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| Pug |
Pugs belong to what one can call a toy or small dog breed.
They are also known by the names of Chinese Pug, Pug dog, Mopshond,
Carlin, and Dutch Mastiffs. Generally a male Pug reaches the height of
about 14 inches while the maximum height a female can reach is 30
centimetres. Pugs weigh around 8 kilograms. It has a flat muzzle and a
large head. It is also quite stocky in appearance and has large eyes.
These large eyes are also pretty dark in color. Its face has wrinkles.
The outer parts of the wrinkles are lighter in color than the inner
parts. Pugs are available in various colors, which include, black,
apricot, fawn, and silver. They can live till the age of 15 years. These
dogs have a wide rib and a curled tail. Some Pugs have two curls in
their tails. Their ears are quite thin and are shaped like rose or
button.
Coat
Pugs have double coats covered in short
and small hairs. The coat is quite soft and glossy by nature. Pugs shed
their coat all round the year. However, the shedding will depend on the
coat type. Fawn colored coats shed more than any other color.
History
According to popular belief, the origin
of Pugs date back before the birth of Christ and prior to 400 BC.
However, researchers agree that this dog breed was first seen in Asia,
especially in China. This dog was a favorite of the kings of the ruling
Shang Dynasty. They were called “Lo-Chiang-Sze” or “Foo”. Even Confucius
has noted the presence of this breed in his writings. This breed then
gained popularity in other Asian countries like Tibet and Japan, before
finally winning the hearts of Europeans.
It is through the merchants of the Dutch East India Company that Europe was acquainted with Pug during the 15th and 16th
centuries. This dog became a rage in Holland and got the place of the
official dog in the House of Orange. In 1572, a Pug by the name of
Pompey prevented an assassination bid on the Prince of Orange by
barking.
It was with William III and Mary II that
this breed cam to England in the year 1688. Breeding the Pug with King
Charles Spaniel created the modern English King Charles Spaniel. This
modern breed too has some Pug like characteristics.
Pugs could also be seen in paintings of
Goya in Spain and in the Italian paintings. It is around the18th century
that Pugs came to France. Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife Josephine too had a
Pug named Fortune. She used the dog for sending letters to her husband
during her prison days.
English Painter William Hogarth painted a
self portrait that also featured his pet Pug, Trump. This painting can
be seen in the Tate Gallery in London.
Even Queen Victoria took a liking
towards Pugs. She bred a few Pugs herself. These Pugs were named Olga,
Fatima, Venus, Pedro, and Minka.
The USA welcomed this breed in the 19th century. Pugs have won various dog shows. The various clubs that accept Pugs include American Kennel Club or AKC among others.
Temperament
Pugs are jovial, happy, and friendly
dogs. However, these dogs have a strong personality, which can often
turn towards being stubborn. This stubbornness can be won over by good
training. They are best fit for indoors and would love your company.
Since an unhappy Pug is no fun, you will need to keep an eye on its
health and diet.
Pugs are keen to learn and intelligent
by nature. They can fill your life with fun and laughter. Having a Pug
around can uplift your mood, no matter how down you may feel. Pugs can
easily get along with other dogs and pets. They can be good guards and
protect your property well. Pugs are not at all aggressive and can be
very good for homes having children.
It is seen that while the males have a
more happy-go-lucky attitude, the females are more observant and alert.
They can also be quite mischievous. However, their self-confidence is
worth a mention.
You may not hear the bark of a Pug that
often because a large part of its mouth is often hidden by nostrils or
wrinkles. However, they will let you know whenever there is a stranger
around as they get pretty curious about strangers.
Health
The major health issue that a Pug
suffers includes Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE). This brain inflammation
generally affects adolescent Pugs, especially those who are around two
to three years old. Due to its short height, a Pug is quite vulnerable
to eye injuries. Apart from these ailments, Pugs are also quite
sensitive to hot and cold weather. You should give adequate protection
to your dog during the weather change and avoid too much of outdoor
exposure.
Pugs often suffer from obesity. In case
they love a particular dish, they can overeat. You should keep a tab on
their diet. Know what food your Pug needs and of what quantity. You
should feed it the exact amount that’s necessary for its health. You
should also take good care of its teeth. Remember - regular brushing is a
must for your pet.
Sometimes Pugs may also have bouts of epilepsy. Many people think that this is related to PDE, which is wrong.
You should also find out if your Pug has
any kind of allergies. These allergies are usually displayed by
symptoms like sneezing, running nose and teary eyes. Take it to a good
veterinarian and he or she may suggest some medicines or let you know if
the dog needs any dietary changes.
It is also true that Pugs have snoring
issues. This is specifically caused because of their short nostrils.
Your Pug may need a surgery around the respiratory tract in such cases.
However, always consult a vet for the right solution.
In case you dog is suffering from cold,
make sure to adjust the length of its exercise session. You may even let
it heal and then resume the same.
Grooming
Though a Pug has short hairs, it sheds a
lot. Be prepared for this if you are about to buy a Pug. Pugs have
double coat. The undercoat has softer and straighter hair than the upper
coat. Generally, the hair on the upper coat is longer than those of the
under coat. It is quite easy to take care of this coat. Take a brush
with firm bristles and indulge your pet in a good brushing session.
Shampoo a Pug when it is absolutely necessary. Make sure that you dry
the dog so that it does not catch cold. The face wrinkles should also be
cared for on a regular basis. Since without regular care, these
wrinkles can create health problems, you should clean them every day.
Exercise
Though a Pug needs regular exercise, you
should take care that they do not become too stressed out. Pug is not a
dog fit for the outdoors. So, take it out for light exercises. Walking
and a few games are enough to keep it fit. While walking, make sure that
the dog follows you rather than the other way round. This way, it will
also learn to follow you. Regular walking and other exercises will keep
its leg muscles well toned and strong. While exercising your Pug, pay
attention to its breathing and stop as soon as it gets uneven.
You should also take good care about the
temperature of the exercise area. It should not exceed 70 degrees
Fahrenheit. You should never forget the vulnerability of the dog in cold
and hot climates.
You will not need to create a separate yard for your Pug. Just make sure that it has a comfortable weather to live in.
Training
Pugs are intelligent dogs and are easy
to train. However, they need a trainer or a master who is patient,
gentle as well as confident. Pugs will easily guess if you lack
confidence. If this happens, you will find it difficult to make them
listen to you. However, well trained Pugs can also win you dog shows. It
is due to its enthusiasm for learning that a Pug can easily learn new
tricks.
Pugs like to impress their master and
are also very good learners. They will learn the commands very quickly.
However, you must never lose patience in case they take time to repeat
their good behavior. You should encourage them through praise.
Make sure that you start training your
Pug from an early age. Start with the basic commands. Learning the basic
commands solves a lot of behavioral issues of the dog. Potty training
should also be given when the Pug is young.
You should let your dog know about the
acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Train it in such a way that it
has a clear understanding about its territory. Otherwise, it may create
complications by showing too much of protective behavior towards any
particular furniture for which it may have developed a feeling of
possession.
Don’t be harsh on your Pug. It will
surely respond to a firm and loving master. Just give it some time to
get adjusted to its training schedule. It helps to begin the training of
your Pug as early as possible.
Life Expectancy
12-13 Years
Height and Weight
25 - 28 cm in height and 6.5 - 8 Kg in weight. Males and females are generally the same size.
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