Story
The Lo-Shi breed originated in ancient China and was bred for a long time exclusively for the imperial court and those closest to it. Initially, these decorative dogs were more similar to modern Pekingese: a small protruding nose, a short head, but short hair. This same breed later led to the emergence of the modern pug.
Unfortunately, over time, after the strengthening of trade ties with Europe, precious dogs almost completely lost their original gene pool as a result of uncontrolled crossing with other breeds.
The American pug Lo Shi, as an independent breed, reappeared relatively recently - only 30 years ago, and has not yet been officially recognized by the International Canine Federation. Breeder Rebecca Mance, who studied the history of Lo-Shi for a long time, began to revive it in the 80s of the last century, and, by crossing a pug and a Pekingese, again breathed life into this ancient imperial breed.
Description of the breed
- This is a stocky, very small dog.
- The tail curls like a donut and lies on the back.
- The limbs are strong, short and widely set. The front legs are slightly curved.
- The chest is wide and well developed.
- According to breed standards, the head of an adult dog should not look large in comparison with the overall size of the body; between the ears the skull is wide and flat, with a sharp transition from the forehead to the short muzzle.
- Folds of skin extend from the forehead to the flattened nose.
- The upper jaw protrudes slightly above the lower jaw.
- The neck is thick and short.
- The ears are hanging, medium size, set high.
- The eyes are large and round.
- The coat is smooth and short, with little undercoat.
- The color, in general, can be absolutely anything, just like the eye color.
For every taste!
Adult dog height: 21 cm. Weight: from 2 to 5 kg.
The average weight of a three-month-old puppy is 1 kilogram.
How is a small one different from an ordinary one?
- First of all, this is, of course, the size of the animal. The pug is larger (up to 30 cm) and weighs from 6 to 8 kilograms.
- There are also many fewer color options for pugs . It is black, silver and fawn, accompanied by a dark mask on the face.
- Like many ancient purebred breeds, pugs have a number of serious hereditary diseases. This will make your pug more expensive to care for. You also need to take good care of Lo Shi pugs, but there is a lower risk of hereditary diseases, albeit not much .
In a word, an ordinary pug will require a little more effort and investment from you.
Diseases and possible problems
- First of all, the American short pug, like ordinary pugs, is prone to diseases of the eyes, respiratory system, dysplasia, as well as obesity. It is very important to pay attention to what your pet eats. Only high-quality food is suitable for this breed; the dose must also be carefully controlled.
- The folds on your pet's face often collect dirt, dust and even food debris, so it is very important to keep them clean and wipe them with a cotton pad or swab from time to time.
- Cataracts or retinal atrophy may develop unnoticed; close attention should be paid to the condition of your pet's eyes.
- The short hair of the dwarf pug makes it unstable to cold, and the structure of its muzzle makes it susceptible to extreme heat.
- Due to the structure of their nose, these dogs often snore loudly, so you also need to be prepared for this.
Features of caring for bear-type dogs
Good care is the key to a long life and good health of an animal. By adhering to simple rules, you can be sure that your beloved black pug will delight you with good behavior and excellent health for a long time.
Considering the characteristics of pugs, keeping them in urban conditions is considered preferable for this breed. They do not require much space, and long walks in nature exhaust dogs of this breed, which are not endowed with great endurance.
The first thing you need to do before your pet arrives at home is to provide him with his own place. It should be located away from drafts, windows and central heating radiators. Pugs do not tolerate heat and sudden temperature changes very well. Let the corner be protected enough so that in moments of stress the dog has the opportunity to hide and calm down. It is not suitable for pugs to live in a separate room where the owner rarely enters.
Prepare a thick mattress, preferably made of foam rubber or with coconut filling, as well as several replaceable covers. Place everything in the chosen location. You can also buy a special bed at a pet store, but be sure to make sure that you can clean or wash it regularly.
And you will also need to purchase the following things for a comfortable life for your pet:
- Bowls for feeding and water - 2 pieces, preferably separate.
