Pug

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
No daily exercise
Training
No training
Size of home
Apartment – no outdoor
Time at home
Mostly home
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Very affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Nicole Florczak (POUCO)

pugaliciouskennels@gmail.com
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Breeder - Mrs F Prideaux (Hugapug)

hugapug@ailean.com.au
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History

The Pug is considered one of the oldest canine breeds; its history can be traced back to around 700 BC at the time of Confucius and prior. It was imported into Europe from China in the 16th century with the aid of the Dutch traders and soon became a favourite of royal households throughout Europe.

In Holland, the Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange after a Pug reportedly saved the life of William, Prince of Orange, by giving him a warning that the Spaniards were approaching in 1572. When his grandson, William III, and his wife, Mary II, later travelled to England in 1688 to take the throne from James II, they took their Pugs with them. By 1790 the Pug’s popularity spread to France where Josephine, Napoleon’s wife, depended on her Pug (called Fortune) to carry secret messages under its collar to her husband while she was imprisoned at Les Carmes.

Today, the Pug is a popular companion worldwide, although it is known by many other names; ‘Mops’ in Germany and Holland, ‘Mopsi’ in Finland, ‘Carline’ in France and ‘Doguillo’ in Spain.

Temperament

A dignified and intelligent dog with great charm, the Pug has amazing communication skills; its expressive and wrinkled muzzle, body language and the varied sounds it makes clearly tell its owner what it wants and how it is feeling. It is an even-tempered dog that is both lively and happy. It can be strong-willed but is rarely aggressive.

Appearance

Today, the Pug is a square, stocky dog with a deep chest and well-developed muscle. It has a large, round head with wrinkles and a strong, thick neck that is slightly arched. The eyes are dark with no white showing when looking forward. The tail is curled, with a double curl being considered perfection. The Pug moves with a slight roll of its hindquarters. The only colours available are various shades of fawn and completely black. The fawn Pug features a black muzzle, ears and trace (a line from head to tail).

Maintenance

The Pug’s facial creases need to be kept clean to avoid irritation and infection. The top of the nose is prone to becoming dry and cracked, and may require an application of pawpaw ointment to keep it in good condition.

Despite a short coat, the Pug sheds profusely. The fawn Pug appears to shed more hair than its black counterpart. A shedding tool is useful and this task is best performed outside on a table, as the amount of coat removed is often astounding.

Health

Generally, the Pug is a tough, small dog with a lifespan around 12 to 15 years. However, because of the breed’s love of food, it can be prone to obesity. This can be easily avoided with exercise and a healthy diet.

As the Pug’s face is flat, its eyes are more susceptible to damage than dogs with muzzles. The breed can be prone to skin disorders or reactions to pollens or grasses.

Suitability

The Pug seems to have an affinity for children and is robust enough for a good game. Being an adaptable dog it is equally happy to sit quietly with you and watch television. It is generally a quiet dog; its bark is quite muffled, making it good for unit living. The Pug has been bred purely as a companion dog and thrives on being involved with its human family, so is not to be left alone in the backyard.

Words: Sue King, on behalf of the Pug Dog Club of NSW (2014)

Image by Ingrid Matschke Photography

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Pug, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Pug and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 07 Feb 2013)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Decidedly square and cobby, it is 'multum in parvo' shown in compactness of form, well knit proportions and hardness of muscle, but never to appear low on legs.

Characteristics

Great charm, dignity and intelligence.

Temperament

Even tempered, happy and lively disposition.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head relatively large, round, not apple-headed, with no indentation of skull. Muzzle relatively short, blunt, square, not upfaced. Nose fairly large with well open nostrils. Wrinkles on forehead clearly defined without exaggeration. Eyes or nose never adversely affected or obscured by over nose wrinkle. Pinched nostrils and heavy or over nose wrinkle is unacceptable and should be heavily penalised.
Eyes	Dark, not too large, round in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and when excited, full of fire. Never protruding, exaggerated or showing white. Free from obvious eye problems.
Ears	Thin, small soft like black velvet. Two kinds – ‘Button ear’ – ear flap folding forward, tip lying close toskull to cover opening. ‘Rose ear’ – small drop ear which folds over and back to reveal the burr.
Mouth	Slightly undershot. Wry mouth, teeth or tongue showing all highly undesirable. Wide lower jaw with incisors almost in a straight line.
Neck	Slightly arched to resemble a crest, strong, thick with enough length to carry head proudly.
Forequarters	Legs very strong, straight, of moderate length, and well under body. Shoulders well sloped.
Body	Short and cobby, wide in chest. Ribs well sprung and carried well back. Topline level neither roached nor dipping.
Hindquarters	Legs very strong, of moderate length, with good turn of stifle, well under body, straight and parallel when viewed from rear.
Feet	Neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well-split-up toes; the nails black.
Tail	High set, curled tightly over hip. Double curl highly desirable.
Gait/Movement	Viewed from in front should rise and fall with legs well under shoulder, feet keeping directly to front, not turning in nor out. From behind action just as true. Using forelegs strongly putting them well forward with hindlegs moving freely and using stifles well. A slight unexaggerated roll of hindquarters typifies gait.
Coat	Fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither harsh, off-standing or woolly.
Colour	Silver, apricot, fawn or black. Each clearly defined, to make contrast complete between colour, trace (black line extending from occiput to tail) and mask. Markings clearly defined. Muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond on forehead and trace as black as possible.
Size	Ideal weight: 6.3-8.1 kg (14-18 lbs).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.