The humans behind "Pickwick Pugs" are husband and wife, Jeff and Amy. We are a small (2 person) private home kennel located in Alabama, USA. We are dedicated to the preservation of the pug breed through research, training, breeding, health testing, education, outreach, and participation in events such as conformation, obedience, scent work, canine freestyle, tricks, Canine Good Citizenship programs, and more. We include in our breeding program only the healthiest and finest examples of the pug breed standard as defined by The Pug Dog Club of America.
We believe in the importance of health testing, early training and socialization, and we apply the same degree of fastidiousness of research and study to our jobs as breed preservationists as we do to our primary jobs as internationally recognized musicians. (Amy is an award-winning concert pianist and composer, nationally certified piano teacher, adjudicator, composer, lecturer, and expert on injury prevention/rehabilitation and the Taubman Approach with Bachelor and Master degrees in Piano Performance and over 15 years post-graduate studies in New York City. She is also a cocktail pianist and performs with her pugs in their Pugiano acts. Jeff is a concert organist, graduate of the Eastman School of Music, with a DMA in organ performance, and has performed throughout the world as organist and/or choirmaster in venues such as St. Peter's Basilica, Carnegie Hall, Sagrada Familia, St. Mary's Edinburgh, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Nicholas Prague, Salisbury England, St Mark's in Vienna, Austria, Naumburg and Bamberg Cathedrals in Germany, and serves as Director of Music and Fine Arts at Independent Presbyterian Church and Music Director at Temple Emanue-El)
A Brief History:
Our story with pugs begins back in 1990 when we bought our first companion pug puppy. Bela was brilliant and beautiful (on the inside at least) but not what one would say a good representation of the breed standard. We named her Bela after the composer Bela Bartok, because she darted about in mixed-meter. Her breeders, while a super nice family who lived in a trailer in the country, were not "preservation breeders", did not show their pugs in conformation, were not concerned with breeding to standard or health testing, and were not members of the Pug Dog Club of America. At that time, we didn't know any better. We thought that because a pug was "AKC registered" then it would be healthy and "breed standard". (It might be worthy to note that the American Kennel Club - AKC - now accepts, against the recommendations of the parent club, Pug Dog Club of America, registrations for Albino pugs and Brindles. This should not be allowed because, not only does it destroy the breed and has nothing to do with the breed standard -- fawn or black are the only acceptable colors -- but it also introduces a host of new health challenges for the breed. Ask any vet. The pug breed does not need additional health challenges. If you believe in the preservation of the pug breed, contact AKC to let them know you do not agree with their decision to endorse "exotic" pugs just to keep the influx of money from the lucrative backyard breeders and puppy mills.)
Bela was BRILLIANT and we loved her so much. But, she was (as many people were fond of saying) "so ugly she's cute". She met perhaps 40-60% of the breed standard at best. It was obvious that her breeders had never invested the time or money to "prove" her worthiness as a good representative of the breed. They just used their neighbor's pug as a stud, did no health testing, no showing, no research of pedigrees, they were not members of the Pug Dog Club of America, and on and on. They were backyard breeders but we didn't know any better. "AKC registered" to us, at that time, meant quality breeders and quality pugs.
But we learned a lot over the next 30 years of owning pugs, and we continue to learn ... and will continue to learn for the rest of our lives. Here is a photo of our first pug,
Our journey from pet quality to show quality . . . . from pet pug owners to champions of the breed and preservation breeders.
