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Charming and affectionate, Pugs are small but solid breeds that are loved by millions across the globe. They are iconic for their wrinkled face and curled tail. Always looking for human companionship, Pugs were once the playful comrades of Chinese emperors.
See the fact file below for more information on the Pugs or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Pug worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY
- Pugs are native to China, dating back to the Han Dynasty, between 206 BC to 200 AD. Some researchers assume they are associated with the Tibetan mastiff. These breeds were once the prized possessions of Chinese emperors, who used to live in imperial accommodations guarded by soldiers.
- These dogs are among the three types of short-nosed dogs bred by the Chinese – the Lion dog, the Pekingese, and the Lo-sze, or the ancient Pug. Historians believe that the iconic βFoo Dogsβ of China depict the ancient Pug. Proof of Pug-like dogs has been spotted in old Tibet and Japan.
- From the late 1500s to the early 1600s, China started trading with Western countries, specifically in European. Records show the first Pugs imported to Europe came with the Dutch traders, who named the dogs Mopshond.
- Pugs instantly became favorites of imperial households across Europe, and they even played a role in the history of a number of these royal families. Pugs became the official dog of the House of Orange in Holland after rescuing Prince William by giving him a signal that the Spaniards were coming for him in 1572. In 1688, the Prince travelled to England with his wife, together with their Pugs.
- In the 1700s, artist William Hogarth was a Pug enthusiast. He popularized the existence of black Pugs through his famous paintings. In 1785, Goya also portrayed Pugs in his artworks.
- As the Pugβs popularity catapulted throughout Europe, it was sometimes known by a number of names in various countries. It was called Carlin in France, Dogullo in Spain, Mops in Germany, and Caganlino in Italy.
- A Pug named Mops was also owned by Marie Antoinette. Josephine Bonaparte, another notable French woman, named her Pug, Fortune.
- She was detained at the Les Carmes prison before she married Napoleon Bonaparte, where her Pug was the sole βvisitorβ allowed.
- She inserted messages in his collar to take to her family.
- During the start of the 1800s, Pugs were established as a breed with two lines that dominated England. One was the Morrison line (founded upon the regal dogs of Queen Charlotte). The other line was bred by Lord and Lady Willoughby dβEresby. It was founded on Pugs from Russia or Hungary.
- In 1861, Pugs were initially displayed in England, establishing the first volume of the studbook with 66 Pugs.
- During the Victorian era, these dogs were featured in a number of paintings, postcards, and figurines. Sometimes, they were portrayed as wearing wide, decorative collars or large bows circling their short and compact necks.
- Pugs remained as royal dogs in China. When the British invaded the Chinese Imperial Palace in 1860, they found and brought some Pugs back to England. Two of these Pugs were Lamb and Moss, both of which were βpureβ Chinese lines that had an offspring named Click.
- They made Pugs a better breed overall and shaped the modern breed as we know it today.
- Queen Victoria owned and bred many Pugs, picking the apricot-fawn ones as her favorite. Lady Brassey, another Pug enthusiast, chose black Pugs after she imported some from China in 1886.
- Pugs were brought to the United States after the Civil War. In 1885, the breed was acknowledged by the American Kennel Club, and a century later, the breedβs popularity declined. A few enthusiasts continued breeding, and after some years, Pugs reclaimed their popularity.
- In 1931, the Pug Dog Club of America was founded and recognized by the AKC that same year.
- Generally, males and females weigh around 14 to 18 pounds, and they reach 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Pugs are iconic for their physically distinctive features – wrinkly, short muzzles and curled tails. They have large, round heads with dark-colored, prominent eyes, small soft ears, and slightly undershot bites.
- Their ears have two variations. The βroseβ variation is smaller than the standard style of βbuttonβ ears.
- Their short and thick necks are a little curved. Their bodies are short and cobby, with broad chests, strong and straight legs, and full and muscular thighs and buttocks.
- A Pugβs coat is smooth and glossy, and it comes in three colors – silver, apricot fawn with a black mask, or all black. They have clearly a defined βthumb markβ on the forehead and a black line tracing down their back.
- Moles on their cheeks are considered to be βbeauty spotsβ.
