Origin
Pugs have been around for a very long time with records of them dating back to 700 BC in Ancient China where they were bred and owned by Emperors. The common people were not allowed to own a Pug and if one of these treasured dogs was found in their possession, the punishment was death. Pugs were so revered at the time, they even had their own part of royal palace to live in and were attended by their own servants too. Female Pugs were given the same status as an Emperors wives and guarded by soldiers, only being fed the best of everything.
Today, the Pug remains one of the most popular breeds to own, not only here in the UK, but elsewhere in the world too and for good reason. Pugs are extremely intelligent little dogs. They are confident characters by nature with an affectionate and mischievous side to them that endears these little dogs to just about everyone they meet. They adapt well to family life and other lifestyles, one of the reasons they have remained just as popular today as they were centuries ago.
Although the exact origins of Pugs are unknown, they are considered to be one of the most ancient breeds on the planet. Originating in Ancient China where only Emperors were allowed to own a Pug, these little dogs found their way over to Europe when China allowed Dutch explorers to trade in their lands. It is said that sailors smuggled these little dogs out of China and once back home, they were an immediate hit with the nobility and upper classes due to their small size and sweet natures.
Pugs were first seen in England in the 17th Century with records of William III owning one. They became the "official dog" of Dutch royalty around the same time before gaining popularity in other European countries including Spain, France and Italy. At the time, Pugs had longer faces and legs and remained popular throughout the 18th Century, but they fell out of favour for a short time after that.
In 1860, a new type of Pug was imported from China and these dogs boasted shorter noses and shorter legs. Their "pug noses" were an immediate hit with Queen Victoria and very soon the breed was once again popular with many royals. It was Queen Victoria who banned people from cropping a Pug's ears because she deemed it cruel. During the 20th Century, it was the Duke and Duchess of Windsor who once again bought the breed into the limelight, taking their pets with them wherever they went.
The breed fell out of favour again for a short while during the 20th Century, but today Pugs are among one of the most popular breeds on the planet which can be put down to the fact one of these adorable looking little dogs played the part of "Frank the Alien" in the Hollywood movie, Men in Black.
