Pugs Are One of the Most Beloved Dog Breeds in the World

There are a number of dog breeds that have caught the public eye more so than the rest, the Pug being one of them! As of 2019, the American Kennel Club released a list of the most popular breeds. The Pug took spot number 31 out of 196. This dog has been a fan favorite for years alongside other small “monkey face” Fidos such as the French Bulldog and Shih-Tzu. But, how exactly does a dog become so popular? Is there something that happens that will cause a chain reaction, or is it simply because of their features and personality? There are lots of unanswered questions when it comes to this lovable, squish-faced toy breed.

This article will look at just about anything related to Pugs including why they are so well-received amongst dog enthusiasts, the history behind such a phenomenon, key traits that might have led to its popularity, and lastly how one can go about finding their own Pug.

Pug Lovers and the Cult of the Pug

If one were to go onto a website such as Etsy and search “Pug”, they would quickly notice the volume of items. There are plushies, pillows, shirts, and even masks devoted to the art of showing off the cuteness of a Pug. But, where exactly did this fan base come from?

It was mentioned earlier that the Pug resembled an animal with a “monkey face”. This alludes to the short rostrum, or nose, of this breed. This feature, which originated in the Han dynasty around B.C. 206, was the reason why they first became so popular.

Early versions of this breed were highly coveted by the Emperors of China due to the fact that they mirrored a mythical creature known as the Fu dog, which was believed to be an ancestral guardian. With such a resemblance, the Pugs of ancient China lived in luxury and were even guarded by soldiers.

After the Civil War, Pugs were brought over to the United States. They quickly gained popularity, mostly for their appearance and overall charisma until the initial excitement died down. Over the years, Pugs have continued to climb back up that ladder. The traits that they possess have led to this increase in popularity.

Breed Traits

Take a quick look at a Pug and it's rather easy to see why people love them. That pushed in nose, the curly tail, and plenty of wrinkles, all of which add to this cute canine. They also have quite the personality to match!

The Pug is a charmer through and through, something that may have led to its eventual rise in popularity for a second time. Being among royalty in China, one might presume these dogs are couch potatoes. That’s not entirely true. In fact, this breed makes for a decent watchdog and is somewhat active for a toy breed. An added bonus for most owners is that they don’t hold the toy breed’s classic "yappy" quality.

Other personality traits include being stubborn, loyal to their family, intelligent, mischievous, and joyful. One of the best phrases that has been used to describe the Pug is “a lot in a little”. Accurately enough, the Pug is a small dog with a large personality. All of these breed traits have added to the reason why so many people have fallen in love with the Pug!

Finding a Pug

There are a number of ways in which one could go about finding their own Pug to add to the family. The easiest method would be through adoption. There are rescues that specialize in Pugs, or larger organizations such as Adopt-a-Pet.com or petfinder.com which can isolate a search by miles away.

Another route would be to take the time to find a responsible breeder. It is extremely important for one to do the proper amount of research to make sure that they are not supporting a backyard breeder. Meeting them in person and asking a myriad of questions regarding the well-being of their dogs is pivotal.

Regardless of the way in which a Pug is found, the decision should be carefully mulled over. Pugs are great dogs, once coveted by Chinese Emperors and eventually gaining popularity within the United States. They’re quite active as far as toy breeds go, and will surely make their human laugh!