Pug E-Book

Juliette Cunliffe

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 208

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

The experts at Kennel Club Books present the world's largest series of breed-specific canine care books. Each critically acclaimed Comprehensive Owner's Guide covers everything from breed standards to behavior, from training to health and nutrition. With nearly 200 titles in print, this series is sure to please the fancier of even the rarest breed!

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

 

Physical Characteristics of the Pug

Title Page

 

HISTORY OF THE PUG

THE NAME “PUG”

THE BREED IN CHINA

THE PUG COMES WEST

THE PUG GOES TO ENGLAND

BLACK PUGS

THE PUG IN ART

THE PUG COMES TO AMERICA

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PUG

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

PERSONALITY

PUGS AND CHILDREN

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

 

BREED STANDARD FOR THE PUG

THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB STANDARD FOR THE PUG

 

YOUR PUPPY PUG

WHERE TO BEGIN?

HOW TO SELECT A PUG PUP

COMMITMENT OF OWNERSHIP

PREPARING PUPPY’S PLACE IN YOUR HOME

WHAT YOU SHOULD BUY

PUPPY-PROOFING YOUR HOME

FIRST TRIP TO THE VET

INTRODUCTION TO THE FAMILY

PUP’S FIRST NIGHT HOME

PREVENTING PUPPY PROBLEMS

COMMON PUPPY PROBLEMS

 

EVERYDAY CARE OF YOUR PUG

DIETARY AND FEEDING CONSIDERATIONS

WATER

EXERCISE

GROOMING

TRAVELING WITH YOUR DOG

IDENTIFICATION

 

TRAINING YOUR PUG

HOUSEBREAKING

ROLES OF DISCIPLINE, REWARD AND PUNISHMENT

TRAINING EQUIPMENT

TRAINING BEGINS: ASK THE DOG A QUESTION

THE BASIC COMMANDS

WEANING OFF FOOD IN TRAINING

OBEDIENCE CLASSES

OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR LIFE

 

HEALTH CARE OF YOUR PUG

SELECTING A QUALIFIED VET

PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

SKIN PROBLEMS IN PUGS

FOOD PROBLEMS

EXTERNAL PARASITES

INTERNAL PARASITES

CURING OUR DOGS NATURALLY

A PET OWNER’S GUIDE TO COMMON OPHTHALMIC DISEASES

 

SHOWING YOUR PUG

OBEDIENCE TRIALS

 

INDEX

Copyright Page

Physical Characteristics of the Pug

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Ears: The ears are thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two kinds—the “rose” and the “button.” Preference is given to the latter.

 

Eyes: The eyes are dark in color, very large, bold and prominent, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and, when excited, full of fire.

 

Coat: The coat is fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither hard nor woolly.

 

Head: The head is large, massive, round—not apple-headed, with no indentation of the skull. The wrinkles are large and deep.

 

Muzzle: The muzzle is short, blunt, square, but not upfaced.

 

Bite: A Pug’s bite should be very slightly undershot.

 

Neck: The neck is slightly arched. It is strong, thick and with enough length to carry the head proudly.

 

Forequarters: The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, and are set well under. The elbows should be directly under the withers when viewed from the side. The shoulders are moderately laid back. The pasterns are strong, neither steep nor down. The feet are neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well split-up toes, and the nails black. Dewclaws are generally removed.

Tail: The tail is curled as tightly aspossible over the hip. The doublecurl is perfection.

 

 

Body: The short back is level from the withers to the high tail set. The body is short and cobby, wide in chest and well ribbed up.

 

 

Hindquarters: The strong, powerful hindquartershave moderate bend of stifle and short hocksperpendicular to the ground. The hindquarters arein balance with the forequarters. The thighs andbuttocks are full and muscular. Feet as in front.

 

 

Color: The colors are silver, apricot-fawn, orblack. The silver or apricot-fawn colorsshould be decided so as to make thecontrast complete between the colorand the trace and the mask.

 

Whether you believe the Pug is Chinese, Dutch or Greek, and whether you call the breed Pug, Mops or Carlin, you will concur that this is a most fascinating and worthy choice as a pet dog.

HISTORY OF THE PUG

Theories about the origin of the Pug have caused much debate over the years, some thinking the breed to have developed in the Far East, others thinking it developed in Europe. It is now generally accepted that the Pug originated in China, from where it spread to Japan and later to Europe. It is also highly probable that the short-nosed Pug, crossed with other longer-faced European breeds, lies behind many of the other shorter-headed breeds.

