After seeing the movie Men in Black, I just knew I had to have a
Pug. When a few months later Lucy and Sir Frank (Franki) arrived, they changed my life forever. Pugs are unique dogs with wonderful personalities and it comes as no surprise to me that a Pug became the star of the Men in Black movie and could talk! Lucy and Franki talk all the time, although I must admit so far it has only been in snorts, snuffles and grunts! Some people are initially put off by a Pug’s bulging eyes, wrinkled features and squashed face. But after spending a few hours in the company of this outgoing and affectionate
breed, the hardest of hearts will melt.
More about Pugs
Pugs are very intelligent, easy to
train and are good with children and other pets. Their
coats, which come in exotic colours such as oyster, apricot and silver, are short, which makes them very low maintenance. However,
care must be taken to ensure that the wrinkles on their faces remain dirt free. They are extremely social and energetic dogs and have appetites to match, so be aware that they tend to pick up
weight easily. This can lead to
health issues and therefore a Pug’s diet needs to be monitored carefully. Pugs are classified as a Toy breed, but are nonetheless very protective of their owners and their homes. They may be small but they have the heart of a lion and are very alert, which makes them excellent watchdogs.
Small monkey
There are many different views as to where the Pug originates from. The most common is that he is the short-haired cousin of the Pekinese and was brought to Europe from China in the 16th century by traders working for the Dutch East India Company. Many thought the dog resembled a small monkey, which led to the dogs becoming known as ‘Pugs’, an ancient word used to describe a small monkey, a snub nose or a goblin. The popularity of the Pug grew and soon they became a necessary fashion accessory at all the royal courts in Europe. In Holland, Pugs became so popular that they received royal patronage and were
adopted as the symbol for the House of Orange.
Home comforts
Should you not be willing to share your house with a dog, then a Pug is not the
breed for you. Pugs are bred to be house dogs and are very susceptible to changes in temperature. They are very sensitive to the sun and to hot weather and should not be left outside for long periods of time, or exercised when it is very hot. In winter Pugs can often be seen out and about with their owners, dressed in designer jerseys, as their short coats also make them vulnerable to the cold. Our own dogs like nothing better than to snuggle up with us in bed on a cold winter’s night – under the blankets!
A nice crowd
Pug owners are just as social as their dogs, as we were to find out when we attended our first Pug Club of Gauteng Show in 2009. Not only did we receive a warm and friendly welcome as new members, we also discovered that our dogs were of champion stock! With no preparation we entered Lucy and Franki into various categories and to our surprise Lucy stole the show, winning Best Puppy, Best Tail and Reserve Best in Show!
The following year it was Franki’s turn to sweep the board, winning Best Graduate Overall, Best Variety Challenge and Best Head and Wrinkles. We all look forward to attending these shows, which give us the chance to chat and catch up with other Pug owners and breeders. At the same time our Pugs get the opportunity to socialise with other dogs and of course they love all the fuss and attention they receive!
Pug rescue
Recently we have also become involved with the Pug Rescue Organisation – a worthy fundraising organisation that rehabilitates and re-homes Pugs all over South Africa. Fun Days are regularly held at their grounds in Benoni, Gauteng, which include a fun dog show with categories such as the most beautiful Pug, the Pug with the most wrinkles and the most solid Pug, which Franki recently won – perhaps we should consider renaming him Frank the Tank!
A Pug is a great dog to own if you are looking for a faithful companion to do everything with! Lucy and Franki have added so much joy to our lives I can’t remember what life was like without them. Should you be considering getting a Pug, a visit to our next fundraising event is highly recommended. Not only will you get the chance to interact with these charming dogs, you will also be able to chat with Pug owners who are always willing to share their knowledge and can give good advice. At the same time you will be enjoying a fun day out in the fresh air while supporting a worthy cause. I look forward to meeting you at our next event!
For further information, please contact:
Pug Club of Gauteng – contact Ruth on 011 882 6284 or 083 690 1948
Pug Rescue Organisation – contact Cheryl Gaw on 082 449 2644
Text and photography: Lynn Fordred
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