- Collar and leash. For very small puppies or dogs that have health problems, it is better to purchase a harness.
- A comb for wool, preferably a metal one.
- Special products for the care of hair and skin folds. It is better to consult a breeder or veterinarian about them.
Due to the anatomical features of the breed, there are special care requirements.
Due to their short muzzle, dogs may have breathing problems and often snore while sleeping. If breathing becomes too hoarse and intense, this is a sign that the dog needs rest or help from a veterinarian.
Skin is the weak point of black pugs. They are prone to bald patches or inflammation, as well as allergic reactions. The folds of the skin require special care - they need to be regularly treated with special products to avoid diaper rash.
The large eyes of pugs are easily injured, you need to constantly closely monitor their condition and be sure to have anti-inflammatory eye drops in your home medicine cabinet, the specific brand of which will be recommended by your doctor.
Full walks are necessary - it is not enough to simply take the animal out into the yard for 5 minutes; active games and movement will be required. During such walks, it is easiest to focus on training and teaching the dog basic commands.
In general, pugs have fairly good health, their average life expectancy is 12-15 years. Quadrupeds may have breathing problems due to the specific structure of the respiratory system.
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Dogs do not tolerate heat and long walks well. Try to avoid places where there are a lot of animals, especially during the hot season. This can make your pet overexcited. The breed is prone to obesity; do not exceed the recommended amount of food.
Caring for a dog is easy. The breed is prone to shedding, so it is necessary to brush the coat regularly. Folds require careful care, especially under the nose. Microbes can accumulate in them and infections can form. Wipe with a cotton swab dipped in clean water or peroxide and then use powder.
Where to buy a puppy
Since this breed has not yet become widespread in Russia, buying a puppy will be a costly and time-consuming task. The breed's breeders are located in the USA, and only three of them are licensed, so you should take care to book and deliver your future pet in advance. Breeders can be contacted directly by email.
- Becki Manns
- Donna Marshall
- John (Jerry John)
Puppies should be looked for and booked in mid-winter or late summer. Services such as puppyfinder.com or hoobly.com can also help with this. Sometimes advertisements appear one-time on avito, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
Historical nicknames
Let's remember the names of pugs that went down in history:
- Basco is Queen Elizabeth II's favorite pet.
- Chester Ludlow is the first and only pug to earn a master's degree from Rochville University.
- Diamond is the Duke of Windsor's pug.
- Dizzy is the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's favorite pug.
- Doug is a pug turned social media star.
- Fortune is a pug owned by Josephine, Napoleon Bonaparte's lover.
- Leonard is Robin Williams' pet.
- Missy is one of the favorites of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Molly, Oliver, Margot, Maud, Maggie, Monty, Milton are the favorites of the Italian designer Valentino. There was even a line of cardigans and shirts named after Oliver.
- Pompey is the pug who saved the life of Prince William of Holland.
- Punch is the name of Winston Churchill's pet.
- Trump is the pug of the English artist William Hogarth, whom the owner captured in his own self-portrait.
Namesake of Fortune:
Owner reviews
Owners of American Lo Shi Pugs agree that this is a friendly and loving dog that gets along well with other pets. These dogs do not trust strangers and can be aggressive towards other animals on the street.
They are very smart, you need to show them who is the leader in the house. In general, this is an easy-to-carry companion dog that will happily share with you both a Sunday relaxation on the couch and a trip to the nearby park.
Description and characteristics of a black pug
Among the characteristics of a pug, its character is often noted. Pets are friendly, cheerful and funny. They are ready to make friends with everyone, adore children and don’t even fight with cats. Dogs are very faithful and devoted, they can spend all the time with their owner and follow him everywhere. Sometimes it seems that the dog is characterized by clumsiness. In fact, this is not the case; they are very active and energetic.
The breed is smart and trainable, but can be stubborn. You should not treat pugs rudely, this is unacceptable for them. They are capable of loving their owner so much that this method of education will cause great resentment. Tails will be especially happy if they receive constant attention, petting, scratching and hugging. But if you decide to make another pet happy, they may become jealous.
