For pug people, a breed apart — flat-out

Before there was William Wegman and his ubiquitous Weimaraners, there was William Hogarth, the 18th-century British artist whose most famous self-portrait included his indispensable "pug dog." And of course there was Josephine, who told Napoleon — or so the story goes — that if he couldn't get along with her pug (a confrontational little chien named Fortune, who bit the Emperor when he first attempted to get into Josephine's bed) he could leave. The pug, however, was staying.

History has established very firmly that the curly-tailed people-loving pug, bred for nothing other than sitting in laps, is a one-of-a-kind dog. And Seattle, where pugs rank as the third-most popular breed (as opposed to 12th nationally) is one of the most pug-loving cities in the country.

What kind of person is a pug person?

"A pug person has a great sense of humor," says Nancy Hood, the organizer of the Seattle Pug Gala, which takes place tomorrow at Magnuson Park.

The gala, which has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The gala drew an estimated 700 pugs last year, and Hood surmises that it's one of the biggest in the world. "I don't know if there's a bigger pug event anywhere."

This year there will be a documentary filmmaker on hand to record the action with three cameras (including one which will be strapped to an obliging pug's back). Planned pug-centric activities include pug races, a pug costume contest ("Insects are really big," explains Hood, "we get a lot of bumblebees"), a pug parade and much more. The "race" is usually an exuberant event: 10 pugs per heat, numbers clipped to their backs, await the start impatiently, then dash off, often randomly.

"You have to see it to believe it," says Hood.

The Seattle Pug Gala, which benefits Seattle Pug Rescue, is open to the public as well as to all pugs and their owners. Please be aware, though, that for insurance reasons only pugs are allowed into the gala. No Yorkies, no Rottweilers, no French bulldogs. Just pugs.

Mary Brennan: mbrennan@seattletimes.com