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Pug Information: Breed History

Pugs have been around for thousands of years in one form or another. It is generally thought that the Pug originated in China, although there is no way to confirm this. The first writings that mentioned very short-nosed little dogs did refer to Chinese dogs. Sometimes, it is not sure if these dogs were Pugs or Pekingese. It is also unknown what the Pug's parent breeds were, but Pekingese had to have played a role somewhere.

Pugs were reserved for the Imperial court of China, but through trade and wars eventually made their way to Europe, first through Holland. They were a common sight in European royal homes and thrones by the sixteenth century. Famous Pug owners include Josephine (Napoleon's wife); William, Prince of Orange in Holland who credits a warning from his Pug in saving him from an assassin. And English painter William Hogarth, who put his Pug "Trump" in several paintings.

Although various Chinese Emperors tried to keep Pugs all to themselves, the Pugs apparently wanted to see the world. Through trade and wars, they spread to Europe. They were especially popular in the Royal courts of Holland, where the official animal of the Dutch royal family was a Pug.

Pugs were seen and highly coveted by the first European explorers and traders with China. Gradually, they became the dog of the Royal courts of Europe. One of the most notable Pug owners was Dutch King William the Silent of the House of Oranges. His pet Pug was a masterful watchdog and warned his royal master in time to escape an assassin. The Pug then became the official dog of the House of Orange.

His Pug, "Trump", appears in several paintings. There was not that many Pugs available for breeding, so they were most likely crossed with small Bulldogs in order to produce Pug-like puppies. Hogarth's Pug was slimmer, longer-legged and longer-nosed than a modern Pug. Trump also lacked the black mask of most modern Pugs.

The Pug as we know it didn't come into being until the formation of a breed standard in the 1800's. Although Pugs had been longhaired, they now had to come in short haired coats in order to be shown. Pugs used to come in many different colors, but for some reason only three official colors are allowed in both the show rings of Europe and America.

Pugs quickly conquered the hearts and homes of the New World, where they were one of the first breeds to be approved by the American Kennel Club in 1885. A renewed interest in Pugs occurred after the release of the hit movie "Men In Black", featuring Frank the Pug, who played an alien on Earth.

Pugs have always loved people and always will, as long as the breed survives. Hopefully, there will be an emphasis on breeding healthy dogs rather than show-winning dogs in the future. It's the least we owe the Pug.

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Jenny Donaldson is an avid lover of the Pug and owns a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Pug. Among other topics there, you can also learn all about Pug types plus a whole lot more. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.

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