The Strange Tale of the Secret Pug Dog Society Destroyed by a Book

In the 18th century, a secret group called the Order of the Pug caused a stir in Europe. This mysterious society, linked to Freemasonry, was formed to rebel against the Catholic Church—but it didn’t last long.

All it took was one book to reveal their bizarre rituals and bring the group crashing down. Let’s dive into this quirky story of loyalty, rebellion, and pug-themed secrets!

What Was the Order of the Pug?

The Order of the Pug (Orden der Mops in German) was a secret society started in 1740 by Archbishop Clemens August of Bavaria. Unlike ordinary clubs, this group was inspired by pug dogs. Members acted like pugs, wore dog collars, and even “scratched” doors to enter meetings! But why pugs? The answer lies in their fight against authority.

In 1738, Pope Clement XII banned Catholics from joining Freemasonry or other secret groups. The Archbishop, a Freemason himself, wanted to challenge this rule. So, he created the Order of the Pug as a Catholic-only secret society tied to Freemasonry. It was a clever middle finger to the Pope’s orders.

Weird Rituals: Collars, Scratching, and Toilets?

Joining the Order of the Pug wasn’t easy. New members had to prove they had the “qualities of a pug”: loyalty, trust, and kindness. But first, they had to endure strange initiation rituals:

• The Brass Collar: New members wore a brass dog collar, symbolizing obedience.
• The Scratch Test: To enter meetings, initiates scratched the door three times—like a dog! If no one answered, they scratched harder.
• Walking in Circles: The leader (called the Grand Mopse or “Great Pug”) led them around a room nine times.
• Pug Statues & Mysterious Toilets: Glass pug statues decorated meeting rooms. Oddly, a toilet was placed beside a sword during ceremonies. Even the book that exposed the group couldn’t explain why!

Members also claimed to have “no thumbs,” mimicking pug paws. Their “thumb” was actually called a “little finger.”

Rebel Moves: Women Members and Secret Promises

The Order of the Pug broke rules in other ways too. Unlike most Freemason groups at the time, they allowed women to join. During meetings, men and women sat together based on their rank. Members called each other “Brother” and “Sister,” not just “Brother” like in regular Freemason groups.

At the end of each meeting, everyone swore to keep the society’s secrets. They promised never to share details “verbally, by sign, or by writing.” But someone obviously talked—because a French priest named Gabriel-Louis Calabre Pérau spilled everything in a book.

The Book That Killed the Pugs

In 1745, Pérau published L’Ordre des francs-maçons trahi et le secret des Mopses révélé (“The Betrayal of the Freemasons and the Secret of the Pugs Revealed”). The book exposed the Order’s rituals, mocked their pug-themed antics, and criticized their defiance of the Church.




Pérau, who had studied Freemasonry, described the Order as ridiculous. His writing shocked Europe. The Catholic Church used the book as proof that the group was breaking its rules. Soon, members faced punishments like excommunication (being kicked out of the Church). By 1750, the Order of the Pug vanished.

Why Did the Order Fail So Fast?

The Order of the Pug lasted barely a decade—shorter than a pug’s lifespan! Here’s why:

• The Power of the Church: In 18th-century Europe, the Catholic Church had immense authority. Defying the Pope was social suicide.
• No Backup Plan: Unlike older groups like Freemasonry, the Pugs had no strong network or history to protect them.
• Too Weird to Survive: Their rituals (collars, scratching, toilets) made them easy to mock. Pérau’s book painted them as laughable, not noble.

FAQ

1. Why did they choose pugs as their symbol?

Pugs were seen as loyal, loving, and obedient—qualities the Order wanted in members. Their funny looks also made them memorable.

2. Were women really allowed to join?

Yes! Unlike most secret societies back then, the Order of the Pug let women become members and sit with men during meetings.

3. Did the Catholic Church punish members?

Yes. After Pérau’s book came out, members risked excommunication (being cut off from the Church) for disobeying the Pope.

4. How accurate was Pérau’s book?

Some details (like the toilet) might have been exaggerated. But historians agree it largely exposed the truth.

5. Could a group like this exist today?

Probably! Modern secret societies use apps and online forums. But one viral post could still destroy them, just like Pérau’s book.