Pug Breed Origins and Caracteristics
The Dutch sailors that traveled to the East brought with them small dogs with short and round cranium (2) similar to the short-haired Pekinese. In the paintings of the 15th century there are similar dogs, apparently ancestors of the current pug. Thanks to William III of Orange and Mary Stuart II the dogs that came from Holland arrived to England where they were much appreciated. The rococo and biedermeier style made the pug a kind of a symbol and it was represented in many paintings; all the European factories of porcelain made little statues of the dog, and small heads of pug decorated the stick and lids of perfume bottles. But at the end of the 19th century, the fashion passed and the pug started to be forgotten. Despite this, some breeders kept it for its intelligence and mischievous temperament and liveliness. After that its popularity emerged again although it was still being part of less common breeds.
The Brabanzon, also known as small brabanzon, belongs to the group of Belgian dogs but its origin was influenced by the pug. The pug has transmitted to these group of dogs its black mask and short hair. At first these dogs which hair was similar to the long-haired griffons were considered undesirable mutations. But since 1880, they were exhibited in Brussels and got their standard in 1905. They are good guardians and friendly companions.
Pug. Size: 30-35 cm, Weight: 4 – 8 kg. Colors. Silver (1) light beige, gray or black. The snout, ears, patches on the cheeks and forehead must clearly stick out and they must be as black as possible. There are many opinions about the origin of the name of this breed. The English word "pug" means boxer in slam. The German word "Mops" comes from the German southern dialect "Moppen", "Moppern" or "Möpsen", which means to make faces, highlighting the frown brows. The French name comes from Carlos Bertinazzi called Carlino, actor that in the role of harlequin wore a black mask that looks like the snout of the aforementioned dog.
Brabanzon: Size: 21-28 cm. Weight: 3-5 kg. Color: red, sometimes with a black mask (3). Two thirds of the tail should be cut.
