A pug has become such a popular dog for breeding, that breeders are now creating designer dogs. Today, we’re going to take an in-depth look at the Chihuahua Pug Mix. They are cute and adorable, but do these designer dogs really make great pets?
What Is A Chihuahua Pug Mix Called?
This breed comes about when a pug and Chihuahua are bred together has been called a Chug, Pughuahua, Chi Pug, and the Chihuahua-Pug.
It is considered a designer dog that is a cross between a sassy Chihuahua and the adorable googly-eyed pug. If you have a Chug, check out these Chug dog names for your new four-legged friend.
Which results in a toy dog that is about 6-12 inches tall” and weighs about 10-20 pounds when full-grown.
What Does A Pug and Chihuahua Mix Look Like?
You might be wondering what a pug and Chihuahua mix looks like. Well, it’s an adorable dog that has the characteristics of both breeds.
It is NOT a purebred dog, but rather a designer dog breed. People have been cross-breeding dogs for several years in an attempt to achieve a certain temperament, look, and working ability.
These types of dogs have become extremely popular, and you can see how adorable it is by checking out some of the pics below. I’ve written an article to help you find the most popular Pug mixed breeds.
Origins of the Chug
Chihuahua History
History and archaeological studies have shown that this breed originated in Chihuahua Mexico. However, the origins of the Chihuahua are unclear.
There are two theories about where the Chihuahua originated. The first, they descended from a Central or South American dog known as the Techichi.
The second theory is that Spanish traders brought a small hairless dog from China, and bred them with small native dogs.
In the 1850s the Mexican state of Chihuahua was named after the shorthaired breed. The breed started becoming popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
Today, they rank 33rd among the 192 dog breeds that are recognized by the AKC.
Pug History
The Pug originated around 2000 years ago in China where they were considered prized possessions by Chinese emporers.
They were the three types of short-nosed dogs that were bred by the Chinese. which were the Lion dog, the Pekingese, and the Lo-Sze, which was the ancient pug.
In 1885, they were one of the fifteen breeds that were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Today, they are the largest toy dogs and are ranked #28 on the popular dog breeds, according to the AKC. Check this article out to find out more about the pug dog.
A Look At The Pug Chihuahuas
Mixed dog breeds will inherit traits from both breeds. They inherit two distinct sets of genes, which makes it less likely to inherit any one trait than purebred dogs.
Note: A designer dog is a cross between two purebred dogs. It’s totally different than a mutt, the blend of the two breeds is to bring out the best character traits of the two breeds.
That being said, the Chug is half Chihuahua and half Pug.
Multigenerational crosses will be more likely to inherit the traits of the parent breed that makes up most of their DNA.
Chug Dog Temperament
The cross-breeding combines the loving personality of the Pug with the sassiness of the Chihuahua.
If the breed leans more towards the pug, they will be more loving, happy to sit on your lap, and clownish on occasion.
When the dog picks up more genes from the Chihuahua, she will be more imperious and bolder in nature. We all know that Chihuahuas have the small dog syndrome, but they won’t usually be aggressive.
The Chug is smart and can be socialized to get along with other dogs, cats, and kids.
How Much Exercise Does A Pug Chihuahua Need
Like the Pug, the Chug does not require a lot of daily exercise. They require moderate daily exercise and will do great with people who do not have a very active lifestyle.
This canine will do best with short moderate walks during the morning or evening hours when it’s not too hot. 30 minutes per day of walking should be sufficient.
If she is more like a Chihuahua, then she may have more energy, so she may need more than a quick 30-minute walk.
Training A Chug
Expect some pullback when you start training. Not because they are dumb or struggle to learn. Both the pug and Chihuahuas have a strong-willed temperament and can make them challenging to train.
They can also have short attention spans and this will make it harder and longer to train them simple commands.
This dog will do good with positive reinforcement training such as rewarding them with treats and praise.
