Pug breed standard, how much a pug should weigh (photo and video)

The ideal adult pug, like other breeds, is of course described in detail in the standard. However, in life, some of its external features differ from what is reflected on paper. Endless human experiments on these animals have led to the creation of different types. Now even a dog with a long neck can win at the show. And if a hundred years ago a tongue protruding from a pug’s mouth was considered the norm, today it is a serious drawback. Let's find out together what a show specimen of a pug should be like.

Button ears and a non-apple head

The first breed standard appeared at the end of the 19th century, a few years after the opening of the English Pug Club. Currently, the 2011 updates are relevant, but the standards approved in 1998 by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) are taken as a basis. Changes that have occurred in the standard over more than a hundred years are presented in the table:

The remaining parameters of pugs that are necessary today to win at an exhibition have been almost completely preserved over the past century. Thanks to the richness of the language, in written presentation they simply sounded with new colors and comparisons.

Brief history of origin

The place of origin of pugs, indicated in most sources, is considered to be Ancient China.
Early Chinese manuscripts mention "square, low, short-faced dogs": "Ha Pa" and "Lo Jie" (long-haired and short-haired, respectively). "Luo Jie."

There is no exact information about the origin of this breed.

Presumably, pugs appeared before our era. These small dogs lived in rich houses of the nobility. Their main purpose was to always be close to their owners and move with them everywhere.

In ancient times, wrinkles on the forehead of pugs were called the imperial sign, since the pattern of folds on the forehead appeared clearly and resembled hieroglyphs.

In 1553, pugs were first brought to France by Turkish ambassadors. They wanted to present the dogs as a gift to the French aristocrats. It is believed that they spread pugs throughout Western Europe.

The modern pug owes its appearance to the British. It was in England that serious work on the selection of individuals began (creating new or improving existing breeds of animals). First appearing in England, pugs had longer noses, longer legs, a less “square” body, and dogs’ ears were cropped very short.

In 1883, the first pug club was founded in England. The first exhibition was held in 1885. The breed standard was adopted in 1888.

At the end of the twentieth century (80s), several pugs came to Russia. This breed quickly took root in the country.

Even square

The Pug is a very proportional dog in terms of geometry. The length of his body should ideally be equal to the height at the withers. It turns out that the correct body is a square. However, at a standard weight (6.3 - 8.1 kg), a dog does not look fat if its body is covered with muscles and not with fat that creates looseness. By the way, the weight of a dog and a bitch differs little.

An important point: some experienced dog breeders believe that there are inaccuracies in the standards. And if a pug weighs less than 7 kg, then it looks thin. Perhaps in the future this will be taken into account during the next revision of the standard.

The height for a female ranges from 25.5 to 30.5 cm, for a male from 30.5 to 33 cm.

When evaluating the body, judges may reduce points if the pug's legs are not proportional to the body, that is, too long or short. The whole picture should create a harmonious image of a correctly formed animal.

With some sadness, experts note the fact that pugs are appearing similar to other breeds. For example, terriers. They are very attractive and elegance is created by their elongated neck. In the USA, this type even wins exhibitions. But still it is wrong from the point of view of the standard. However, like a bulldog-shaped pug with a too heavy neck. A representative of the sharpei type with a wobbling rear and hiding an irregular topline behind excess weight will not be a “liquid” either.

Some breeders have tried to become famous by breeding pugs of such varieties, which has seriously worried the true breeders. They rightly believe that such experiments threaten the true breed type.

Black individuals

In the 17th and 18th centuries, black pugs were not valued by breeders and were often destroyed immediately after birth.
Beginning around 1886, breeders began breeding black pugs seriously. This was facilitated by the Madison show, which featured four black pugs.

They became winners in their class, which sparked interest in black pugs. After this, several nurseries began to specialize in breeding black pugs.

At exhibitions of any level, black pug dogs are treated especially pickily. The animal's coat should be shiny, deep black. If there are white or red hairs in the coat, the dog will not be allowed to participate in the exhibition. When evaluating a dog, a light spot on the chest is considered a fault, but not a defect.

Seven is NOT for pugs

Dogs of this breed look monolithic, but this appearance should not be achieved through overfeeding. Only dense muscles will create a toned effect. It’s the same as abs on the stomach of an athlete, who at the same time can weigh quite a lot. This means you need to walk the dog a lot. She should jump, run, play outdoor games. And attempts to present an obese dog as large and strong evoke a smile and pity. After all, a large body on thin legs looks simply ridiculous, and excess weight is harmful to health.

By studying and analyzing the pug breed standard, we derived a number of not only external characteristic features, but also paid attention to the breed’s temperament.

The pug must be:

not fat;
not aggressive;
not timid;
not hysterical;
not fluffy;
not bowlegged;
not red.

Remember these “NOTs” if you are going to prepare a show specimen of a pug and dream of winning at the show.

Correct treatment

Broken fang? This cannot be ignored, so you need to urgently visit a veterinarian, who will prescribe a course of treatment that will promote the pet’s recovery: - first, the dog will undergo an x-ray, which will clearly show at what stage the destruction of bone tissue is; - according to the analysis, appropriate therapy will be selected; — cleaning teeth from deposits with complete polishing; - a broken or dead tooth must be removed.

The doctor will give you recommendations on how to carry out the necessary therapy at home to eliminate inflammation, without which no loss of teeth in dogs can occur. For these purposes, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and enzyme preparations are used. If no improvement is observed, the dog will be prescribed a course of antibacterial drugs.

Splinting is a real salvation for some animals, especially when it is loose, the gum pockets are enlarged, and their roots are greatly exposed. It can be done by a veterinarian using either fiberglass or special wire. To do this, he tightens healthy and loose teeth, giving them stability.

Important! This procedure not only makes your dog’s teeth stronger, but also relieves gum inflammation and prevents its occurrence.

Written on the "face"

Continuing to compare standards over the years, we see that they all note wrinkles on the face, but without excesses. That is, the attitude towards this decoration has not changed for centuries. However, the skin itself does not lend itself to any descriptive standard; this is simply missed in the current standard.

Despite this incident, experts at exhibitions pay close attention to the distribution of skin folds throughout the animal’s body. It turns out that they are the ones who give the pug its “face.” By the way, to distinguish a male from a female of a given breed, it is not necessary to look under the tail. Femininity and masculinity are written on their faces. It is logical that a male dog’s head is larger than that of a female dog, since he is a man after all.

