The Pug’s homeland is Ancient China, it is scientifically confirmed – many evidence and facts were found from their ancestry. For example, ancient Chinese manuscripts refer to “low dogs with a square torso and a short muzzle”. There is also information that at that time there were two varieties of such dogs, one called Ha Pa and had a short fur, the second was Luo Jie, they had long fur.
It is believed that pugs originated from Ha Pa, though at that time they had a slightly different look. The famous wrinkles of the pugs appeared in the process of selection, his progenitors were more smooth. But folds on the forehead and on the nose were already there, they reminded the Chinese of a hieroglyph and were considered a divine, imperial mark.
For a long time the ancestors of Pugs or Ha Pa dogs lived apart and were common only in Asia. In Europe, they were like many other breeds – by sea. Dutch merchant ships came to China and along with the goods they took aboard dogs with an original appearance. The seafarers brought them to Europe and presented them to noblemen. The animals were received with a bang, they became a real wonder and quickly became favorites and kings, and bohemians, and commoners. Pugs have been christened by east or Chinese mastiff.
In history, there are many cases where animals saved their masters from death or trouble. Pugs also distinguished themselves in this way. King Holland of William Tishaish had a favorite pug. One day the king went on a military campaign and, of course, took the dog with him. One night, when everyone was fast asleep, the dog broke off like a chain – began to bark, cross the floor with its paws, whine. Not immediately, but he awakened both the guard and the king, which ultimately saved their lives. It turns out that the enemy in the night began an attack and was already very close to the location of the Dutch.
The great contribution to the development and popularization of the breed was invested by the wife of Napoleon Josephine. She had a favorite pug named Fortune with whom she literally did not part for a minute. Such affection inspired the noble ladies of her circle, too, to get the dogs of this breed.
