Pug

Description

A black pug puppyThe breed is often summarized as multum in parvo ("much in little"), describing the pug's remarkable personality despite its small size. While the pugs appearing in eighteenth century prints tended to be long and lean, modern breed preferences are for a square, cobby body, a compact form, a deep chest, and well-developed muscle. Pugs have two distinct shapes for their ears, "rose" and "button". "Rose" ears are smaller than the standard style "button" and are folded with the front edge against the side of the head. Breeding preference goes to "button" style pugs. The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, and are set well under. 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. The lower teeth normally protrude further than their upper, meeting in an under-bite.

Coat and color

Fawn pugs and black pugs are similar in every way, except the color of their coats.Their smooth, glossy coats can be fawn, apricot fawn, silver fawn, or black. The markings are clearly defined. The trace is a black line extending from the occiput to the tail. The tail normally curls tightly over the hip.

Temperament

Strong willed but rarely aggressive, the pug is suitable for families with children. The majority of the breed is very fond of children and sturdy enough to properly play with them. They can be quiet and docile but also vivacious and teasing depending on their owner's mood.

History

Origins

16th and 17th centuries

18th and 19th centuries

Health problems

Pugs have large eyes and a wrinkledface with a long tongue. Improper care of the wrinkles may sometimes cause adverse health effects.Since pugs lack longer snouts and prominent skeletal brow ridges, they are susceptible to eye injuries such as proptosis, scratched corneas and painfulentropion. They also have compact breathing passageways, leaving many unable to breathe properly or efficiently regulate their temperature throughevaporation from the tongue. A pug's normal body temperature is between 101 °F (38 °C) and 102 °F (39 °C). If the temperature rises to 105 °F (41 °C), oxygen demand is greatly increased and immediate cooling is required. Should the temperature reach 108 °F (42 °C), the internal organs begin to break down at a cellular level, which can lead to severe long term health issues or even death.

Pugs living a mostly sedentary life can be prone to obesity, though this is avoidable with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Pugs are also prone to breathing difficulties caused by a constricted windpipe and flat face. The median life span of pugs is 11 years.

An investigative documentary carried out by the BBC found significant inbreeding between pedigree dogs, with a study by Imperial College, London, showing that the 10,000 pugs in the UK are so inbred that their gene pool is the equivalent of only 50 individuals.

Serious issues

Pugs can suffer from necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), also known as pug dog encephalitis (PDE), an inflammation of the brain and meninges. NME also occurs in other small-breed dogs, such as the Maltese and Chihuahua. There is no known cause or cure for NME, although it is believed to be an inherited disease. Dogs usually die or are euthanised within a few months of onset of clinical signs. Signs typically appear between 6 months and 7 years of age.

This breed, along with other brachycephalic dogs (e.g., boxers, bulldogs), are also prone to hemivertebrae. The screwtail is an example of a hemivertebrae, but when it occurs in other areas of the spine it can be devastating, causing such severe paralysis that euthanasia is a serious recommendation. The condition occurs when two parts of the spinal vertebrae do not fuse properly whilst a young pug is still growing, resulting in pressure on the spine.

Common conditions

Care must be taken to prevent a pug from becoming overweight.Eye prolapse is a common problem among other brachycephalic breeds and can be caused by trauma to the head or neck, such as an injury or using a tight leash instead of a harness. While it can be fixed by returning the eye back to its socket by the owner, a visit to the vet is required to check for eye and eye socket injuries. If the prolapse happens on a regular basis, the pug might require surgery to save its eye. In a worst case scenario, the dog may have the eye removed.

As pugs have many wrinkles in their faces, owners clean inside the creases to avoid irritation and infection. Hip dysplasia affected 63.8% of pugs in a survey performed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; they were ranked second worst affected by the condition out of 157 breeds tested.

The pug, like other short-snouted breeds, has an elongated palate. When excited, they are prone to "reverse sneezing". During this phenomenon, the dog will quickly (and seemingly laboriously) gasp and snort. The veterinary name for this is Pharyngeal Gag Reflex. This is caused by fluid or debris getting caught under the palate and irritating the throat or limiting breathing. "Reverse sneezing" episodes are usually not harmful to the pug and resolve themselves. Massaging the dog's throat or covering its nose in order to make it breathe through its mouth can often shorten episodes.

Pugs are one of several breeds that are more susceptible to Demodectic mange, also known as Demodex. This condition is caused by a weakened immune system, and it is a minor problem for many young pugs. This causes them to catch diseases much more easily than regular dogs do. It is easily treatable, but some are especially susceptible and will present with a systemic form of the condition. This vulnerability is thought to be genetic, and breeders avoid breeding dogs who have had this condition. Inbreeding is also a known cause for these problems.