Breed Review of Chinese Pugs

Most American households consist of a few to several family members. Many of these include children and a family dog or two. For those looking to include a purebred dog as a companion animal and family member it may be confusing. There are over 150 breeds of dogs currently recognised by AKC, the Chinese Pug is just one of them.

The pug is described in the AKC and breed club standard as "multum in parvo" - alot of dog in a small space. A pug is decidedly square and of cobby build. It is thick and physicly dense boned, while still being a small dog; with the upper size limit being 25 pounds according to the standard. It is both compact and sturdy enough to play and roughouse without fear of injury to the dog. Because of this it is an excellent choice for families with children.

The pug is by nessessity an indoor animal. Because of the charactoristic short muzzle of the breed it has trouble in both extreme heat as well as extreme cold. In otherwords the pug is suseptable to heat stroke and some other weather related health issues. And while this can be discouraging to some, those that desire a dog who will be an indoor companion find it is of little consequence. Others feel that the personality of the pug more than makes up for this slight inconvenience during inclement weather.

To know a pug is to love a pug. Many pug enthusiasts and breeders firmly believe in this credo. The personality has been discribed is being "clown like" or playful, outgoing, and having a loving dispostion. Most would agree however, that pugs are NOT suited to guarding a home or personal belongings. They have been bred for thousands of years as companion animals, dating back prior to 400 B.C. and was for many years the prized possession of Chinese royalty and forbidden to the common people. This does not mean however, that he is fragile or in need of coddeling.

The pug is well adapted to life in an apartment or in the countryside. He is happy whereever his master/mistress is. He is in great need to be near people and love and to please everyone around him. Pugs generally make friends wherever they go. The expressive face and happy expression, made more so by his wrinkled forehead, often captures the heart of anyone he knows or meets. The pug may have a few health concerns that discourages some from seeking them for companionship, but most who meet them find them a delightful addition to the family.