Okay let’s first tackle the issue of this dog breed’s name, The Pug. Multiple theories abound to the origins of the name “The Pug” and include the following:

• Pug is derived from the Latin word “pugnus” which means fist and was ascribed to the Pug dog breed in obvious reference to its squashed-face features which show some resemblance to a clenched fist.
• The name Pug was derived from the name once ascribed to ancient fighting dogs (Pugnaces) of which the Pug was an unmistakable dwarf variety.
• Pug happens to also mean “monkey” and some believe that this dog breed got the name on account of its facial resemblance to the marmoset “Pug” monkeys that were once all the rage as pets in the 18^th century.
• Pug owners from the dawn of history of this breed have always and invariably doted on their dogs and some are of the thinking that this is how the dog breed got its name because one of the 18^th century definitions for the word Pug was “tenderly loved.”
• Another less flattering meaning for the word Pug was:  hobgoblin; imp and puck and when used to describe a dog was generally understood to refer to the dwarf nature of the dog.
• In Germany the Pug is referred to as Mops and in Holland in almost likewise fashion is known as Mopshond.

If the origins of this miniscule dog breed’s name seems rather considerable wait until you get to grips with the account of where it supposedly originated from!

Most folk concede that the Pug originated from China and I personally concur with this assumption for the simple reason that the Pug possesses similar facial attributes commonly found in other dog breeds that originate from Asia (in particular from China).

That said let’s have at it and grapple with the various other hypotheses of the Pug’s true origins:

• Back in the day the Pug was often referred to in England as The Dutch Pug on the grounds that it was believed to have originated from Holland. Tale has it that the Pug was introduced to England by William and Mary of Orange when they took over the English throne in 1688.
• Other theories concerning the origin of the Pug dog breed speculate that it came from Russia (which would conveniently explain its Spitz tail as being a remnant from some artic ancestor) from where it made its way to England via Holland.
• Many believe that the Pug originated in western China circa 700 BC at which time it was known as the Lo-chiang-sze which was later abbreviated to Lo-sze. From west china the pug breed migrated west with various traveling bands of traders, found a home in Tibet where it was known as the Lags-kyi and eventually made it through Russia ?Holland ? England.
• The Portuguese became the first European traders to make it to China, which was in 1516, and it is postulated that it was they who introduced the Pug to Europe, fore mostly through their own country ?Holland ? England.
• Some contend that the Pug originated from Ancient Rome and made it to England via the Rome invasion and occupation of Britain.
• Another theory has it that the Pug originated from Ancient Egypt and from there found its passage to England via Phoenician traders but not before establishing a presence in Rome.

As you can see the origins of this dog breed are many and just as equally varied but in all likelihood the Pug came from China. What is indisputable though is that the Pug is an ancient breed that traces its history way back to the ancient war hounds of old.

Article on the pug written by kayye Nynne

Viewer Beware!

This video is not for the faint of heart! Some scenes and images are quite graphic and disturbing. The video itself is about 60 minutes long but zips by quickly because there is never a dull moment.

Further below I have included (well will do at least) text and comments pertaining to what I consider watershed moments and highlights of this revealing and disturbing video documentary.

Breed Standard

Since the Show Dog  apparently sets the standard for any breed, The Best of Breed winning dog then epitomizes that “elusive perfection” that every dog breeder desires to attain.

In other words the problems encountered in pedigree (purebred) dogs are fuelled by a climate of breeding run amok which is slave to the pandering vanities of those associated with the Show Dog World who are all about canine haute couture and looks, relegating the dogs’ health and function to a very, very distant second place!

Documentary – BBC – Pedigree Dogs Exposed

bordercollie19 | MySpace Video

Thinking of Getting A king Charles Spaniel?

Think again! This beautiful and delightful breed of dog has an extremely high incidence of syringomyelia as a result of inbreeding to “perfect” the dog breed’s looks. King Charles Spaniels with this disease suffer from extreme pain for the fact that their brains are too big for their skulls. In this documentary see in utter amazement how a King Charles Spaniel known to suffer from syringomyelia goes on to win the top prize in the most prestigious dog show for the breed in England!

The owner of the dog (despite being advised not to breed the dog by the specialist who diagnosed the disease) goes ahead and uses her show topping dog as a stud and 34 litters later ensures that 26 of them have inherited the disease!

How The Show Ring Has Destroyed The German Shepherd!

The German Shepherd is one of my favorite dog breeds but the examples shown in this video as the ambassadors of the breed (including Best of Breed winner) are nothing short of freaks as far as I am concerned!

And I am not alone in that opinion! The Chief vet of the RSPCA (Royal Society of the Protection of Animals) describes the highly touted Cruft’s Dog Show as more akin to a parade of mutants than a celebration of canine excellence.

It will boggle your mind to see one of the top judges at Cruft’s authoritatively declare that their Show Dog version of the German Shepherd is anatomically correct never mind the fact that its hindquarters are so sloped the dogs look positively deformed and cannot walk properly let alone run!

It should be noted that the police and military and other services that use German Shepherds use the working variety of the breed that have straight hindquarters and resemble German Shepherds of yesteryear!

The Genetic Pool of 10,000 Pugs is the Equivalent to That of Just 50 Individuals!

According to a study conducted in England covering the lineage of the registered 10,000 or so pugs, inbreeding of the breed has reached such alarming proportions that the genetic pool of those 10,000 dogs in reality comprises the genes of only 50 different individuals.

It is little wonder that the Pug is beset with a spectrum of hereditary problems, most notably those concerned with respiratory difficulties thanks to the breeding and breeder’s obsession for the squashed face. So what’s the harm?

Pugs frequently severely injure their eyes by running into objects on account of their squashed faces. Another disturbing disability pugs suffer from on account of their pushed-in face is a tendency to black out when excited because they cannot breathe in enough air!

Article on dog breed shows by Kayye Nynne