In China there has long been a breed of dog known as the Happa (sometimes spelled Ha-pa), which is similar to a smooth-coated Pekingese. Indeed, many people believe that the Happa may be the progenitor of the Pug. Shortmouthed dogs in China are known as Lo-sze, and although they may well have been known there as far back as 1115 BC, there is no record of them until 663 BC. The Lo-sze had clear features distinguishing it from the Pekingese: the muzzle was different, the coat was short and the ears were small and vineshaped. By 732 AD we read of a small short-faced dog, known as the Suchuan pai dog, that was among gifts sent from Korea to Japan.

THE NAME “PUG”

The word “Pai” came to be used as the name for this type of dog, and it is possible that to Western ears this name may have resembled the name now used in the West, “Pug.” In 1731 the word “pug” was defined in a dictionary as a nickname for a monkey or dog. Marmosets were popular as pets at that time, and the Pug’s squashedin face probably caused it to share the same name.

Another possibility is that the name originated from the Latin word pugnus, which means fist, as some people thought that the shape of the Pug’s face resembled a clenched fist. The word “pug” or “pugge” was also a term of endearment, though it may also be a derivation of “Puck,” conjuring up Shakespearean images of an impish face.

In some Continental countries, the Pug is still known by the rather quaint name “Mops,” which comes from the Dutch word Mopshund. The verb mopperen means to grumble, and the name “Mops” may well have come into use because of the breed’s wrinkled, frowning appearance.

In France the name used was Carlin, after a famous 18th-century actor who was renowned for his role as Harlequin. It is thought that the name Carlin was, and still is, used for the Pug in France because of the breed’s black mask.

THE BREED IN CHINA

In China, dogs were frequently treated almost like royalty, even with titles of rank being bestowed upon some of them. They were carefully guarded, and many had servants employed to care for them and to see that they enjoyed every comfort. Understandably, the Pug was owned primarily by those within Court circles or from the ruling classes of the country, and often the dogs were treated primarily as ornaments.

The Pug enjoyed great popularity in China at least until the 12th century, but from then on interest appeared to wane and there was little mention of the breed until early in the 16th century.

THE PUG COMES WEST

It is now generally accepted that the Pug originated in the Orient and eventually appeared in Europe, much resembling the breed known there today. Many people believe that the Pug descended from the mastiff breeds, with ancestors such as the fighting dogs of ancient Greece. Certainly in Europe there were some extraordinary crossmatings in years gone by—with the Bulldog, among others—but in China the aim was certainly to breed dogs as true to type as possible. It is these that formed a firm foundation for today’s Pug.

 

Since arriving to the West, the Pug has changed considerably in conformation. This modern Pug is posing with a Victorian plaster model that may reveal some of the Continental crosses to Bulldogs.

 

Like the Pug, the Shih Tzu, another Chinese breed, once found favor with royalty around the world and today is counted among the world’s most popular toy breeds.

Before reaching the West, the Pug was popular throughout Asia and it seems to have wended its way to Europe via Russia. The aunt of Russia’s Catherine the Great was reputed to have kept a score of Pugs and the same number of parrots in a single room. Perhaps equally fascinating is the picture conjured up in our minds when we learn that several of this Princess’s dogs always accompanied her to church.

The Pug has been very much connected with Holland, for it has been very popular there, though in the early years they were known as “Dutch Mastiffs.” This name may help explain the confusion that arose over the breed’s origin. Pugs from Holland were certainly destined to have a great influence on the spread of the breed throughout Europe.

The Dutch East India Company played an important role in trade with the Orient. It is clear that on many of the ships’ return journeys, both Pugs and Pekingese were brought back as precious cargo. It is a Pug that is reputed to have saved the life of William the Silent when, at Hermigny, around 1572, the Prince was under surprise attack from Spanish troops. When the Pug heard the noise of the troops he made a great noise, scratching and crying, and leapt upon the face of the Prince to awaken him. From then on, the Prince always kept such a dog, and, subsequently, Pugs were the favorite breed at the Dutch Court.

 

A very successful Pug from the 1930s’ dog show world of Britain was Miss F. M. Daniel’s Eng. Ch. Bouji, bred from Eng. Ch. Poufpouf.