Character
The American Short Pug is a good option for those looking for a less active companion dog.
- This dog will happily go with you for a short walk, and then sleep soundly on the sofa. These are obedient, loyal animals that are sure to become everyone’s favorites.
- Aggression is not typical for this breed, so it gets along well with both children and other animals.
- Luo Shi do not tolerate loneliness very well, so it is better not to leave them alone for long.
- The dog is very curious and warns the owner about the arrival of strangers with loud barks.
- He may try to get into a fight with animals on the street, so it is important to instill in your pet basic manners and teach commands.
- Lo Shis learn quickly, especially because they love to eat, and for correctly following a command you can get a treat.
- For its size, the American Stunted Pug barks and howls quite loudly, but is not inclined to do this often due to its calm nature.
Black mini fashionista!
Description and characteristics of a black pug
Pugs have short, close-lying fur.
There are several recognized colors:
- beige;
- black;
- apricot;
- silver.
Beige color is considered classic; the shade can be lighter or darker. Sometimes a puppy is born so light that the pug looks white. Silver coloring is attributed when the coat is light, almost white, and has a slight “silvering” to it.
It should be clean and cold. Apricot color has a yellow tint with a rich orange tint. True apricot and silver colors are considered rare. White, brindle and other colors are not acceptable according to the standard.
Each color, except black, has a dark mask on the face, “warts” and a mark on the forehead. Moreover, slight darkening of the coat along the ridge is allowed. Black dogs should not have white or red spots in their color.
Interestingly, the pug’s black color was not initially recognized. The Chinese are quite superstitious; they were afraid of such dogs and even destroyed them. Only after a while, when representatives of the breed of this color were brought to England, he deserved a calling and fell in love with many lovers of the breed.
Black coloring in pugs is the least common among the usual colors of this breed. For such dogs, a range of colors from light beige to almost red with characteristic dark spots is more typical. Due to their rarity, black pugs are valued much higher, they cost more, and not all breeders breed them.
The pug breed was bred in China, where it earned universal love for its cheerful character and interesting appearance. Unfortunately, the superstitious Chinese had a hand in significantly reducing the population of black pugs - the birth of dark-colored puppies was considered a bad sign, so they tried to get rid of such animals.
The appearance of dogs of this breed is very impressive and original: strong build, smooth and silky coat, incredibly cute expression of the muzzle due to neat skin folds. One of the main differences between pugs is the presence of a special bite with the lower jaw extending slightly forward.
The weight of an adult dog reaches 10 kilograms, the height is usually 25-65 cm. The average life expectancy is 12-13 years.
The character of pug dogs is sociable and friendly; they get along well with children and their relatives, provided there is no pronounced aggression on the part of the latter. These dogs are calm and phlegmatic; they show activity only at a young age; slightly matured pugs prefer a quiet rest on the sofa to damage to furniture and restless fussing. At the same time, dogs are always ready to respond to the initiative of the owners, offering them their company and active games.
Even though pugs are not highly intelligent and can only be trained to the basics, you can be sure that they will never attack their owners or other people, or show aggression.
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The pug does not tolerate loneliness well, so it is better to bring such a dog into large families with children or as a companion for an elderly person.
It is best to purchase dogs of a decorative breed in nurseries or from qualified breeders - in this case, the availability of documents and veterinary certificates is guaranteed, the pug will meet all the necessary standards, this will allow it to participate in exhibitions and breeding.
The cost of purebred black pugs with documents ranges from 25 to 35 thousand rubles. The price may increase if there is an outstanding pedigree, if it includes breed champions and multiple winners of exhibitions.
The second way to get a pet is through online advertisements. Typically, animals without pedigree and documents are sold this way, as well as healthy dogs with minor deviations from the standards. Here the price tag is significantly lower - from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. It is recommended to carefully examine the dog and become familiar with the conditions in which it is kept in order to avoid future health problems.
