Pug. Yulia Vladimirovna Rychkova

Introduction
Since ancient times, the dog has been a faithful companion of man. Today it is difficult to name a sphere of life where these animals would not be involved. They help save people in the mountains and on the water, detain criminals, protect herds from predatory animals; with their help, many blind people have the opportunity to live a full life, etc. It is not uncommon when, buying a guard dog, people acquire a faithful and reliable friend and helper for themselves and their children.

Among the many breeds bred by man, pugs are one of the most popular. These small, unusual-looking dogs captivate with their cheerfulness and restlessness. They are always ready for any fun, walks, they are happy to participate in all family affairs.

However, in addition to attention, pugs, like any other pets, require appropriate care and good nutrition. It is especially difficult for those who first encountered this breed. A lot of questions immediately arise: how to properly feed a puppy or an adult dog, how and when they need to be educated, how to care for them, bathe, breed; what to do if the pet gets sick, etc. The reader will find answers to these and many other questions in this book.

1. From the history of the breed
The birthplace of pugs and other decorative dog breeds is China. It was from there that pugs were first brought to Europe.

The first domestic dogs appeared about 15,000 years ago. In gratitude for a warm place and food, animals protected people from enemies and wild animals, helped to monitor livestock, hunt, etc. Over the centuries, a dog, thanks to natural instinct and devotion, has become not only a faithful companion and valuable assistant for a person, but and best friend. Over time, people drew attention to the fact that certain groups of animals have specific qualities (hunting skills, take a trail well or herd herds, etc.), and began to develop them. So breeds were bred and groups of dogs were distinguished: hunting, service, shepherd, indoor-decorative, etc.

Most breeds of the indoor-decorative group appeared in the East, in particular in China, where dogs began to be bred about 6-7 thousand years ago. This country is known for its philosophical approach to understanding the picture of the world, subtle perception of the environment. reality, a special relationship to all living things. In China, the dog symbolized fidelity and devotion, and its image was of great importance in national religion, mythology and art. In Chinese astrology, the dog was the eleventh sign of the zodiac, expressing many qualities. She personified fidelity to the law, devotion, symbolized the sun and wind at the same time, was endowed with the ability to exorcise demons. The arrival of an unfamiliar dog in the house was a good sign for the family and meant prosperity in the future.

The respectful attitude of the Chinese did not extend to black dogs, which were considered the personification of evil forces, a symbol of natural disasters and adverse factors.

The image of a dog is quite widespread in Chinese mythology. According to the ideas of the Yao people, it is this animal that is their progenitor. The legend says that in ancient times the ruler of one country promised to give his daughter as a wife to the one who would bring him the head of the enemy, a long and exhausting war with which had already greatly weakened the country. The request of the emperor was fulfilled by the yard dog Panhu. Vladyka kept his promise, and his daughter, along with the dog, went to live in the mountains. The descendants of the princess and Panhu were the Yao. In honor of their ancestors, people regularly held festivities. Women decorated their heads with a headdress resembling a dog's muzzle or a princess headdress, while men tied a kind of dog's tails. Panhu began to be considered a guardian spirit from troubles and misfortunes, helping sailors return home safely. In every house there was always an altar, on which gifts were brought to Panhu.

It is known that in China the cultivation of rice was of great importance, and the rice fields were considered sacred. A person could not commit any atrocity, kill, hunt on them. Otherwise, he was threatened with a terrible punishment. According to the Yao legend, it was the dog who brought them the rice grains, so the animals could freely hunt anywhere, including in the rice fields.

In the ancient Chinese fundamental concept of feng shui, the basic concept is bagua - a graphic diagram of the universe in the form of an octagon. It symbolizes time and space, and each of its sides denotes a certain side of the world, expresses various natural phenomena, animals, etc. In this octagon, a dog corresponds to the northwest, correlates with Gen (mountain) and denotes the ability to stop, solitude, peace, physical nature, etc.