THE PUG GOES TO ENGLAND

The grandson of William the Silent was William of Orange who went to England with his wife, Mary, in 1688 to take the throne. With the couple came many Pugs, each wearing an orange ribbon around its neck to denote its connection to the Royal House of Orange. The breed quickly found favor in England, where it soon became known as the Dutch Pug, although later Pug or Pug-dog was the name used.

In 18th-century Britain, the Pug became highly fashionable, not only at court but also among people of “quality.” Indeed when ladies ventured outdoors, it was quite “the done thing” for them to be accompanied by a turbaned servant and a Pug. Charlotte, wife of George III (1760–1820), was also inordinately fond of the breed and had many, one of which is depicted in a painting hanging in Hampton Court. However, by the end of the reign of George IV in 1830, the Pug was no longer fashionable and by the middle of the 19th century had fallen into decline.

 

The long-haired wonder we know as the Pekingese is regarded as similar to the short-haired Happa dog, known in China. In appearance, the Happa differs from the Pekingese in coat, ears and muzzle.

 

In the 1920s the famed dog caricaturist, Scott Langley, depicted these dogs in a sketch he called “Pug Dogs.”

The decline of the Pug was by no means averted by the author Taplin, who wrote of the Pug, “…applicable to no sport, appropriated to no useful purpose, susceptible of no predominant passion…” Such comments could surely not have served to enhance the popularity of the breed that all too quickly became known, rather contemptuously, as an “old lady’s pet.”

 

Eng. Ch. Princess Pretty, owned by Lord Wrottesley, was bred in 1920 by Miss Spurling.

 

Eng. Ch. Penella of Inver was bred in 1927 by Miss M. D. Hatrick.

But the Pug did not remain out of favor for long, thanks in part to Queen Victoria, who was such an ardent dog lover and who owned Pugs among several other breeds. It is likely that her earliest Pugs were given to her by royal relations on the Continent. Her dogs appear to have been kept as nursery dogs, most appropriate for this breed that gets along so well with children.

The Prince of Wales gave a Pug named Bully to his wife, Queen Alexandra, before leaving for an Indian tour. Of course, Queen Alexandra, too, was famous for her devotion to dogs and took an active interest in dog shows, an increasingly popular activity, particularly among Pug owners.

TOP HAT

China’s Emperor Ling Ti (168–190 AD) was so fond of his little dog that it was honored with the official hat and belt of the Chin Hsien grade. This poor little dog must have looked most extraordinary wearing this enormous hat. It measured over 8 inches high at front, nearly 4 inches high behind and 10 inches wide!

NURSING PUGS

According to Hester Lynch Piozzi, friend of Dr. Johnson, Pug puppies were often weaned on the breasts of their owners’ servants. The writer seems not to have liked this idea at all!

There were two main strains in Britain in the early decades of the 19th century. A publican by the name of Mr. Morrison bred pale fawn Pugs in Waltham Green, and Lord and Lady Willoughby d’Eresby used imported blood to improve type. There is some conjecture as to whether the d’Eresbys actually obtained two Pugs from a Russian tightrope walker, or whether they got a dog from a Hungarian countess who lived in Vienna. Nevertheless, the Willoughby Pugs, and indeed the Morrison Pugs, played a very important part in the breed’s early development in Britain. It has been suggested that dogs of the Willoughby kennel came directly from the Royal kennels of Queen Charlotte. In time the two strains came together and so, to a certain extent, lost their individuality, though even today the distinctive bloodlines show through occasionally.

 

From Vero Shaw’sBook of the Dog,published in 1881, we find this excellent painting by C. Burton Parker, depicting a Yorkshire Terrier, an Italian Greyhound and a Pug.

Although their story does not necessarily have foundation, the apricot-fawn-colored Pugs, Lamb and Moss, also feature prominently in breed history. Their parents apparently were captured during the siege of the Summer Palace in China in the 1860s and supposedly were brought to England by the Marquis of Wellesley, where they were given to a lady named Mrs. St. John. This may not be exactly true, as various facts do not quite agree with history, but these two dogs were certainly the parents of Click, one of the most important Pugs in the breed’s history. He was an invaluable stud, producing some very good bitches, and he also had a great bearing on the breed in the USA.

 

This charming photograph from the 1930s shows a Pug lover with an armful of brindle and black Pug puppies.

 

A modern British Pug poses with a toy wooden Pug from the Victorian era, a time when the Pug was immensely popular.

