Meet The Pug

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Big pups, little pups, sleek pups, fluffy, we love them all! One of the most beloved and unique-looking pooches is the pug. Fido’s adorable face and expressive eyes have definitely earned him some fans! A veterinarian discusses the pug below.

History

The pug was originally bred as a companion dog for ancient Chinese nobles, and became the favorite pooch of several Emperors. Needless to say, being the Emperor’s favorite pet is a pretty sweet deal. Those lucky pups lived lives of complete doggy luxury. They even had their own guards! Pug dogs were also beloved in Tibet, where Buddhist monks kept them as pets. 

The breed was brought to Europe in the 16th century. Pugs soon charmed … well, pretty much everyone. Goya, the famous painter, painted several pugs. In Italy, pugs were actually allowed to ride in the front seats of private carriages, often dressed in tiny replicas of the coachmen’s outfits. Queen Victoria was also a fan. The pugs even became the official dog of the House Of Orange, after one alerted his owner, the Prince of Orange, that there were assassins approaching, thereby saving his life.

America

Fido made it to the US during the 19th century. The AKC officially welcomed him into their ranks in 1885. In 1931, he got his very own club: The Pug Dog Club Of America. One special pug, Dhandys Favorite Woodchuck, even won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1981.

Care

Pugs are brachycephalic dogs. Like other brachys, they have very short airways, and can easily lose their breath. You don’t want to overexert your canine pal, as this can cause respiratory distress. However, you also shouldn’t let Fido become a complete couch potato: that can lead to obesity, which in itself can cause or contribute to many health issues. You’ll also need to be careful with your pup’s cute bug eyes, as they can be prone to injuries. Ask your vet for specific care tips.

Temperament

Friendly, super cute, loyal, and lovable, pugs have often been referred to by the phrase Multum in parvo, which translates to ‘a lot of dog in a small space’ in ‘pug’ Latin.They can be stubborn, but are rarely aggressive, and are remarkably patient with kids, and are equally fond of naps and playtime. They’re often called shadows, because they stay so close to their humans.

Do you have questions about pugs? Contact us, your animal clinic!