Black Pugs – The Basics
Are you just about to get a pug and you don’t know if you should get an all-black pug? You don’t know the difference between a black pug and a pug of another color? Find here all the information, tips, and easy steps you need to follow to give your black pug a great life!
- Are you curious about black pugs? Learn where they came from and everything about their origins.
- Are black pugs better than fawn pugs? Learn here their differences, pros, and cons.
- You don’t know how to identify a black pug? Learn all about their physical traits here!
After finishing your reading, you will know everything you need to provide the best care to your all-black pug. Let’s get started!
The “Black Dog Syndrome”
In a study of 2013 conducted by the ISAZ (International Society for Anthrozoology), black dogs were considered by its participants as the most aggressive kind of dogs.
ISAZ – 2013
Are black dogs and pugs more aggressive? Of course not, and you shouldn’t let this influence your decision-making process, and we’re here to prove it.
Black Pugs: Where do they come from?
All black pugs and fawn pugs share a common origin; they come from China and are one of the oldest breeds known. The exact origin of the breed is actually unknown since the emperor Chin Shih Huang ordered to destroy documents and records about the origin of the breed in the years 200-225 B.C. He did it so the secrets of this amazing breed remained unknown, that’s why this still is a mystery nowadays.
However, there’s proof that records the existence of pugs back in the 1700s. Paintings of William Hogarth, who was an owner of pugs, shows depictions of the lovely creatures in many of his paintings that date back 250 years ago. So, pugs have been with us for a very long time as a sign of luxury, royalty, and the best companionship.
They were then introduced in England by Lady Annie Brassie, who in one of her many trips, brought back two black pug puppies with her from China. Soon, they were showcased at the Maidstone Dog Show, which popularized the breed immensely. Black pugs became a separate variation of the pug, recognized officially as such by the Kennel Club of London in 1896.
Kennel Club Standard today
Black pugs are seen as a variation of pugs, however, they are judged today using almost the same standards. The only difference is, of course, the coat’s color. The standard color of black pugs is the S 007. At least for the FCI, the most prominent federation of kennel clubs, with more than 90 member countries including America, The UK, and Canada. They should be solid black, without any different shade or markings that are not the expected ones.
How common are black Pugs?
“Despite the huge variety in coat color, there are only two basic pigments that determine the color of canines: eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red). All different variations in color are created by these two pigments, which are both forms of melanin”
Lynn Buzhardt, DVM – VCA Hospitals
Black pugs are not as common as fawn-colored pugs, however, this is like that because of breeders. Actually, Black coloring is a dominant gene, so it should be much more common than other colors of pugs. Still, breeders decide to breed just fawn pugs because they are more famous, and leave black pugs as “rare gems” to be sold at a higher price. Reality check tells us that at least 1 in 4 pugs are black!
If they were bred equally, there would be many more black pugs because the B gene that causes the dark coat is dominant. Breeding fawn pugs is much easier because of their availability and popularity.
Differences: Black Pug vs Fawn Pug
Black pugs and fawn pugs are, well, the same dog in a darker shade. They have the same personality outlines, the same physical traits such as curly tails and wrinkles (not the same color, of course), the same squishy face, and cute little eyes full of life. Still, there’s one difference; at least 80% of all black pugs are single coated. That means that at least 80% of black pugs are not heavy-shedders, and almost all of their fawn counterparts are. That’s a win for the black buddies because they do require much less daily care of their coat to avoid shedding. Another great thing about the single coat is that the hair layer is less dense, which means they theoretically have a slightly higher resistance to heat.
Differences in personality.
According to some owners, black pups are more silent and well behaved; however, this is yet to be proven. Some owners of fawn pugs and black pugs say otherwise, stating that their black bud is a mischievous one. Still, this has a lot to do with their genes, the personalities of their antecessors, and of course, the way they are raised.
How to identify a Black Pug?
Black pugs are easy to identify, but some owners seem to not get it right. Here are the traits to look for:
- Black coating, specifically, color S. 007 for standards. Other colors might look black to you, but some other shades of black are possible.
- A possible way of identifying them is the single coating.
- They also may have a mismark (not all of them, but most), which is a little white spot on their chest and is normal. They also have the common black marks of a pug, however, these are not easy to see since the whole pug is black.
For Standards, the mismark cannot be too big, but only a tiny spot. This is a disqualifying point in some competitions. Some owners also mistake Brindle pugs, which are dark-colored pugs with stripes patterns in their coat. However, these are brown-ish and don’t meet the standards in any way. Other variations include gray or silver pugs, which are less common.
Are Black Pugs better than others?
Even though black pugs have a slight advantage over other types of pugs because of their single coat, they are no better than other pugs unless you think of the heavy shedding as a big no-no. This means black pugs are great for people with allergies or asthma.
Fawn pugs and others do shed more, but this is normal and is a part of their charm. Pugs require rather moderate-high maintenance, and even though black pugs require less in the coat care department, we love every pug the same. If you don’t want to deal with heavy shedding, then maybe the pug breed is not for you. If you do, and hopefully you do, you’ll follow our advice on how to reduce shedding with this easy to apply guide. Black pugs don’t need any special care and you’ll find everything you need to take care of him at home in here!
Price of a Black pug
The only thing that might set you back is their price. Since they are less common than fawn pugs availability wise, breeders tend to charge more. Depending on where you are, Pugs’ price will vary at least 30% more. In the US, the price of a common fawn pug is of $1500-$2000, so you can expect at least prices between $2000-$2600 from highly reputed breeders. Since you already know that they are in fact more common than fawn pugs, you should look for a breeder that has the same prices for pugs of all colors.
Should you get a black pug?
Just as with regular pugs, black pugs are highly recommended to be the best companionship for people of all ages. They are slightly more convenient than regular pugs due to their single coating; however, this is not as important to decide if you really love pugs.
Discover here the TOP 10 decisions to take before getting a Pug Puppy!
Frequently Asked Questions – Black Pugs
Just as with humans, some pugs (most of them, actually) present a discoloration of their hair in some areas of their coat, which turns gray. Especially the areas around the muzzle, chest, and paws are affected by this. This happens because of age, and it’s completely normal after the 7-year-old mark.
Black pugs have exactly the same issues as other pugs; however, the skin issues that include their coat being humid are slightly reduced in occurrence. Why? Because of their single coat, they can dry easily, and retain less water than double coats.
No, they have the same goofy and easygoing personality. This has much more to do with the treatment and training you give them.
Conclusion
Black pugs are just as cute, as healthy, and even much more convenient than pugs of other colors. However, we’ve let disinformation about them get in the way. This is a problem with an easy fix. We have to educate ourselves to know more about dogs (and pugs), all the implications of every breed, and finally accept what actually matters; the treatment we give them. Just as dogs are not prone to have separation anxiety if we don’t cause them to be, black dogs don’t have to be aggressive if we don’t condone that behavior.
So, are you considering that black pug to be part of your family now?
