Pugs are about the most unique looking breed of dogs you will come across. It's pretty hard to mistake a purebred Pug or even a Pug mix for anything else. Pugs are basically miniature Mastiffs with Pekingese faces. They average about seventeen pounds and are built a lot like furry bricks with legs and extremely curly tails. They average about ten or eleven inches in height at the highest point of their shoulders (called the withers).

Pugs were reserved for the Imperial court of China, but through trade and wars eventually made their way to Europe, first through Holland. They were a common sight in European royal homes and thrones by the sixteenth century. Famous Pug owners include Josephine (Napoleon's wife); William, Prince of Orange in Holland who credits a warning from his Pug in saving him from an assassin. And English painter William Hogarth, who put his Pug "Trump" in several paintings.

Pugs prefer the company of humans, though they get along well with other dogs and other pets. They really love to be with their owner, and will usually be right at their owner's feet or on their owner's lap. These loyal dogs get concerned and even a bit jealous or anxious if they aren't given enough of their owner's attention. They also do not respond well to being harshly disciplined, as they are sensitive to their owner's tone of voice. Often they will do things to get their owner's attention, or to get them to laugh aloud. They are considered to be little clowns.

If Hogarth's representations of his Pug were accurate, then Pugs in his day (1697 ? 1764) were probably barely recognizable as Pugs. They had longer legs, a slimmer body and a longer nose. They were bred in a variety of colors like fawn, black and silver. There were a limited number of Pugs brought to Holland, and then they spread out to other countries. It is commonly thought that Pugs were bred to small Bulldogs or an extinct small Mastiff in order to continue the breed.

The Pug officially only comes in three colors, but pet Pugs often have smudged or indistinct colors and sometimes small patches of white. Show Pugs have very distinct colors that don't blur into each other. The three official colors are all black, fawn with a black facemask and silver. The latter is very rare, which is a kind of light gray with a black facemask. Pet Pugs often have dewclaws, while show Pugs do not.

Pug information such as the breed standard will also be clear on recognizing a Pug by temperament as well as bodily features. Unless a Pug has been severely abused, they won't turn vicious. They are, for the most part, friendly, charming, very personable and get along with all kinds of species. They seem to thrive on being stared at and adored. Pugs will often seem to smile when they are pleased with how they have blessed the world with their presence.