All about Pugs
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"Pictured Frankie aged 7 and Ethel aged 9 weeks, Grandmother and Grand daughter. Aw.!"
History
HISTORY
The history of the breed is very interesting and if you get the time to buy books from Amazon on the Pug breed or research online it is helpful to understand how they came about.
Pugs were originally brought from China to Europe in the 16th Century. Queen Victoria had a love for Pugs and owned the breed. Pugs were in times gone past bred for companions for ruling families in China. They were highly prized by the Chinese Emperors, and the dogs were kept guarded by soldiers. Gradually they started to spread across Asia. Buddist monks kept Pugs as pets. The pugs we own today do come from those early ancestors of exported Pugs from China. Although they shape has changed over the years. But you can see in ancient paintings that they are Pugs. Its easy to recognise the breed.
In 1952 in The House of Orange, a Pug named Pompey saved the life of the Prince of Orange by alerting him to the approach of assigns. When I first learnt that in those early days Pugs could be guard dogs, I laughed. But after owning them I can see exactly whey. They hear a leaf drop. Anything that seems different they warn me about. I can attest to their good guarding even today. They are my early warning system here, followed and backed by my Vizlsa. So they are clever dogs the Pugs and know when something changes. They actually have a good nose, and scent new smells, and hear sounds well.
The breed even went to Spain, Italy and they rode in carriages, dressed in jackets matching the coachman. The powers of the Pugs soon spread. We joke they have invaded the earth, but their popularity just goes on from strength to strength.
Breed Standard
The breed standard is just a description of what the Pug should look like. This description was set out by Pug Club members and The Kennel club of Great Britain and this is what defines a Pug as a Pug.
When a judge looks at the dog they have to learn the breed standard, and judge the dog as closely to the breed standard as they possibly can do. Anything which detracts from the standard is not a Pug.
To read about what a Pug should look like you need to go to The Kennel Club website and read the breed standard. You should also find the breed standard on the Pug club website.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/standard.aspx?id=6164
In my own words how would I describe a Pug?
Firstly the Pug breed is cheerful, full of fun and very loving. Loyal and can hear any sounds which may alert them to a stranger about. Small compact dog, short strong, compact legs. The colour of coat is very important as this will give you indication of any cross breeding that has gone on before. The colours set out by the Pug Club and Kennel club is Fawn, Apricot, Black, Silver. However I have been told no-one has seen Silver in the UK for 10 years and the breeders who are selling "Platinum pugs as silver', are incorrect as the silver coat is a very pale fawn. Platinum are dark grey.
Their are people who argue that their dogs are pedigree, and although the colour is incorrect they can register them as "CNR which stands for Colour Not Recognised"!.
(I was only reading today someone looking for a Pug puppy and they can not understand why the main Governing body the Kennel club of Great Britain is registering Pugs that are colour not recognised. She was asking for a reason why cross breeding is allowed, as she wants to purchase a dog but wants a pure bred dog not cross breed. Im afraid their is no real answer as to why this has happened. The kennel club have admitted on TV Crufts coverage that CNR means cross breeding has occurred, but they are not in any way responsible for it. Explaining to you the public why is this allowed to happen? All we can say is contact the Kennel club and ask them why as most good breeders can not understand what is happening).
Getting back to the Pug, in character they can either be on the go all day long, or very lazy. You never know for sure when you take a puppy home what their character will be like.
A Pug should not leave its mother and family until 9 weeks of age, anything earlier the dog is not quite developed enough. We are hearing cases of puppies leaving at 6 weeks. The law from April 2018 states dogs are not allowed to leave the breeder until 8 weeks. Also the puppy must be microchipped by 8 weeks.
Summer time can cause difficulties to some Pugs, as they can not regulate their body temperature as easily as other breeds, so you should not walk them in extreme heat.
Pugs make good apartment dogs, where as you just couldn't sell a Hungarian Vizsla to a flat owner as it would drive them mad. Where as the Pug is a dog which doesn't need a massive garden to live quite happily. They do however require walks.
Pugs are good with children, only if the children are good with Pugs. It is not fair to introduce a Pug into a home if your kids are OTT. Their is NO dog breed that should be pulled around constantly. The Pug enjoys children company and as long as your children are gentle around dogs, they make great companions for children.