BEHAVIOR
- Pugs are typically toy dogs. These dogs are not expected to hunt, guard, or retrieve. They are born to be human companions, and thatβs exactly what these dogs do best.
- Pugs are sometimes called βshadowsβ because they keep following their owners around the house and crave for attention and affection.
- They also become very sad when they are ignored by their humans.
- They are sedentary dogs – they live a life involving little or no physical activity. Pugs also love to sit in their ownerβs laps.
- The Pugβs distinctive face makes him the βclownβ of the dog world.
- They are playful dogs that are always on the lookout for games.
- A Pug goes by the motto βmultum in parvoβ, or βmuch in littleβ, meaning βa lot of dog in a small spaceβ. He is small but charming.
HEALTH
- Cheyletiella Dermatitis. Also known as walking dandruff, this contagious skin condition is caused by small mites. It usually plagues the Pug down the middle of its back.
- Pug Dog Encephalitis. A deadly inflammatory brain disease exclusive to Pugs, PDE is still a questionable condition for medical researchers. A diagnosis can only be made by getting samples of brain tissue of a Pug after it dies. Dogs affected by PDE will succumb to seizures, blindness, coma, and death.
- Epilepsy. Aside from PDE, epilepsy is also a reason why Pugs experience seizures. These dogs are prone to idiopathic epilepsy, or a seizure with no reason.
- Nerve Degeneration. Another condition with an unknown reason, affected mature Pugs drag their rear, lurch around, experience difficulty jumping up or down, or lose control.
- Corneal Ulcers. Because Pugs have bug eyes, their eyes are prone to developing ulcers on the cornea, which may lead to blindness when left untreated.
- Dry Eye. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca and pigmentary keratitis are two eye conditions that plague Pugs. They can happen at the same time or individually. Dry eye happens when the eyes donβt give off enough tears to maintain moisture. Pigmentary keratitis causes black spots on the clear part of the eye, especially in the corner close to the nose.
- Eye Problems. Since they have bulging eyes, Pugs are exposed to a lot of eye problems, including proptosis (the eyeball is dislocated from the socket), distichiasis (irregular growth of eyelashes on the margin of the eye), progressive retinal atrophy (condition of the retinal visual cells that causes blindness), and entropion (the lower eyelid rolls inward, making the hair on the lid irritate the eye).
- Allergies. Some Pugs suffer from contact and food allergies. If a dog keeps on licking his paws or rubs his face, owners should have their dog checked by the vet.
- Demodectic Mange. Also known as demodicosis, Pugs suffering from this condition carry little demodex mites in their coats, which causes patches of red, scaly, skin with hair loss on the head, neck, and forelegs, or even the entire body.
- Yeast Infection. Pugs with yeast infection produce a foul smell, which leads to an itchy, thickened skin.
- Staph Infection. Staph bacteria usually plagues the skin, but some Pugs develop pimples and infected hair follicles if their immune systems are weak.
- Hermi-vertebrae. Since Pugs are short-muzzled breeds, they are prone to have misshapen vertebrae.
- Hip Dysplasia. This is an abnormality in the hip socket that causes crippling lameness and painful joint inflammation, such as arthritis.
- Patellar Luxation. Pugs experience dislocation of the kneecap, where the knee joint slides in and out of place, causing pain.
- Pugs are low-maintenance dogs, making them suitable for older owners. Since they are small and inactive, they are the best fit for apartment dwellers, too.
- Even though they have short coats, they are a double-coated breed. Pugs shed a lot, especially during summer. Regular brushing and bathing keeps their coat in good condition and lessens shedding.
Pug Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Pugs across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Pug worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Pugs which are small but solid breeds that are loved by millions across the globe. They are iconic for their wrinkled face and curled tail. Always looking for human companionship, Pugs were once the playful comrades of Chinese emperors.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Pug Facts
- Meet a Pug
- Breed Standards
- Fetch Some Facts
- Growing Up a Pug
- Pug FAQs
- Two Short-Muzzled Dogs
- Notable Pugs
- Pugs and Kisses
- Pros and Cons of a Pug
- Adopting a Pug
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Link will appear as Pug Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 1, 2020
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.