The Pug: The Clown of the Canine World
The Pug dog has earned a reputation of being a clown. These dogs have an exceptional sense of humor and they like to be the center of attention.
Origins
The origins of the Pug go back to China´s Han Dynasty (B.C. 206 to A.D. 200). Emperors of China had them in their palace and some were even guarded by imperial soldiers. Some historians believe that the Pug dog is a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff.
China had commercial relationships with European countries, starting at the end of the 1500s and early 1600s. The Pugs were part of this trade and some were brought to Europe. Europeans fell in love with them and very soon gained popularity among households. Pugs were a part of the history of several Royal European families.
After the Civil War, the Pug dog was introduced to the United States. The AKC officially recognized him as a dog breed in 1885.
Physical characteristics
The Pug dog is a compact small dog. It has a deep chest and muscular body. Their glossy coat can be fawn, silver fawn, apricot fawn, or black. The nails are black and feet are small, but their legs are pretty strong.
Their height is usually 10 to 14 inches tall and they weigh 14 to 18 pounds.
Temperament and Personality
Pug dogs are nothing else but companions. They expect to be sitting on your lap and not be guarding your yard. They are not hunters nor retrievers. He is a funny dog that likes to be silly and show-off. However, they are typically sedentary.
Caring for a Pug dog
These dogs carry a lot of energy. If they are not taken out for walks they will steam out this energy with goofy antics. So, expect this dog to entertain you. Since they are small and compact, they are low-maintenance pets. The skills required by owners are mostly sit down and pet.
If you live in a hot-humid environment, do not let the Pug outside for a too long time. They tend to snore while they sleep at night.
Health issues
The Pug is a very sensitive dog and needs a lot of caring, especially during summer time. The most common issue concerning Pugs’ health is obesity: in order to avoid it, you need to be careful about their food and lifestyle.
Pugs are brachycephal dogs (they have a really flattened muzzle) and that’s why they are likely to have respiratory issues. To prevent this kind of event is good to reduce physical exertion not to overload their under-average resistance to forces.
Training
You should train your Pug with the basic commands. There are small chances for this one to get bored and destroy your home. However, like with any dog, he must be very clear on who is the Alpha in the house.
They are stubborn and not easy to housebreak. Crate training is important.
Fun facts
- Due to their short muzzles, they cannot tolerate heat and humidity very well.
- They shed a lot but their coat is easy to groom.
- These pooches want to be nowhere away from their human. They will follow you everywhere, sit on your lap, and even go to bed with you.
- Pug might descend from the latin word pugnus that means «closed fist» (clearly referring to this dog’s peculiar muzzle). According to other scholars, the word Pug might as well descend from the term «elf» or simply from the expression «little dog».
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