When you look for a Pug puppy, do not be in a rush. If you want one in five minutes you can find one but it does not mean it is the right one. Many many Pugs are sold, which are not true bred pugs. Its extremely hard to purchase a true bred Pug at the moment. I advise you go to "The Pug dog club", online and speak to them. They will direct you to a well bred Pug.
Health Tests
Currently at the time of writing their is no kennel club required health test on the parents. However it is strongly advised to buy puppies from breeders who are health testing their dogs. You can request to see the health test certificate on any health test. If a breeder genuinely has done them, they will be happy to show you the health test. If their is some excuse as to why they do not have them, the likely conclusion is they have not done them.
Health tests suggested by breed club is HV, PDE, Patellas. Boas is being encouraged. Because these health tests are not K c required they will not appear online beside the dogs name as being done as the certificates are held by the breeder. Knowing what Ive learnt now, I would not buy a Pug with out mum having as many health tests as possible.
Tips on finding a Pug breeder
On the Kennel club website. On Champdogs website. Breed club puppy lists.
If you want to show your Pug?
Firstly you need to find a class for training for the show ring. It is called Ring Craft training. Go on a regular basis and they will help teach you what you need to know if you go in the show ring, and if your lucky someone may already be there with a Pug that can advise you. Pugs are stood on tables whilst the judge goes over them, so you must train your dog to like being on a table. Pugs can take a dislike to being higher up as it scares them. The table must not wobble. Also teach your Pug to free stand in the ring as well. So go to ring craft and you will learn what to do. On facebook you an find a lot of Ringcraft training groups for your area. Your Pug must be kennel club registered to enter a dog show which is a kennel club show. But remember if your dogs a colour not recognised it will not be placed as judges have to judge to the breed standard.
Daily Care of Pugs?
FOLDS. Hopefully your Pug doesn't have loads of skin folds, I personally like to see less. If your Pug does have loads then you need to clean the folds regular. I find Simple make up wipes are excellent for cleaning faces. If your Pug gets an irritated skin around the folds, you can buy antibacterial dog pads which keeps the skin clean from bacteria, but also dry the fold after you have wiped it. I have to say my dogs don't get fold issues as they have very few folds.
EARS. The Pugs ear is defined in two types. Rose ears or button ears. Button ears look cuter as they fold forward, but rose ears stick out more. Rose ears lets the air circulate around the ear well. But with all ear types you should check them weekly. If they look clean leave well alone. You can alter the flora of a dogs ears by over cleaning it. If however the ear has dark wax you need to clean the ear. Sometimes dogs ears get infections, then seek your veterinary surgeons advice. Sometimes dogs get ear mites, and these clear quickly with the correct ear mite drops. Then you have ears which can build up too much wax and it is over production of a yeast. Again your vet can prescribe you drops which helps with yeast. Often though yeast build up is down to allergies to plant, pollen or food.
EYES. The eyes on your dog should look bright and healthy. Pugs eyes can bulge and because of this they are easy targets to damage. It is highly advisable to have pet health insurance as eyes are precious and you can not leave them. Early treatment can save eyes getting ulcers or developing sight loss. If you go to a beach and the sand is blowing, it is advisable not to walk any dog. Keeping in your handbag and eye wash solution is very wise if you own a Pug, and use it and ring your vet and make appointment. Sometimes washing grit from the eye can save an eye.
NAILS. All dogs nails need regular maintenance, most dogs nails need trimming every 2-3 weeks. If a dog runs a lot on pavement it may wear the nail down a little but generally it doesn't wear them down unless they are jumping on concrete. Buy yourself some nail clippers an trimmex powder which helps stems bleeding if you accidentally get the blood line. I will warn you now, Pugs do not like their nails trimmed. If you struggle go to your vets or dog groomers to have these done. A dogs nail should never curl under the pad otherwise you may find your dog develops skeletal issues from skating on its claws.
GROOMING. A Pug requires little grooming except when they moult. They moult once to twice a year. The fawn coat is quite thick and when it comes out you will get absolutely covered. I advise before bathing to groom the dog with a ferminator and gently pull this through the coat and it will remove dead hair. Do not forget the word GENTLY! Then bath the dog and dry the dog, and then groom the dog again. You will need to groom your dog a few times a day whilst it is moulting. It takes 2 weeks for the hair to come out and then its all okay again. The Black Pug has a single thin coat which does not moult as much.
