740 — Patrick McManus on Harmony, History and Pugs

740 — Patrick McManus on Harmony, History and Pugs

From Pure Dog Talk by Laura Reeves

May 25, 2026 · 48 min

About this episode

Laura Reeves interviews pug breeder and artist Patrick McManus about the intersection of fine art and the history of purebred dogs.

Patrick McManus on Harmony, History and Pugs [caption id="attachment_15774" align="alignleft" width="399"] Patrick McManus judging the Pug Dog Club of America National Specialty.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves sits down with pug breeder, AKC judge and artist Patrick McManus to explore the fascinating intersection of fine art, breed type and the living history of purebred dogs . The ultimate Renaissance man, McManus is known as a dedicated pug breeder and judge, as well as an incredible artist whose unique Cubist renderings of dogs are breathtaking. Purebred dogs serve as "living history," representing a specific place, people and time. As humans evolved and migrated across the globe, dogs followed and were selectively bred by people to perform specific services or to provide "pure exotic joy." Today, breeders and judges act as the curators of this ongoing historical record . For an artist and breeder like McManus, studying the history of fine arts and the history of dogs are "one and the same thing" . Observing how dogs were historically depicted and bred helps artists and judges alike understand the "why" behind a breed's unique shape, ensuring they can accurately evaluate if every…

People in this episode

Host: Laura Reeves

Guest: Patrick McManus

Topics covered

  • pugs
  • dog breeding
  • fine art
  • history of dogs
  • AKC judging

Keywords

  • pugs
  • dog breeding
  • fine art
  • AKC judge
  • canine history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pug Dog Club of America

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