Under the influence of Buddhism, the concept of hell appeared in Chinese mythology - Diyu. It consisted of 10 courts, each of which had 16 rooms for punishment. There were several judges in Diyu, chief among them was Qingguang-wang. After interrogating the souls of the dead, he sent each one to the appropriate hall to announce the verdict. In the second trial, where thieves, bad healers, men and women who had illegal connections during their lifetime, fell, the souls were sent accompanied by two spirits - Zheng-ning (“furry dog”) and Chi-fa (“red-haired”).

According to the ideas of the ancient Chinese, a dog that accompanies a person everywhere during life should have remained with him even after death. In the underworld, she helped the owner go through dangerous labyrinths and show the right path. Archaeologists have discovered several burials in which, along with human remains, were the bones of dogs. Over time, instead of dogs, they began to put an animal figurine in the grave of the deceased. One of these guard dog figurines was found in Sichuan province in an ancient tomb from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD).

Another interesting find of archaeologists was the burial of Fu-hao, the wife or concubine of Wang U-ding (1324-1266 or 1238-1180 BC), discovered in the province of Henan. Fu-hao at one time was a fairly well-known personality, famous for leading large military expeditions. In her grave were the remains of another 16 people and 6 dogs. According to scientists, it was the protection and escort of a woman.

Among the monuments of ancient Chinese art there is an image of the legendary dog ​​Fu (Lion-dog). The Chinese believed that the owner of Fu would be a happy person.

In ancient China, some dogs were endowed with a special flair and the ability to distinguish obsessed people, as well as the ability to anticipate the approach of a natural disaster.

In the Chinese religion, as you know, many animals (dragon, lion, turtle, etc.) were considered sacred. The Chinese held great respect for the lion, whose images were placed in front of temples to scare away evil forces. Since there were no lions in China, their place was taken by animals similar to the kings of nature in appearance, - Pekingese, etc.

Thus, in China, dogs had a special attitude, they were an important part of human society, national religion, and worldview. They were endowed with many magical properties, revered as sacred animals. Often dogs could do things that were forbidden even to people. In this regard, in China, the breeding of dogs, especially small breeds, was given great attention.

A huge contribution to the development of dog breeding was made by Tibetan lamas. It was within the walls of their monasteries that dogs appeared, which became the progenitors of such breeds as the Pekingese, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, pug, etc.

Of all dog breeds, the pug is one of the most mysterious, the history of which is covered in myths and legends. Until now, scientists argue about its origin. Some believe that the Far East is the birthplace of pugs; others are sure that these dogs originated in South Africa; still others are looking for roots in Europe. However, no one has direct evidence. Although by now scientists are inclined to believe that pugs nevertheless appeared in the East a very long time ago, back in the period of the birth of Buddhism. It is there that the most evidence of this is found. Mentions of "square, low dogs with a short muzzle", the main purpose of which was the service and entertainment of man, are found in ancient Chinese manuscripts. Terracotta, jade and ceramic figurines of short-faced dogs with large bulging eyes have also been preserved. It should be said that these monuments of ancient Chinese art were distinguished by extraordinary realism.

It is believed that the ancestor of pugs could be small Sichuan dogs, bred by Tibetan monks, called fu, or Sichuan Bai. In addition to pugs, they became the progenitors of many miniature dog breeds: the Chin (Japanese Spaniel), the Tibetan Terrier, the Pekingese - a palace pocket dog, the Lhasa Apso ("barking lion"), the Shar Pei - a talisman dog, the Shih Tzu (lion-like, or chrysanthemum-like, dog).

There are also references to small dogs with a short muzzle in ancient Indian literary monuments, in particular in the Mahabharata.

During the Shang Dynasty (1766–1122 BC), Sichuan Bai were bred specifically as hunting dogs. In the XII century. BC e. breeding work was carried out purposefully and under the guidance of specially a person appointed for this purpose - a chanqian, who monitors the qualities of dogs and looks after them. As a result of this centuries-old work, several breeds of dogs appeared, which were divided into 3 classes: hunting,