DIET. The Pug may well tolerate anything you feed it if you are lucky, but chances are it may well be suited to a blander diet, with not as many fats in. A Pug should be fed twice a day because they prefer to have their meals split. This helps the dog not create too much acid which can come back as bile first thing in the morning. If your dog sicks bile then feed it something at 10pm and this will stop the over production of acid. Most people who buy pugs do not want to do the BARF diet which is raw feeding. If you do not like the idea of raw feeding you can feed them tray foods such as forth glade or nature diet or applaws in tins. But if you want to give the raw diet a go, then try natural instinct for raw dog food, which is already prepared for you with vitamins and minerals added in the form of food groups. ie. kelp, salmon oil etc.
HISTORY
The history of the breed is very interesting and if you get the time to buy books from Amazon on the Pug breed or research online it is helpful to understand how they came about.
Pugs were originally brought from China to Europe in the 16th Century. Queen Victoria had a love for Pugs and owned the breed. Pugs were in times gone past bred for companions for ruling families in China. They were highly prized by the Chinese Emperors, and the dogs were kept guarded by soldiers. Gradually they started to spread across Asia. Buddist monks kept Pugs as pets. The pugs we own today do come from those early ancestors of exported Pugs from China. Although they shape has changed over the years. But you can see in ancient paintings that they are Pugs. Its easy to recognise the breed.
In 1952 in The House of Orange, a Pug named Pompey saved the life of the Prince of Orange by alerting him to the approach of assigns. When I first learnt that in those early days Pugs could be guard dogs, I laughed. But after owning them I can see exactly whey. They hear a leaf drop. Anything that seems different they warn me about. I can attest to their good guarding even today. They are my early warning system here, followed and backed by my Vizlsa. So they are clever dogs the Pugs and know when something changes. They actually have a good nose, and scent new smells, and hear sounds well.
The breed even went to Spain, Italy and they rode in carriages, dressed in jackets matching the coachman. The powers of the Pugs soon spread. We joke they have invaded the earth, but their popularity just goes on from strength to strength.
Breed Standard
The breed standard is just a description of what the Pug should look like. This description was set out by Pug Club members and The Kennel club of Great Britain and this is what defines a Pug as a Pug.
When a judge looks at the dog they have to learn the breed standard, and judge the dog as closely to the breed standard as they possibly can do. Anything which detracts from the standard is not a Pug.
To read about what a Pug should look like you need to go to The Kennel Club website and read the breed standard. You should also find the breed standard on the Pug club website.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/standard.aspx?id=6164
In my own words how would I describe a Pug?
Firstly the Pug breed is cheerful, full of fun and very loving. Loyal and can hear any sounds which may alert them to a stranger about. Small compact dog, short strong, compact legs. The colour of coat is very important as this will give you indication of any cross breeding that has gone on before. The colours set out by the Pug Club and Kennel club is Fawn, Apricot, Black, Silver. However I have been told no-one has seen Silver in the UK for 10 years and the breeders who are selling "Platinum pugs as silver', are incorrect as the silver coat is a very pale fawn. Platinum are dark grey.
Their are people who argue that their dogs are pedigree, and although the colour is incorrect they can register them as "CNR which stands for Colour Not Recognised"!.
(I was only reading today someone looking for a Pug puppy and they can not understand why the main Governing body the Kennel club of Great Britain is registering Pugs that are colour not recognised. She was asking for a reason why cross breeding is allowed, as she wants to purchase a dog but wants a pure bred dog not cross breed. Im afraid their is no real answer as to why this has happened. The kennel club have admitted on TV Crufts coverage that CNR means cross breeding has occurred, but they are not in any way responsible for it. Explaining to you the public why is this allowed to happen? All we can say is contact the Kennel club and ask them why as most good breeders can not understand what is happening).
Getting back to the Pug, in character they can either be on the go all day long, or very lazy. You never know for sure when you take a puppy home what their character will be like.
