THE PUG-DOG, 317 
At one extremity of the spit was fastened a large circular box, or hollow wheel, 
something like the wire wheels which are so often appended to squirrel-cages; and in 
this wheel the Dog was accustomed to perform its daily task, by keeping it continually 
working. As the labour would be too great for a single Dog, it was usual to keep at least 
two animals for the purpose, and to make them relieve each other at regular intervals. 
The Dogs were quite able to appreciate the lapse of time, and, if not relieved from their 
toils at the proper hour, would leap out of the wheel without orders, and force their 
companions to take their place, and complete their portion of the daily toil. 
There are one or two varieties of this Dog, but the true Turnspit breed is now nearly 
extinct in this country. On the Continent, the spits are still turned by canine labour in 
some localities ; but the owners of spit and Dog are not particular about the genealogy of 
the animal, and press into their service any kind of Dog , provided that it is adequately 
small, and sufficiently amenable to authority. 
The PuG-bDoG is an example of the fluctuating state of fashion and its votaries. 
Many years ago the Pug was in very great request as a lapdog, or “ toy” Dog, as these 
little animals are more correctly termed. The satirical publications of the last century are 
full of sarcastic remarks upon Pug-dogs and their owners, and delighted in the easy task 
of drawing a parallel between the black-v isaged, dumpy-muzzled Dog, and the presumed 
personal attractions of its owner. 
By degrees, however, this fashion passed away, as is the wont of fashions to do, and, 
as is equally their wont, has again returned in due course of time, and with renewed 
impetus. Although, in the interregnum that elapsed between the two periods of the Pug- 
dog's ascendancy, it was in very little request, yet in its recent popularity it has acquired 
so “great a conventional value, that a thoroughly well-bred Dog will fetch as much as 
twenty or thirty pounds, or even more if it be a “peculiarly fine specimen. The purity of 
the breed has been scrupulously preserved by one or two British Dog-fanciers, and to 
them the Pug-dog is indebted for its present position in the popular esteem, 
It is a cheerful and amusing companion, and very affectionate in disposition. Some- 
times it 1s apt to be rather snappish to strangers, but this is a fault which is common to 
all lap-dogs which are not kept in proper order by their possessors. For those who cannot 
speud much time in the open air it is a more suitable companion than any other Dog, 
because it can bear the confinement of the house better than any other of the canine 
species ; and, indeed, seems to be as much at home on a carpet as is a canary on the perch 
of its cage. Moreover, it is almost wholly free from the unpleasant odour with which the 
canine race is affected. 
The head of the Pug-dog ought to be round, and its forehead high, with a short, but not 
a turned-up, nose. The whole of the fore-front of the f face, extending to the eyes, and 
technically termed the “mask,” ought to be of a jetty black, marked clearly on the lighter 
ground of the face. The line which separates the two tints should be as sharply cut as 
possible. The tail should curl sharply and tightly round, lying on one side of the hinder 
quarters, and never standing upon the back. The height of “the Pug-dog ought not to 
exceed fifteen inches, or its weight to be more than ten pounds. 
The number of puppies which the Dog produces at a single litter is very large, varying 
from three or four to fifteen, or even a still greater number. They are born, as is the case 
with kittens and several other young animals, with closed eyes, and do not open their 
eyelids for the space of several days. As it is manifestly impossible for the mother to 
rear the whole of a very large family, their number must be reduced, either by destroying 
several of the little ones, which of course ought to be the weakest and smallest specimens, 
or by removing the supernumerary offspring and placing them under the care of another 
Dog which has lately taken upon herself the maternal duties. In this case it needs not 
that the wet nurse should be of the same kind with her charge, as it is found. that health 
of constitution and a liberal supply of milk are the only necessary qualifications for that 
responsible office. 
Sometimes the health of the mother will not permit her to rear her progeny ; and in 
