THE PUG 573 



veins the blood of a long-coated Chinese dog. Mrs. Tulk has been 

 successful in also breeding a long-coated black Pug. The tail has 

 long, straight hair on it, the legs are feathered after the style of a 

 Toy Spaniel or Pekinese dog, but in build the dog resembles 

 the smooth-coated Pug as bred in England to-day. 



In the breeding of Pugs it is important that the brood bitch 

 comes from a good strain ; and the mate should be selected chiefly 

 for his ability to produce the points she is deficient in. Should 

 she be small in head and narrow in muzzle, it would be well to 

 select for her a dog getting big skulls and wide jaws, and the 

 large, open nostrils which are such an improving feature in a Pug, 

 whether black or fawn. Avoid selecting one whose progeny soon 

 go grey in muzzle, or whose front legs are not perfectly straight. 



When a bitch is in whelp, she should have regular exercise up to 

 the seventh week, after that only such as she really seems inclined 

 for, after she has had a short run near home daily ; and her food 

 should be such qs is likely to keep up her strength without causing 

 grossness. Clean, fresh water should be provided for her daily. 

 Puppies should be entirely removed from the mother just before 

 they are six weeks old, but they may be gradually weaned and 

 taught to lap at the end of the fourth week. When Pug puppies 

 are born, their ears are laid back flat from the face, but they 

 gradually fall into position, and the tip of the ear should be in a 

 line with the eye. 



In selecting a puppy, avoid those who drop down in fore face. 

 The top of the nostril should be, as near as possible, in a line with 

 the lower part of the eye. The colour of the ears also should be 

 well considered, for the light ones do not always become black with 

 age, although this occasionally happens. Shortness of body, width 

 of chest, and curl of tail, are all to be desired. In selecting a 

 female puppy with a view to breeding with her, choose one that is 

 not very small, and she may be with advantage rather longer in 

 body than is desirable in a show specimen. 



Pugs require comparatively little preparation for the show-bench 

 compared with other breeds. A warm bath, followed by a nearly 

 cold rinse, should be given the day before they are to be benched. 

 When thoroughly dry, the coat may be rubbed with the hand for 

 some time, or with a silk cloth or a wash-leather, to produce a nice, 

 glossy appearance ; the first method is usually the more satisfactory. 



Pugs, when made a companion of man, show fairly high intel- 

 ligence : as house-dogs they are ever on the alert, and promptly give 

 notice of a stranger's approach ; and from their extremely active 

 one may say, merry habits, they are most interesting pets, and well 

 repay by their gratitude any affection and kindness bestowed on 

 them. One quality they possess above most breeds, which is a 

 strong recommendation for them as lap-dogs, and that is their 



