Standard Comment

The best Standard for any breed is that which sets down as clearly and simply as possible the desirable attributes to be attained so that the breeders have a sound aim in view and judges may accordingly take note. The Standard is designed as a guide to the newcomer as well as a permanent reminder for all concerned with the breed. It must be free from irrelevancies, nevertheless its compilation should embody a lifelike effect.

FCI Standard n° 253

Decidedly square and cobby, it is 'multum in parvo' shown in compactness of form, well knit proportions and hardness of muscle

Great charm, dignity and intelligence.

How a judge can measure the intelligence is not described in the Standard and one wonders whether there is some type of mythical intelligence quotient applicable to the canine race. The simple definition, for intelligence, which could be possible be equally applied to dogs would be "the capacity to acquire capacity".

In my view it is impossible for anyone, no matter how experienced, to make an accurate assessment of a dog's temperament by examination within the confines of a show ring. Only by knowing a dog really well over a long period can such qualities be determined.

Head large, round, not apple-headed, with no indentation of skull. Muzzle short, blunt, square, not upfaced. Wrinkles clearly defined.

In Pug the head is the "hallmark" and is considered a rather accurate index of the body proportions. Therefore, in judging one should always keep in mind the importance of balanced anatomy. Masculinity and feminity are important features of the head. The big coarse head should receive sharp penalty.

Dark, very large, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression, very lustrous, and when excited, full of fire.

Thin, small, soft like black velvet. Two kinds - 'Rose ear' - small drop ear which folds over and back to reveal the burr. 'Button ear' - ear flap folding forward, tip lying close to skull to cover opening. Preference given to latter.

The size, length, set, direction and movement of the ears are important. Ears that are dead, thick make the head look plain. Set on and location determine the beauty of the head. Incorrectly placed ears will give the dog a "foreign" expression. The movement of the ears are indication of temperament.

Slightly undershot. Wide lower jaw with incisors almost in a straight line. Wry mouth, teeth or tongue showing all highly undesirable.

In some dogs the soft palate protrudes too far to the rear and can cause difficulty in breathing if the soft palate falls around the air intake. A"snorting" breathing results.

Slightly arched to resemble a crest, strong, thick with enough length to carry head proudly.

Proportionate length of neck is desirable. The arched neck adds lustre to eye pleasing form. The length of the neck helps the dog to shift his center of gravity, aids his mobility and stability, makes him able to shift his head closer or further away from his body, thereby moving backwards the load carried by the front.

Legs very strong, straight, of moderate length, and well under body. Shoulders well sloped.

Getting the shoulders right is good a way as any to start. Shoulders have a marked effect on the whole forhand.If they are good and well placed it is unlikely that any other part of the forehand will be seriously faulty. But if they are bad and or poorly placed all sorts of problem can arise.

Short and cobby, wide in chest and well ribbed. Topline level neither roached nor dipping.
Clarification: The Pug should give a strong impression of squareness when viewed from any angle. Cobby means short bodied, thickset and square. All of the parts must fit together to form a harmonious unit. The most important concept to remember is square.

Well placed sloping shoulders, inclined both from front to back and in towards the highest point of the withers, and their attendant upper arms, provide the ideal basis for the correct topline allowing the neck to flow smoothly into the back.
Upright or forward placed shoulders are usually accompanied by short upper arms which very often are also insufficiently sloped, the combined effect of which is to shorten the dog's stridge an to bring the elbow too far forward on the ribcage so that the whole fore end of the dog is poorly supported, it lacks forechast and when seen in profile appears to have a straight line from under its throat to its toes.

Legs very strong, of moderate length, with good turn of stifle, well under body, straight and parallel when viewed from rear.

The Pug needs a flat or rather flat croup to give the high tail set. When the pelvis is too steeply sloped the rump falls away too much with a low set of tail as the end result. In order to achieve the required marked bend of stifle the femur and tibia (the bones of the upper and second thighs) must be of sufficient lenght. If these bones are too short the angle between them will be too open and the dog will be unable to extend its hind leg far enough forward or back to give a good lenghth of stride: its movement will be restricted. A good coat of muscle in this area is needed.

Neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well-split-up toes; the nails black.

"No foot no dog". Dogs which are kept too much on soft ground will often spread their toes, nails grow long and pastern become slack, for lack of hard surface to keep the feet toned up and the nails short. When nails do become too long for the proper shape of the foot to be manteined they should be shortened whit nail clippers, almost to the tip of the quick and then filed at the sides so that there is increased wear on the tips. Black in pads is desirable or at least dark grey. Much the same applies to nails. In fawn and apricot are often self coloured.

(Twist) High set, curled as tightly as possible over hip. Double curl highly desirable.

The tail is the true barometer of the character, and as in the case of the ears, the key to this region is the setting. Tails and their carriage speak greater to a knowledgeable judge than most other parts of the dog.

Viewed from in front should rise and fall with legs well under shoulder, feet keeping directly to front, not turning in or out. From behind action just as true. Using forelegs strongly putting them well forward with hindlegs moving freely and using stifles well. A slight roll of hindquarters typifies gait.

To achieve a parallel movement, more at forehand, it is necessary for the Pug to have sloping shoulders, a good length of upper arm suitably sloping, plus short hocks and a good bend of stifle. When these points are present, and there is a good muscle tone, the movement will usually be free, long striding in proportion to the size of the dog, and will exhibit drive from the rear. Pug increases the tendency to roll, though not excessively.

Fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither harsh nor woolly.

Pug's hair grows in cycles: a short period of growth, a resting phase and then the shedding phase. Pug's coat takes 4 months to regrow. The rate at which hair regrows varies with many factors. A good diet is essential for a healthy coat. If your dog's coat is poor, suspect his general health.

Silver, apricot, fawn or black. Each clearly defined, to make contrast complete between colour, trace (black line extending from occiput to twist) and mask. Marking clearly defined. Muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or diamond on forehead and trace as black as possible.

Black must be solid black all over. Fawn, apricot and silver must carry dark mask and some may have white mark on chest (less desirable).

Caring breeders know that type is built upon function and as its Standard describes, because that is the way it needs to be built to best perform its particular way of life. A warning note should be given on not allowing the Pug to become too large.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Perfection lies somewhere in the middle of each breed Standard, it has never been decided quite where, which keeps us all happily striving to achieve the impossible, the perfectly built dog.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.