The Pugland has not been around long enough to build a history yet so it is best to look at the histories of the Pug and the West Highland White Terrier. The Pug originated in China around 200 B.C. during the Han Dynasty bred from the French Mastiff, Bulldog, and Pekingese. The breed was considered royalty and only owned by Emperors of China at the time. They even had their own soldiers to guard them. When the Pug was brought to Europe by Dutch sailors in the 15th century, they were nicknamed Mopshond and became popular with other royal families. Eventually, they became popular with other families and as they spread around the globe, they were given different names such as Caganlino in Italy, Doguillo in Spain, Carlin in France, and Mops in Germany. During the 1800s, there were two breeding lines, which were the royal dogs of Queen Charlotte and those from Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby in Russia and Hungary. During the Victorian Era, they were featured on paintings, statues, and postcards, and they became very popular around the world. In 1885, they were accepted by the American Kennel Club and they are the 32nd most popular breed of dog in the United States. The West Highland White Terrier began in Scotland in the 1800s from the Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Skye, and Scottish Terriers. They were used to hunt badger, fox, and other vermin. The breed used to be available in other colors but was changed to only white after Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch accidentally mistook his faithful dog for a fox and shot him. Afterward, the Colonel would only allow these Terriers to be bred with white dogs. The breed was brought to America in 1905 and was accepted by the American Kennel Club three years later. The breed is now the 41st most popular breed in the United States.