The relief is created by the depth of the folds and depends on the size of the forehead. The folds on the neck should not form a suspension of excess skin. This will be classified as a defect, just like excess skin ridges on the body.

But the miniature folds on the wrists are a real decoration that will allow you to earn extra points.

It is desirable that the wrinkle at the nose be continuous and not interrupted. Many connoisseurs find in this a special indicator of the breed. A symmetrical arrangement of all other wrinkles is also preferable.

Breed Features

The pug dog breed is always positive and incredibly charming. This pet is full of advantages, but also not without disadvantages. You need to learn about all the features in advance in order to understand whether you can raise your pet properly.

Pugs are unpretentious in their maintenance, but like other decorative breeds they require due attention.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the Chinese breed:

friendly and affectionate disposition;
complete dedication to the owner and devotion, in this characteristic the pug can be compared with a shepherd;
ideal friend for young children;
flexible, sharp mind and thirst for learning;
friendly attitude towards other animals;
easy pet maintenance;
the ability to live in small apartments;
no need for frequent and intense physical activity.

If you want to know more about pugs, you cannot ignore the disadvantages of the breed:

sometimes shows strong stubbornness;
reacts poorly to high ambient temperatures;
has a predisposition to obesity;
molting continues throughout the year;
wool emits a rather specific, unpleasant odor.

Additional Information! Pugs are known for the fact that they hardly bark, but they snore very loudly.

And again geometry

The pug's head is still the same square in shape. The area between the ears is almost without bending. And if you draw a line through the center of the eyes and divide the muzzle in half with another line, you get the ideal position for the top of the nose. It is characterized only by black color. Modern requirements require large and fully open nostrils. If they are narrowed, you can expect a serious decrease in scores. And it will be difficult to breathe with such nostrils.

In order for the entire muzzle to look wide, which is also emphasized by the standard, the dog must have a wide lower jaw and forehead. Changing their size leads to visual deformation - the “face” becomes narrowed or widened in the top-bottom direction, which violates the shape of the square.

The line of the bridge of the nose is of great importance for the expression of facial expressions. If it is concave, then the pug becomes snub-nosed. And if it is bent, then it seems that the dog is about to cry. So the line of the nose is just straight, as if drawn with a ruler.

A pug's eyes are dark, shiny spheres. In them you can read the tenderness of character, guess a desire or see a perky spark. They are actually very expressive. It is considered a fault if the eyes are located close to each other, then the overall expression of the muzzle becomes somewhat stupid. But this happens extremely rarely. Much more often, pugs have light-colored eyes or eyes that are too bulging, slanted, or with too prominent whites. For an excellent exterior, these are too noticeable flaws and they are not acceptable.

Nutrition

Pugs are prone to gaining excess weight, so you need to carefully monitor their diet.

Feeding should be systematic and balanced. You cannot feed your pet frozen meat and fish. The dog should have its own place and eating utensils. Also, the dog should always have a bowl of drinking water at room temperature. If you train a dog to eat from the floor, then it will always pick up everything from the ground. Fatty and smoked foods, as well as sweets in large quantities, are strictly prohibited.

Sometimes you need to pamper your pet. A treat could be fruit, cheese, or some cookies.

From an early age, pug owners must monitor its nutrition and diet. Food for puppies 1 - 1.5 months old can be: raw lean meat, porridge, fermented milk products and dry specialized dog food. With the right approach to feeding, the dog will grow strong, healthy and active.

The number of feedings per day for puppies and adult dogs is different:

From 1.5 to 2 months, meals 5-6 times a day.
From two to 4 months - 4 times a day.
From four to 6 months - 3 times a day.
After 6 months, the dog eats like an adult, twice a day in the morning and in the evening.

For adult dogs, it is not recommended to use muscle meat and heart in the diet. Such meat negatively affects the animal’s digestion process. Products of plant origin are useful for eating, as they contain large amounts of protein and vitamins.

For good digestion, you can mix meat and plant foods, which contain fiber that saturates the intestines. Fresh vegetables and fruits, rich in vitamins, are very beneficial for a pug.

Pugs eat well both natural food and ready-made specialized dog food.

If you run your hand over the ribs of a pug that has been properly groomed and cared for, they will not be palpable.

Not everything is going smoothly with my teeth

As for the teeth, for pugs a light snack, when the lower front incisors overlap the upper ones, is the norm. It comes in three types. The first is when the teeth of the upper and lower jaws are located very tightly. Second, there is a small distance between them. And the third, called “bulldog”, when the gap is significant. The standard emphasizes that teeth should be straight.

Pugs are very reluctant to show their mouths. Knowing this, experts examine the jaw only if defects are suspected. For example, a curvature (misalignment) of the jaw or protruding tongue.

Considering that pugs have a short muzzle, 42 teeth, like all dogs, simply do not fit there. In addition, their teeth begin to fall out quite early compared to other breeds. Knowing all the subtleties associated with this problem, experts are loyal to dental imperfections.

Another drawback is that the incisors are too small. If you are going to breed, then you should pay attention to this. The fact is that the defect is inherited from the parents. And subsequent generations may develop a narrow lower jaw.

Diseases

“ Chronic corneal erosion” is one of the specific diseases in pugs . This is an eye disease that initially manifests itself as a slight clouding of the cornea, leading to eyelid spasms and watery eyes. Next, blood vessels begin to grow around this defect. Erosion can be cured with antibiotics, vitamins and iodine. More specific medications are prescribed by the veterinarian.
Another specific pug disease is loud snoring during sleep . This haunts all snub-nosed dogs.

