Last (but certainly not least!) in a look at the seven Best in Show entries at the 130th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the Toy Group entry… the Pug!
Single Parenting Blogger Babe and Pug Momma Fran Hopkins was kind enough to share pics of her babies, Cocoa and Sandy. Don’t tell Fran, but I’m going to break into her house so I can hug those cuties!
Pugs have a pretty distinctive look – the wrinkly, smushed up face with a bit of an underbite. They typically have a dark “mask” and ears… and a little curled up tail. The phrase multum in parvo is used to describe Pugs. In other words, a lot of dog in a small space!
The breed has a long history – there is evidence of Pugs as far back as 400 BC! And you may have heard tales of Josephine Bonaparte of France using her Pug Fortune to carry secret messages to her husband Napoleon when he was imprisoned at Les Carmes.
Let’s talk temperament: Pugs are generally even-tempered, outgoing dogs. They love their people and want to be around them as much as possible. They can be playful or dignified, and love everyone equally – men, women, and children. Pugs are adaptable and can be quite happy in a small apartment or a sprawling home… as long as they are with their families! And despite being a small dog, they don’t really need coddling. You can play with these sturdy little guys! They are very trainable and anxious to please.
A common problem with Pugs is weight control. Your Pug may always act like he’s starving, and will happily eat himself into a sausage shape! (Then again, my Moose mutt is the same way. Lots of dogs will eat themselves sick if given the opportunity.)
Caring for your Pug means a little extra work on occasion. The facial wrinkles need special attention and cleaning – sometimes daily, sometimes once a week. You also need to keep the ears clean. The protruding eyes of the Pug can also be a problem area; don’t hesitate to call your vet if your Pug seems to have eye issues.
You also need to pay attention to your Pug’s breathing. Because of their short faces, they can have difficulty breathing, especially during brutal summer heat. Your Pug may also have physical conditions like pinched nostrils (that are too tight to let air flow well) or soft palate issues. These are correctable with surgery, and if you’re concerned that your Pug may have breathing issues, you should consult your vet as soon as possible!