Pug Facts

The Pug is easily one of the most popular small dog breeds in the world. And with its adorable wrinkled face, convenient size, and friendly personality it’s no wonder why. So here are some of the top Pug facts every admirer of the breed will want to know.

From China To England

The Pug had its origins in China and despite the lack of written evidence is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds. In the 1500’s they were brought to Holland by Dutch merchants. Later on, they were also brought to Spain, Portugal, and England where the breed was ultimately perfected.

Official Dog Of The House Of Orange

In 1572 the Pug was named the official dog of Holland’s royal House of Orange after the Prince’s pet helped him to avoid capture by Spanish forces. The Spanish tried to take over Holland and attempted a surprise attack on William the Silent, the then Prince of Orange, and future King of England.

The attack took place as William and his men slept in their camp. However, William’s faithful Pug named Pompey sensed the danger and raised the alarm. This gave the Prince and his men just enough time to escape.

A Possible Monkey Connection

Like many breeds, the exact origins of the name “Pug,” aren’t known. However, there are a few likely possibilities. One is that the name is derived from the Latin word “pugnus,” which means “fist.” This is due to the fact that when viewed from the side the breed’s head, looks like a clenched fist.

A more popular theory however is that the name came from the UK in the seventeenth century. The term “pug,” was an affectionate word used for the pet marmoset monkeys which were all the rage at that time in history. Marmosets have wrinkly faces. So the belief is that people started calling the breed “pug dogs,” or just simply “pugs,” because of their resemblance to the wrinkly-faced monkeys.

Mini-Mastiff

The Pug’s wrinkled muzzle and coat color look similar to the Mastiff. For this reason, in the past, it was sometimes referred to as the Dwarf Mastiff. It was also called the Dutch Mastiff because of its early popularity in the Netherlands.

Desirable Traits

In the early nineteenth century, the Pug was used to help give other breeds certain characteristics. For instance, it was bred with the Bulldog to help reduce the length of the Bulldog’s muzzle.

It’s also believed that the Pug was crossed with Bulldogs by the French in order to reduce the Bulldog’s size. This crossing supposedly helped to create the French Bulldog. The Brussels Griffon is thought to have been crossed with the Pug as well.

The “Prince” Mark

In the Pug’s homeland of China, historically one of the most important physical traits stressed by breeders was known as the “Prince,” mark. This is a formation of wrinkles on the dog’s forehead that includes a vertical bar and looks similar to the character in the Chinese language for the word “Prince.”

Two Colors

According to the standard for the breed, there are only two acceptable coat colors: fawn and black. While considered to be rare, some purebred dogs can have silver coats. However, a silver Pug is considered to fall into the fawn color category.

Obesity

One of the biggest Pug health issues is actually caused by their owners: obesity. Overfeeding and insufficient daily exercise are common causes that can lead to excess weight on their small frame. Obesity can be very dangerous and is known to contribute to heart, skin, and joint problems.

Convenient Companion

This is not a breed that was developed to hunt or work in any way. The only “job,” the Pug was ever meant to do was function as a loving companion. Luckily its convenient size allows it to be owned by those who have limited space or don’t want the hassle of a larger pooch.

A Serious Snorer

One of the most distinct Pug characteristics is its short, muzzle. And it is this short muzzle that causes the breed to snore. Many Pug dogs actually snore quite loudly which may be something prospective owners want to take into consideration especially if they are light sleepers.

Flatulence

Flatulence in many dogs is a result of diet. However, one of the Pug facts many people don’t find out until they actually own one, is that these dogs are naturally gassy. While diet can contribute to their gas, farts are just something that comes along with this breed.

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