It is necessary to warn owners against buying a dog at a poultry market or secondhand on the street, since many unscrupulous sellers sell sick animals growing in unsuitable conditions. Such pugs can be given away for a symbolic price or even for free, but the number of problems that will have to be faced is impossible to predict.
The Black Pug is a great companion and will become your best friend for many years to come. He will respond to good care and love with devotion and excellent mood.
What to feed?
Despite their noble origin, these dogs are not too picky about food and eat extremely sloppy. While eating, Lo Shi often dips his muzzle into the offered treat, so after eating it is better to check whether pieces of food are stuck in the folds around the nose .
It is necessary to feed only high-quality food designed specifically for small breeds. It is worth looking for food with a high calcium content in the diet to prevent dysplasia and deterioration of dental health.
Make sure your dog always has access to clean water.
Lack of exercise and overeating can lead to obesity. Your pet may look hungry after eating, but don’t believe it , because this is just a clever attempt to beg for something else.
How often should you wash and comb?
It is important to know that mini-pugs shed a lot , so you need to brush them with a stiff brush once a week or even more often.
You also need to wipe the folds on the dog’s face once a week. Vaseline or special lotions that can be purchased at pet stores are suitable for this. This will prevent possible inflammation.
The number of baths directly depends on how often the dog goes for a walk. For couch potatoes, 1 bath every six months is enough, for more active dogs - 1 time every 3 months.
How to choose a puppy
In our country, most advertisements for the sale of dwarf pugs are not true. Often, in pursuit of profit, dishonest breeders sell ordinary representatives of this breed. They are passed off as dwarfs, so you need to approach the process responsibly. You should only purchase a puppy from trusted nurseries.
When choosing a puppy, you need to pay attention to the following features:
- paws, which should be thin;
- non-standard bite;
- short back.
Mini pugs at birth should weigh no more than 400 grams.
Purebred miniature pugs
What is the price
Show-class puppies cost between 30 and 60 thousand rubles. For a breed-class pet you will have to pay from 20 thousand rubles. Representatives of the pet class cost between 8 and 15 thousand rubles.*
What to name a mini pug
Choosing a nickname is an important stage in the life of every dog owner. In this matter, everything depends on your own imagination and individual preferences.
The girls can be called Melissa, Greta, Chapa, Basie, Pearl, Sosna, Vanessa. For boys, you should pay attention to such nicknames as Oscar, Tucker, Dicky, Roxy, Stevie, Teddy, Keychain.
Classic pug or Lo Shi: how to choose?
It all depends on your preferences and desire to deal with transporting a puppy from the United States. Lo Shi is difficult to find in Russia, so there is a high risk of being scammed. There are quite a lot of nurseries for ordinary pugs throughout our country.
Care and feeding for both breeds are almost the same.
The Lo Shi and the Pug are similar, so only choose an American Stunted Pug if you are a fan of the breed, or if size is of fundamental importance to you.
Exotic nicknames
Get to know the culture of distant and unusual countries better - this way you will find a beautiful and unique name for your pet, which no one else has. Brazilian nicknames sound very original:
- Shuli is a little stinker.
- Feijou - bobby, bean.
- Fofa is a chubby, plump girl.
- Gorda is a pet of excellent nutrition.
- Urso - little bear, she-bear; a name for a stocky dog.
- Susha, Shusha is the host of a popular Brazilian children's program.
Photo of Gorda:
Interesting Facts
- Lo Shi is originally from ancient China, but is now only bred in the United States.
- This dog breed falls into the mini or toy category, unlike pugs.
- There are only three licensed Lo Shi breeders in the world.
- Mini-pugs are very sensitive to their owner's mood. They pick up any idea on the fly. Take a walk, be sad, have fun, play with the children: the dog will definitely notice changes in your behavior.
- The breed was officially registered in the USA in 1989.
Photos
Just look at the photo of these wonderful American lo shi pugs: