Pugion

The Pugion is not a well-known hybrid and has little historical documentation.  The origins of the first intentional crossbreeding are unknown but is suspected to be in the United States in more recent years, as is most designer hybridization.  Owners who wish to understand the history and dispositions of their Pugion or are considering adopting a Pugion should review the parent breed traits for additional insight. The Pug is an ancient dog of China that came from the Tibetan Mastiff lines.  Pugs developed sometime between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. during the Han Dynasty in China and remained unknown to the world until the Dutch opened trade routes with the Chinese.  The Pug was imported to the West as early as the 16th century and quickly established itself among the nobility of Europe as an excellent companion.  The Pug was later introduced to the United States following the Civil War, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885.  Today, the Pug enjoys a high popularity ranking as a companion dog. The Papillon is a small Spaniel type dog that developed in France as early as the 16th century.  Their name is French for butterfly and refers to their butterfly-like ears.  The dropped ear variation, known as the Phalene, exists as well and predates the Papillon.  However, the dropped ear variety is a rare dog.  It too has a French name.  The Phalene's name refers to ears shaped like a moth because they lay down, like the wings of a moth at rest.  The Papillon was a favorite in the French court and maintained its popularity even after Pugs and other short-nosed breeds were introduced by trade.  The Papillion made its way west to the United States in the early 20th century where it gained American Kennel Club recognition in 1915.