1930s shows a Pug lover with an armful of brindle and black Pug puppies.
A modern British Pug poses with a toy wooden Pug from the Victorian era, a time when the Pug was immensely popular.
BLACK PUGS
In 1877 black was considered a “new” color in the breed. Again there has always been debate as to the actual origin of Lady Brassey’s black Pugs, but she certainly exhibited some black ones at Britain’s Maidstone Show in 1886. One of these was Jack Spratt, who possibly may have been acquired by Lady Brassey on her short trip to China.
However, although black was then claimed as a new color, we know from the paintings of William Hogarth that blacks existed before then. Hogarth’s House of Cards, painted in 1730, depicts a black Pug. A hundred years later, Queen Victoria owned a black Pug that was marked with white. The latter, though, may have been brought into England, perhaps as a gift to the Queen from China.
A contemporary Pug painting on an old theme by the talented artist Diedre Ashdown. (Courtesy of the artist.)
Black Pugs today are considered acceptable and desirable. In times gone by, the black coat color was frowned upon.
It has been said that black Pugs had been bred for many years earlier in England, but because they had been bred from apricot-fawns they were considered mutations and thus destroyed at birth. It is also possible, however, that such “blacks” were not true blacks (ebonies), but instead were smuts, so were not considered attractive.
Eng. Ch. Dark Diamond in 1930 represents a typical British champion black Pug.
Eng. Chs. Peter and Paul won 14 Challenge Certificates in the 1930s.
Eng. Ch. Paul of Inver was a great winner until he was killed in an accident when he was four years old.
Jan, owned by Miss Voy, was the son of Eng. Ch. Scaramouche of Broadway, bred by Mrs. Powers.
Pugs are immensely collectable. Many owners adopt two or more Pugs and often decorate their homes with invaluable memorabilia celebrating their favorite topic.
In 1896 efforts were made to show the black Pug as an Englishmade variety, but despite considerable support this was not allowed. There was a very well-known black Pug who was known as the “singing Pug.” Apparently, when given a chord on the piano, or by humming, he could pick up the note and sing most tunefully. The black Pug certainly had its admirers, and in 1900 two were reported as having been sold to fanciers in New York for a sum totaling £350.
CRUFT AND THE PUG
The formation of Britain’s first Pug Dog Club was discussed in 1881 and approved by The Kennel Club in January 1883. Although not the club’s first Secretary, Mr. Charles Cruft at one time held this office. In 1885 the club held its first show and the show of 1887 was promoted by Cruft himself, revealing his prowess as an organizer of such events. Of course, Cruft went on to produce England’s most prestigious dog shows, which were resumed by The Kennel Club itself in 1948.
FIRST CLASS
Although Pugs were classified at a show in Birmingham in 1860, there were no entries. The breed was first shown in Britain at Leeds in 1861. In 1886 five Pugs became British champions according to Kennel Club rules at that time, but Challenge Certificates as such were only officially offered to Pugs in 1896.
THE PUG IN ART
Many artists have incorporated the charming little Pug in their paintings, and from these paintings we have a good indication of the quality of dogs at the time. Goya portrayed some lovely examples of the breed, and from these we can tell that the quality of the breed in Spain was high.
William Hogarth (1697–1764) owned a Pug; his Self Portrait is well known, depicting the artist with his dog. He also included Pugs in other portraits and conversation pieces.
Reinagle is another artist, renowned as an animal painter, who portrayed the charming Pug in his work. Many early dog books include engravings of this adorable breed, though not all of these engravings have been well thought of by breed enthusiasts. Although there are many other portrayals of note, Blonde and Brunette, painted by Charles Burton Barber in 1879, is one of my favorites, depicting a young lady engrossed in her book while her Pug rests comfortably in her arm.
Meissen, or Dresden, porcelain is also famed for its portrayal of the Pug. Indeed, the Pug must surely rank among one of the most popular breeds of dog portrayed in porcelain and other collectable items. Most of those from the 18th century fetch very high prices, and even those from the 19th century are increasingly scarce. Sometimes such renderings are discovered of Pugs with cropped ears, and many have bells around their collars, making them even more charming.
A litter from the 1930s bred by Miss Voy, representing the second generation from famed breeding pair Eng. Ch. Miss Penelope and Dandy Dicker of Baronshalt.
THE PUG COMES TO AMERICA
Although we lack documentation on the arrival of the first Pugs to America, we do know that some dogs were in the country shortly after the Civil War. The breed gained attention because of its uniqueness and, during the 1880s, many Pugs were shown. The breed gained recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885 and was classified in the Toy Group, as it is in other countries around the world.
The breed fell into relative obscurity at the turn of the 20th century as other breeds gained favor, many of which were “exotic imports” at the time. Breeders on the East Coast began stirring up interest in the Pug again, and by 1931
