| Multo en Parvo - a lot of dog in a small space. | | | | forms. Lastly, one of the most playful and |
| This Latin phrase is often used to describe the | | | | recognizable features of this unique breed is his |
| playful clown of the dog world, the irrepressible | | | | curly tail. The tail of the pug winds into a tight curl |
| Pug. A tiny package of bundled energy, the pug's | | | | slightly to one side and over his hip. The more |
| bulldog-like stance belies his classification as a 'toy' | | | | tightly curled the tail is, the better and the rare |
| sized breed. Even with his overtly distinctive looks, | | | | double curl is considered perfect. Bobbing slightly |
| it is the pug's amazing personality that sets him | | | | with his perky stride, the tail wags freely but only |
| apart from other breeds. | | | | uncurls when the dog is sleeping or distressed. |
| Delightfully friendly, pugs have an aesthetic quality | | | | Regardless of the physical specifics of the pug, it |
| that is uniquely their own. Their wrinkled faces, | | | | is this breed's personality that ultimately wins over |
| short snouts, curled tails and solid bodies have | | | | so many owners. The breed engenders |
| helped earn the Pug instant recognition on the | | | | tremendous breed loyalty among owners. Not |
| street. Few breeds of dog are as distinctive as | | | | ranked among the more intelligent breeds, the pug |
| the pug; the common use of the term "pug ugly" | | | | is none the less lovable. His enthusiasm and |
| suggests how recognizable the pug truly is. Even | | | | eagerness to please are remarkable. Truly a lover |
| within the breed, however, variations on | | | | of human company, the pug will usually insist on |
| appearance exist. While some of these variations | | | | being as close as possible to owners, friends, or |
| are plainly visible to the casual observer, true Pug | | | | even total strangers - even becoming somewhat |
| enthusiasts will often notice the more subtle | | | | pushy if resisted. Of course, this quality in |
| differences. | | | | combination with the infrequency of his bark limits |
| The Pug is most commonly "fawn" (sometimes | | | | the pug's effectiveness as a watchdog. Bred as |
| referred to as apricot) in color; a shade | | | | lap dogs, pugs can easily become anxious if left |
| resembling a creamy tan. Fawn pugs have black | | | | alone too frequently or for too long. They require |
| faces and a single black band running the length of | | | | considerable attention to satisfy their appetite for |
| their backs. Pug which are entirely black are less | | | | company. Their appetites are not limited to |
| common than their fawn counterparts, but are | | | | company however. Pugs love to eat. In fact, for |
| hardly rare. The infrequency of silver colored pugs | | | | many pugs, there is very little they love more. |
| leads many non-enthusiasts to believe that the | | | | For this reason and perhaps because of their |
| pug is limited in shade to fawn or black. Apart | | | | irresistible buggy eyes, it is common for pet pugs |
| from the color of his coat, a pug may be single or | | | | to be overweight. |
| double coated. Double coated pugs have both a | | | | A lot of dog in a small space, truly the pug has |
| silky outer coat and a downy undercoat. In both | | | | won a place in the heart of dog-lovers and casual |
| cases, the hair is short and the dog sheds | | | | observers alike. The unique physical characteristics |
| year-round, requiring frequent brushing. | | | | are only outmatched by his childlike personality |
| Even closer inspection of the dog will reveal either | | | | and affectionate manner. While upkeep of a pug |
| "rose" or "button" shaped ears, the latter being | | | | can be challenging, the rewards seem to more |
| described as gently folded over and generally | | | | than offset the extra effort. |
| consider to be the more desirable of the two | | | | |