For Pug's Sake

The History Of The Pug Dog

The Pug Dog breed has a long history. The pug has flourished true to breed from before 400 B.C. It is believed that this breed of dog had its origins in China. The Chinese, when overseeing a breeding or whelping, would specifically look for either wrinkles or coat markings that would form characters from the Chinese language. The Pug's forehead wrinkles would be checked for the formation of the "W" shape, which resembles the Chinese character for "Prince." The development of the Pug as a breed is shrouded in mystery and speculation. What is known is that the Pug became beloved companions of royalty. It is believed that the sailors from the Dutch East India Company were the first to bring the Pug to Holland. The saying, "Multo in Parvo" ("a lot of dog in a small space") certainly does apply to this dog.

A story published in 1618, in Sir Roger William's "Action in the Low Countries", tells of an incident involving a beloved Pug belonging to William the Silent of Holland's House of Orange. It is believed the incident occurred sometime between 1571 and 1573, during a time of war between the Dutch and the Spaniards. The occasion was a surprise Spanish attack on the Dutch camp. The Pug, whose name is believed to be Pompey, awakened his master, before any of his men realized the Spaniards were attacking, by scratching, crying and leaping on Prince William the Silent's face. The

Prince avoided capture and the Pug was revered throughout the kingdom. This proud little dog became the symbol of Holland's House of Orange.

One hundred years after Prince William the Silent's adventure, his great-grandson, William III and Mary II, ascended the throne of Great Britain (1688). They brought with them the family pets, the symbols of the House of Orange, the beloved Pugs. Each with an orange ribbon tied about its neck.

The Pug's charming features have been portrayed on some famous paintings. For example, William Hogarth's painting in 1730 of a black pug in "House of Cards." William Hogarth was an owner of pugs and used them many times in his paintings.

Moving to the first half of the nineteenth century two strains appear to have dominated the Pug genetic lines. The earliest bloodline was the Morrison. This strain is said to be founded on the blood of royal dogs, presumably those of Queen Charlotte, wife of George III.

The other prominent strain was that of Lord and Lady Willoughby d'Eresby. They imported dogs from either Russia or Hungary, and they were employed to bring about the badly needed improvement in type. The dogs bred by Mr. Morrison and the Willoughby d'Eresby were of greatest importance from the years 1840 onwards. Today it is still common to speak of a Willoughby Pug, a cold fawn color, or a Morrison Pug, a golden apricot shade.

Pugs first came to America shortly after the American Civil War. By 1885 Pugs were being shown throughout the country. By the turn of the century Pugs slowly became less popular as other imported breeds became known and were being seen. The American Kennel Club Stud Books show that for the years 1900 through 1920, only a handful of breeders were registering their Pugs, and some shows had no Pug entries at all.

It was in 1931 that a group of East Coast breeders and exhibitors decided to form a Pug Dog Club of America and on December 1, 1931 the club was formally recognized by the American Kennel Club.