Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/476

 PliTS 454 Miss L. Burnet Chimpion Masier Jasper— an excellent example of correct expression Photo, Russell, Crystal Palace As regards looks, the pug is decidedly prepossessing. In colour he may be either fawn or black. In fawn, the most prized shades are a silvery grey or a soft apricot, with, though not invariably present, alas ! a " trace " or line of black running from occiput to tail. This trace is, of course, absent in the black variety. The muzzle should be short and blunt in form, but not what is technically called " upfaced." As, however, the majority of present-day pugs are more or less undershot, they are to a certain extent upfaced. The nails should be black, the back short, the bone good but not coarse, and the colour clear. Black pugs should be free from any rustiness of shade. The face should be wrinkled, with, if possible, for the fawn varieties, a thumb- mark or diamond on the forehead. This, unfortunately, like the coveted spot on the Blenheim, is rarely found nowadays. The eyes should be lustrous and of a sympathetic expression. Size Size is an important factor in the making of a good pug. If much over the London and Provincial Pug Dog Club standard weight — 13 to 17 pounds — a pug is apt to become coarse. The perfection aimed at in the breed is a well-proportioned, active, small animal, compactly built, yet Without any suspicion of clumsiness or unwieldiness. As in other small breeds, there is a tendency for some of the best-bred specimens to " come " big. Strange ideas as to the perfection of puggish beauty formerly prevailed in the bad old days, before specialist clubs and the Kennel Club undertook the task of canine reformation, for we find that cropped ears and a protruding tongue — sure sign of some- thing physically amiss in any dog — were considered beauty-points of importance. The black pug, perhaps the more popular variety, was not introduced into this country until the late Lady Brassey showed one in 1886 at the Maidstone show. Queen Alex- andra, when Princess of Wales, had several beautiful specimens. Queen Victoria, also, had a fine black pug, of which she was very fond. The points of this Variety are no different in any essential particular from those of the fawn breed. It is a matter of taste, and, at times, of fashion. Some Famous Pugs In the early days of pugdom, the fawns were classified as either Willoughby or Morri- son pugs, owing the distinction to those pioneers of the breed the then Lady Wil- loughby d'Eresby and Mrs. Morrison. The Morrison pug was of a more brilliant and somewhat redder tinge than the Willoughby pug. But that is now ancient history, and no such distinction is now recognised. Interbreeding of the two varieties has gradu- ally obliterated differences, and the nomen- clature itself is practically dead. " There were giants in old times," and some of their names, as founders of families, and so, likely to appear in modern-day pedigrees, and therefore interesting to any reader whose " fancy " is the pug, are : Mr. Proctor's Champion Confidence, and his famous son York ; Mr. Mayo's Champion Earl of Presbury ; the late Mr. Sheffield's Champion Stingo Sniffles ; the late Miss Jenkinson's Champion Duke Beira ; and Mr. Harvey Nixon's Champion Royal Rip. Amongst living dogs those of Miss C. Rosa Little and Mr. Culshaw are famous. For those fond of figures can be added the Miss Daniel s Bouji. The black pug was not introduced to this country until Lady Brassey exhibited one in 1886. Queen Victoria owned a black pug, of which she was very fond, and Queen Alexandra, as Princess of Wales, possessed several