A Pug should not leave its mother and family until 9 weeks of age, anything earlier the dog is not quite developed enough. We are hearing cases of puppies leaving at 6 weeks. The law from April 2018 states dogs are not allowed to leave the breeder until 8 weeks. Also the puppy must be microchipped by 8 weeks.
Summer time can cause difficulties to some Pugs, as they can not regulate their body temperature as easily as other breeds, so you should not walk them in extreme heat.
Pugs make good apartment dogs, where as you just couldn't sell a Hungarian Vizsla to a flat owner as it would drive them mad. Where as the Pug is a dog which doesn't need a massive garden to live quite happily. They do however require walks.
Pugs are good with children, only if the children are good with Pugs. It is not fair to introduce a Pug into a home if your kids are OTT. Their is NO dog breed that should be pulled around constantly. The Pug enjoys children company and as long as your children are gentle around dogs, they make great companions for children.
When you look for a Pug puppy, do not be in a rush. If you want one in five minutes you can find one but it does not mean it is the right one. Many many Pugs are sold, which are not true bred pugs. Its extremely hard to purchase a true bred Pug at the moment. I advise you go to "The Pug dog club", online and speak to them. They will direct you to a well bred Pug.
Health Tests
Currently at the time of writing their is no kennel club required health test on the parents. However it is strongly advised to buy puppies from breeders who are health testing their dogs. You can request to see the health test certificate on any health test. If a breeder genuinely has done them, they will be happy to show you the health test. If their is some excuse as to why they do not have them, the likely conclusion is they have not done them.
Health tests suggested by breed club is HV, PDE, Patellas. Boas is being encouraged. Because these health tests are not K c required they will not appear online beside the dogs name as being done as the certificates are held by the breeder. Knowing what Ive learnt now, I would not buy a Pug with out mum having as many health tests as possible.
Tips on finding a Pug breeder
On the Kennel club website. On Champdogs website. Breed club puppy lists.
- Always see mummy Pug with the babies. I know this is impossible with Covid. But see videos if you can.
- It is not always possible to see dad. If he is a show dog however he may well be at dog shows you can visit. Ask the breeder.
- The puppy must be Kennel club registered. With out registration you can not know you are buying a pedigree dog.
- The parents must be Kennel club registered.
- The parents must be recognised colours. Apricot, Fawn, Black. The Kennel club will still register non recognised colours even though they know they are cross breeds. So check colours in the pedigree.
- If a breeder offers to take payment and deliver the puppy, refuse. This means you are probably buying from a puppy farmer that does not wish for you to see his/her premises.
- Does the breeder have a website? Can you see from the website that the breeder shows care for their adults. Do not just buy from an advert online that you can see no past history of the breeder.
- Go visit the breeder and make sure the puppy is being reared in nice surroundings.
- Breeders that care for their puppies will not sell breeding dogs. They will put a breeding endorsement on the K C Documents. You would have to complete health tests before a breeder would lift an endorsement so check the breeders terms. Do not assume you can just breed from the dog.
- If you wish to start breeding, find a breeder who will mentour you in breeding, and can advise on what you need to buy to start, advice on what to do.
- Make sure that mum has had health tests done, and dad.
- The breeder should worm the puppies at least twice before you have the puppy.
- They should give you some diet sheets. Plus other information.
- Are they a member of The Pug club ? If they are they are showing an interest in the Pug breed other than breeding.
- Do they show or is the dad shown? Or other breeds they show ? This often means you are getting a better pedigree dog. As the owners will be looking at the best stud dogs in the UK for stud.
- Please remember their is a huge amount of so called Pug breeding that is cross breeding going on in the UK. Cross breeds demanding high prices. If you want a pedigree dog, you must look at the parents of the puppies. If the Pug has long legs, fluffy coats, incorrect colours it may mean grand mother or grand father was not a pug.
If you want to show your Pug?
Firstly you need to find a class for training for the show ring. It is called Ring Craft training. Go on a regular basis and they will help teach you what you need to know if you go in the show ring, and if your lucky someone may already be there with a Pug that can advise you. Pugs are stood on tables whilst the judge goes over them, so you must train your dog to like being on a table. Pugs can take a dislike to being higher up as it scares them. The table must not wobble. Also teach your Pug to free stand in the ring as well. So go to ring craft and you will learn what to do. On facebook you an find a lot of Ringcraft training groups for your area. Your Pug must be kennel club registered to enter a dog show which is a kennel club show. But remember if your dogs a colour not recognised it will not be placed as judges have to judge to the breed standard.
