During the Shang Dynasty (1751 to lll l B.C) the first dog judge had divided the dog breeds into 3 groups, based on quality and certain characteristics. The 3 classes were, water dogs, hunting dogs and edible dogs. Yes, I said edible dogs. Thank goodness the pug was classified as a hunting dog at this time, as he might not have been around today if he was labeled an edible dog. Oh, pass the pug just doesn’t sound right for dinner, does it? Sorry, that was just wrong!

One thing all researchers do agree on is that it originated in 400BC somewhere in Asia. The name Pug comes from the Latin word “pugnus” which means fist. Because the pugs head looks like a clenched fist. Another theory is that the name comes from the pug monkeys that resembled the little dog.

The pug is one of the oldest breeds of dog. Their are 3 theories regarding pug ancestry.

1. Some believe they are a smaller version of the French Mastiff.

2. Others believe it is a shorthaired Pekingese or another Oriental breed.

3. And the last is an offspring of a small bulldog.

One of the most famous stories that surround the pug is between the Emperor Ming and his wife, Yang Kwei Fei. One day Ming was playing chess with a prince. The Emperor Ming was losing. His wife Yang, saw that he was losing and came over to the table and dropped her pet pug on the board. All the pieces went flying and game was ruined. This of course, made Emperor Ming very happy.

After this, “pug causing flying chess pieces” episode, pugs were bred by the eunuchs and for the emperor and other high officials. These cute little guys were guarded and had servants to care for there every whim. Wow…they came a long way from almost being eaten!

One other story worth mentioning is how the pug became the official dog of the House of Orange. It has been said that a pug saved Prince William’s life. The dog began barking and woke Prince William up. The pug alerted him of approaching Spanish soldiers. The pug has been a pet in many countries by a variety of people – from Buddhist monks in Tibet to European royalty.

Pugs have one of those faces that you just have to love. The wrinkle above his nose resembles the symbol for Prince, in China. This is one of the reasons they are very popular in China. He has fine smooth short glossy hair, “rose ears” and very large black eyes. His short thick body, with a high set tail, that curls over his back makes him a sassy little creature. His colors are silver, apricot, black, or fawn with the black mask and ears and black trace along his back.

Average Size of Male and Female are about the same: Height: 10-11 inches, Weight: 14-18 pounds. (No Denise, your pug should not weigh 30lbs!)

The pug is a happy and intelligent little guy. I’m sure Billy Joel, thinks his Sabrina is a happy little girl. They are great with children and require only modest exercise. (This must because they had servants early on in his ancestry A daily walk will do. If you are looking for an exercise buddy, this guy is not for you, especially on a hot day. Pugs do not like heat, and can become overheated fairly easy. One tip for the pug owner is to rub down his coat with a silk handkerchief and it will make his coat very shiny. (Again, they must have made the servants do it.)

The pug is an affectionate, loyal little lap dog. He is a great companion, and with that clown like face, he will make you smile each day. He is smart, easily trainable and loves kids.

Good choice in Dogs Billy Joel!

german shepherd

Humans spend literally billions of dollars every year on skin and hair care. The vast number of products available covers the gamut from shampoos, cosmetics, hairdressings, creams and treatments, including pet products. As the market as grown, so has concern about the chemicals and compounds used in these products.

As more ingredient information has been available to consumers, many questions are being raised about overall product safety. Concerns about chemical exposure and possible health risks are driving the market in different direction.

Many established producers have responded by changing the formulation of some products, while new companies have entered the market. The marketing of products that contain natural and botanical ingredients is a growing trend in the skin and hair care market. Many pet owners are discovering the value of replicating what animals instinctively do to care for their skin and coats.

Concerns about human exposure to various chemicals have spilled over to the pet care industry. Part of multi billion dollar market segment, many pet grooming products are also changing. Professional pet groomers have responded to the concerns of their customers by switching to natural shampoos and other grooming products.

For example, many dog breeds are prone to skin irritations. Traditional grooming products often contain harsh chemicals that can make these conditions worse. Shampoos and conditioners that adversely alter the pH balance of the animals coat are of particular concern. Like humans, animal fur and skin has naturally occurring oils that can stripped away, leaving the skin dry and the coat brittle. Some animals, like their human counterparts, may develop allergic reactions to the ingredients in certain shampoos and conditioners.

