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There are a lot of arguments in many Pug information sources as to where the Pug originated and what breeds went into making such a distinctive looking dog. All the sources agree the dog has Asian roots, although not all of the experts are convinced that China was their home country. However, snub-nosed golden dogs were recorded in the days of Confucius, about 700 BCE. A more detailed report is found of Chinese dogs that very much resembled Pugs in 400 BCE.

Pugs were bred to be the companions and protectors of royalty. Although the Pug was to go through many changes physically, the basic temperament seems to have been the same. Pugs have always been noted for their abilities as a watchdog, for their even temperament, and their devotion to their people. Fortunately, these qualities have not been bred out, although some physical features, like a longhaired coat, have.

Although various Chinese Emperors tried to keep Pugs all to themselves, the Pugs apparently wanted to see the world. Through trade and wars, they spread to Europe. They were especially popular in the Royal courts of Holland, where the official animal of the Dutch royal family was a Pug.

If Hogarth’s representations of his Pug were accurate, then Pugs in his day (1697 - 1764) were probably barely recognizable as Pugs. They had longer legs, a slimmer body and a longer nose. They were bred in a variety of colors like fawn, black and silver. There were a limited number of Pugs brought to Holland, and then they spread out to other countries. It is commonly thought that Pugs were bred to small Bulldogs or an extinct small Mastiff in order to continue the breed.

Over the centuries, the Pug came in many different colors. They came in all golden-tan, brindle and bicolor (splotches or brown or black on a white coat). For some reason, the shorthaired Pug was much preferred to the longhair variety, which has been bred out.

Since there was not a large gene pool of Pugs in Europe, it is thought that for centuries they were crossed with Bulldogs and possibly small Mastiffs.

The Pug as we know today came about in the 1800’s, when the first organized dog shows began in Europe. It didn’t take long for the idea of dog shows to cross the Atlantic. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed in 1885.

Pugs have always loved people and always will, as long as the breed survives. Hopefully, there will be an emphasis on breeding healthy dogs rather than show-winning dogs in the future. It’s the least we owe the Pug.

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