The Puggit is an intentional cross between the Pug and the
Italian Greyhound, two very old breeds of dogs that have been sitting at the
feet of kings, queen, and emperors for
hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Miniaturized Greyhounds like the Italian
Greyhound have been found in art from the Mediterranean
dating back thousands of years and although these little dogs spread throughout
southern Europe, they were most popular with the nobility of Italy and became associated with them. In the
1800s, breeders began focusing on reducing the size of these already small dogs,
to the detriment of the breed, and dogs of unsound structure and temperament became more common. Toward the end
of the century, fanciers were able to
bring the breed back from the brink of destruction by implementing selective
and well-managed breeding programs that were focused on the health and
soundness of the animal. The Pug is also an ancient breed, recorded in the
history of China as companions to the royal families of the Shang dynasty, which
ruled China from approximately 1600 to 1046 BC. The ruling class of China held
these little dogs with such high regard that they gave them as gifts to
visiting dignitaries and royal families from other countries, allowing them to be distributed throughout the known
world. Both breeds have been featured in portraits of royalty and noblemen
throughout history, including two well-known portraits rendered in 1700s
Russia, a portrait of Princess Ekaterina Dmitrievna Golitsyna and her Pug, and
a portrait of Catherine II, Empress of Russia and her Italian Greyhound as well
as numerous photographs of Queen Victoria with her many Pugs, and a photograph
of her great-granddaughter, Princess Mary
with her Italian Greyhound on her lap. In 1885 the Pug became one of the first
15 dog breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club and in 1886 the Italian
Greyhound was recognized as well.
