Breeds 101: Getting to know the do-everything Pug

Pugs are versatile and highly beloved, for good reason.

Pugs were one of the first breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, the year after its founding, and their popularity with Queen Victoria indirectly helped bring about The Kennel Club of England in 1873.

According to the AKC, they were ranked No. 32 in the 2017 popularity rankings by breed (the most recent year statistics are available). They are part of the Toy Group in dog shows.

Pugs generally stand between 10 to 13 inches at the withers (shoulders), and weigh around 14 to 18 pounds.

They have a very long lifespan by canine standards – 13 to 15 years.

According to the AKC Breed Standard, the ideal Pug “should be multum in parvo [Latin for “a lot in a little”], and this condensation (if the word may be used) is shown by compactness of form, well knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle.”

They’re basically square in appearance, with floppy triangle-shaped ears and a curly tail, usually either blondish-tan or black in color, with a short coat.

It seems likely the breed got its name because of their smashed-in facial structure, which reminded people of boxers’ noses, as bare-knuckle boxing was for many years the most popular sport in England, and so they were tagged “Puglist dogs” as a result, which over time became shortened to “pugs.”

They were developed in China as a companion dog for royalty, and used in that capacity in the royal households around Asia.

By the 1500s they had made their way European courts, where the life of the Prince of Orange was saved from an assassination attempt by his Pug Pompey. About a hundred years later, William and Mary were known to have a pet Pug.

Pugs make excellent companion dogs, and generally can get along well with small children. They follow their owners around constantly, and can either be docile or excitable given their mood at the time.

As a brachycephalic (smash-faced) breed with a short nose, similar to the English and French Bulldogs or Boxers, Pugs can have breathing problems and struggle with maintaining their body temperature, meaning they get overheated easily, and need a little help in the wintertime.

They can also develop a lot of eye problems, and about two-thirds will develop hip dysplasia. Like Chihuahuas, they also can suffer from a type of inoperable brain inflammation known as NME.

With their cute expressions, the breed is a big hit on Instagram, and they were represented with Pugsly the Beanie Baby in the mid-1990s and as a Webkinz in the late 2000s.

What’s your favorite aspect of Pug life? We’d love to hear about your pup, if you have one.