Our story with pugs begins back in 1990 when we bought our first companion pug puppy. Bela was brilliant and beautiful (on the inside at least) but not what one would say a good representation of the breed standard. We named her Bela after the composer Bela Bartok, because she darted about in mixed-meter. Her breeders, while a super nice family who lived in a trailer in the country, were not "preservation breeders", did not show their pugs in conformation, were not concerned with breeding to standard or health testing, and were not members of the Pug Dog Club of America. At that time, we didn't know any better. We thought that because a pug was "AKC registered" then it would be healthy and "breed standard". (It might be worthy to note that the American Kennel Club - AKC - now accepts, against the recommendations of the parent club, Pug Dog Club of America, registrations for Albino pugs and Brindles. This should not be allowed because, not only does it destroy the breed and has nothing to do with the breed standard -- fawn or black are the only acceptable colors -- but it also introduces a host of new health challenges for the breed. Ask any vet. The pug breed does not need additional health challenges. If you believe in the preservation of the pug breed, contact AKC to let them know you do not agree with their decision to endorse "exotic" pugs just to keep the influx of money from the lucrative backyard breeders and puppy mills.)
Bela was BRILLIANT and we loved her so much. But, she was (as many people were fond of saying) "so ugly she's cute". She met perhaps 40-60% of the breed standard at best. It was obvious that her breeders had never invested the time or money to "prove" her worthiness as a good representative of the breed. They just used their neighbor's pug as a stud, did no health testing, no showing, no research of pedigrees, they were not members of the Pug Dog Club of America, and on and on. They were backyard breeders but we didn't know any better. "AKC registered" to us, at that time, meant quality breeders and quality pugs.
But we learned a lot over the next 30 years of owning pugs, and we continue to learn ... and will continue to learn for the rest of our lives. Here is a photo of our first pug,
Our journey from pet quality to show quality . . . . from pet pug owners to champions of the breed and preservation breeders.
After Bela, we added George Gershwin (also from "an ad in the classifieds in the newspaper") ... he had a prettier face but he was loooooong.
We joked that, because his breeder also bred emus (in the next fence over ... yes, another backyard breeder), that he was part emu.
George ended up having hips that just gave out on him ... pug myelopathy. Here is George with Amy the day we had to put him down. From November until March we helped him potty outside, using a scarf to lift his back end. He literally could not use his back legs at all. He began having other extremely bad health issues so we had to make the difficult decision to put him down, even though he was mentally still fine and alert and should have had more years to live if only his body had held up.
We added some others like Louis Armstrong and fostered and rehomed and adopted many rescue pugs over the years, like our Charlie. I think his lack of conformation is quite obvious here, even to those who do not know the "breed standard". Yes, indeed, he had to have numerous surgeries such as luxating patella and other things but WHAT A SWEET PUG! He was also one of the most reactive pugs we've ever met or owned. Just handling life was such a challenge for him so we worked hard on dealing with his reactivity.
Our "grumble" of pugs varied over the next couple of decades ... always pets, always spayed/neutered, and always loved ... but, somehow, they never seemed to look anything like those pugs we would see in the "Pug Talk" magazine which featured the top pugs in the country. We laughed about it but, quite honestly, still didn't understand the difference between 'backyard breeders' and preservation breeders who worked hard to only breed pugs who met the "breed standard". We gradually learned about the breed standard and then we had a chance encounter with the top pugs and breeders in the country while on vacation at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Unbeknownst to us, they were holding the national specialty (convention) for the Pug Dog Club of America at the Choo Choo the same week we were vacationing there. Pugs (gorgeous, champion breed standard pugs) were everywhere, and we saw our first glimpse of what pugs should look and act like. Proper pugs we called them then. Now we know the term is "breed standard pugs". Gradually we learned about the difference between "pet quality" and "show quality" and we learned about preservation breeders who strove to only breed pugs who met the pug breed standard. So, in 2013, we began our search for a breeder who bred beautiful, breed standard pugs and, in 2014, we purchased our first show quality pug from an AKC Breeder of Merit. Here is KK as a puppy ...
