In Holland the Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange after one of the breed saved the life of William, Prince of Orange, by giving alarm at the approach of the Spaniards at Hermingny in 1572. An effigy of the monarch with his Pug at his feet is carved over William's tomb in Delft Cathedral. Later, when William II landed at Torbay to be crowned King of England, his retinue included his beloved Pugs and they became the fashionable breed for generations.

By 1790, the Pug's popularity had spread to France where Josephine, wife of Napoleon, depended on her Pug "Fortune" to carry secret messages under his collar to her husband while she was imprisoned at Les Carmes. Fortune must have had a possessive nature, for it is said that he bit the future Emperor when he entered the bedchamber on his wedding night.

Called the "Mopshond" (from the Dutch word "to grumble") in Holland, "Mops" in Germany and "Carlin" in France, the origin of the name "Pug Dog" has a variety of explanations. The most likely is that which likens the dog's facial expression to that of the marmoset monkeys that were popular pets of the early 1700s and were known as Pugs; hence "Pug Dog" to distinguish dog from monkey. The appellation of "Pug Dog" has endured to this day.

The late 1800s saw the beginning of dog shows in England, and Pugs were first exhibited in 1861. The stud book began in 1871, and there were sixty-six Pugs in the first volume. The English Pugs developed mostly along the lines of two strains: the Willoughby and the Morrison lines. Each had consistent breeding traits, and the lines existed for many years as competitors.

By the turn of the century into the 1800s, Pugs became more standardized as a breed, with colors separating and settling into the contemporary "fawn" or "Isabella" and black colors. It is also known the the "black mask" was in place by now, too, as the breed had been referred to as the "Dutch Mastiff" from time to time, harking back the masked face of the much larger Mastiff breed.

This lovable and staunch little dog is well described by the motto Multum in Parvo - "a lot of dog in a small space." His appearance is always that of being well-groomed and ready for the show ring. He is small but requires no coddling and his roguish face soon wiggles its way into the hearts of men, women, and especially children - for whom this dog seems to have a special affinity. His great reason for living is to be near his "folks" and to please them. The Pug is at home in a small apartment or country home alike, easily adaptable to all situations

• 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.