Since before 400 B.C., the Pug, has been domesticated and dedicated to mankind. The Pug is of oriental origin; China is the earliest known source of this beautiful dog.
From China, sightings expanded to Japan and eventually Europe, where many royal courts favored the Pug. In 1572, one of this smart breed of dog, saved Prince William of Orange by alerting the approaching Spaniards at Hermingny.
By 1790 Pugs had spread to France; in this year Napoleon's wife Josephine, used her Pug "Fortune" to transport secret messages to her husband, while imprisoned in Les Carmes. The American Kennel Club accepted registration for the Pug in 1885.
In general, the Pug has a compacted square body shape and naturally develops muscle. The unique expression of the Pug can be closely resembled to that of a marmoset monkey. Their eyes in particular would catch the attention of most people.
Their eyes are dark in color and usually very large and bold. The tail of the Pug could be defined as a twist; it curls as tightly as possible (two curls is perfection) over the hip. Their ears can come in two different types: "rose" and "button".
The coat is smooth, short, and glossy. A healthy weight for the Pug is between 14-18 pounds.
The Pug is a member of the Toy Group; therefore, they make good watch dogs, therapy dogs, and hearing aid dogs.
More commonly though, Pugs are lap dogs and are bred as so. Being people-oriented dogs, they will actually go through stages of maturity.
They are playful as puppies and are always looking for a playmate (even if it is another dog in the house). Around the 2 year mark, they transfer from the puppy stage to a mature stage, and should settle into a daily routine.
Pugs love to please their owner(s), as long as they are informed as to what the owner wants. Pugs were made to be indoor animals and should not be left in an outside situation; humidity and heat are easy causes of death in this breed.
Pugs are not hunting or tracking dogs and should not be used as one. Pugs are smart and occasionally get themselves into trouble.
Here are some pros and cons of having a Pug as a pet, depending on what you are looking for. If you like: a small dog, expressive eyes, a soft and easy to groom coat, very temperamental, a dog that doesn't require much exercise, and a dog that only occasionally gets into trouble, you may consider a pug.
If you don't like: snorting, sneezing, wheezing, some slobbering, gassiness, a dog that may be slow to housebreak, or constant shedding, a pug may not be something you want to consider.
As with any other breed of dog, Pugs have their pros and cons; fortunately many people think that their pros far outweigh their cons and these animals find their way into loving and suiting homes.