You’ll do best with the training if you can start socializing her from a young age. With proper training and socialization, this can be a great breed for your family.
Health Concerns
This dog is generally a healthy dog, but it can inherit some of the health issues of the Pug. Both breeds have health concerns you should be aware of.
For example, the Pug is known for gaining weight, which can lead to obesity. Chihuahuas are prone to heart disease.
Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, which can lead to health issues.
As your dog becomes older, there’s a good possibility that they could have issues such as eye problems, breathing problems, allergies, luxation, hip dysplasia, and etc.
Regardless of what type of canine you get, it’s important to make sure you have pet insurance for those unexpected medical expenses.
Chihuahua Pug Size and Appearance
Both breeds are considered toy dogs, however, the pug and Chihuahua have different body builds and coats.
A full-grown pug stands about 10 10 13 inches tall and can weigh between 12-18 pounds depending on the gender. They have a stocky build with a curly tail.
The Chihuahua is a toy dog that stands about 5 to 8 inches tall and weighs about 3 to 6 pounds full grown. they have a slender build with short hair.
A full-grown Chug dog can inherit genes that are not as predictable as we’d like to think. It’s not uncommon to see most of them be around 7 to 11 inches and weighing about 10 to 15 pounds.
Their coat is most often short, straight and has extremely soft.
If bred with a long-haired Chihuahua, the genes will produce a dog with wavy hair that is slightly longer.
Their coats will range in colors from dark brown, black, light brown, or a mixture of brown and black.
What Is The Life Expectancy of A Chug
The life expectancy of the Chug will be around 10 to 13 years if properly cared for. You can read this article to find out what the average life expectancy for a pug is.
Pug Mix Facts
Check out these 10 interesting facts about a Chug to help you decide if this is the right breed for your family.
Is This Pug Chi Mix The Right Dog For You?
Now that you know a little bit about the Chug, it’s time to ask yourself, is it the right dog for you? This breed is low-maintenance and won’t require huge amounts of grooming.
You’ll do best with this dog if you’re a patient person and have had a dog before. They don’t require a lot of space, but they are indoor dogs and should not be kept outside.
Where to Find Chug Puppies for Sale?
The price of this designer dog will be anywhere from $400 – $800 for a Chug puppy. Of course, it depends on where you buy it.
You can use sites like Puppy Find, which is a dog breeder directory website. In today’s age of the Internet, it’s not hard to find Petfinder websites that will put you in touch with breeders anywhere throughout the United States.
Always do your due diligence when buying from a breeder.
When I bought my Pug, I found an ad in the newspaper. So don’t forget about checking Craigslist or asking veterinarians for breeders you can contact in your area.
Coming Up With Chug Names
Naming your dog can be one of the most challenging things. That’s why I’ve put together a huge list of pug names that will work very well for your new family member.
What We’ve Learned About The Chug Dog?
These designer dogs have become so popular because with the right training and socializing, they can make great pets. All mixed breeds, make it hard to predict what type of health problems, temperament or other issues they will face as they grow.
We all know that pugs are known to have their own share of health issues. Since Chihuahuas get their genes from the Pug, rest easier if you have reliable pet insurance that will cover all the health-related costs down the road.
Related Articles to Pug CrossBreed Mixes
Chihuahua Pug Mix Facts and Questions
Do Chihuahua Pug Mixes Shed? These dogs will generally have a short, smooth coat that will have a tendency to shed from moderately to heavy.
Are Chugs Good With Cats? Chugs are companion dogs. They love people and can be socialized to get along with other animals. They will most likely need to be trained to get along with other animals, but this is NOT an aggressive breed.
They may, however, suffer from the Small Dog Syndrome, which is common among Chihuahuas.
References and Further Reading
Chihuahua Wardrobe – History of the Chihuahua Breed
Canna Pet – Chuahua Health Issues and Problems
BMC – Demography and Health of Pugs Under Primary Veterinary Care In England