We continued our work with rescue and fostering, and still do today. Here is a rescue we fostered and found a great home for named Rocky. When you compare our KK (on the left) with Rocky (right) do you notice how Rocky's legs aren't as nice and straight and strong? His "conformation" is simply not as strong and, subsequently, healthy. You see, "breed standard" doesn't just mean pretty .... it also means healthy. Healthy , strong joints and 'conformation' (angles, level topline, nice tailset, strong hips and pasterns etc.) will age better. The pug will enjoy ease of mobility for a longer time and have a greater chance of avoiding injuries and future health issues.
Honestly, when we got KK, we were not looking for a "show dog"". We just wanted a show quality pug but primarily just wanted to do couch sitting, Rally Obedience, and to find a beautiful companion to keep our other rally pug company. (Sebastian, on the right, was from a backyard breeder ... literally ... but was a rally rockstar.)
The breeder encouraged us to show our beautiful pug in conformation for fun ... but always adding "but only if you like it". It was fun to add another activity to participate in and we honestly learned SO much about pugs, caring for pugs, concerns regarding pugs etc. through our participation in the conformation dog shows. We met the top pug breeders and they shared their knowledge with us ringside. Through the judges we learned about the strengths and weaknesses of our own pugs (yes, alas, no dog is perfect). Gradually we learned why our previous pugs did not look like the pugs in the "Pug Talk Magazine". We finished her championship and then went onto to get her CGC, tricks, and rally titles as originally planned. The breeder, who was retiring from breeding herself, later guided us into the world of breeding, thus began a new chapter in our lives and the creation of Pickwick Pugs. Here is KK with her win photo when she finished her championship, thanks to a fellow breeder friend who helped us with that last major win.
Our first bred by easily finished his championship. He was gorgeous from the start.
Here he is winning Best of Breed, finishing out of the puppy class.
Macintosh is an amazing breather and hiker!
With our background in pugs having started out with a lot of rescue, then obedience and other fun performance activities, we strongly believe in the importance of training and socialization, and we employ protocols of Puppy Culture and other amazing things we've learned from our studies with such experts as Ian Dunbar, Victoria Stillwell, Karen Pryor, and other amazing behaviorists and trainers. We believe in the importance of temperament testing and we can honestly say that (to quote our trainer, who breeds Golden Retrievers to be therapy dogs) we have genuinely improved the temperament of our pug puppies in general with each subsequent generation. Within any given litter the temperaments and personalities will of course vary among littermates but, overall, we can safely say that the temperaments of our puppies now meet breed standard as well as brains and beauty ;) Coming from a Golden Retriever breeder, this is a huge compliment. Our pugs are smart.
As breeders, we include only those pugs who have successfully completed all recommended health tests as recommended by AKC and the Pug Dog Club of America (UC Davis labs for genetic testing and Blue Ridge Veterinary Imaging). We never compromise health or temperament at the cost of “beauty” (conformation) when evaluating pugs to be included in our breeding program. We register every puppy we breed with the American Kennel Club and we strive to be as transparent as possible with all Pickwick pug owners, other breeders, and the pug community at large. We are honest in the ring and never associate with handlers, breeders, trainers, or exhibitors who do not share our same standards. We have been participants in the AKC Bred With Heart Program for many years and are proud members of The Pug Dog Club of America.
As exhibitors, we have finished multiple champions and a grand champion through AKC in addition to earning numerous titles after our pugs’ names such as CGC (Canine Good Citizenship), RN (Rally Novice), RI (Rally Intermediate), RA (Rally Advanced), TKN (Trick Dog Novice), TKI (Trick Dog Intermediate), and we even have an AKC Achiever Dog. Since finishing our first Bred By, CH Pickwick’s Peachtree Hill Country Mighty Macintosh, TKN, out of the Bred By Exhibitor class, we have continued to be successful in the AKC show ring receiving such awards as Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Best of Winners, Best in Show, Best Puppy, Best Bred by Exhibitor, Winners Bitch, Winners Dog, numerous placements in Toy Group, and Best Puppy in Show.
