A purebred Pug is one of the most recognizable and beloved small dog breeds available. Anyone familiar with the breed will tell you that it’s a lot of dogs in one small package.

Pugs are believed to have originated in Asia before 400 BC. C., so this is one of the oldest canine breeds. The exact origins are a bit sketchy and various theories abound. Some have the breed that descends from the short-haired Pekingese, while others have them that come from a rare French Mastiff. The Pug is known to have been a fashion accessory for European courts during Victorian times, and it was also a favorite pet of Tibetan monasteries.

In 1885, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Pug as a breed and set the standard for its preferred characteristics. In general, the dog should have a square, thick and robust body with a weight range of fourteen to eighteen pounds. The head should be large in proportion to the body and rounded with prominent round eyes.

The neck should be thick to join the larger head to the stocky body. All of this should be followed by a tail curled over the hips. A double curl on the tail is an exceptional specimen!

In general, the Pug’s legs should not be too short and definitely not too long. The dog should be close to the ground, but not as low as the Dachshund.

The coat is smooth, soft and fine with a glossy sheen. Accepted colorants are silver, apricot and black, the mask being dark and well defined black.

The Pug is a very cheerful and playful breed capable of great loyalty and affection. In general, they are a breed of uniform temperament that adapts very well to other pets, children, and visitors in your home. As for a potential watchdog, the dog is one of the best. Some dogs bark incessantly without cause, while the Pug generally only becomes vocal when there is a cause. However, the Pug is a very sensitive dog and will get angry if you don’t pay a lot of time and attention.

A Pug will do very well in an apartment lifestyle as long as he is taken for a daily walk for regular exercise. The breed is extremely prone to changes in temperature and does not do well in very hot or very cold climates. What happens to its short muzzle? Pugs are susceptible to wheezing and allergies, creating chronic breathing problems and possible snoring. The dog’s large bulbous eyes are prone to crying and there is a mild history of corneal ulcers. However, in general, the Pug is a dog to have as a pet, requiring very little space and providing a lot of love in return. Be very careful not to overfeed your Pug as he enjoys eating and will happily eat all the food provided gaining quite a bit of weight.