For such a small dog, the Pug has a very large history. They have gone through many changes over the centuries, but one fact has always been the same - they love being with people. Many famous people owned Pugs throughout history, which helped to spread their popularity among the fashionable of the world. Looking at their history shows us a glimpse of what living with a Pug is like.

The origins of the Pug are shrouded in mystery and controversy. Some say there is written proof that they existed in 400 BCE, but some insist that there was proof they existed as far back as 700 BCE. It is generally believed that Pugs were originally from Asia, most likely China. This is logical, since all other breeds of snubbed-faced dogs originated in China, in particular, the Pekingese. There is some thought that the snub-nosed dogs mentioned in Chinese writings around 700 BCE were actually Pekingese and not Pugs.
The Pug as we recognize it did not exist until the 1800's. The Pug went through a long series of changes in body shape, body size and color that (for unknown reasons) some were encouraged while others were not. Some writings from Dutch traders in China indicated that there were longhaired and shorthaired Pugs, and that most of them were golden in color all over.

If Hogarth's representations of his Pug were accurate, then Pugs in his day (1697 - 1764) were probably barely recognizable as Pugs. They had longer legs, a slimmer body and a longer nose. They were bred in a variety of colors like fawn, black and silver. There were a limited number of Pugs brought to Holland, and then they spread out to other countries. It is commonly thought that Pugs were bred to small Bulldogs or an extinct small Mastiff in order to continue the breed.
Other Pug owners of note throughout history include Josephine, the infamous wife of Napoleon and the English painter William Hogarth, who included his Pug "Trump" in several paintings. If Hogarth was accurate, then Pugs in the sixteenth century had much longer legs, leaner frames and slightly longer noses than they do today. Since there was not a large gene pool of Pugs in Europe, it is thought that for centuries they were crossed with Bulldogs and possibly small Mastiffs.

The Pug as we know today came about in the 1800's, when the first organized dog shows began in Europe. It didn't take long for the idea of dog shows to cross the Atlantic. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed in 1885. The AKC, incidentally, was founded in 1884. Pugs have been consistently one of the top twenty most registered dog breeds in America for decades. Their plan to take over the world is nearly complete.

A Pug is an old breed that makes a great family pet.. If everyone who wanted a Pug puppy knew basic Pug information first,.there would be fewer abandoned Pugs.

The Pug dog is probably named Pug after the Old English word Pugg, which means a playful little devil or monkey. That name fits the Pug, as they have a winning personality that has aided in its migration around the word. Originally breed in China, it later traveled to Japan, other places around the globe, and eventually to England. From there, it came to America. The American Kennel Club officially recognized it as a breed in 1885. The Pug Dog Club of America was started in 1931, and the breed has grown in popularity ever since that time. It is one of the favorite breeds around the world.
A toy dog breed, Pugs have a medium-small body. They weigh in at thirteen to twenty pounds, and stand from twelve to fourteen inches tall. Pugs have a wrinkly face and large, dark eyes that light up when they are excited. Their eyes tend to have a lot of expression in them.
Pugs truly love their owners, and are one of the most loyal dogs. They want a lot of attention from their owners, and tend to get jealous of they don't get enough. They also can be anxious or agitated if they are ignored. They also love other dogs and pets, and children, as they are such social dogs. They don't like it if their owner uses harsh punishment, as they are sensitive to the tone of their owner's voice. They like to make their owners laugh, and they are usually found right with their owner, in their lap or at their feet.

The Pug breed is energetic, particularly in the early years. While they have a lot of energy, they are often a bit more difficult to train, as they don't have a lot of patience for the repetitive training sessions required to be trained.

Pugs love to go for walks, but are somewhat limited as they are very sensitive to extremes of temperature and have some trouble breathing when they exercise.

Altogether, the Pug dog can be a wonderful companion dog. It gets along well with humans and animal pets, making it an easy addition to any family. It will come to you ready to bond with its owner, and be fiercely loyal to that owner for a lifetime. It will be eager to please, have a lot of energy, and will often entertain you (or your friends) for the attention. While it isn't one of the easier breeds to train, it is playful and its clownish personality makes up for the lack of ease in training.

If you think you'd like to get a Pug, consider getting one as a puppy, when they are tiny and adorable, with the wrinkles in their face already. There are many breeders that can sell you one with good breeding and that is healthy. Buying a Pug as a puppy ensures that it will be your loyal companion.