There are common diseases that dogs of all breeds can have:

Dog flea. When fleas are detected, it is necessary to treat the animal and its place (or the entire home) with special products that can be purchased at a pet store: shampoo, spray, aerosol. The product must be chosen taking into account the age of the dog and its characteristics.
Dog louse. It is also a carrier of diseases. Methods for controlling dog lice are similar to those for controlling fleas.
Skin mites. They appear in the dog in the form of lesions on the coat and/or skin. If ticks appear, it is necessary to urgently take the dog to a veterinary clinic so that the veterinarian can conduct a comprehensive examination.
Rabies is a serious infectious disease and there is no cure. To prevent this, your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. It is done once a year, in the spring.
Internal parasites. The most common and well-known type of internal parasites is worms. Their presence leads to gastrointestinal disorders and increases susceptibility to diseases in animals. Some possible symptoms include vomiting, colic, diarrhea, or constipation. The dog's appetite either increases or disappears completely. Worms in puppies can be fatal. To avoid this, deworming is necessary every three months. Deworming is carried out in 2 stages: initial intake and repeat after 10 days.
Gastritis. It is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa. First of all, when treating gastritis, you need a starvation diet. The dog also needs rest. Pugs need to be regularly examined at a veterinary clinic to prevent this or that disease or to recognize it at an early stage. Many representatives of the breed are susceptible to allergies, and respiratory diseases also occur.

The animal must be systematically treated for parasites (worms, ticks, fleas).

Sticks his nose into everything

When talking about the character of a pug, they use the following words: charming, noble, intelligent. And this has already said a lot. Special qualities of a companion are also noted. Thanks to its cheerful activity, the decorative dog always attracts the attention of others. And he likes it. He jumps, plays and sticks his nose into all household chores with great pleasure. At the same time, he completely sincerely shows his wonderful mood.

This behavior is absolutely normal for an ideal pug. He is exactly how he should be: lively and cheerful. However, as a characteristic quality, his balance in actions is noted. He is often called a “couch dog,” which is quite justified, because he also loves to sleep next to his owner.

Unacceptable vices are manifestations of malice, cowardice, and hysteria.

Suitable nicknames

If you want to choose what to name your Pug pet, you should consider its personality and appearance.

For boys

The following simple nicknames are best suited for male pugs: Chucky, Janis, Teddy, Jem, Cupcake, Packy, Fluff, Twix, Gene, Jackie, Shanley, Sean, Timosha, Samson, Zhora, Badi, Harry, Henry, Barry and Beefy . There are also more aristocratic names, in case you want to celebrate the imperial roots of this breed: Hermes, Jupiter, Cronus and Ether.

For cheerful and cheerful dogs, suitable nicknames are Bucks, Boy, Sunny, Google, Muffy, Fabio, Lucky, Royz.

There are also more human names for pugs: Eric, Arnold, Bari. You can even come up with a royal name from a few words, for example, Clint the First or Archie Piercing Eyes.

For girls

The most common names for representatives of this breed are Ksia, Fiona, Sani, Knopa, Pixie, Eva, Molly, Utah, Dolly, Lola, Gia, Betty, Viola, Gabby, Darcy, Bonya, Yan, Tusya, Tina, Floris, Elsa, Tracy, Margo, Suga.

There are more domestic nicknames, for example, Zhuzha, Dusya, Plusha.

You can take the names of your favorite characters from various books or movies. For girls, as well as for pug boys, you can come up with aristocratic names of two or three words. You can also come up with a nickname, making it up from the first letters of the names of family members.

The judges don't like the waddle gait

Let's return to the description of appearance. The pug's neck resembles a comb. It gives a proud posture and allows you to hold your head high. But the neck cannot be too long, otherwise the dog will seem awkward.

Now let's turn our attention to the legs. Both the rear and the front - they are necessarily parallel to each other. The front ones are spaced so as not to narrow the chest. The shoulders slope beautifully. It is considered ideal if the shoulder blade and humerus are equal in length. And the angle between them will be 90 degrees. This indicator affects the correctness of movements, so it will not go unnoticed. Running and gait should be completely free, as if springy, but in no case mincing.

The standard did not define angles for the joints of the hind limbs. But according to generally accepted canine anatomy, the pelvic bones tilt toward the ground at an angle of 30 degrees. And with the thigh they form a right angle. It is these degrees that will give a good push when jumping. Also, the modern standard omits the proportions of the thigh and lower leg. Here experts take the principle of biomechanics as a basis. Their equal length is considered normal.

Among the disadvantages for the forelimbs, we note that they are turned inward or outward. For the hind hindquarters, close hock joints and a side-to-side stance are unacceptable. The judges don’t like the waddling gait at all, or simply whether the pug’s legs are thick or thin. And they also pay attention to the gait. Ambling is unacceptable, that is, if the dog takes a step simultaneously with two right legs and then with two left ones.

Pug breed standard eriksoniana 02/01/12, 21:20

Pug breed standard

General form

The Pug is square and stocky, so to speak “a lot in a little” - expressed in a compact shape, good proportions and well-developed muscles.

Character

Very charming, noble and intelligent.

Temperament

Balanced, cheerful, lively and cheerful.

Head

Large, round, but not “apple-shaped”, without indentations on the skull. The muzzle is short, blunt, square, not upturned. Wrinkles are clearly visible.

Eyes

Dark, very large, round in shape, with a gentle, meek and full of desires expression, very shiny and full of fire when excited.

Ears

Thin, small, soft, like “black velvet”. Two varieties are "roses" - small ears folded over the head, pulled back so that the inside is exposed. “Buttons” - ears laid forward, the edges pressed tightly to the skull, covering the internal openings. The latter are preferred.

Mouth

Small snack. A lopsided (crooked) mouth, protruding teeth and protruding tongue are highly undesirable. The front teeth (incisors) of the wide lower jaw are always in a straight line.

Neck

Slightly curved, comb-like, strong, thick, of sufficient length to carry the head proudly.

Forelegs

The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, mutually parallel. Sufficiently placed under the body (they are “well under the dog”). Shoulders are well sloping.

Torso

Short, stocky with a broad chest and well sprung ribs. The topline is straight, never arched (concave) or sloping (sloping).

Hind limbs

The legs are very strong, of moderate length, well angulated, straight and mutually parallel when viewed from behind.

Paws

Not as long as a hare's, and not as round as a cat's. Toes well separated, claws black.

Tail

Set high, curled as tightly as possible, pressed to the back. A double curl is more desirable.

Movements. When viewed from the front, the forelegs rise and fall directly under the shoulder. The paws are directed straight, turning neither in nor out. When viewed from behind, the picture is similar. The forelimbs move with a good, strong swing. The hind limbs move freely, with good mobility in the knee joints. The gait is characterized by slight rolling movements of the rear part.

Wool

Fine, smooth, tender, short and shiny (never hard or fluffy).

