Puginese

The Puginese is a designer dog from China whose parents are also of Chinese descent, the Pug and Pekingese.  Little is currently known on the Puginese, though it is a popular hybrid companion dog.  Standards and predictable appearances are not possible for the Puginese due to the potential for variation in dogs; however, owners and people wishing to adopt a Puginese may review the histories and character traits of the parent breeds to understand their Puginese better. The Pug is an ancient dog of China and the Mastiff line, dating back tot he Han Dynasty in the 200 B.C.  The Pug remained isolated in China until the 16th Century when trade with Europe introduced the Pug to the West.  The short-nosed appearance and wonderful companion disposition stole the hearts of aristocratic and noble families and led to instant popularity for the Pug.  The Pug became so popular that it displaced other native companion dogs in Europe, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  Pugs were bred in Europe and concurrently in China, and the two regional breeds developed variations over time.  The Chinese Pug was rediscovered during the British invasion in the 18th Century, and several pure Pug dogs were taken back to England to add to improve the European Pug lines.  The Pug came to the United States following the Civil War, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885. The Pekingese is another ancient dog of China but one whose history was far more guarded.  The Pekingese is known as a "Lion Dog," and Chinese legend claims a lion once fell in love with marmoset, which is a small monkey.  The Pekingese is the result of the union between the lion and the marmoset.  The Chinese Imperial court kept the Pekingese under guard, and the breed was not permitted to leave the palace, so it remained hidden from the world.  However, a guard of Pekingese was found in the palace following the British over after the Opium War and taken back to England as prize dogs.  The Pekingese remained rare and only smuggled dogs made their way out of China during the 19th Century.  However, by the 20th Century, the Pekingese was growing in numbers and popularity in the West and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1906.