BLACK PUGS

In 1877 black was considered a “new” color in the breed. Again there has always been debate as to the actual origin of Lady Brassey’s black Pugs, but she certainly exhibited some black ones at Britain’s Maidstone Show in 1886. One of these was Jack Spratt, who possibly may have been acquired by Lady Brassey on her short trip to China.

However, although black was then claimed as a new color, we know from the paintings of William Hogarth that blacks existed before then. Hogarth’s House of Cards, painted in 1730, depicts a black Pug. A hundred years later, Queen Victoria owned a black Pug that was marked with white. The latter, though, may have been brought into England, perhaps as a gift to the Queen from China.

 

A contemporary Pug painting on an old theme by the talented artist Diedre Ashdown. (Courtesy of the artist.)

 

Black Pugs today are considered acceptable and desirable. In times gone by, the black coat color was frowned upon.

It has been said that black Pugs had been bred for many years earlier in England, but because they had been bred from apricot-fawns they were considered mutations and thus destroyed at birth. It is also possible, however, that such “blacks” were not true blacks (ebonies), but instead were smuts, so were not considered attractive.

 

Eng. Ch. Dark Diamond in 1930 represents a typical British champion black Pug.

 

Eng. Chs. Peter and Paul won 14 Challenge Certificates in the 1930s.

 

Eng. Ch. Paul of Inver was a great winner until he was killed in an accident when he was four years old.

 

Jan, owned by Miss Voy, was the son of Eng. Ch. Scaramouche of Broadway, bred by Mrs. Powers.

 

Pugs are immensely collectable. Many owners adopt two or more Pugs and often decorate their homes with invaluable memorabilia celebrating their favorite topic.

In 1896 efforts were made to show the black Pug as an Englishmade variety, but despite considerable support this was not allowed. There was a very well-known black Pug who was known as the “singing Pug.” Apparently, when given a chord on the piano, or by humming, he could pick up the note and sing most tunefully. The black Pug certainly had its admirers, and in 1900 two were reported as having been sold to fanciers in New York for a sum totaling £350.

CRUFT AND THE PUG

The formation of Britain’s first Pug Dog Club was discussed in 1881 and approved by The Kennel Club in January 1883. Although not the club’s first Secretary, Mr. Charles Cruft at one time held this office. In 1885 the club held its first show and the show of 1887 was promoted by Cruft himself, revealing his prowess as an organizer of such events. Of course, Cruft went on to produce England’s most prestigious dog shows, which were resumed by The Kennel Club itself in 1948.

FIRST CLASS

Although Pugs were classified at a show in Birmingham in 1860, there were no entries. The breed was first shown in Britain at Leeds in 1861. In 1886 five Pugs became British champions according to Kennel Club rules at that time, but Challenge Certificates as such were only officially offered to Pugs in 1896.

THE PUG IN ART

Many artists have incorporated the charming little Pug in their paintings, and from these paintings we have a good indication of the quality of dogs at the time. Goya portrayed some lovely examples of the breed, and from these we can tell that the quality of the breed in Spain was high.

William Hogarth (1697–1764) owned a Pug; his Self Portrait is well known, depicting the artist with his dog. He also included Pugs in other portraits and conversation pieces.

Reinagle is another artist, renowned as an animal painter, who portrayed the charming Pug in his work. Many early dog books include engravings of this adorable breed, though not all of these engravings have been well thought of by breed enthusiasts. Although there are many other portrayals of note, Blonde and Brunette, painted by Charles Burton Barber in 1879, is one of my favorites, depicting a young lady engrossed in her book while her Pug rests comfortably in her arm.

Meissen, or Dresden, porcelain is also famed for its portrayal of the Pug. Indeed, the Pug must surely rank among one of the most popular breeds of dog portrayed in porcelain and other collectable items. Most of those from the 18th century fetch very high prices, and even those from the 19th century are increasingly scarce. Sometimes such renderings are discovered of Pugs with cropped ears, and many have bells around their collars, making them even more charming.

 

A litter from the 1930s bred by Miss Voy, representing the second generation from famed breeding pair Eng. Ch. Miss Penelope and Dandy Dicker of Baronshalt.

THE PUG COMES TO AMERICA

Although we lack documentation on the arrival of the first Pugs to America, we do know that some dogs were in the country shortly after the Civil War. The breed gained attention because of its uniqueness and, during the 1880s, many Pugs were shown. The breed gained recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885 and was classified in the Toy Group, as it is in other countries around the world.

