Pug
Medium
Asia
The pug is one of the oldest breeds. Its origin is subject to many opinions. Some believe it is a much smaller variation of the somewhat rare French mastiff. Another possibility is that it could be an offshoot of the shorthaired Pekingese or other Oriental breeds. It could also have been the offspring of a small bulldog. Whatever the ancestry, it seems to have originated prior to 400 BC somewhere in Asia. Some believe that the name of the breed comes from the Latin word pugnus, which means fist because the pugs head looks like a clenched fist. Another theory is that the name originated from the marmoset pug monkeys that were kept as pets and resembled the little dog. One of the essential breed features (especially in China) is the prince mark. This refers to the vertical wrinkle on the forehead that looks like the Chinese symbol for prince. The pug has been a pet in many countries by a variety of people from Buddhist monks in Tibet to European royalty. After being imported to Holland in the 1500s, the breed became the official dog of the House of Orange when a pug saved Prince William?s life by alerting him of approaching Spanish soldiers. In France, Napoleon?s wife, Josephine, was imprisoned and used her pug to get secret messages to her husband. The pug arrived in England around 1860 and was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885. It makes an excellent watchdog and is loved for the companionship it brings to its owner.
This playful pup is cheerful and friendly a canine jester. It is self-confident, if a bit tenacious and stubborn. The pug is smart, loyal and willing to please. It has a charming personality that is easy to love. It can be mischievous and a show-off and gets along with children, visitors, and other pets quite nicely. This breed does not bark excessively, yet makes a good watchdog.
