Chug Dog Breed

Chugs are companion dogs, through and through. They are a relatively recent cross between two parent breeds that were born to occupy your lap and entertain you with their big personalities. This breed is a ideal for households with older kids, the elderly, and those who aren't looking for an exercise partner. The Chihuahua Pug mix tends to be friendly with anyone who has enough time and attention to give.

Below are some Chug facts that you should know:

Pros

• Highly adaptable
• Make good watchdogs
• Fine for first-time dog owners
• Very good for households with kids
• Doesn't need a yard or a lot of exercise
• Perfectly sized for apartments and condos
• Wonderful with older people in solitary homes
• Can get along well with cats they grow up with

Cons

• Shed quite a bit
• Not good in extreme weather
• Can have a lot of health problems
• Requires lots of time from the family
• Not a good choice for very young kids
• Can be aggressive toward larger dogs
• Needs early socialization to be friendly with other pets and strangers

A Pug mixed with a Chihuahua will produce a hybrid Chug that will vary much more in appearance and temperament than the purebred parents. Your puppy may inherit more characteristics from one or the other, or they may get an equal mix. Before adopting, it is recommended to supplement this Chug info by reading up on both parent breeds.

Don't let this little guy fool you. He may appear stubborn and energetic, but he is actually intelligent and eager to please. With a little patience (and a lot of treats) he can be trained and will remember commands well. Some Chugs have even been known to participate in agility and obedience competitions. It is important to start this, as well as socialization, at an early age so you can minimize the chance that he will be aggressive towards other dogs or standoffish towards people.

Well socialized Chugs are friendly with visitors and can live with other pets. They are playful and affectionate friends for children, and are an all-around great companion for anyone who can spend plenty of time with them daily. They are also capable watchdogs, barking at approaching strangers or someone at the door.

Although they are energetic, members of this breed don't need a large amount of exercise. A yard is not necessary and a daily walk will do just fine for them. They are not exercise companions and should not be overexerted physically. The elderly and owners that are not overly active will find this a good match.

The Chug looks like a wrinkly Chihuahua or a Chi with a Boxer's snout and tail. They are relatively sturdy, tend to try and make their bite seem as big as their bark, and are exceedingly cute!

The Pug and Chihuahua hybrid will have a face, snout, and head shape that keeps people guessing: What is that? From the square head with the small, pointy snout, to the possible underbite in the wide mouth, to the mass of wrinkles, this mixed breed will turn heads. They have triangular, droopy ears that may be rounded on the ends. The neck tends to be short and thick. All of this is atop a compact body held up up short, muscular legs with large paws. Finally, the tail is almost sure to be curled upward like a scimitar, although it may be very short-haired or a good bit fuzzy.

Because the two parent breeds are so different, there's no one coat style for Chugs. It could be short, coarse hair or blonde, soft and medium in length. It could be a bit of both as well.

Pug and Chihuahua mixes will show much greater variation than either breed alone. The size will depend upon what size parents are used in the breeding process; most breeders produce Standard or Mini Chugs. Pugs can be Toy or Standard sized and Chihuahuas may be Standard or Teacup sized, so it is understandable how size can vary.

The coat will also vary depending upon whether the Chihuahua was a short haired or long haired variety. Most Chugs are short haired, however, both types are known to shed quite a bit. One other way these dogs vary is in the possibility of inheriting the shorter muzzle of the Pug (and the respiratory problems that come with it) or it may be more akin to the Chihuahua's.

Chugs are very well suited for families, the elderly, and truly just any owner with enough time and affection for them. The temperament of a Pug x Chihuahua cross cannot be 100% predictable; hybrids vary much more than their purebred predecessors, even those from the same breed. They may inherit more Chihuahua like personality or more Pug characteristics. Generally, the Chug is spirited, loyal, affectionate, obedient and social.

Members of this breed are a mixed bag, with many well-socialized Chugs getting along just fine with strangers and other pets. Others may be aggressive towards other dogs and suspicious of strangers. These dogs do well with children and make loyal family watchdogs. They vary in their degree of barking, with some being borderline yappy while others mostly sound off at the approach of a visitor.

Although intelligent and eager to please, when it comes to obedience training your Chug may be stubborn. She is energetic and will need a daily walk, however, she is by no means an exercise companion. This breed is very affectionate and will bond deeply with their family; they will soak up as much attention as you will give them. This also means they become very unhappy if their owners leave them alone for too long and may develop bad behaviors.

A cross between the Pug and Chihuahua should produce little Chugs that are healthier than their purebred parents. The genetic diversity often allows the offspring to not inherit many of the serious health conditions associated with line breeding. Do your research and choose a reputable breeder, many of whom now offer health guarantees. Routine visits to a veterinarian can also help detect and prevent some conditions.

A Chug will, on average, live 10-13 years and have few health concerns. However, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with all common health issues of both parent breeds. Several consitions that may be passed along to them include:

• Respiratory issue
• Eye diseases
• Patellar Luxation
• Hypoglycemia
• Tracheal defects
• Epilepsy

Chugs come from two breeds that were long ago highly revered by their respective regional peoples. While neither parent breed is called upon to do the things their ancestors did hundreds of years ago in Mexico (Chis) or China (Pugs), this mixed breed has that air of royalty that can prompt some remarkable behavior.

Still, the Chi-Pug hybrid is a brachycephalic dog that, regardless of what characteristics they get from their parents, will almost always have those bug eyes! They can get injured if they are too small, get too stressed out, or exert themselves too much.

Because of their attitude, the Chihuahua Pug will try to outdo other dogs. They love attention, they are bossy, and they will almost always rule the roost. It's only a matter of time before one of these adorable Chugs becomes a celebrity in his own right!