Color

Silver, apricot, fawn and black. Each of these colors must be clearly expressed so that there is a clear contrast between the main color and the mask. Markings should be clearly visible: the muzzle or mask, ears, warts on the cheekbones, a diamond or fingerprint-shaped spot on the forehead and a dark line on the ridge should be as black as possible.

Size

Ideal weight 6.3-8.1 kg.

Flaws

Any deviations from the above-mentioned points shall be regarded as defects, and the seriousness with which they shall be taken into account shall be strictly in accordance with the degree of deviation.

Note

Males must have two normally developed testes, fully descended into the scrotum.

::Comments to the standard::

The original comments of the standard are given from the book “MOPS”, authors Zakharov, Milyukova, 2004 edition.

It is fair to say that any dog that has all the characteristics described in the Standard should be a very good Pug indeed, with few minor faults. There should be nothing that would cause confusion or uncertainty to anyone reading the Standard. A small dog, the body structure is square, stocky, with heavy powerful bones, a large head in proportion to the size of the dog, with short smooth hair and a tail in the form of a dense curl. The description of the pug suggested by the Standard is an excellent representation of the type, but does not reveal the true picture of the dog's articles, so it would not hurt to expand and emphasize some of its requirements.

::General form. Symmetry::

In the assessment, the dog as a whole is considered first: is this pug a reflection of the breed type? Do all the parts fit together harmoniously? The Pug is a well-balanced dog. The expression “Multum in porvo” - “big in small” - is realized thanks to stockiness, strong bones and well-developed muscles. For its small size, the pug should look very solid and compact, with a lot of muscle mass and strong musculature, and in no way obese. You must remember that the pug is a dwarf dog, not too big and not too small, and is similar in design to a small, stocky squat horse / cobby / Reading the “General Appearance” clause in the Standard you will not find an expressive description of one thing - it is not given any attention sufficient attention is the “hardness of developed muscles.” This characteristic is very important and one cannot ignore it, since the correct movements of the dog can be distorted if the dog is not in good condition. Fat and thin dogs are equally undesirable. There is an opinion that you don’t have to walk or walk with a pug, but there is very little that a pug cannot withstand long walks - all this is not true. A good muscular frame is achieved not by feeding, and certainly not by diet, but by regular training (walking). Walking along the road at a measured and controlled pace is just as necessary as free jogging. Walking on heavy surfaces (sand, gravel, tall grass, water, deep snow) is good for both body and leg muscles, but should not exceed 30 minutes (10 minutes is enough in hot or very cold weather) if the time is quiet the walk is 1-1.5 hours. American expert and breeder with more than 50 years of experience, Thomas Shirley, in his book “The neu mops,” talks about the problems that American breeders face in maintaining the breed type: “For many years, breeders have tried hard to produce quality pugs. We have come a long way, and yet we still have to overcome many obstacles. The main thing is to preserve the breed type. Do you know the difference between the three types of Pug - Terrier, Bulldog and Chinese Shar-Pei? The elegant (lightweight) terrier type of pug stands out among all the others. He has a conspicuously long neck, which turns into a straight front (perpendicularly set shoulder blades and forelimbs). I am perplexed to hear that most people prefer this particular type, considering it more attractive. It's a shame that today such dogs too often become winners. The bulldog type is characterized by an extra-wide front and an attractive head supported on obliquely set shoulder blades. Sometimes you will see in dogs of this type a barrel-shaped set of the forelimbs or connected shoulder blades. The most unacceptable is the modern type of Shar Pei and we must not allow it to spread. Due to the desire of one or two hobbyists and a number of breeders for great fame, we saw these heavy pugs with swaying croup. This is not typical for a pug. They try to fatten up dogs to hide their long back or irregular topline. Since pugs came from China to Holland and England, and then to America, they only had rolling shoulders, but not rumps. We must stop those who try to convince our experts, new breeders and inexperienced owners that a Pug's croup should swing when moving. If they are not stopped in time, they will destroy the correct breed type. In the mid-90s, the dominance of just such large, raw, frankly short-legged, pig-like sharpei-type pugs began in Russia. The fatter and rawer the dog was, the higher place it occupied. It was painful to hear that with the advent of dogs of this type, the breed began to improve dramatically+ But time put everything in its place.

::Character .Temperament::

A lot of charm, dignity and intelligence, courage and innate contact. They are easy-going, loyal, mischievous and strive to be the center of attention. At times quite jealous and suspicious. Pugs in a pack are fearless. They are all good watchmen. They love to play with children. There are differences in the temperament of black and light individuals: light ones tend to be calmer and more devoted, while black ones are wary and energetic. Shyness, nervousness, aggression are serious shortcomings.

::Head::

The pug's head should be conspicuous. It should be large, round, but not an “apple”, without clearly defined skull bones. The top of the skull, visible from the front, should be almost flat between the ears; The eyes are set quite wide, in line with the nose. The muzzle should be broad but balanced with the correct depth (flatness). The lower jaw should be wide and show the chin; It is also important that the upper jowls are neat (graceful), not heavy and not drooping. The forehead should be covered with deep, well defined folds. When viewed from the side, the pug's forehead is flat; let's say, in profile the pug's head looks like a clenched fist. A rounded forehead is a serious fault. The nose should be black and the nostrils should be large and in proportion to the width of the head. The noses of modern pugs are very flat. It must be remembered that the length of the bridge of the nose is at least 15 mm. A slight lengthening of the bridge of the nose is allowed. The absence of a bridge of the nose is a very serious flaw. A slight upturn of the nose is acceptable, but a downturned nose is a serious fault. The fold above the nose is more admired if it is continuous, but it will not be a disadvantage if the dog above the nose has this fold (“torn”, “broken”). Overlapping the nasal fold is a disadvantage. Fault: Partially or completely unpigmented nose. A pug is not only a head! It should be massive, but not disturb the proportions of the entire dog. The head of a male dog is larger than the head of a female dog; the expression of the muzzle can determine the gender type. Looking at the dog’s “face” there should be no doubt who is in front of you: a male or a female.

::Muzzle ::

The muzzle should be as short and flat as possible, well filled, wide, almost equal to the width of the forehead, “sitting” in front of the skull. It should be in harmony with the rest of the head. The lower jaw is as wide as possible with a well-defined chin. A Pug with a weak or narrowed lower jaw will have an unfilled muzzle under the eyes and you will lose the typical Pug "facial" expression.

