The homeland of pugs is considered to be Ancient China. It was there that short-muzzled, square-shaped dogs resembling Pekingese were admired. Interestingly, they are thought to be the ancestors of pugs, though this has not been genetically proven. At that time, there were two similar breeds: Ha Pa and Lo Tse. The former were long-haired, while the latter bore the closest resemblance to modern pugs.
Anyone with sufficient wealth could own a Lo Tse dog, as these dogs were often carried on special chairs by hired people to prevent them from overexerting themselves. These dogs were considered sacred and believed to bring good luck. People even believed that the wrinkles on their foreheads formed special hieroglyphs. Ha Pa dogs, however, were considered exclusively imperial pets, and it was forbidden to take them out of the palace.
The word Pug in some languages (Mops) is believed to be of Dutch origin. Initially, the breed had many different names. For example, the French called these dogs “Carlin,” after the famous actor Carlino, whose stage mask resembled a pug’s face. The English name “Pug” translates to “muzzle.” Across Europe, these dogs were known as “boudoir dogs,” as they kept their owners warm in unheated rooms.
Pugs were introduced to Europe thanks to active trade between China and France, around 1550. The breed quickly gained popularity and spread to other countries. It was especially cherished in Holland, where the peach-colored dogs were associated with the state colors of the ruling Orange dynasty.
Moreover, one of the favorites of Queen Mary II of Orange saved the king’s life during the war with Spain (16th century). The dog woke him with its barking, alerting him to an enemy attack.
For a long time, the breed was at the height of popularity in France, particularly during Napoleon’s reign. Napoleon’s fiancée, Josephine, adored her pug named Fortune. However, after the Bourbon monarchy was restored, breeding these dogs ceased for political reasons. Uncontrolled breeding and poor care deteriorated the breed’s gene pool, and pugs were on the brink of extinction.
In 1864, Queen Victoria ordered the search for purebred pugs. A specimen was found, but at least one more was needed for breeding. Another was brought from China, along with many others. During this period, the breed split into color lines: the first was called “the warmth of the sun” (beige and peach-colored dogs), and the second “the darkness of night” (black and chocolate-colored dogs).
The first breed club was officially registered in 1883, marking the beginning of organized efforts to develop the breed. The breed standard was published in 1888.