 12 to 14 inches tall, and the female averages two inches shorter. Lifespan is generally 12-15 years, and some Pugs live to be as old as 18. Pugs have a smooth, soft, fine coat that presents in several colors: fawn, black, silver and apricot. The Pug is a very old breed. Ancient Chinese royalty bred three distinct short-nosed breeds as companions: the Lion Dog, the Pekingese, and the Lo-sze or "Foo Dog"� which was the original Pug. Historians believe that the breed existed by 400 BC. Today the tourist is familiar with ceramic "foos"�, dragon-like dog-featured creatures with bulging eyes; the resemblance to the Pug is undeniable! Through the centuries, the Pug breed spread into Tibet, where monks kept it as a companion. From there it traveled into Japan and finally Europe, where it first arrived in Holland and soon became the popular dog of royalty the official dog of the House of Orange. Through the 17th and 18th centuries the Pug's popularity exploded across Europe, partly due to its being featured in various paintings, a devoted family companion. Europeans discovered that Pugs weren't bad scent hounds despite their lack of a nose, and began to use them for tracking game. Their devotion to their human companions made them good watchdogs as well, especially for castle guards. The clownish little dog became a favorite of European nobility. When the Dutch William III of Orange and his queen, Mary II, went to England to take the throne there in 1688, they took with them their Pugs and introduced them to the English. It is said that, before her marriage to Napoleon Bonaparte, when Josephine was imprisoned in Paris, her Pug was allowed by the guards to pay her visits, charming as he was. She concealed messages to her family on him before sending him on his way home. Stories of Queen Victoria's many pugs are well-known amongst the English. Partly because of her devotion to Pugs, Victoria was instrumental in the formation of the Kennel Club. The Pug arrived in America in the 19th century, when it was imported by a Bostonian from England. It soon became an early registrant with the American Kennel Club, in 1885. The popularity of the Pug in the U.S. has grown steadily since the inception of the Pug Dog Club of America (http://www.pugs.org) in 1931. The Pug is usually very healthy and is considered an easy care dog. It can live a long life; however, care must be taken to avoid various small health problems, many of which are preventable. It is extremely important with this breed to find an experienced breeder that will guarantee the health of the dog as far as possible, so that genetic faults are not perpetuated. Recently the BBC sponsored a study of 10,000 Pugs; the collective gene pool represented only 50 individuals! Over-breeding and resultant inbreeding have contributed greatly over time to the health problems of the breed. The most common serious problems in the Pug include hemivertebrae a congenital condition where there are wedge-shaped vertebrae in the spine that can cause pain, incontinence (fecal and urine), rear limb weakness, and in the worst cases paralysis. However, the majority of hemivertebrae cases are mild and do not disrupt the dog's life significantly; more severe cases can often be successfully treated with surgery. Pugs are especially susceptible to Demodectic Mange, a genetic disorder that predisposes the dog to an immune-related skin disease. This is brought on by stress and/or malnutrition, and in the worst cases can be systemic and require long-term treatment. Some Pugs show a particular brain disorder early in life: Pug Dog Encephalitis. This inflammation of the brain, likely inherited, affects the dog between six months and three years of age. The animal will only survive a few months beyond onset of symptoms. Other health issues with the Pug are mild, and many depend upon grooming and diet. It is important to keep the wrinkles on the Pug's face clean, because if the wrinkles are allowed to collect dirt and bacteria they can become the source of skin disease. The Pug's eyes tend to be weepy, and the tears may run continuously into the wrinkles. The owner should wash the dog's face daily with a clean washcloth to prevent problems. Pugs lack a prominent skeletal brow bone that serves to protect the eyes of other breeds. As a result, a Pug's eyes are vulnerable to injury puncture wounds, and ulcerated or scratched corneas are most common. Pugs often become obese if not given adequate exercise. Pug owners claim that this breed always seems to be hungry! Because obesity can lead to heart problems, diabetes, and arthritis, the owner should take care not to overfeed. The Pug should have its teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis, to prevent gum disease that can lead to bigger issues. Pugs are absolutely indoor dogs: they are sensitive to both hot and cold extremes. Pugs are seasonally heavy shedders, with the fawn coat shedding the most.The Pug may be the most cheerful, charming, friendly dog on earth. It gets along with other pets, and happily welcomes visitors to the home. Sturdy, spunky and playful, the Pug adores children. This breed is usually well-behaved indoors and excessive barking is rarely a problem. Intelligent and sensitive to tone of voice, the Pug is highly trainable but may become bored with too much repetition; train this breed in short blocks of time. Pugs are ideal for watchdog duties, and enjoy doing tricks and obedience competition.

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