Buying A Pug

www.pugbcrescue.com

Excellent Illustrated Pug Standard - is on the PUG DOG CLUB OF AMERICA Website.

http://www.pugs.org/indexIllusStandard.htm

ORIGIN OF THE PUG
The Pug is one of the oldest known breeds of dog dating back to 700 BC in China. The Chinese were very fond of small dogs and other animals with pushed in "human like" faces.

The Pug’s nature encouraged its importation to England, Holland, Germany, Spain, Italy and Russia by the 15th century. The first Pug "standard" (or blueprint of the breed) came from England in 1883.

DESCRIPTION
The Pug is small, weighing 14-18 lbs (this weight is specified in virtually all of the Pug standards in the world), but his size belies a sturdy, muscular dog.

His colours are silver-fawn (a CLEAR, cold rarely seen colour), apricot-fawn (the most common - a CLEAR warm creamy or gold colour-). Neither fawn colour should display any black or gray (smutty) hairs in the guard hairs or undercoat, and black (glossy jet black with no tinge of rust or fawn - the coat should be a shiny raven black). According to the genetics of the breed, there can NEVER be purebred brindle pugs. So how do they get registered? .. The Kennel Clubs world over do not ask to see the parents of litters for Registration. It is easy to falsify a Registration.

The "trace" is a black pencil line extending from the occiput (or base of skull) to the base of tail. It is almost never seen on our Pugs today, and mostly we see hair that is just darker than the rest of the coat with markings anywhere from a strip, stripe, or "saddle".

The Pug body is always short, cobby, square and well ribbed up, with a wide chest. The rear should be as wide as the front to ensure the desired cobbiness.

Pug Movement-The pug is square so at a walk the back feet should move in line with the front feet. As it moves faster the four feet converge. It is impossible for a square dog to move like a bulldog or Pekingese with the back legs swinging from side to side like a pendulum. That movement is caused by the pare shaped build of those breeds. Their hind ends are smaller than their fronts.

The Pug’s most profound characteristic is his desire for human contact and affection. He was developed solely to be a companion and displays no natural hunting, herding or digging instincts. He is quite easy to live with being neither shy nor aggressive, at once outgoing, cheerful, amusing, mischievous and sensitive. Pugs and children naturally go well together. Pug puppies are quite active when they are young. The Pug can be like a mountain goat, all food is fair game to him, and the master’s table is not safe if he can find a way up onto it.

Fawn Pug puppies coats are very dark when they are born. The colour lightens considerably as they age, and should be a clear fawn by the time they are about 12 weeks old.

CARE
The Pug has a soft thick undercoat and a short glossy outer coat. Since he does shed, a regular (even Daily) brushing is helpful to keep his coat in good condition. His overnose wrinkle should be wiped clean daily (with a soft moist cloth, no soap).
While the Pug needs attention more than exercise, care should be taken not to let him become overweight. He is quite content to be a couch potato, but also enjoys regular walks on leash. Since he belongs to the brachycephalic group of dogs (those being short-muzzled or flat-faced) it is important not to let him overheat in warm weather. If he becomes stressed with the heat quickly submerge his body up to his head in cold water (not icy) to lower his body temperature. Pugs cannot stay outside in colder weather and should be kept indoors. In fact the Pug is an indoor dog. An occasional bath (perhaps 3 or 4 times a year) is sufficient.

To maintain correct small feet, a Pug needs his nails clipped or ground regularly. This is particularly disliked by the Pug so it is important to train him at an early age (and have plenty of patience and perhaps some assistance). The Pug should never eat people food or scraps. To maintain your Pug’s health, skin, coat and weight, he should be fed only a good quality dry dog food with lamb and rice, for either puppy, adult or senior. As calories are a factor in maintaining weight control, substitute raw carrots for cookies, and to fill your pug up if your pug is still hungry after a meal, add canned green beans or other foods with 0 calories to his food quota and divide his food X 2 or 3 times per day.

TRAINING
The Pug is quite intelligent but is also known to be stubborn. Consistent purposeful training will have good results when combined with gentle patience. Never, never use a prong or pinch collar on your Pug. Pinch collars should only be used for big dogs, out of control.. A chain choke collar should never be used to train your Pug due to the damage it can do to your Pug’s throat, trachea, spine and eyes. A plain leather buckle or nylon collar will do the job until after he is trained, and there will be no pressure in those areas.

Pugs should never wear a harness. Harnesses encourage a dog to "pull" because they are not controlled by a collar. Pulling in a harness can advance genetic diseases pugs may have such as elbow and hip dysplasia, and cause environmental stifle and patella breakdown, crippling the pug.

SUMMARY
The Pug is a truly charming small dog but with substantial muscle and bone, unlike many Toy breeds. In fact he is known as the largest dog in the Toy Group. He demands a lot of attention but rewards you with plenty of laughter and intense companionship. The Pug sheds all year round, however, he requires little grooming and adapts well to living in a room or apartment. Coupled with his fondness for children and longevity, it’s no wonder his popularity is soaring.

WHERE TO FIND A PUG PUPPY
Buy from a breeder who supplies a sales contract and a written health guarantee.

WHEN TO BUY A PUG PUPPY
A puppy should not be accepted until it is at least 8 weeks of age and has its first vaccination from a veterinarian. Ask the breeder for proof of this.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR PROSPECTIVE PUG PUPPY
A healthy Pug puppy will be very active, alert and outgoing.

A sleepy, lethargic or shivering puppy indicates a possible sickness.
A puppy’s eyes should be bright, wide and clear with no squinting, watering or film over the eyes.
Its gums should be pink - not pale or puffy.
The coat of the Pug puppy should not be dull but should be clean and shiny, and return quickly back to normal after being gently squeezed together between the thumb and forefinger. If it does not, the puppy may be dehydrated or some other serious problem.

Examine the puppy’s skin. There should not be any black dirt, indicating flea feces. White dandruff can indicate cheyletiella mange (or walking dandruff). Scabs, sores or bald spots could be ringworm or demodectic mange.

Hold your prospective Pug puppy close to your ear and listen to its breathing. It should sound clear with no rattling or rasping. The puppy should breath quietly and easily with his mouth closed. The Pug puppy who must open his mouth to get enough breath may already have a breathing obstruction and may have future respiratory problems resulting from stenotic nares (small nostril slits), an elongated palate, or similar problem.

Look for a hard formed stool. A puppy with diarrhea may be sick. A pot belly may indicate worms.

The ears should be clean, without brownish red dirt or wax that may indicate ear mites.

If the ears have a crease or fold at the back, they may need to be taped to bring the ears forward enhancing the Pug head.

A well socialized Pug puppy should be curious and want to play. He will come out to meet you when you go to visit. He shouldn’t be afraid, or growl at you.

NOTABLE PUG TRAITS
The Pug likes to use your foot as a table or cushion whenever possible to lay their head on or to munch on a toy, bone or biscuit.

The Pugs most famous behavior - running in crazed circles with their ears back, and tail tucked between their legs. One name for this odd behavior is the "Pug Scuttle".
Pugs like to be near people, and will follow them from room to room waiting for a lap to lay down on.

Pugs are addictive, and there are few people who only own one.

RECOMMENDED READING:

PUGS - Phil Maggitti, Barron’s Publishing

MEET THE PUG FOR YEARS OF HAPPINESS - Louise V. Gore/Marcy Heathman, Doral Publishing.