Updated August 29, 2019
So you’re thinking about getting a Pug Husky mix, but you’re NOT sure if this is the right breed for you. Well, I’ve done some research to help you decide if it’s the right family pet for you. I’ll share everything I’ve learned after doing my research.
What Is A Pug Husky Mix?
It is a designer dog that is a mix between a Pug and a Husky. Supposedly you get the best of both breeds in a small.
If you’ve ever wondered what kind of pet a cross between the friendly Siberian Husky and laid back Pug will make, keep reading.
For dog lovers who love both breeds, this article will help you decide if this is the right dog for your family.
What Is A Pug Cross Husky Called?
This breed is nicknamed the “Hug” or the “Pugsky.” The cutesy names come from a combination of both the breed names. You can read this article to find out the similarities and differences between a Pug vs a Husky.
Husky Cross Pug Price?
Husky Pug puppies can cost anywhere from $1230 – $2000, depending on the age of the pup, the breeder’s location, and reputation.
Some breeders for Pugs and Siberian Huskies sometimes have the Husky Pug puppies for sale.
Before you buy a dog from a breeder, you want to make sure that you do your due diligence. You NEVER want to buy your four-legged friend from a puppy mill.
Where Can I Adopt A Husky Pug Mix?
This breed is slowly gaining popularity, like most designer dogs. If you have your heart set on adopting an adult dog, you should be able to find some rescue shelters in your area.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any rescue centers that have the Hug Pug mix specifically.
However, there are several rescue centers that will allow you to rescue the parent breeds.
Here are some rescue organizations you can contact about adoption:
Every city should have shelters and rescue shelters near you.
If you do decide to rescue a Hug, be sure to inquire about their past and current health issues and their temperament.
Don’t be afraid to ask why that particular dog was left at the rescue center. You want to find out everything you can about the dog before you adopt them.
Characteristics Of The Pug Cross Husky
Whenever you get a crossbreed mix, it can be hard to determine what type of personality, and temperament the puppy will have.
The best way to gauge what you should expect is to look at both dog parents, the Pug and the Siberian Husky.
The Husky Pug mix dog may be more similar to the Pug, while others in the same litter may get their personalities from the Husky parent side.
Unfortunately, you really don’t know which pup is going to have which personality, until you take them home.
How Big Does A Husky Pug Mix Dog Get?
A full-grown Husky Pug hybrid dog will range from a small to medium dog. They may grow to be between 10 – 22 inches in height and weigh anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds.
As you can see, this breed is much bigger than the Pug parent.
Hug Mix Temperament
The Pugsky will most likely have an easygoing temperament because both parents are easy going.
However, this is not going to be a low-maintenance dog. There are a few things you need to be aware of before bringing this crossbreed into your home.
3 Things You Should Know Before Getting Pugs Mixed With Husky
#1 Cleaning and Grooming Your Siberian Husky Pug Mix
Both dog parents shed heavily, this means that you’ll spend a lot of time keeping your Husky Pug cross hair-free. If your pup got the hair genes from the Pug, they will have short, soft hair.
You’ll want to brush it at least twice a week with a good grooming brush, to help you get rid of dead hair and keep their coat shiny and new.
If your Hug gets their genes from the Husky parent, they will have a long, thick coat that will need to be brushed about four times a week to prevent tangling and matting.
Regardless of which parent genes your pup inherits, you’ll want to invest in a high-performance vacuum cleaner to keep your home, furniture, floors, and walls hair-free.
#2 Not Ideal For Small Living Spaces
The Siberian Husky comes from a lineage of hard-working energetic dogs. Therefore a Husky Pug mix may not adapt well in a small living area.
This breed will do better in a spacious area that will enable them to run and spend their energy.
If they cannot properly expend their energy, they may end up getting bored and begin showing destructive behavior such as chewing up your furniture or digging up your yard.
#3 Not Good First Time Dog Owners
Siberian Huskies are not great first time dogs, due to their determined and persevering quality. These qualities will mimic that of a stubborn dog, like the Pug.
With both dog parents having these types of qualities, it can make the Hug a challenging breed for new pet owners. A Husky Pug mix will most likely display a willful and stubborn behavior, making it difficult for a first-time dog owner to implement obedience training.
This breed will most likely require lots of exercise along with extensive or professional obedience training.
Pug Mixed With Husky Health Problems
This designer breed is prone to several health issues that are inherited from both parents. If you’re considering a Hug puppy, there are several health-related issues you need to be aware of:
Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction (BACS)
Pugs are a Brachycephalic breed, which is characterized by dogs with a “shortened head.” The adorable flat face and short noses of a Pug are what causes breathing problems and chronic discomfort in extreme temperatures.
If the Hug puppy inherits the genes of Pug, he/she will struggle to breathe regularly during extreme heat, or when they run and play too hard. Read this article to find out what type of breathing problems Pugs are prone to.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition is very common among Siberian Huskies. Hip dysplasia causes severe changes to the hip joint and is extremely expensive to treat.
In most cases, this condition affects both hips in the dog, which causes more pain and discomfort for dogs. Unfortunately, this condition doesn’t start showing in dogs until they are adults, which makes it difficult to tell if a new puppy will be prone to it.
