Of Oriental origin, Pugs have been a favorite of royalty since 400 B.C. Napoleon's wife, Josephine, used her Pug, "Fortune," to send secret messages to her husband while she was imprisoned. Today, Pugs are popular as family pets and are especially drawn towards children.
Pugs and their Famous People
• Billy Joel has a Pug named "Fionula."
• The famous fashion designer, Valentino, owns a Pug named "Oliver," and even named one of his fashion lines after his dog.
• Tori Spelling has a Pug named "Mimi."
• Many members of the French Royal Family, including Marie-Antoinette, have owned Pugs.
• Napoleon's wife, Josephine, demanded that her Pug sleep in the bed with the couple every night, exclaiming "If the Pug doesn't sleep in our bed, neither do I!"
• Winston Churchill's wife called him by the nickname "Pug," prompting him to write this poem entitled "Poor Puggy-wug" :
"Oh, what is the matter with poor Puggy-wug
Pet him and kiss him and give him a hug.
Run and fetch him a suitable drug.
Wrap him up tenderly all in a rug.
That is the way to cure Puggy-wug. "
Fun Pug Facts
• Long ago in China, the Pug's country of origin, it was preferable for the Pug to have three horizontal wrinkles on its forehead and one central, vertical wrinkle. When the wrinkles are situated in this way, they resemble the Chinese character for the word "Prince."
• In 1572, the Pug was named the official dog of the House of Orange in Holland after a Pug named "Pompey" alerted Prince William to nearing enemy soldiers, thereby saving his life.
• Some breeders believe that Pugs were bred to be miniaturized Mastiffs.
• Unlike most breeds, Pugs were not bred to be working dogs (i.e. hunting, watchdog, etc.). The breed was intended to be an affectionate lap dog.
• Pugs can be seen in many movies, including Men in Black and Milo and Otis.
• There are three colors of Pugs: black, fawn, and silver.
