The book starts with the definition of the word pug and its history.

The word entered the language in 1566 as a pleasant address for people and gained other meanings such as bargeman, courtesan, demon, ape, monkey etc. in a few years. Around the middle of the eighteenth century, it came to refer to a dwarf breed of dog.

The breed is oriental, possibly from China and a crossbred of Pekingese and the lion dog from which Shih Tzu’s originated. In Japan, also, black pugs gained popularity during the tenth century. The pug of today is a small dog with an adorable caved-in face, huge eyes with meaningful looks, a soft coat and a beautiful curly tail. A mark of perfection on this breed can be the double curl of the tail.

After the history and the background of the dog, the book goes on to inform about pug breeders and where to find pugs to adopt. It also covers the colors of the breed, a basic personality test before adopting a puppy, pug-proofing the house, papers and health certificates, house training, diets, health problem checklists, inherited problems, emergency advice, obedience training, how to use a collar, harness or lead, and where the dog shows can be found. At the end of the book in the information pages about pugs, the names and addresses of international kennel clubs, pet registries, and animal protection organizations are followed by periodical and book lists. Despite its small size, the book answers all the questions of a novice owner with a language direct and instructional.

learning about pugs if one is about to get one or is interested in the subject.

the delightful pooch photos.

like reading more on the subject.

Phil Maggitti is an animal lover, trainer, a freelance writer and an editor. His other books are: Postcards from the Pug Bus: The Continuing Education of a Pug Dog Owner; Pugs, Everything About Purchase Care; Showcasing Your Pug: A Guide to Breeding and Exhibiting Pug Dogs; Bulldogs (Complete Pet Owner's Manual); Scottish Fold Cats: Everything About Acquisition, Care, Nutrition, Behavior, Health Care, and Breeding (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual); Guide to A Well-Behaved Cat (Pet Series: Training); The Cat; Cat Selection Care Training Nutrition; Owning the Right Dog; It's Show-Time!: And Here's Everything Cat Fanciers Need to Know About Shows; In the Irons: Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing in North America; Before You Buy That Kitten (Pet Healthcare). He has also co-written Cat: Selection, Care, Training, Nutrition, Health, Breeding, Showing with Dorothy Silkstone Richards and A Dog of Your Own with Joan Palmer.

For those who are going to purchase or adopt a pug or are thinking of building a library on different dog breeds, this book is a must-have item. Aside from the useful information inside, the photos will delight anyone, young or old.

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Created Nov 20, 2007 at 4:57pm • Submit your own review...