Pug Dog History
Pug history is quite interesting and colorful. Pugs are known to be loyal, affectionate, and playful house pets that are known for their smallness in size and ease in taking care of. The Pug breed goes back to around 400 BC in China where they were bred to be companions of royalty. Even the W wrinkle that is formed on a pug's forehead was said to be known as the Chinese character for the word "Prince.”
The pug was also known for it's relation to European royalty. Perhaps the most famous story of pug loyalty involves William III in the 16th century. It is said that the pug of William III, named, Pompey woke his master with his barking as a warning during the night before a surprise attack by the Spaniards. And due to his pugs, Sir William avoided capture.
Indeed, Pug history shows that this breed has often been a favorite of many historical figures including Josephine, wife of Napoleon. Josephine had a Pug named Fortune whom she used to smuggle secret messages to Napoleon under the dogs collar when she was imprisoned in at Les Carmes.
Though there is still much debate over how the pug was named that way, several records show that also in the 16th century, the word “pug” meant “endearment." In later years, the same word came to mean "bargeman" or "courtesan.” In the later centuries, it was known to describe or define the breed of dog that it is now.
In the 18th century the American Kennel Club accepted the Pug breed for registration. Since then, the pug has been known to be a great excellent show dog as well. It certainly lives up to its motto “Multum in Parvo” which literally means “a lot of dog in a small space.”
As you can see, Pug history is full of glamor and intrigue but, as any Pug owner will tell you, today’s pugs are just as wonderful as pets and companions as they were centuries ago.
