Bugg Dog Breed

The Bugg, a member of the Toy group of dog breeds, likely originated as part of the designer dog explosion in the U.S. during the 1980s. These cute little companion dogs are great for families, and are suited for both first-time and experienced owners. A few Boston Terrier-Pug mix facts: both parent breeds are brachycephalic (or short-nosed, which can cause respiratory distress), so a Bugg might have some difficulty breathing. Your Bugg might also inherit the Boston Terrier's territorial tendencies, and will need plenty of socializing with other pets.

PROS:

• Extremely affectionate
• Responds well to reward-based training
• Great with children
• Playful, even comical
• Moderate exercise requirements
• Minimal shedding
• Adapts very well to apartment life
• Low requirements for grooming or other maintenance
• Excellent watchdog ability
• Fairly well-suited to temperature extremes
• Low to moderate barking tendency

CONS:

• May be stubborn and territorial
• Brachycephalia (short nose) may lead to breathing problems
• Tendency for obesity due to overeating
• Not hypoallergenic
• Great jumper and fairly good escape artist; high fences recommended

A bit of Bugg dog breed information regarding appearance: they're small-sized, short-haired, and have short, scrunchy noses, large ears, and long legs. Most Bugg dogs also have protruding eyes, which may account for the clever breed name. Intelligence-wise, Buggs are fairly smart, but any lack of intellect is made up for with this crossbreed's willingness to please.

One thing is certain: a Bugg absolutely loves curling up in its owner's lap. And due to its territoriality, it may be reluctant--even bossy--about surrendering said lap to other pets or people. Also: if dog breeds could be considered "foodies," the Bugg would definitely fit that category. These little guys love to eat, and their food intake will need to be closely monitored; otherwise they will likely become obese. The good news is that Buggs are great with reward-based training--because these dogs will do anything you ask if a treat is involved!

Buggs are active in a playful, even comedic way; while not strong, necessarily, they will cavort around the house (or yard) for a while--but will immediately follow playtime with a nap to recharge their canine batteries.

Affectionate, playful, fairly active, territorial, and at times stubborn, the typical Bugg is a people-pleaser that thoroughly enjoys time spent with its human family. These dogs are excellent companions to children, and will devote lots of time to fun and games with kids. One downside to the Boston Terrier-Pug mix temperament is that the territorial characteristics are often inherited from the Boston Terrier parent, so a Bugg may be a bit selfish when it comes to sharing space (or attention!) with other pets. Experts recommend early discipline training and socialization to curb this behavior.

In regards to training, this crossbreed will learn fairly easily. Though Buggs are moderately intelligent, they have intense desires to please, and will usually respond well to reward-based training. Put another way, if a treat is in it for them they'll do nearly anything! Yep -- Buggs love to eat. Owners will want to make sure these dogs don't over-eat, because they can easily become obese and unhealthy.

This crossbreed also has fairly good watchdog abilities. While a Bugg's small size alone won't deter intruders, it will usually bark at unknown sights and sounds.

1. While the Bugg crossbreed is healthy overall, some may suffer Brachycephalic Syndrome (a condition in which the "shortened" facial bones cause difficulty in breathing). Veterinarians indicate that this issue can be minimized by not allowing a Bugg to become obese, and by avoiding hot and/or humid environments. Mild or intermediate brachycephalia symptoms can be treated with corticosteroids, while severe cases require surgery.
2. Another anatomical health hazard is a Bugg's protruding eyes. These often catch debris and cause infections, and will need to be closely monitored. A few dogs of this breed will inherit from the Boston Terrier the tendency to develop cataracts.
3. In addition, Buggs are sometimes prone to structural issues common to small dog breeds, like patellar luxation.