::Eyes ::

The eyes are dark in color, very large, slightly convex, round in shape with a gentle and caring expression, very shiny, and in an excited state - “full of fire.” Eyes are very important, and the standard misses that such large dark eyes should be spaced quite widely. The line passing through the middle of the eye should go along the top line of the nose. If your Pug has a narrowed or weak lower jaw, you will often see small eyes that sit very close together. The typical Pug expression of alertness and mischief will be lost. There are quite a large number of dogs with light, small eyes - this is a disadvantage: the eyes should be as dark as possible, with pigmented eyelids and the whites of the eyes should not be visible. Serious faults: eyes that protrude too far (fish - telescope) with visible whites, slanted eyes, eyes that are too small.

::Ears ::

The ears are thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There are two ear shapes: “rose” and “button” (“button”). Preference is given to the second. This is all that is written in the Standard about ears. A pug's ears are mobile when the dog is excited (assembling the “tiara”), and the ears should be directed clearly forward. Button ears have a crease only at the line of the skull and are directed straight forward. Rose ears are folded at the back of the ear. Button ears give the impression of a wider skull, while rose ears make it appear smaller. True “roses” are easily confused with “flying ears” - a false rose (when the inside of the ear is visible). The light ears that we see on puppies darken with age. Disadvantages: light, too thick, too long, very small, either high or too low set ears relative to the skull, “false rose”, mismatched ears

::Mouth ::

It is absolutely necessary to examine the dog's mouth. The normal bite of a pug is a tight underbite and, since the lower jaw should be wide (approximately the size of the skull), the teeth are arranged in a ruler (six incisors). A pug's undershot is allowed no more than 3 mm. Serious disadvantages are when the bite is so big that the teeth show out, or the teeth are in a boat position, which often causes the dog to stick out his tongue. There are cases of distortion of the lower jaw, when the tongue is constantly visible from the side. A scissor bite is extremely rare, but it is a very serious fault*. The altered facial part of the skull and, accordingly, the lower jaw often leads to incorrect positioning of the incisors (“checkerboard”, lack, etc.), and these are also disadvantages of Fig. 6 (Warp, checkerboard, boat.). The presence of missing, dropped or broken incisors for exterior exhibition is not a disadvantage if this does not interfere with the determination of the bite. At exhibitions, the problem of examining a pug's mouth very often arises. The lower lip of most pugs is very fleshy, fits tightly to the lower teeth and completely covers them. It is very difficult to tear it away from your teeth. Therefore, many experts check the pike either by touch or from the side, carefully lifting the upper lip and lowering the lower lip. Many experts (especially “breed breeders”) look at the dental system only if they suspect an undershot or scissor bite (absence of a chin), jaw misalignment (the tongue is visible on one side, the symmetry of the muzzle is broken), bulldog (teeth and tongue are visible in front) But if the expert wants be sure to look at the lower jaw or count the teeth, consider that this is his hobby.

::Neck ::

The head and body should be connected by a strong neck that is of sufficient length to carry the head proudly. Just behind the back of the skull there should be a slight rise (the scruff of the neck) which adds to the "proudly held head" effect. The length of the neck is an important factor in achieving a harmonious transition into the shoulders and, thus, a good impression of the dog’s appearance. Disadvantages: neck too short - the head is visually set on the shoulders; too long - giving the pug an awkward appearance, the so-called “sheep neck” (Bedlington Terrier).

::Torso ::

The body is square, stocky, with a short back, wide in the chest and with well-developed ribs. The legs are very strong, of moderate length and well set under the dog. The topline is very important. It is level from the withers to the croup, the tail is set high. A pug should not be fat. He should have enough muscle mass to appear dense, powerful, but not fat (Fig. 7). The sternum descends deeply, below the elbows (Fig. 2, lowest point between the front legs). The underline gradually rises towards the hind legs, only slightly pulling up. The chest is wide, but not like a bulldog - this is a drawback. “Chicken breast” is the abnormal development of the bones of the chest - a serious defect. The ribs are very round and springy. The dog should have a small waistline. The male has a thinner waist than the female, but the impression of roundness must not be disturbed. The disadvantages here are: long back, flat sides, which leads to insufficient springiness of the ribs; a sunken or arched back, which gives the appearance of a hunchback; dip behind the shoulders, which is considered as swaying of the back; low front; narrow chest; excessive fit

::Forelimbs ::

The standard for this part of the body is quite clear. But in our opinion, it should be strengthened by certain details: strong, straight and robust forelegs should be located far enough apart and give width to the chest, while the shoulders should be sloping. Let us add that the legs should be of moderate length*. Stocky does not mean short-legged. In English, stockiness is “cobby” (a small horse that looks like a pony), in Russian, say, “boletus mushroom”. The standard assumes that an adult pug has well-developed muscles on the outside of the legs, forming an even, smooth arch and giving the erroneous impression of crooked legs. This muscle structure is not a disadvantage. If you look at the inside of a dog's leg, the bones will be completely straight. The forelegs stand well under the dog and form a straight line from the top of the withers through the elbow to the ground. This can be seen when the inspection is done from the side. The elbows should fit snugly to the body and be directed strictly back; they should not turn either inward or outward, neither while standing nor when moving. The pasterns are slightly angled rather than straight. With straight pasterns, the pug will tap its knuckles when moving. A sunken pastern will not be able to properly support the dog’s body (a dip appears behind the shoulder blades). Disadvantages are: crooked limbs, size, sunken pasterns, thin bones, weakened joints, narrow limbs, excessive short or long legs. Particular attention must be paid to the correct angles of the glenohumeral joint! Ideally, the slope of the scapula should be 45 degrees to the horizontal, forming a right angle (90 degrees) with the humerus. The length of the shoulder blade and shoulder are equal. When viewed from the front and side, the sternum should have a very good protrusion. This and only this proportion ensures wide, free, rolling movements of the forelimbs. Stocky, short-backed Pugs often have a moderate slope of the scapula, or overly short humerus, or both, creating a pleasing but faulty dog profile. The main disadvantage found in today's pugs is a slightly inclined angle of the glenohumeral joint - more than 45 degrees and a shortened humerus, the so-called terrier type. But the most unpleasant thing is that today there are dogs with a short shoulder and a short, slightly inclined shoulder blade. Such dogs move by throwing their legs forward; they can only move at a very slow pace (very short stride). With any acceleration of movement, and the pug moves quite quickly, the dog’s forelimbs begin to move from side to side, like a pendulum. This is a very serious flaw. Such animals should be removed from breeding.

