Pugs have been around for thousands of years in one form or another. It is generally thought that the Pug originated in China, although there is no way to confirm this. The first writings that mentioned very short-nosed little dogs did refer to Chinese dogs. Sometimes, it is not sure if these dogs were Pugs or Pekingese. It is also unknown what the Pug's parent breeds were, but Pekingese had to have played a role somewhere.

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.
Small snub-nosed dogs in China were considered Imperial property. Chinese Emperor Ling To (168 – 190 CE) is reported to have any Pug-nappers be put to death. However, his Pugs had Imperial guards around them, so they were most likely safe. Back then it is thought Pugs came in both long and short coats, again suggesting a Pekingese influence. Pugs were also seen in many colors, not just the three colors recognized today (fawn, black and silver).

Pugs were seen and highly coveted by the first European explorers and traders with China. Gradually, they became the dog of the Royal courts of Europe. One of the most notable Pug owners was Dutch King William the Silent of the House of Oranges. His pet Pug was a masterful watchdog and warned his royal master in time to escape an assassin. The Pug then became the official dog of the House of Orange.
Other Pug owners of note throughout history include Josephine, the infamous wife of Napoleon and the English painter William Hogarth, who included his Pug "Trump" in several paintings. If Hogarth was accurate, then Pugs in the sixteenth century had much longer legs, leaner frames and slightly longer noses than they do today. Since there was not a large gene pool of Pugs in Europe, it is thought that for centuries they were crossed with Bulldogs and possibly small Mastiffs.

The Pug as we know today came about in the 1800's, when the first organized dog shows began in Europe. It didn't take long for the idea of dog shows to cross the Atlantic. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed in 1885. The AKC, incidentally, was founded in 1884. Pugs have been consistently one of the top twenty most registered dog breeds in America for decades. Their plan to take over the world is nearly complete.


A Pug is an old breed that makes a great family pet.. Ensuring that the breed is the right one for your family can be accomplished by studying basic Pug information.