We work from a waitlist. We only breed when looking for our next show prospect and hopeful future contributor to our breeding program. Therefore, we are extremely selective with whom we place each puppy or pug. We keep in touch with our Pickwick family and remain available for each owner and ultimately responsible for every puppy we breed … for its lifetime.
Paid for and completed by Pickwick Pugs, all of our pugs and puppies are microchipped with AKC Reunite and registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). All of our puppies have received their first two rounds at minimum of vaccinations, examinations by board certified veterinarians, de-worming, fecal testing, examination of hearts, lungs, Patellas, eyes, nares, and more. Pickwick Pugs offers a health guarantee and the promise to be ultimately responsible for any puppy we ever breed ... for its entire life. You will not find a Pickwick Pug in a shelter. We will not tolerate negligence of ownership which is why we so thoroughly screen all potential owners and diligently keep in touch with all current Pickwick pug owners, encouraging them to contact us and send updates regularly throughout the pug's lifetime and beyond. Pickwick Pugs is a family ... extended across the continent from California to New York, Colorado to South Carolina, Michigan to Alabama.
Students of "Pug" for life, Jeff and Amy will continue to support research, attend workshops, learn and find ways to help the Pug breed thrive and survive throughout and beyond the 21st century. If you are interested in supporting research, please visit Pug Health Research - PUG DOG CLUB OF AMERICA. If you are interested in donating to the Pug Health Fund Research Donate (paypal.com). If you are interested in donating to the Pug Rescue Fund of the PDCA, click here Donate (paypal.com). If you are interested in supporting Pickwick Pugs endeavors to support rescue groups, learn more here!
As exhibitors, we have finished multiple champions and a grand champion through AKC in addition to earning numerous titles after our pugs’ names such as CGC (Canine Good Citizenship), RN (Rally Novice), RI (Rally Intermediate), RA (Rally Advanced), TKN (Trick Dog Novice), TKI (Trick Dog Intermediate), and we even have an AKC Achiever Dog. Since finishing our first Bred By, CH Pickwick’s Peachtree Hill Country Mighty Macintosh, TKN, out of the Bred By Exhibitor class, we have continued to be successful in the AKC show ring receiving such awards as Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Best of Winners, Best in Show, Best Puppy, Best Bred by Exhibitor, Winners Bitch, Winners Dog, numerous placements in Toy Group, and Best Puppy in Show.
We work from a waitlist. We only breed when looking for our next show prospect and hopeful future contributor to our breeding program. Therefore, we are extremely selective with whom we place each puppy or pug. We keep in touch with our Pickwick family and remain available for each owner and ultimately responsible for every puppy we breed … for its lifetime.
Paid for and completed by Pickwick Pugs, all of our pugs and puppies are microchipped with AKC Reunite and registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). All of our puppies have received their first two rounds at minimum of vaccinations, examinations by board certified veterinarians, de-worming, fecal testing, examination of hearts, lungs, Patellas, eyes, nares, and more. Pickwick Pugs offers a health guarantee and the promise to be ultimately responsible for any puppy we ever breed ... for its entire life. You will not find a Pickwick Pug in a shelter. We will not tolerate negligence of ownership which is why we so thoroughly screen all potential owners and diligently keep in touch with all current Pickwick pug owners, encouraging them to contact us and send updates regularly throughout the pug's lifetime and beyond. Pickwick Pugs is a family ... extended across the continent from California to New York, Colorado to South Carolina, Michigan to Alabama.
Students of "Pug" for life, Jeff and Amy will continue to support research, attend workshops, learn and find ways to help the Pug breed thrive and survive throughout and beyond the 21st century. If you are interested in supporting research, please visit Pug Health Research - PUG DOG CLUB OF AMERICA. If you are interested in donating to the Pug Health Fund Research Donate (paypal.com). If you are interested in donating to the Pug Rescue Fund of the PDCA, click here Donate (paypal.com). If you are interested in supporting Pickwick Pugs endeavors to support rescue groups, learn more here!