::Hind limbs ::

The Pug has large, full, muscular thighs and well-defined knee and hock joints. The hindquarters should be well balanced with a heavy head and not appear higher than the shoulders. The croup is full and slightly rounded. The standard stipulates that when the Pug is standing, the hind legs should be well set and parallel to each other. The pelvis should be tilted 30 degrees to the horizontal, forming a right angle of 90 degrees with the femur at the hip joint. The thigh and lower leg should be of moderate length, equal to each other, with low hocks, i.e. the metatarsus should be short. Together with the correct angles this will place the hind legs well under the dog and ensure the correct topline. If the metatarsals are too long or the shins are too short, incorrect angles automatically occur and therefore an incorrect gait. Long metatarsus or long shanks, or both, will result in a high rear end. This looks terrible and is a serious fault. If the dog has a good front with a good back but a straight hip, his stride will break and you will see his gait bouncing and squinting from side to side. This should be distinguished from the normal “waddle” gait of a pug. If a pug has straightened front and rear limbs, it may appear to be moving correctly, but when viewed from the side, the gait will be mincing. If a pug has a short lower leg, but a long metatarsus, he begins to knock his heels against each other when moving, which is completely unusual for the true gait of a pug. Disadvantages: straightened angles of the knee joints, cow posture, thin bones, inverted knees.

::Paws of the front and hind limbs ::

The paw should be round, small, but powerful and with thick pads, and the two middle toes slightly longer than the rest. The paw should not be turned outward (splayfoot) or inward (clubfoot). The paw should have a pleasant appearance, the toes should be slightly bent so that the dog stands firmly on its feet. Disadvantages are flattened paws with thin pads, markings, light-colored claws. It should be noted that markings, sunken pasterns, and fingers bent to the side are often the result of long (untrimmed) claws, and this should also be taken into account.

::Tail ::

The description of the tail in the standard cannot be improved. The tail is neat, graceful and full. The hair on the tail is slightly longer than on the body. A double curl is great, but neither is a single curl. The disadvantages here would be a weak curl or a ponytail that is too short and cannot curl even into one curl. A tail lying in the center - snail-like, rather than lying flat against the hip - is a fault, although many experts do not pay attention to this. A low-set tail and a completely loose tail are also undesirable.

::Wool ::

The coat is thin, smooth, short, shiny, but not hard or fluffy. The standard says only this. But pugs have double hair. The lower, soft and thick is the undercoat, and the thin, smooth, short, shiny is the outer coat. That's desirable. There are individuals whose undercoat is overdeveloped. Such a pug looks “chubby” (the fur does not lie flat, but puffs up). Many pugs today have long, coarse hair. This is highly undesirable. Black pugs have a slightly coarser coat than light pugs, and some pugs have no undercoat. Black dogs have fewer hair follicles per square centimeter of skin surface than light dogs, and their skin is blue in color.

::Color ::

Regarding color, the Standard seems to be clear and definite, but nevertheless many people do not interpret the color correctly. “Fawn” - beige, fawn, sand - is how color is often designated in our pedigrees - this is not a color. But there is nothing more difficult than describing a light color. The English word "fawn" is the color of a young fawn, but there is not a single pug with this color. What is “fawn” on a pug is “yellow” on a Labrador, and “gold” on a golden retriever. The second, rather rare translation, “fawn” is yellow-brown. And this is more suitable for the color of a pug, and in the original pedigrees of Poozh Rus, Elite, the color was indicated precisely as yellow-brown. And so, “fawn” is a warm yellow-brown of any shade. The "Apricot" of a pug has nothing in common with the "Apricot" of a poodle. This is yellow of any saturation with a warm orange tint. "Silver fawn" - silvery-yellow-brown - should not be dirty. It should be a pure, cool yellow, having the same difference in two tones as moonlight (" m oonligt -silver fawn") and sunlight ( sunglicht -fawn-apricot) make up. Black color - shiny, blue-black as pitch, black as a raven's wing, without admixture of red and white hair or their inclusions throughout the coat. Dull coat, red or yellow hairs visible on the coat are a serious fault. Too many black pugs have bad coloring. This is due to the fusion of two colors, and this is a serious drawback. Avoid zonal coloring. In light-colored individuals, the color should be free from black and dirt. It is usually visible on the forehead, legs, chest or across the back or appears as a wide saddle mark making the coat appear dirty. This is a very serious flaw. Very often the zonular color is mistaken for silver. This is fundamentally wrong. True silver, as well as apricot, are rare colors, although ours has every second puppy. The judge may disqualify a dog for color. As for the markings (mask, moles, “diamond”, eye rims, ears), together with raised wrinkles they create a unique gallery of “faces” of light pugs. Black pugs have no markings, but their faces are no less expressive. The mask must be black and clearly defined. The more intense the color, the better. The depth and width of the mask may vary in each individual case. Framing the eyes and eyebrows, the mask should cover the upper and lower jaws. The mask, together with the moles and the “diamond,” gives a complete picture of the head and creates an impression of the pug as a whole. A “diamond” on the forehead is very desirable, but its absence is not a big drawback. A darkened skull is not desirable. The "strap" is a dark line running from the back of the head to the tail. Studies conducted over several years have shown that the “belt” is only a tint (the ends of the hair are darker than the base). In light-colored pugs, a black “belt” is practically never found. Theirs is brown, i.e. darker than the main background. A wide black saddle stripe on the back is undesirable. It spoils the dog's appearance and gives the impression that the dog is dirty in color. From time to time you can meet a light-colored pug with black fluff (undercoat) on its back. Remember, this shouldn't happen, it's a serious flaw. In pursuit of a lighter color, the “diamond” on the forehead is lost, the “Belt” on the back disappears, the mask, ears, moles, and claws become lighter. And this cannot but cause concern. Many pugs have light-colored claws, and it is unclear why judges do not pay attention to this, since the Standard clearly states that the claws are black.