An old school of thought about bathing our dogs was that daily bathing would dry the skin. Given the fact that many dog shampoos contain compounds such as butyl acetate, ethyl acetate and toluene, the old school thinking was right. For example, butyl acetate is a chemical solvent often used in shampoos as a foaming agent. Butyl acetate is also used in products such as nail polish and upholstery shampoo. Toluene is another chemical solvent that has found its way into many products like dog shampoo. These and many other chemicals are not only skin irritants, but may actually contribute to increased rates of cancer and organ disease.

Routine grooming is one of your dogs best defenses against skin irritation and infection. From daily brushing to regular bathing, our dogs depend on us. Daily brushing is a natural way to stimulate glands in the skin that produce essential oils needed to maintain a healthy skin and coat. Daily brushing helps to remove dead skin cells, dirt and other debris from the fur. The other benefit to daily brushing is that most dogs really enjoy it. Most of us like a good massage or having our back scratched, and our canine companions are no different. The time spent grooming contributes to the bonding and trust that develops between dogs and their humans.

Brushing and grooming on a daily basis gives us a chance to be on the lookout for rashes, hot spots and other skin irritations. Once certain skin conditions, such as a yeast infection, take hold, the condition is harder to treat. Left unattended, skin irritations can quickly become a pathway for infection, jeopardizing the over health of your dog.

As dog owners, we have a very important responsible and our canine friends look to us for proper care. Take the time educate yourself about grooming products that are made without harsh chemicals. Taking a natural approach to preventing and treating skin irritation in dogs is one way we can keep our dogs healthy, well groomed and happy.

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Pug health requires that you brush their coat at least once a week and a bath whenever they require it. The Pug dog will shed a lot, so by brushing often you can help reduce the amount of fur that coats your furniture, car and clothes. There isn’t much that goes into the daily care of a Pug, but you need to pay special attention to the wrinkles on a Pugs face.

Pugs are naturally curious and as a result stick their nose into a lot of things. This means the wrinkles easily become full of dirt and require regular cleaning. There is also the chance of moisture building up in the wrinkles, which can cause itching, irritation and occasionally a bad infection. But cleaning the wrinkles isn’t that difficult, you just need a soft tissue and make sure you clean the wrinkles on a regular basis to keep the buildup down.

As with all dog breeds you want to make sure you regularly trim your Pugs nails. Pug health depends on the trimming since nails that are too long can become caught in blankets or other things. Longer nails also cause pain for your Pug when walking. Even if you don’t want to trim your dog’s nails there are plenty of vet and grooming places that could do it for you. Keep an eye on the nails and don’t let them get too long since they will grow very fast.

Pugs are different from other breeds in the sense that they do like water. So when bathing the only real difficult part is to avoid getting water in the ears, which can lead to ear infections and don’t get shampoo in the sensitive eyes. If your Pug really enjoys water and wants to play then take the time to play with them while they are in the bath to make bathing an enjoyable event for both you and your Pug.

Keeping the ears dry and clean is another important part of caring for Pug health. Pugs are prone to ear infections due to their narrow ear canal. When you clean the ears regularly you should always use soft tissues or a cotton ball and never a cotton swab. If your Pug is shaking it’s head a lot or scratching their ears then you should take them to the vet to have their ears checked. If there is a weird smell in the ears then you will also want to seek medical attention since this can be a sign of a fungus or ear infection.

Owners will often have a bottle or two of old ear drops around the house since Pugs get ear infections so often. Although you don’t want to use these since it can make the infection worse. It is best to use them only under the approval of a licensed veterinarian and only if you have cleaned the bottle very well and stored it in the refrigerator.

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The origin of the pug predates Christ

These days anyone who knows dog breeds knows that the Pug has its origins in China, at least 400BC. Some scholars date this prized possession of the Emperors as far back as 700BC. Treasures, like pearls, jade, rare animals or dogs were considered imperial property. There were three types of short nosed dogs that were bred by the Chinese. The three dogs that were always protected by the guards were the Lion Dog, the Pekingese, and the Lo-sze or “Foo Dog,” the name for the ancient Pug. Anyone caught abusing or trying to steal them would pay with their life.

