THE PUG-DOG. 317 



all localities, and therefore the services of the Turnspit Dog were brought into requisi- 

 tion. 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 labor 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 in- 

 tervals. 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 

 labor 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-DOG 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-visaged, 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 is 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 spend 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 

 odor 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 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 on 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. 