::Wrinkles. Leather ::

Another very important characteristic of a Pug is its wrinkles and loose coat. Wrinkles on the muzzle are required; they must be large and deep and create a prominent “face”. It is often said about the pug that he talks with his eyebrows. It is the moving wrinkles that create the expression of his face. But neither a head that is too large nor one that is too overloaded with damp wrinkles is desirable. The harmonious face of a pug is a square with a nose in the center. Excess skin under the throat extends into a large dewlap. The folds go around the neck and there should be loose skin, forming deep thick ridges on the neck of adult dogs. Tiny folds of loose skin form at the wrists. As mentioned above, the Pug has a lot of loose skin. The pug should not have folds and sagging skin and deep ridges on the body - this is a serious drawback.

::Movements ::

Some people think that the pug's gait cannot be defined. All breed characteristics tell us how a pug might move. If a pug conforms to the breed type, it can only move in one specific way. The free step of the pug leaves a trail slightly shifted to the axis of the body. When moving away from you, the hocks are parallel to each other - neither cow nor barrel. He walks towards you without raking or tiresome turning of the feet. The pug's gait should be springy, free, and elegant. The Pug appears to roll when it moves quickly, but it is difficult to tell whether this is caused by the action of the hind legs or the front legs. When moving, the pug's body rests on two legs at the same time, which move, replacing each other diagonally in pairs. The pug balances around its center of gravity, in other words, it should sway from side to side like a “drunken boatswain.” Balance is achieved by moving the paws inward towards the axis of the body. Viewed from the side, the Pug should use its front legs with a strong sweep, placing them well forward while pushing off powerfully with its hind legs. Bulldogs and Pekingese, whose forequarters are wider than their hindquarters, tend to turn their hindquarters, and their hind legs leave a mark within the print of their front legs. This is not the way a pug moves. How does a pug waddle? The pug's swing depends on the stride length of its forelimbs. When the pug brings his front leg forward, the shoulder drops momentarily and a slightly swaying gait is created. The easily rolling specific move of the pug even has its own designation “Mops Roll”. But unfortunately, nowadays there are more dogs in the rings with movement disorders than with correct movements. The key to correct movements is the angles of the joints of the front and hind limbs. Correct angles and proportionality of bone lengths promote freedom (a good rolling step) and rhythm of movement. The limbs should flex and extend easily, providing strong propulsion from the hindquarters and springiness in the front of the body to absorb shock when supported by the front legs. Limb movements must be coordinated. Straightened angles, as mentioned above, shorten the stride, making the gait mincing. A shortened shoulder causes a strong forward thrust of the limbs - “drumming”. If the individual has a good front but straightened hindquarters, you will see the topline running down to the shoulders. Vicious gaits include ambling, i.e. At the same time, two right legs are brought forward, then two left ones. This gait is typical of pugs, whose owners move slowly, while keeping their pet on a short leash. Sometimes, in order to knock a dog off the amble, it is enough just to speed up the movement, but sometimes such a gait can be cruelly fixed.

::WEIGHT. Size ::

The desired weight of a pug is from 6.5 to 8.5 kg. Weight as a single category cannot determine the size of a dog. It is also important to remember that of the dwarf breeds, the pug has the highest mass density per square centimeter. The standard implies that females and males should be the same size, but still, it is desirable that females be approximately 7.5-9 kg, and males - 9-11 kg. The desired height is 26-28 cm at the withers for females and 29-31 cm for males. Individuals below 25.5 cm and above 32 cm are undesirable and should be taken into account when assessing. It is also necessary to remember that with a height of 25.5 cm, a male must remain a male, and with a height of 30 cm, a female must remain a female, i.e. the sexual type must be clearly defined. The criterion for assessing weight and height should be the breed type. A number of experts believe that the best stud dogs are those that are larger and heavier in build, although many of them can be called simply coarse. Another problem is the desire of some breeders to get the smallest individuals possible. The danger of such selection is that the pug becomes pitiful, wretched and sexless. There are pugs that are generally so far from the Standard that they cannot claim a good rating, regardless of weight and height. So, the criterion for assessing weight and height should be the golden mean - Everything is normal and nothing extra.

This is the pug standard ::Conclusion ::

So, what is considered a comprehensive characteristic of a pug’s appearance, which includes its type, harmony, strength of build, character and representativeness? The American Standard rates the head of light individuals at 40 points out of 100, and for black individuals at 35 points. It turns out that the pug is a “big-headed dog.” But even a very beautiful head has no value if it is mounted on a bad body. It is important to remember that the pug is also a dog with a body. A straight top line, a square body, dense and developed muscles, correct angles of articulation of the limbs - this is continuity. Without them, the head, neck, tail, legs can lose harmony. Don't get carried away by any one trait. In a well-balanced dog, all the parts fit together so well and create such harmony that there is no doubt that things must be different. The pug is a courageous dog with innate sociability. He knows how to present himself, show himself, and the owner’s task is to develop this quality to the possible perfection. Please pay attention to your movements. The pug should move like a pug (Mops Roll) and nothing else. Only the right angles create balance and harmony, create posture and demeanor. The pug moves around the ring on a loose leash and at a free pace (neither fast nor slow). Other important aspects are color and coat. Remember, the color must be clear and the coat short and shiny. “Dirty” dogs and dogs with long hair are not needed. This is difficult to get rid of in breeding, and breeders must carefully select pairs, and experts must pay attention to this and take it into account when assessing. Weight should also not be ignored. Although the desired weight is specified in the Standard, it must be in accordance with the size of the dog, its bone structure and musculature. The Pug is a lot of mass in a small volume, where mass plays the same role as volume. A pug should not be skinny when the dog clearly lacks its inherent bulk. A pug shouldn't be fat either. He should have enough muscle mass to appear presentable, but not fat. The pug is a dwarf, square, harmonious, with dense muscles. Individuals with optimally developed muscles weigh more than those who are simply obese. The pug's skin is elastic and covers prominent muscles. It is not saggy, but not tight either. There is no excess fat, but there is no thinness either. A huge drawback is “chicken breast”. No dog with this anomaly should be used for breeding. When assessing “best of breed,” experts often give preference to males, since they are more representative, although the female and male are equal in all respects. This is fundamentally wrong. The bitch is the foundation of the breed! Don't overlook good bitches! The pug is a very difficult dog to breed and judge. Remember, the pug is “big in small.”

source

complain

Can hug the owner

The paws of the modern standard of the breed are a cross between the paws of a hare and a cat. They have thick black pads. The shape is oval, which is achieved by elongating the two middle fingers. And there are usually four of them in total. This breed rarely has a dewclaw. But if there is one, then you should definitely remove the excess one.