When the trade routes opened up, the “Foo” became a prize for the Dutch. From Holland this adorable little dog made its way to England. That is where the more refined Pug that is bred today got its beginnings. Monarchs and royalty throughout Europe, even to this day, considered the Pug one of their favorite breeds of dogs. It’s unmistakable features have graced many famous paintings. Most notably, the black Pug in  William Hogarth’s painting “House of Cards.” Hogarth owned many pugs and often used them as subjects in his paintings.

The pug was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1885, and until the turn of the century was a very popular breed. Its popularity waned, until in 1931 The Pug Dog Club of America was founded. The pug has enjoyed a some what steady growth since than. It is still one of the top choices for most discernable dog fanciers. Congratulations on your curiosity or love for this happy little breed, that indecently, has a different name depending what country you’re in. For example Mops in Germany and Holland, Mopsi in Finland, Carline in France, and Doguillo in Spain, just to name a few.    

Puggles

Mixing Of breeds

Are we messing with thousands of years of history? If you have a mix pug that is for you to decide. Puggles are the result of mixing a pug with a beagle. A Chinese Snoopy? If you choose to get involved with, and nurture a relationship with this mix, there are a few things you should know first. Remember, these are two very distinct breeds of dog. The pug has become a lap or companion dog. The beagle is still listed as a hunting dog. Besides there are health issues you will have to deal with. Because this is piece on pugs I will touch on their heath in greater detail. As for beagles, The Beagle web site lists 97 health problems, including epilepsy and severe eye problems. Pugs share in these last to affections, as well as a host of others.

General Health Information

Pugs Are A Healthy Breed

Keep in mind that your vet is the only real source of any health issues your dog might face. However, if you a considering or perhaps just got a pug, there are a few things you should know. As already stated, pugs tend to be quite healthy. Perhaps the most common problem is obesity. Given the chance your pug will eat until it bursts, and than give that look of being starved. You should base its eating habits on its size and not its appetite. That cute pushed in face can cause breathing problems, especially in high heat and humidity. These are the common health concerns. I am sure that your vet will fill you in on what to expect as your pet grows older.

Should You Train Your Pug?

Pugs tend to be stubborn and mischievous, so the answer is yes. If you have spent any time on the internet you know there is not much information on pug training. In fact, there are not a lot of trainers who specialize in pugs. Well I am here to tell you that my pain staking research will save you money, time, and frustration. I Found The Only Complete Pugs Guide Package Available On The Internet. Obviously I can’t go into great detail, but I can give you a taste of what you can accomplish on your own, with the help of one simple to follow guide.

1. What are the key essentials things I need to know about pug dogs before I start owning one?

2. How to make my pug dog obedient, lively and stay healthy to bring comfort and pleasant to my home, before my pug puppy acquires bad habits that’s difficult to break?

3. How could I understand pugs’ behaviors so that I could create a loving and bonding relationship with my pug?

For this and other help with your dog or cat, like completely eradicating fleas, please check out Pet Lovers at: My RecomMANNdations

Pug Dog Club of America www.pub.org will also be a good source for more general information.

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They are great little dogs to live with. They love nothing more than being centre of attention and are the funniest little characters to be around. Pugs are at their happiest curled up on your lap or with their heads in their food dish! They are extremely loving and affectionate and love being around people. They do not do well being left alone for long periods of time as they are companion dogs.

Living with a pug is relatively easy, however, they do require a little extra care than other breeds. Care and attention should be spent on the fold of skin across the face. Above and underneath the fold must be cleaned and thoroughly dried on a regular basis to prevent bacterial build up leading to skint infections. Care must also be taken to protect the eyes as they can easily become scratched or damaged when playing with other dogs/walking through woodland etc.

I must also warn you, pugs shed like crazy (fawn sheds more than black). Their hairs get everywhere and wearing black becomes out of the question! I hope you enjoy vaccuming lol. Another thing I feel I should mention is the snoring. They are the nosiest little devils!

Just like any breed of dog, buying from a reputable breeder who health screens their dogs reduces the risk of your pup being ill. However, pugs stand a greater risk of developing problems, especially with their breathing. Buying a cheap pug from a BYB maybe cheaper initially, but you will be forever at the vets due to the poor condition the pup has been raised in and the ill-health of the mother before and during breeding/whelping.

My pug *touch wood* doesn’t have any of the serious issues than can be common in pugs, but he does suffer terribly with his skin which has cost me around