What are the AKC Pug Standards?

AKC Pug Standards:

General Appearance - The appearance of the dog should be cobby and square. By cobby, we mean that the length of the dog is less than or equal to its height.

Head - The head of the dog is very large and round and will have no indentations. The ears of the dog should be small, soft and thin. The eyes of the dog should be very large, dark and globular in shape. The expression of the eyes should be soft and lustrous and when they get excited they should appear ‘full of fire.’ The wrinkles featured on the dog should be very deep and large and the dog should also have a short, squared muzzle. Finally, the bite of a Pug should be undershot.

Size, Substance and Proportion - The Pug should be proportionately squared and weigh approximately 14 to 18 pounds whether it is male or female. The dog should also be very muscular and compact.

Forequarters - According to ACK Pug standards, the front legs should be very strong, medium in length, straight and should set well under his form. When the elbows are viewed from the side, they should be directly under the withers. The foot should not be as round as a cat or as long as a hare. Toes need to be well apart and black nails. The pasterns of the dog should not be down or steep, they should be very strong.

Hindquarters - the dogs hindquarters should be very powerful and strong. When viewing the dog from behind, their legs are parallel. The feet should be as though they are in front and the buttocks and things should be muscular and full.

Neck, Topline and Body - There should be a straight arch to the neck and it should be very strong and thick as to carry itself proudly. The dog should be wide and well ribbed. The tail should have a very tight curl to it and be located over the hip and the perfect tail will feature a double curl.

Coat and Color - The color of the dog should be black, silver or apricot-fawn and the coat should not be hard or wooly, but soft, smooth, short and glossy. The hair should also be fine in nature.

Temperament - Dog should be even tempered and playful and posses a loving nature. It will have a charming personality and possess great dignity.

Gait - As you look at the dog from the front, it should show no weakness in the pasterns and its paws will sit squarely and straight ahead. The hind action of the dog should also be strong and free with not turning or twisting at the joints.

Markings - The markings of any Pug should be very clean and clearly defined. The mask of the dog should be black in nature and very intense. The black trace that extends for the dogs tail to the occiput should be the same.

The above are the AKC pug standards for a show dog - there are plenty of pet quality pugs that don’t necessarily meet these standards but still make wonderful, loveable pets!