Known for their playfulness, Pug dogs make wonderful companions. If you want Pug information, this article should help. It tells about the personality of the Pug.

Pug dogs are an excellent breed of dog and many choose to add more than one to their household. However, as with all dog breeds, the Pug isn't for everyone and every household. Therefore, it is best to consider the negative aspects of the breed before determining if they are the right dogs for you and your household. By properly selecting a breed that will work with you then you can make sure you have a positive experience. By doing your research and considering the negative aspects of a Pug dogs you will be able to determine if the personality and lifestyle of a put will fit with you and your household. So carefully and seriously consider the nature and characteristics of Pug dogs before you make the decision to add one to your household. The three most difficult areas include health issues, shedding and housetraining. Each will be discussed in more detail next.
Genetic health issues are common with Pug dogs. So the Pug is likely to need more veterinary care than other breeds. While this doesn't mean that your Pug will have health problems, it is still a good idea to be prepared to spend a good portion of your time and money at the vet's office. So if you don't like the sound of making this type of twelve plus year commitment then you may want to consider another breed of dog.

Another common problem with Pug dogs is shedding. They will shed more than other breeds even with a short coat. So if you don't want to deal with fur all over your house, car and clothes then you might want to consider another breed. You will just have to deal with the shedding of a Pug since there isn't much you can do to reduce the shedding. The only way to keep the hair down is with regular cleaning in order to keep your house, car and clothes looking presentable.
Housetraining is the last issue you will want to consider with Pug dogs. The Pug isn't the easiest of breeds to train. Their small size makes them more difficult to train than larger breeds, which have a greater capacity to hold. But size isn't the only obstacle owners face, as there is also the issue of the Pug dog's stubborn nature at times, which make them less cooperative to train than other breeds. Training of Pug dogs can happen within three months of adding the dog to your household if you have owned Pug dogs before or if you have a skilled training system in place from owning previous dogs. However, for most people you should expect to spend at least a year or more to teach your Pug proper housetraining techniques. So, if dealing with a puppy that isn't housetrained for a few years it may not be a good idea to get a Pug.

You want to carefully consider the pros and cons of owning a Pug. Finding Pug information is the best way to determine if they are the right breed for you.

The parent breed club, rather than the American Kennel Club (AKC), which acts in other ways in the dog show world, determines the breed standard for any dog breed in America. In the case of Pugs the Pug Dog Club of America determined the breed standard. It is only that club, as well as the efforts of ethical breeders, that can get any changes done for future Pugs. Pugs are small dogs with pushed-in faces and very curly tails.

There is controversy that a breed of dog like the Pug should no longer be bred because they are totally dependent on people for survival. Because of their short noses and wrinkly faces, they are often unable to even clean themselves. Many Pugs also have great breathing problems. But currently, the following is the current breed standard for all Pugs, whether they are dependent on their people for survival or not.
The adorable Pug pushed-in face is the subject of much controversy among dog lovers. It is argued that the current construction of the nose and mouth makes for a very unhealthy dog with a lot of breathing problems. Pet Pugs sometimes have longer noses than the breed standard calls for. However, until the breed standard is changed, all Pugs with nearly flat faces are considered the ideal Pug head.

Pugs have very broad skulls, button noses, huge black eyes and small, thin, velvety semi-floppy ears. Their heads are to be round, not apple shaped. Their faces are very wrinkly, like a Mastiff's (only smaller and flatter). A lot of wrinkles are encouraged in the Pug breed standard. The coat is short, smooth and fairly glossy. The body should be Bulldog like, shaped round and broad and the legs are short and even. The tail is a curly-cue resting on the back.
Pugs come in three colors, but odds are you'll only see two in your lifetime. The one color is all black and the other is an apricot or fawn with a black face. The third color is silver (a light grey), which is considered very rare. In the Pug's history, there were many other colors, and sometimes they crop up in future generations. They would not be allowed as show Pugs.

Most Pugs have temperaments as distinctive as their appearance. Since they were bred to be companion animals, they do their utmost to get along with everyone, no matter what their species. This good temperament is also part of their breed standard. They are charming, ready for fun, thrive on being adored and levelheaded. Their eyes are literally and metaphorically bright and full of life. Pet Pugs often have dewclaws and straighter tails than their tightly curled show brothers. No matter what they look like, Pugs make great pets.

A purebred Pug can be found available for adoption from a Pug breed rescue. You can fund many dog care books, surely to include some covering Pug information.