Pet Breed Focus: The Pug

The pet breed I'm going to look at this time is the pug.

The pug is a small dog distinguished by it's short muzzle, wrinkly face, and curled back tail. The breed originated in China where it was a companion dog for members of royal households where it lived a luxurious lifestyle, often with its own bodyguards. It was then brought over to the royalty of Europe in the 16th century where it was popularised by the House of Orange in the Netherlands following the foiling of an assassination attempt on the Prince after their pug Pompey alerted the family. House Orange then went on to share the breed with House Stuart of England where it may have been bred into the King Charles Spaniel line during a visit, playing a part in the short-muzzled nature of the breed.

At this time the breed was more long-legged and lean in stature and it was after another influx of pugs from China in 1860 that the shorter stockier appearance of the modern pug came to be. Queen Victoria was also involved in breeding of pugs and helped establish of the Kennel Club in 1873.

Studies into the modern pug in the UK show that the breed has seen significant inbreeding and that the 10,000 or so pugs here have the genetic diversity of just 50 individuals. This has perhaps fed into some of the health problems that many pugs can experience such as hip dysplasia which affects over half of pugs. The short muzzle makes them more prone to eye damage and many have breathing difficulties or an inability to regulate body temperature through panting. They may also reverse-sneeze when excited where they gasp or snort due to an elongated palette although this is usually harmless, and sedentary pugs are more prone to weight gain. Along with a few other smell breeds of dog there is a small risk of NME - an inflammation of the brain and meninges, sadly this condition is fatal with no known cure.

The modern pug is a stocky small dog with a short face and underbite; popular colours include light tan and dark brown. It is a sociable companion dog that can be strong-willed at times should they get away with it. Pugs are smart and loving dogs with a youthful sense of fun they retain throughout their lives. They like to spend time napping and are particularly sensitive to the moods of their owners who they love to be around, shadowing them as they move about.