The Pug

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

The pug is decidedly a square and cobby dog. It has a compactness of form with well knit proportions and hard musculature. 

The pug has great charm, dignity and an intelligent expression. It is an even tempered, happy and a dog with a lively disposition. 

The head of the pug is large and round. There is no indentation of the skull. It has a short, blunt and a square muzzle. The wrinkles are clearly defined. The eyes are dark, very large and globular in shape. They are soft and solicitous in expressions. The eyes are very lustrous and full of fire when excited. The ears are thin, small and soft like black velvet. There are two types of ears, the “rose ears” which is small and folds over, to reveal the burr. In the “button ear” the ear flap folds forward with the tip lying close to the skull to cover the opening. The mouth is slightly undershot with a wide lower jaw and the incisors in a straight line.

The neck is slightly arched like a crest. It is a strong and thick with enough length to carry the head proudly. The forequarters are very strong the legs are straight, of moderate length with sloping shoulders. The body is short and cobby with a well ribbed wide chest. The top is level. 

The legs of the hindquarters are very strong and of moderate length. It has a good turn of the stifle which is straight and parallel when viewed from the rear. The feet are almost like that of a cat with split of toes and black nails. The tail is twisted and set high. It is curled as tightly as possible over the hip. A double curl is highly desirable. The gait is with a slight role of the hindquarters. 

The coat is fine, smooth, short and glossy. It should not be harsh or woolly. The colour is silver, apricot, fawn or black. Its ideal weight is between 6.3 to 8.1 kilograms. 

The males should have two normal testicles fully descended in to the scrotum.

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