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                              Pug - Breed Standard

General Appearance:

Symmetry and general appearance are decidedly square and cobby. A lean, leggy Pug and a dog
with short legs and a long body are equally objectionable.

Size, Proportion, Substance:

The Pug should be multum in parvo, and this condensation (if the word may be used) is shown by
compactness of form, well knit proportions, and hardness of developed muscle.
Weight from 14 to 18 pounds (dog or bitch) desirable. Proportion square.

Head:

The head is large, massive, round-not apple-headed, with no indentation of the skull. The eyes are
dark in color, very large, bold and prominent, globular in shape, soft and solicitous in expression,
very lustrous, and, when excited, full of fire. The ears are thin, small, soft, like black velvet. There
are two kinds-the "rose" and the "button." Preference is given to the latter. The wrinkles are large
and deep. The muzzle is short, blunt, square, but not upfaced. Bite: A Pug's bite should be very
slightly undershot.

Neck, Topline, Body:

The neck is slightly arched. It is strong, thick, and with enough length to carry the head proudly.
The short back is level from the withers to the high tail set. The body is short and cobby, wide in
chest and well ribbed up. The tail is curled as tightly as possible over the hip. The double curl is
perfection.

Forequarters:

The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, and are set well under. The elbows should
be directly under the withers when viewed from the side. The shoulders are moderately laid back.
The pasterns are strong, neither steep nor down. The feet are neither so long as the foot of the
hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well split-up toes, and the nails black. Dewclaws are generally
removed.

Hindquarters:

The strong, powerful hindquarters have moderate bend of stifle and short hocks perpendicular to
the ground. The legs are parallel when viewed from behind. The hindquarters are in balance with
the forequarters. The thighs and buttocks are full and muscular. Feet as in front.

Coat:

The coat is fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy, neither hard nor woolly.

Color:

The colors are silver, apricot-fawn, or black. The silver or apricot-fawn colors should be decided
so as to make the contrast complete between the color and the trace and the mask.

Markings:

The markings are clearly defined. The muzzle or mask, ears, moles on cheeks, thumb mark or
diamond on forehead, and the back trace should be as black as possible. The mask should be
black. The more intense and well defined it is, the better. The trace is a black line extending from
the occiput to the tail.

Gait:

Viewed from the front, the forelegs should be carried well forward, showing no weakness in the
pasterns, the paws landing squarely with the central toes straight ahead. The rear action should be
strong and free through hocks and stifles, with no twisting or turning in or out at the joints. The
hind legs should follow in line with the front. There is a slight natural convergence of the limbs
both fore and aft. A slight roll of the hindquarters typifies the gait which should be free,
self-assured, and jaunty.

Temperament:

This is an even-tempered breed, exhibiting stability, playfulness, great charm, dignity, and an
outgoing, loving disposition.