PUG DOGS: SENSITIVE DOGS WITH ROYAL HERITAGE

According to Denise Flaim (Dog Fancy: September 2005), Pugs are extremely intelligent dogs with long memories. She describes a situation in which a Pug breeder traveled to the same dog show year after year, staying in the same hotel. According to Flaim, the show dog led the family to the room in which they had stayed the previous year, year after year. Apparently, royal families of old, saw the same special quality in Pugs, as they were first found in the imperial courts of China. Sailors from the far east smuggled the dogs into their native lands where they were once again the favorites of still more royals.

Flaim shares that Josephine, wife of Napolion Bonaparte, was owned by a Pug who did not take too kindly to his presence on their honeymoon night. All was forgiven, as the same Pug later helped Josephine smuggle messages to Napolion when he was in prison. Queen Victoria, of England, was also quite fond of the largest of the toy Pug breed.

Pugs are described as "clowns" who cannot live without human attention. In fact, many believe the breed prefers human company to that of other dogs. The dogs will follow you from room to room; wherever you are is where they want to be. Pugs are basically friendly with other dogs and older children, but younger children may cause the dogs to play beyond their physical endurance.

Pugs have a low endurance for extreme climates, and are best as inside dogs. It is also best to only have one Pug, if you have a dog of another breed, because two or more Pugs tend to tease and annoy dogs of another breed. One Pug is generally enjoyed by dogs of all breeds.

Pugs generally weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. They come in Silver, apricot-fawn, and black. Their coat is fine, smooth, soft, short, and glossy, but sheds year around. According to Flaim, those who keep company with Pugs must constantly accommodate the necessity to remove hair from their clothing and furniture, or select garments and furniture the color of their Pugs. If this is a problem for you, you might need to select another short haired breed. Grooming involves brushing your Pug about twice weekly, and cleaning his or her nose fold daily. Their activity level is moderate, but they can easily overexert themselves, so be careful to allow plenty of rest between play times.

GENETIC HEALTH PROBLEMS

Kneecaps that slip are common among this breed, as are inward growing eyelashes. Hip Displasia occurs; however, breeders and fanciers report that the dog's small size keeps the orthepedic problem from interfering with their ability to get around. More serious in Pugs is encephalitis, a swelling of the brain that causes neurological symptoms, seizures, a staggering walk, and eventually, death.

ASK THE BREEDER

1. What health problems would you anticipate in this litter?

2. What are the parents' and grandparents' health histories?

3. Has there been any encephalitis in this line of Pugs?

4. What kind of support system will you be for this puppy and me for the dog's lifetime?

5. How profusely do your dogs shed?

RESCUE:

Contact Pug Dog Club of America at www.pugs.org for information on Pug dogs who need loving homes.