Sitting pug.
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10 Fun Facts about Pugs

Pugs are a very popular dog breed who have snored, sneezed, and panted their way into the hearts of pug lovers around the globe. They’re often found on social media, in movies, and on tv, because people are fascinated by their silly antics and wrinkly faces. But there’s more to these lovable and charming little dogs than just good looks and sassy attitudes. They’re not just a pretty (and wrinkly) face! Here are 10 fun facts about pugs. 

There's more to these lovable and charming little dogs than just good looks and sassy attitudes. Here are 10 fun facts about pugs. 

But first, do you have a pug? Do you want to learn more about the breed? Scroll down to learn more about our favorite dog breed. Here we go!

1. They were bred to be lap dogs

If you're new to the pug life, then you might be surprised to learn that pugs shed an insane amount. Here are tips to help manage pug shedding. 

Pugs were originally bred to be lapdogs for Chinese royalty. They lived in luxury with the emperor, his family, and members of the imperial court. They were royal and loyal companions, and were highly valued in society. 

2. They are meant to have wrinkles

If you're new to the pug life, then you might be surprised to learn that pugs shed an insane amount. Here are tips to help manage pug shedding. 

Chinese breeders purposefully bred pugs to have wrinkles.

They aimed to create a pattern on the pugs forehead that resembled the Chinese character for “prince” (王子). 

3. They’re very connected to royalty

There's more to these lovable and charming little dogs than just good looks and sassy attitudes. Here are 10 fun facts about pugs. 
Portrait of Princess Ekaterina Dmitrievna Golitsyna by Louis-Michel van Loo (1759)

Pugs were the official dog of the House of Orange in the Netherlands after Pompey the pug saved the life of the Prince of Orange. Pompey began barking and scratching to warn the sleeping Prince of approaching assassins!

Queen Victoria of England bred pugs and helped establish the Kennel Club, founded in 1873.

Pugs can be found accompanying royalty as recently as the 1950’s, when Edward VIII, The Duke of Windsor and almost-King of England owned several.

4. They’re one of the oldest dog breeds

There's more to these lovable and charming little dogs than just good looks and sassy attitudes. Here are 10 fun facts about pugs. 

Their ancient lineage can be traced back to before 400BC!

5. They come in different colors

Three pugs on a stoop.

According to AKC breed standard, pugs come in three colors: silver, apricot-fawn, or black. Nowadays, you can also find pugs in unique colors, like brindle, caramel, and black and tan.

We wrote all about pug colors here.

6. They were the symbol for a Secret Society

The Order of the Pug

When a group of Catholics was prevented from becoming Freemasons by the Pope in 1738, they decided to form a covert Freemason society called the Order of the Pug, or Mopsorden, in 1740.

They chose the pug as their symbol because of their famed loyalty and trustworthiness.

To be initiated into the order, you had to wear a dog collar, and to enter the lodge, members had to scratch at the door.

Each lodge required two Big Pugs, one man and one woman, to govern. Initiates also had to bark loudly and kiss the Grand Pug’s backside (under his tail!) as an expression of total devotion (don’t worry, the Grand Pug was a porcelain pug figurine).

Sadly, the Order of the Pug was outlawed in 1748.

7. Napoleon’s wife had a loyal pug

Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon's wife.

Napoleon’s wife, Josephine Bonaparte, had a pet pug named Fortune who was incredibly loyal to her.

When Josephine was in prison during the Reign of Terror, Fortune carried messages back and forth from the prison to Josephine’s first husband.

Fortune is probably most famous for biting Napoleon on the couple’s wedding night, after Josephine refused to kick the dog out of bed. Can you blame her? 

8. They’re on the big screen

Tickets to a pug movie.

Pugs enjoy the spotlight in popular culture, and can be found in many major motion pictures and television shows.

They’ve been in iconic movies like the Men in Black series, The Adventures of Milo & Otis, and Pocahontas.

You can also see them in The Nut Job, The Secret Life of Pets, and in the Netflix show The Crown.

Related: 10 Pug Movies You Have To Watch

9. Three or more pugs is called a grumble

There's more to these lovable and charming little dogs than just good looks and sassy attitudes. Here are 10 fun facts about pugs. 

A group of pugs is called a grumble.

In Holland, they’re called a mopshond, which means “to grumble.” 

10. The pug life will change you

A list of items pug owners like to keep stocked in their home. 

There’s no other dog like a pug. They’re funny, adorable, loyal, and extremely affectionate.

Pug love is enough to change any person into a pug fanatic. Once you go pug, you never go back! 

Want more pun fun? Check out these related articles:

Want to learn more pug stuff? Click here


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There’s more to these lovable and charming little dogs than just good looks and sassy attitudes. Here are 10 fun facts about pugs.

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30 Comments

  1. Hi Boogie! Thank you for all these cool pug facts, it really helped me complete my All about Pugs essay. and it helped me learn more about my favorite dog breed and my future dog/friend.

  2. Hi, I love my toy pug because I think she is cute. I wish I could get a real pug dog. My parents say we will get one someday. 🙂

  3. I am a pug father. Never has any pet made me laugh more, love more, or just brightened up my day more than my dog, Kesha.

  4. Hi, boogie! I am looking on this page for facts on pugs so I can write my essay.These fun facts helped me write my essay.Thank You!

    1. This has helped me a lot on my book. I have always dreamed to make my own book about dogs and I am on the pug part. This has helped me a lot thank you!!

  5. Great facts! I don’t own a pug but have a few friends that have pugs. I can say these facts are very accurate. Love it!

  6. Hi!! I just wanted to say thanks for making this, because it really helped for an assignment for school. I wrote it “All About Pugs!” Just cause I love them!! Go pugs!! 🐶🐶

  7. We had 2 pugs,Buddha and Jada.They were the best dogs to have around small children. In addition to my pugs ,my parents had a pug.My sister had one and my niece had 2. I guess we had our own grumble!

  8. I have a pug that I love. I’m doing a book for school and this helped a lot!!! TYSM for this page!!

  9. I own a Pug and I concur on everything mentioned. When I put my Pug(Archie) down, they’ll have to put me down too, they’re one of a kind breed-nonpareil! Hi Boogie.

  10. This is helping me a lot I’m 10 years old and in 5 grade and doing an SA on pus’s my last paragraph is interesting facts and this is really helping me a lot

  11. I lost my husband suddenly about 3 years ago. I have been depressed and lonely since he died. I am considering getting a puppy to keep me company. I now have decided to get a pug after reading what you had to say. Thanks

    1. Hi Cheryl, I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband! Best of luck on finding the perfect pug for you, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this lovable breed!

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