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In 1877 black was considered a “new” color in the breed. Again there has always been debate as to the actual origin of Lady Brassey’s black Pugs, but she certainly exhibited some black ones at Britain’s Maidstone Show in 1886. One of these was Jack Spratt, who possibly may have been acquired by Lady Brassey on her short trip to China.

However, although black was then claimed as a new color, we know from the paintings of William Hogarth that blacks existed before then. Hogarth’s House of Cards, painted in 1730, depicts a black Pug. A hundred years later, Queen Victoria owned a black Pug that was marked with white. The latter, though, may have been brought into England, perhaps as a gift to the Queen from China.

A contemporary Pug painting on an old theme by the talented artist Diedre Ashdown. (Courtesy of the artist.)

Black Pugs today are considered acceptable and desirable. In times gone by, the black coat color was frowned upon.

It has been said that black Pugs had been bred for many years earlier in England, but because they had been bred from apricot-fawns they were considered mutations and thus destroyed at birth. It is also possible, however, that such “blacks” were not true blacks (ebonies), but instead were smuts, so were not considered attractive.

Eng. Ch. Dark Diamond in 1930 represents a typical British champion black Pug.

Eng. Chs. Peter and Paul won 14 Challenge Certificates in the 1930s.

Eng. Ch. Paul of Inver was a great winner until he was killed in an accident when he was four years old.

Jan, owned by Miss Voy, was the son of Eng. Ch. Scaramouche of Broadway, bred by Mrs. Powers.

Pugs are immensely collectable. Many owners adopt two or more Pugs and often decorate their homes with invaluable memorabilia celebrating their favorite topic.

In 1896 efforts were made to show the black Pug as an Englishmade variety, but despite considerable support this was not allowed. There was a very well-known black Pug who was known as the “singing Pug.” Apparently, when given a chord on the piano, or by humming, he could pick up the note and sing most tunefully. The black Pug certainly had its admirers, and in 1900 two were reported as having been sold to fanciers in New York for a sum totaling £350.

CRUFT AND THE PUG

The formation of Britain’s first Pug Dog Club was discussed in 1881 and approved by The Kennel Club in January 1883. Although not the club’s first Secretary, Mr. Charles Cruft at one time held this office. In 1885 the club held its first show and the show of 1887 was promoted by Cruft himself, revealing his prowess as an organizer of such events. Of course, Cruft went on to produce England’s most prestigious dog shows, which were resumed by The Kennel Club itself in 1948.

FIRST CLASS

Although Pugs were classified at a show in Birmingham in 1860, there were no entries. The breed was first shown in Britain at Leeds in 1861. In 1886 five Pugs became British champions according to Kennel Club rules at that time, but Challenge Certificates as such were only officially offered to Pugs in 1896.