The Puginese's distinguished parentage are two Chinese breeds, the Pug and the Pekingese. Both were bred and highly favored by Chinese royalty, with the Pekingese being owned only by members of the Chinese Imperial Palace. The Pekingese were also temple guardians, and is also called the Lion Dog, after the Chinese guardian lions found at the entrance of edifices.
Chinese art and literature abound with account of these two breeds. Long bred and kept by the Chinese, they were introduced to Europe and other parts of the world only from the 16th century onwards, when they were commonly gifted to heads of foreign royal houses.
Its long affiliation with royalty notwithstanding, the Pekingese nowadays makes for a well-liked and popular breed, chosen for its suitability to small living spaces and its cheery disposition.
