|
Friday, 10/10/2008 Pugs
The pug is one of the oldest breeds and
belongs to a select group of eight breeds tracing back to
Ancient China. They date as far back as the Han-Tang Dynasty around
150 BC. The breed was refined for hundreds of years for the sole
purpose of entertaining the inhabitants of the Imperial City. The breed was also the pet of the Buddhist
monasteries in Tibet. It next
appeared in Japan, and then in Europe, where it became the favorite
for various royal courts.
In Holland the Pug became the official dog of the House of
Orange after one of the breed saved the life of William, Prince of
Orange, by giving alarm at the approach of the Spaniards in 1572. An
effigy of the monarch with his pug at his feet is carved over
William's tomb.
The pug's popularity spread to France in the 1790's where
Josephine, wife of Napoleon, depended on her pug Fortune to
carry secret messages under his collar to her husband during her
imprisonment. It is said that Fortune bit the future emperor when he
entered the bedchamber on his wedding night.
British soldiers attacked the Imperial Palace in Peking in 1820
and dogs of the pug and Pekinese type were brought back to England.
This was the first time since the early 16th century that dogs in any
great number had been brought out of China.
The Pug was accepted for registration with the American Kennel
Club in 1885.
In 1886, black pugs were imported from China and exhibited for
the first time in England.
This compact and clownish dog is well described by the phrase
multum in parvo which means a lot of dog in a small space.
While the breed is small, it requires no coddling. While we all know
the pug rules, his greatest role in life is to be near his humans and
to make them happy. This dog will be endless entertainment with his
"hot laps" around the coffee table, enticing you to chase him, playing
hide and seek, and cuddling up with you on the couch as you watch
television or read your favorite book. It would seem the pug remains
a puppy at heart his entire life. |