Cataracts
Cataracts affect 10% of the Siberian Husky breed. It usually starts developing when a dog is 6 to 12 months of age. If not treated and cared for properly, it can eventually lead to blindness.
Huskies are prone to other eye diseases such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). PRA is a condition where the dog’s eye starts deteriorating.
Early detection is vital for Husky’s, so you’ll want to make sure that your Hug puppy has their eye’s checked by a vet on a regular basis.
Dermatitis
Pugs skin folds are known to get dermatitis if not cared for properly. Dermatitis is known to cause irritations, hair loss and can lead to infections if not cared for properly.
I highly recommend that you invest in pet insurance to help you cover any medical expenses that you may not be expecting.
You can get a free pet insurance quote here.
Appearances of Hugs
There is such a huge difference in the Pug and the Husky, it’s hard to know what a Husky Pug crossbreed will look like.
As I mentioned above, the hybrid crossbreed can grow anywhere from 10-22 inches in height and weigh as much as 60 pounds.
This is why it’s important to ensure you have enough space for your new puppy. If you’re wanting a small dog, this is the wrong breed for you.
Some common appearances of the Hug are:
- Dark mask
- Silky hair
- Short hair
- Heavy shedding
- Pointy Ears
- Curly Tail (why Pugs have curly tails)
- Straight Tail
- Light shedding
If you look at the pictures above, you can see that the Hug dog can look differently based on which parent genes they inherit.
Hug Colors
The Hug is a very pretty breed and this Pug cross Husky mix comes in a variety of colors such as:
- White
- Black
- Gray
- Red
- Silver
Some of them will even have the typical Husky “blue colored eyes.”
What Does A Pug Cross Husky Look Like?
Okay, now let’s take a look at what these adorable pups look like. It can be hard to know what a Husky Pug mix looks like when cross-bred with their parents.
I’ve found some images on Pinterest and Flickr to help you see what these dogs look like.
This adorable Pup looks more like a Husky than the Pug.
If you’ve ever wondered what a Hug looks like, this image says it all. You can see the dog has the typical blue colored Husky eyes.
You’ll also notice that this mix is much bigger than the average Pug size.
Training A Pug And Husky Mix
Be prepared for some challenging days. You’ll do best if you start early, the Pug-Husky hybrid is a willful dog. They’ve inherited their willfulness from the Siberian Husky and their stubbornness from the Pug.
Positive reinforcement
You’ll get the best results when using positive reinforcement when training your puppy. Make sure you have plenty of dog treats during the training, especially, if they display more of the Pug heritage.
If the Hug takes after the Pug, they will be happy being a couch potato. You also want to make sure that you use a harness instead of a leash while training, especially, since the Hug will be a brachycephalic dog.
You can check out some of the dog harnesses that are perfect for this breed. These harnesses are perfect, especially, if your new pup has the Pug genes.
This article will show you how to start house training a puppy.
Socializing Your Husky Pug Mix
Both Pugs and Huskies are generally friendly and outgoing dogs. You’ll want to make sure that you start socializing your Husky Pug mix at a young age.
The earlier you can start socializing your pooch, they will be more well-behaved around other dogs and people.
How Much Exercise Does A Husky Pug Mix Require?
The Pug and Siberian Husky crossbreed will require more exercise than the Pug parent. This breed is considered a medium to high energy level dog, with the Pug’s low-key nature.
You’ll need to ensure that your Pugsky gets enough exercise, to avoid boredom. They will do best if you take them for a one-hour daily walk. Then you can put them in the backyard and toss around some toys to help burn off energy.
When walking or jogging with your Husky Pug mix, avoid exercising in the hottest part of the day. They will do best if you exercise them in the early morning or evening hours.
This will prevent your pooch from becoming overheated, having trouble breathing, or becoming dehydrated.
How Long Does A Husky Pug Live?
A healthy Hug can live up to 12 to 15 years of age. Their lifespan will vary from dog to dog, depending on the care and nutrition they receive.
This article will show you the best food for Pugs.
Both breeds will have different nutritional requirements, so it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to ensure you’re feeding them the right food.
If your pooch takes after the Pug, you will want to ensure you feed them the right food, because they will be prone to obesity. You’ll also want to ensure you do not overexercise them.
A Hug that inherits the Pug genes will NOT be able to exercise too much.
Final Word On The Energetic Husky Pug Mix
I’ve personally never had a designer dog, but I wouldn’t recommend this breed based on the health issues that the dog can incur.
If you’re okay with taking a chance on getting this dog, you should know that they will make a great family pet. This breed is extremely loving and intelligent.
Just know that your new pup will require a lot more time than a Pug. You’ll need to spend time ensuring your pooch gets daily exercise.
Regardless of which dog you choose to get. Just know that a dog will bring you and your family years of enjoyment and unconditional love!
References and Further Reading
Ryan R, et ai. “Prevalence of Thoracic Vertebral Malformations in Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs.
iHeart Dogs – Top 3 Health Concerns For Huskies
Dogster – Facts On The Siberian Husky Dog Breed
ACVS – Brachycephalic Syndrome