Pug Art Print Canvas. The pug is a toy breed of dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. The pug breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, and a compact square body with well-developed muscle. Pugs were originally bred to adorn the laps of the Chinese sovereigns during the Shang dynasty (before 400 BCE) in East China. The pug was imported to Europe in the 16th century by the Dutch East India Company. The pug is said to have become the official dog of the House of Orange in 1572 after a pug named Pompey saved the life of the Prince of Orange by alerting him to the approach of assassins.