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Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
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The Pug is a
miniature mastiff,
with boxy head, large bone and typically thick, wrinkled skin. He hails
originally from the Orient, where the Chinese have always favored the
snub-nosed dog. This little dog could pass for a flat-faced miniature
Tibetan Mastiff
or a long-legged, smooth cousin of the Pekingese.
The Dutch East
India Company traded around the world, including the Far East, where they
found the Pug in China and brought it home to Holland, probably before
the 16th century. By the time of William I, Prince of Orange (1533-1584),
this breed was admired in the Netherlands. In fact, because the Prince
had them, Pugs became the symbol of those who supported the royal family
(the Orangists), just as the Keeshond
was the mascot of the Patriots or commoner's cause. When William rose
victorious after the unrest, the Pug soared in popularity.
When Protestant
William III took over England's throne after Catholic James II was ousted,
the Pug accompanied the Dutchman to the islands and to British favor.
Thus, the Pug is not only a symbol of politics, but of religion. Years
later, another famous couple, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor enjoyed
the company of this miniature mastiff.
It is possible
that the original Pug may have been larger, and it may have been he who
contributed to the pushed-in faces of several breeds in Europe, i.e.,
the Affenpinscher
and English Bulldog.
His name source is controversial. Fanciers can make their own choice:
the Latin pug-nws, meaning fist, describes the dog's shape; the
fact that many of the fighting breeds were descended from the Alaunt,
which came down from the the Pugnaces; the old English term pugg, meaning
someone tenderly loved, which was in general usage in England long before
the breed's arrival.
Until the late
1800s the breed was only seen in fawn. The English Lady Brassey returned
from the Orient in 1877 with a pair of black Pugs, introducing the second
color.
Classified by
AKC as a toy, the Pug is more solid than many others in the group and
is sturdy enough to romp and play with children, His pushed-in nose and
bright, button eyes give him a teddy-bear look. Children must be warned,
however, that the little dog is not a teddy bear, but a living thing that
can be hurt.
The breed motto
is multum in parvo, a lot in a small package, which aptly describes
the Pug. He has been the chosen companion of those who prefer a smaller
dog that still evidences the character of a larger counterpart. Fanciers
emphasize the Pug's laid-back temperament, cleanliness and affection for
his master as attributes of the breed.
Quiet, but alert,
affectionate and patient, they are true "gentlemen" and "ladies."
If they attend too many tea parties, however, they tend to become grossly
overweight.
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