American Lo Sze Pugg

		American Lo Sze Pugg
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Lo Sze Pugg American Pug American Carlin

A brief presentation of the American Lo Sze Pugg

The American Lo Sze Pugg is a breed that was recently developed by a woman in the USA by the name of Rebecca Manns. She named the breed to resemble an earlier version of the Chinese pet known as the Lo-sze Pugg or Lo-Sze dog, an animal with slightly shorter legs and a longer muzzle. These are extremely friendly and social little animals that tend to get on well with everyone and have a low prey drive, but they can be a little wary of strangers at first. Although this dog has not yet been recognized by the major dog clubs, it can be registered with the Dog Registry of America or the International Rare Breed Dog Club.

History of the American Lo Sze Pugg

The American Lo Sze Pugg is a newly developed breed in the United States, but it is based on an attempt to recreate an older breed. Early signs of short-nosed dogs in ancient China include Confucius' mention of short-mouthed animals in 551 BC. Documents from the first century AD refer to Pai, which seems to designate a short-legged, short-headed dog placed under the table.

In the Chinese character dictionary commissioned by Emperor Kang Hsi around 950 AD, references to short-legged and short-headed dogs are included. These animals were exclusively owned by members of high royalty. Breeding of these dogs was only allowed in imperial palaces, and anyone found in illegal possession of a dog was executed. Illustrations of these dogs can only be found in the stylized drawings and scrolls of ancient Chinese art. It seems that around the 1300s, three types of small dog were favored. The first was the Fu Lin, remarkably similar to the breed we know today as the Pekingese. The second was the Shoku-Ken, considered the ancestor of the Japanese Chin. The third was the Lo-Sze (bas-tsu), progenitor of the modern Pug, sharing many characteristics of the Pekingese, except that its coat was short and the tail featherless. The color of the Lo-Sze varied, with most being a particular color, while some were almost completely white. The Chinese had crossed these dogs, producing short-haired and long-haired versions, as well as puppies of different colors in the same litter. In the latter part of the 1500s and early 1600s, China began trading with European countries such as Portugal, Spain, Holland and England. All three types of Pug dog returned from the Orient with these traders. In the early 1800s, the breeding of these small dogs outside their native homes became more standardized as a breed, with a preference for the black Pug and the longer-legged Pug we know today. This allowed the Lo-Sze's genetic traits, among others, to be slowly lost.

In the 1980s, a breeder by the name of Rebecca Manns was disappointed to discover that the modern Lo-Sze Pug breed had changed so much since its original appearance. So she set about creating a breed that more closely resembled their original confirmation. The American Lo Sze Pugg is a registered trademark, which means that only puppies approved as American Lo-Sze Pugg puppies can be considered American Lo Sze Pugg puppies. While it's obvious that the Pug was most likely used to develop this breed, other contributions were probably made by other small dog breeds. This breed has yet to gain recognition in the three main kennel clubs, but they can be registered with the Dog Registry of America or the International Rare Breed Dog Club.

Appearance of the American Lo Sze Pugg

This is a very small breed, measuring less than 21 centimeters and weighing between 2.5 and 5.5 kilos, designed to spend time at its master's feet, often under chairs or tables. Their thick bodies are just a little longer than they are tall, with a high, folded tail on their back, often resting on either side. They usually have a broad, stocky head and a short, broad muzzle that sometimes seems to be pushed back into the dog's head, as well as a natural bite. Their large, round eyes can be any color, as can their broad-nosed noses, and their ears are set high on the sides of the head and bend into a teardrop or rose shape. Most of these dogs have a short, soft, single-coated coat that can be any color, although some are born with an undercoat or feathering.

Temperament of the American Lo Sze Pugg

This dog was designed to be a pet and is exceptionally social, these dogs tend to be friendly with people of all ages as well as most types of pets. They are generally very trustworthy around toddlers and young children, but all interactions must always be closely supervised to ensure the safety of both dog and child. American Lo Sze Pugg breed dogs tend to be loyal in the wild but also quite clownish at home, but unfamiliar people or situations can cause some American Lo Sze Puggs to become wary and retreat. They have little prey and are therefore less likely than more motivated breeds to run off after a rabbit or squirrel, and they need only a little exercise to maintain good health, making them excellent candidates for most apartments in any situation. The American Lo Sze Pugg is quite bright and generally detects new commands quite easily, while retaining information.

Needs and activities of the American Lo Sze Pugg

These little dogs don't need much exercise. A few scattered walks lasting fifteen to twenty minutes throughout the day will suffice. Because of their compact size, they can often get plenty of exercise playing indoors. It's important to remember that these small dogs are more susceptible to problems associated with extreme levels of heat or cold due to their shortened snouts and should therefore be exercised with this in mind, choosing a time of day when the temperature is moderate and watch for signs of distress such as heavy breath or sticky saliva. Occasionally, a dog with a shortened muzzle like the American Lo Sze Pugg will develop a blue tinge on the tongue, indicating that the animal is not getting enough oxygen into its bloodstream and needs to be treated in an emergency.

Maintenance of the American Lo Sze Pugg

Grooming the American Lo Sze Pugg is typically a fairly straightforward affair. Bathing should only take place occasionally, as too frequent bathing can strip the coat of its naturally protective oils. It's especially important to check and dry this small dog's wrinkles after bathing, as trapped dirt and moisture can cause skin irritation and fungal infections. Brushing these small dogs once or twice a week with a smooth brush, stiff bristle brush or grooming glove is usually sufficient to control shedding, although some dogs born with double-layered coats and feathers require more brushing and the use of a comb or brush. As with any small breed, dental problems can be avoided with daily brushing. Trim nails monthly.