Daily Care of Pugs?
FOLDS. Hopefully your Pug doesn't have loads of skin folds, I personally like to see less. If your Pug does have loads then you need to clean the folds regular. I find Simple make up wipes are excellent for cleaning faces. If your Pug gets an irritated skin around the folds, you can buy antibacterial dog pads which keeps the skin clean from bacteria, but also dry the fold after you have wiped it. I have to say my dogs don't get fold issues as they have very few folds.
EARS. The Pugs ear is defined in two types. Rose ears or button ears. Button ears look cuter as they fold forward, but rose ears stick out more. Rose ears lets the air circulate around the ear well. But with all ear types you should check them weekly. If they look clean leave well alone. You can alter the flora of a dogs ears by over cleaning it. If however the ear has dark wax you need to clean the ear. Sometimes dogs ears get infections, then seek your veterinary surgeons advice. Sometimes dogs get ear mites, and these clear quickly with the correct ear mite drops. Then you have ears which can build up too much wax and it is over production of a yeast. Again your vet can prescribe you drops which helps with yeast. Often though yeast build up is down to allergies to plant, pollen or food.
EYES. The eyes on your dog should look bright and healthy. Pugs eyes can bulge and because of this they are easy targets to damage. It is highly advisable to have pet health insurance as eyes are precious and you can not leave them. Early treatment can save eyes getting ulcers or developing sight loss. If you go to a beach and the sand is blowing, it is advisable not to walk any dog. Keeping in your handbag and eye wash solution is very wise if you own a Pug, and use it and ring your vet and make appointment. Sometimes washing grit from the eye can save an eye.
NAILS. All dogs nails need regular maintenance, most dogs nails need trimming every 2-3 weeks. If a dog runs a lot on pavement it may wear the nail down a little but generally it doesn't wear them down unless they are jumping on concrete. Buy yourself some nail clippers an trimmex powder which helps stems bleeding if you accidentally get the blood line. I will warn you now, Pugs do not like their nails trimmed. If you struggle go to your vets or dog groomers to have these done. A dogs nail should never curl under the pad otherwise you may find your dog develops skeletal issues from skating on its claws.
GROOMING. A Pug requires little grooming except when they moult. They moult once to twice a year. The fawn coat is quite thick and when it comes out you will get absolutely covered. I advise before bathing to groom the dog with a ferminator and gently pull this through the coat and it will remove dead hair. Do not forget the word GENTLY! Then bath the dog and dry the dog, and then groom the dog again. You will need to groom your dog a few times a day whilst it is moulting. It takes 2 weeks for the hair to come out and then its all okay again. The Black Pug has a single thin coat which does not moult as much.
DIET. The Pug may well tolerate anything you feed it if you are lucky, but chances are it may well be suited to a blander diet, with not as many fats in. A Pug should be fed twice a day because they prefer to have their meals split. This helps the dog not create too much acid which can come back as bile first thing in the morning. If your dog sicks bile then feed it something at 10pm and this will stop the over production of acid. Most people who buy pugs do not want to do the BARF diet which is raw feeding. If you do not like the idea of raw feeding you can feed them tray foods such as forth glade or nature diet or applaws in tins. But if you want to give the raw diet a go, then try natural instinct for raw dog food, which is already prepared for you with vitamins and minerals added in the form of food groups. ie. kelp, salmon oil etc.
INSURANCE
Ideally have pet health insurance for Pugs. The breed is well known for more health issues than other breeds of dogs. They can easily damage eyes for example if the eye ball is in a shallow socket. I have heard of operations costing from £700 to £5000 with Pugs. So to cover yourself I would always with any brachycephalic breed have insurances. This includes French bulldogs.
Ideally have pet health insurance for Pugs. The breed is well known for more health issues than other breeds of dogs. They can easily damage eyes for example if the eye ball is in a shallow socket. I have heard of operations costing from £700 to £5000 with Pugs. So to cover yourself I would always with any brachycephalic breed have insurances. This includes French bulldogs.