The American Lo-Sze Pugg is a dog of American roots, having been created there by Ms. Rebecca Manns. They were originally bred to with the purpose of recreating a Chinese breed of dog that is now extinct. That dog was the Lo-Sze. The dogs that were short in both nose and legs were reported to have sat under the tables of royalty in years past. Some people have found pictures of the dog (or one remarkably similar) from as far back as the 1700s, though they may go even further back in time than that. Today, they are primarily kept as family pets and companions to common people.
The breed was only accepted for registry with the kennel clubs in 1998 and is considered a rare dog. This breed is accepted for registry in the DRA, the APRI, the ARF, an the IRBDC. They are classified under the "toy" dog category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.
According to breed standards, the American Lo-Sze Pugg should be between 5 and 12 pounds in weight when fully matured. They should be around 10 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Males will often be larger than females, in both height and weight. The head is proportionate to the body and the muzzle has that typical Pug look, being slghtly "squished up" in apprearance. There are wrinkles on the forehead that you must keep clean between to prevent any infection or fungus from developing. The breed has a well-muscled body that is the epitome of short and stout. The silky ears are set far apart, with the flat portion of the skull between them, and held in the dropped position somewhat high on the head. The nose has large and opened nostrils. The eyes are round in shape, holding an expression of sensitivity and intelligence. Both the nose and the eyes can be any color and still meet breed standards. The tail will usually be curled up over the back of the dog.
The American Lo-Sze Pugg can have either a short, smooth coat or it can have a long coat with some feathering. The breed can come in several any coat color and any pattern to the coloration. Their grooming is quite easy. A weekly brushing with a stiff, rubber-bristled brush and a shampoo if absolutely needed will suffice. Do not shampoo if you can avoid it as this will strip the natural oils that the dog already has to protect the coat. When well-maintained, the coat of this dog will have a beautiful sheen to it.
American Lo-Sze Pugg are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, as long as there is good human to canine communication. Training must be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. They should never be allowed to take on the role of the "alpha" in the home. If this behavior is allowed, the American Lo-Sze Pugg can become destructive or obsessive. If you are firm, consistent and calm, the dog will usually respond well to training and actually enjoy learning the rules.
These dogs can live in almost any setting, from a farm to an apartment. They must have at least a brisk walk daily and some time for running and playing off the leash. This breed should be kept stimulated, both mentally and physically, to prevent them from becoming bored. They love being with their family and friends, and tend to do fine with both children and other animals, as long as they are well-trained and socialized. The American Lo-Sze Pugg is somewhat of a show-off and will like it if you help them to learn tricks and allow them to perform for both family and friends. They are affectionate and loving, as well as charming and playful. The average life expectancy of the American Lo-Sze Pugg is around 12 to 15 years.