If the fingers are well separated, then the dog does absolutely amazing things with them. He can hug his beloved owner or get any item he needs. So paws are truly a unique feature of pugs. And the standard also notes that the claws must be black.

Interesting Facts

The secret “Order of the Pug” as depicted by artists
The Masons loved the breed so much that they founded the secret “Order of the Pug,” whose members wore silver pendants in the shape of a pug, so they covered up their forbidden gatherings under the guise of meetings of dog breeders.

There are many more fun and interesting facts known about pugs:

This is the largest dog among all decorative breeds.
In the 17th century, pugs were used for guarding and also in searching for missing people.
These pets can snore louder than humans.
They can run at a speed of no more than 3.5 km/h.

The pug is the most popular decorative breed. They love her for her sweet appearance, kind character, and quick wit. Keeping a pet is easy. But you will have to face one difficulty - pugs, who are prone to obesity, know how to delicately beg for their favorite treats, and it is very difficult to refuse them, looking into those big eyes.

The tail doesn't interfere

Remember the children's fairy tale about a fox whose tail prevented him from running away from hunters? Taking offense at him, the fox stuck him out of the hole and... the hunters pulled her out without any difficulty. So, a tail that gets in the way is not about a pug. He has it tightly twisted into two rings and pressed tightly to his back. In any case, that's how it should be. But there is only one ring. It is believed that if a dog untwists its tail, it means that it is not feeling well.

By the way, the tail is covered with longer hair, but this is not mentioned in the standard. It is also kept silent about the fact that pugs generally have double hair. Closer to the body there is a soft, delicate undercoat. It is somewhat shorter than the guard hairs lying on top. Disadvantages include too thick undercoat or too sparse coat. In both cases, the pug doesn't look his best. It's either some kind of hedgehog or a soft chicken.

To summarize: according to the standard, the coat should be thin, smooth, short and shiny.

Major diseases

Pugs often suffer from obesity. In order to understand that your pet is overweight, you need to know how much an adult dog can weigh. So, a male usually reaches eight kilograms, but normally ten will be considered. The bitch, accordingly, will weigh from 6 to 8.5 kilograms.

Basically, these dogs are in good health, but problems may arise either with the eyes or with the heart. The most common disease is erosion of the ocular cornea.

Each dog has a bright personality

It is perhaps impossible to find two pugs in the world that are exactly the same in color. Everyone has something individual. Dogs of any of three colors - silver, apricot and fawn - have a black mask on their face as their decoration. And the sharper the contrast, the better. So are moles on the cheeks. The more clearly they are visible, the higher the exterior rating will be.

The mark on the forehead may look like a diamond or a fingerprint. They also have to stand out, like the dark line running from head to tail. This so-called “belt” may, in principle, be absent. But if it exists, then the fur should be darkened in this place only at the tips. Only completely black pugs do not have such decoration. This color is also allowed by the breed standard. And by the way, their fur is somewhat rougher to the touch than that of light-colored animals. For black dogs, the presence of light hairs is unacceptable. There should be no marks at all.

Each suit has its own color range. For example, for silver there are different shades of light gray tones. For apricot - a palette of cream and golden colors.

Common Problems

It often happens that a molar grows when the baby tooth does not fall out. This defect can temporarily ruin the bite, but usually everything goes away on its own. A baby tooth falls out, but it happens that it sits in the gum for 20 months without harming the pug’s health.

If you decide not to wait so long, but to get rid of the problem quickly, contact a professional. An inexperienced doctor may accidentally break off a tooth, leaving a piece in the gum that will rot, causing inflammation of the gums. It is necessary to remove a baby tooth when it really interferes with the normal growth of a permanent one or has darkened. This operation is performed under anesthesia, so you should not abuse it.

There is another situation when a pug’s teeth fall out, but the molars are not going to grow. A complete set of baby teeth in pugs consists of 12 incisors and 4 canines. But permanent teeth do not always grow all together. If you see that your pet is not growing new teeth for a long time, do not be upset. Take your dog for an x-ray, the image will show whether there are teeth inside the gums. If there is, then too dense gums prevent them from germinating normally. The doctor can easily correct this problem by making incisions in the right places. If the gums are empty, then nothing can be done; your pet will remain without a tooth for the rest of its life.

Just like others

In conclusion, it remains to recall that a monorch (a male with one testicle) and a cryptorchid (a dog whose testicles do not descend into the scrotum) may not even dream of winning in the ring. And this rule is common to all dog standards.

When participating in an exhibition, remember that an expert is, first of all, a person. This means that the human factor will definitely be present in his assessments. And if your dog makes a good impression overall, then some individual shortcomings may be forgiven.

If the article was useful to you, please like it. Bring it to the attention of your friends, perhaps they will be interested in this topic.

You can share your thoughts and wishes by leaving a comment below.

What to feed?

Let's figure out what to feed puppies of this breed, and start with natural food. But remember that not all products are beneficial for four-legged animals, and some can even be harmful to the animal’s body. What to feed a puppy by month:

A one-month-old pug needs to be given milk, it is better if it is goat milk, you can also give the animal low-fat cottage cheese and a little stuffed meat, mashed boiled vegetables.
At one and a half months, a pug puppy can eat everything that he ate at 1 month and fresh raw liver.
When the puppy is 2 months old, you can add fish (cod, pollock), which you first grind in a meat grinder and cook in boiling water.
At three months, the pug is faced with a change of teeth, so it is necessary to add cartilage or veal bones (not hard ones) to the diet.
At 4 months, a pug can be fed all the foods, like an adult, which means meat (lamb, rabbit, horse meat, lean beef, poultry), dairy products, but not milk, and better if it is cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt.

But remember that pugs cannot be given a specific list of foods for food, for example:

Sausage, sausages, hard bones.
Raw chicken and raw fish.
Smoked, salted, pickled products.
Sweet products.
Grilled meat.
Mayonnaise and ketchup.
Dishes with seasonings.

By following the dietary guidelines for pugs, your dogs will be full of energy and enjoy good health.