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Madeline Buehler on breeding and showing Pugs: insights on evaluation and the challenges facing small preservation breeders.
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1. I have been breeding, raising, and exhibiting Pugs along with my mother, Stephanie Buehler, proudly under the prefix Boxwood. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and I’m a third-generation breeder. My Grandfather bred and hunted Beagles and Coonhounds in the 1980s and ‘90s, while my Mom started in Saint Bernards (late ‘80s) and Mastiffs (‘90s).
My Mother introduced me to the love of the sport of exhibiting dogs. We have been in Pugs since 2008 and attribute our breeding program to Carol Anne Giles of Coral Bay Pugs, one of our dearest friends and greatest mentors ever.
We obtained our beautiful foundation bitch from a good friend (Dee Riordan of Checagou Pugs), using MBIS/MBISS CH Coral Bay’s Super Hero as our chosen stud. The breeding resulted in two beautiful bitches who both finished and went on to also produce beautifully. In fact, one special puppy went Winners Bitch at six months to the day at our National Specialty, her debut.
2. Initially, my evaluation begins at six weeks of age, re-evaluating at 9, 12 & 16 weeks, always looking for square at all ages. Remembering we want a square dog, round head, and curly tail, first and foremost; that is breed type. If we have these to that point, they are worth growing out. Puppy growth stages can go aflutter but they must come back to square.
3. As far as our breed in general, I’m noticing too many weak toplines. The Breed Standard calls for a level topline with enough neck to carry their head proudly. We should have a high tailset with a nice tight tail. A double curl is perfection.
4. I feel some breeders get caught up on the quantity of finished champions rather than the quality of the dog or where one’s breeding program is headed. While I believe judging the Pug should not be difficult, the nuances of judging a brachycephalic breed to those unfamiliar may be tricky at first. There is a unique way to check their bite; you never open their mouth as this may cause unnecessary unease.
This is a thumb breed. Judges should use the flat of their thumb to gently feel the very slightly undershot bite. Do not lift the lip or pry open the mouth, and the bite should be the last part of the table examination. The general appearance should be square and cobby; thickset with moderate angulation and a level topline. For new judges, the Pug Dog Club of America offers a wonderful judging packet as well as any ongoing support they may request.
The number of shows is a catch-22. While we enjoy having shows every weekend, we are finding that it’s getting more and more difficult to find the majors. The number of shows greatly dilutes the possibilities.
5. I feel social media is a great form of communication, education, and advice. There are a ton of helpful Facebook groups that you can grow knowledge from and learn from others.
6. We do not breed for quantity, nor do we breed for pets. Therefore, with our limited breeding program, we find the rising costs of dog shows to be difficult for small Preservation Breeders like myself.
7. A positive change is an increased emphasis on Junior Handlers by offering scholarships and increased stipends by breed clubs.
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