The breed fell into relative obscurity at the turn of the 20th century as other breeds gained favor, many of which were “exotic imports” at the time. Breeders on the East Coast began stirring up interest in the Pug again, and by 1931 a club was formed. Twenty years later, the Pug Dog Club of America (PDCA), the current parent club for the Pug, was established as the breed’s principal promoter and protector in the US. The first members of the PDCA were prominent Pug people such as Dr. Nancy Riser, Filomena Doherty, Mrs. Joseph Rowe, Suzanne Bellinger, Dr. James Stubbs, Ralph Adair, Mary Lou Mann, Miriam Dock, Mr. and Mrs. John Madore and J. Hartley Mellick, Jr.

JOSEPHINE’S “FORTUNE”

A Pug by the name of Fortune belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, Josephine. Fortune was reputed to have had a somewhat possessive nature, and when the dwarfish man who was to become Emperor entered the bedchamber on his wedding night, the dwarfish dog promptly bit him!

 

William Hogarth’s famousSelf Portraitwith his dog, painted about 1740, may be the most celebrated of all Pug renderings.

By the 1940s, Pug breeders began producing consistent winners. Such kennels as Catawba, Winna Pugs, Paramount, Gin Rickey, Lucky Ace, Clavone and others began to dominate the show scene in North America. The following decade, breeders such as Filomena Doherty, Frederic Soderberg, Mrs. Edwin Pickhardt, Gordon Winders and Rolla Blaylock produced top winners, including an early Best in Show winner, Ch. Pugholm Peter Punkin Eater. To add to the growing Pug fraternity, Peter and Carolyn Standish, Ann Crowley, Shirley and Rayne Thomas, Esther and Gus Wolf, Hazel Martens, Barbara Minella and Agnes Miner represent just some of the important breeders responsible for the Pug’s climb to fame in the US in the 1960s and 1970s.

Since those decades, the Pug has remained a popular breed, frequently seen in the show ring and counted among the top 20 breeds according the AKC’s registration statistics. Although the Pug is not as flashy and intense as other top contenders in the Toy Group, including his relatives, the Pekingese and Shih Tzu, the breed does well in conformation shows and has racked up an impressive number of Best in Show awards over the years. In 1981, the first Pug ever to win the famous Westminster Kennel Club Show was named Ch. Dhandys Favorite Woodchuck, owned by Robert A. Hauslohner. To date, “Chucky,” as his friends called him, is the only Pug to receive this great honor. He was bred by Mrs. W. U. Braley and Mrs. R. D. Hutchinson and was handled to the win by Robert Barlow.

 

Pugs are photogenic and blooming with personality. There is no wonder that they have won the hearts of many throughout the years.

 

The Pug’s popularity continues to grow and there are quality specimens in most countries around the world. This handsome Pug was photographed in the Netherlands, a country with which the breed has strong ties.

 

Pugs are fairly odor-free, so much so that the family cat doesn’t even mind sharing a cat nap with the Pug, if he’s also well mannered.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PUG

Described by some breed enthusiasts as “the perfect blend of dog appeal and wistfulness,” a Pug will readily keep his owners amused and entertained for hours on end with his clown-like personality. Ownership of Pugs often runs in human families, with several generations having happily owned the breed. This is a personality dog, one just as comfortable living in a small home as he is in a spacious one. Some Pug dog owners call their Pugs “little people,” and, when you know the breed, it is easy to understand why!

The Pug’s bark is a surprisingly deep one for the breed’s size. Indeed, a Pug is usually rather a good watchdog, ready to bark when the doorbell rings or when someone approaches the house. If you are a light sleeper, it might also be worth bearing in mind that although not all Pugs snore, many do!

An exceptionally clean little dog, the Pug is remarkably free from doggy odors. Some consider the Pug a very suitable breed for elderly and disabled people, though you should not forget that Pugs, like all other dogs, require some exercise. All things considered, a Pug usually seems happy to be whatever his owners need. He can be content to roll up in a ball at your feet while you are knitting or watching TV, he will enjoy a lively ball game or he can just be a friendly clown, providing entertainment for his audience at home.

Although the origin of the breed lies in China, the Pug differs considerably in personality from many other breeds from the Far East in that he does not display the usual reserved air of superiority. The Pug is a unique breed in many ways and has numerous admirers, in part because of his puckish sense of humor and irresistible, engaging ways.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS