Getting a new dog can be tough, especially, if you’re trying to decide between a Pug vs Husky. Both dogs are adorable and can make great pets. In this article, we take a deep dive into both breeds to help you determine which one is the best for you and your loved ones.
Pug vs Husky The Biggest Difference
The biggest difference that comes to mind the size in both dogs. However, there are also big differences in health, nutrition requirements, intelligence, exercise, and temperature tolerance.
When I was looking for a dog for our family, it took me a long time to decide which breed to get. I finally went with a Pug, but I know the challenge of choosing the right dog.
That’s why I’ve put together all the things that any first-time dog owner would ask when they are trying to decide which type of dog to get.
Pug or Husky for First Time Dog Owners?
Both dogs will require some patience and consistency to train. Pugs are known for their stubbornness, and Huskies are a very independent breed.
According to VetStreet, Huskies are the worst dogs for first-time dog owners. This breed is known to exhibit a strong predatory streak with smaller animals and sometimes children.
They are an independent breed that will take extreme patience and consistency. If they don’t want to do something, they are NOT going to do it.
Not only that, but Huskies have a high prey drive, which can make it hard for first-time dog owners to control.
Between the Pug and Husky breed, the Pug is the best option for first-time dog owners.
Overview of Both Breeds
Pug
The Pug is considered the biggest toy dog you can get. They are extremely loveable and loyal to their owners. This breed doesn’t require a lot of daily exercise and will basically mimic their owner’s energy level.
Read this article to find out everything you need to know about the Pug dog, as well as the ancestry of the breed.
Husky Origin
The Siberian Husky traces back to an ancient lineage of about 4,000 years or more. They were bred by the Chukchi people of North-Eastern Asia.
The dogs were used to assist in hunting and pulling loads heavy loads long distances through extremely cold temperatures and harsh environments of the Siberian Arctic.
Husky vs Pug
Both breeds make amazing pets. However, as a potential dog owner, you need to be aware of the health issues, nutritional requirements, training, socialization and etc of each dog. We take a closer look at both these breeds below.
Pug
I had a black Pug for almost 16 years and I am biased towards Pugs. That being said, this breed is a brachycephalic breed, which means that they are prone to certain health problems.
If you do decide to get a Pug dog or a Husky, the most important thing to get is pet insurance. Regardless of what type of dog you have, pet insurance can help you save money on unexpected vet bills.
Husky
I’ve personally NEVER owned a Siberian Husky, but I’ve always been fascinated by their beautiful blue eyes. The biggest reason I’ve never gotten one is because I’ve always been intimidated by their wolf-like appearance.
After reading this, you’ll have a much better understanding of the Husky to be able to decide which breed is right for you and your family.
The Appearance of The Husky
The Siberian is a medium-sized working dog. Their height and weight will vary from males and females.
Males: can get as tall as 21 to 23.5 inches in height and weigh as much as 45 to 60 pounds.
Females: can get as tall as 20 to 22 inches in height and weigh as much as 35 to 50 pounds.
Don’t be fooled by their medium compact size, as they are quick agile dogs that are exceptionally strong.
Coat Colors
Most people tend to believe that there is only one color which is the popular black and white. However, like the Pug, they can be found in several different colors such as; grey and white, reddish and white, white, brown and white, silver and white, all white, cream and white, and the rare brown/reddish color.
Face and Head
If you look close you’ll notice that their head has a red-and-white, or black-and-white pattern. Their ears are triangle-shaped and stand up, whereas the Pugs ears are floppy.
They have almond-shaped eyes, while the Pug has bulging eyes.
Personality
Every dog is different and will have its own unique personality, traits, and temperament. A well-trained Husky will be good with people, pets, and children.
This breed is an independent breed and they are born to run. Like the Pug, they are friendly and affectionate and can be trained to make a great family pet.
Temperament
While the Husky is not normally aggressive, they are known to show some more aggressive tendencies than a Pug. According to the Dog Expert website, Siberian Huskies have joined the list of blacklisted dog breeds.
Which basically means that this breed may be difficult to insure and if you live in an apartment complex, they may not allow this type of dog.
Health
As I mentioned Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, which means they have trouble breathing and other issues. Huskies don’t have breathing problems, but they do have their own health problems such as; Hip Dysplasia, Follicular Dysplasia, Entropion, Corneal Dystrophy, and Deafness.
Regardless of whether you get a Siberian Husky or a Pug, every pet owner should invest in pet insurance.
Nutrition Requirements of The Siberian Husky
Huskies are high energy dogs and should be fed a high-quality, high protein dog food. While it is possible for a Husky to develop food allergies, it is not as common as it is for Pugs.
Like the Husky, Pugs need a high-quality dog food that is specially formulated for this breed. Both dogs should be put on a feeding schedule so they understand when it’s time to eat.
It’s especially important for Pugs, as they are prone to obesity.
Maintenance
Even though Huskies are double-coated dogs like the Pug, they don’t require as much grooming. The Pug sheds year-round, where the Husky shed their undercoat twice per year. (usually before a season change)
Both dogs will require a good grooming brush and a few lint rollers to help keep dog hair off your furniture.
You should aim to brush your Husky at least once a week, to help maintain their coat. The great thing is that both dogs never have to have their coat shaved by a groomer.
Huskies do not produce a lot of excess oil, therefore, they do not need to bathe very often. You should expect to bathe them about once a month or less.
Their hair is prone to mats, clumps, and tangles, so make sure you pay special attention to their hair. I’ve put together a list of grooming tools that will help you keep both your Husky and Pug in tip-top shape.
Socializing A Husky
Every dog regardless of breed does best when socialized at an early age. Socializing a dog, just means getting your dog used to people, other animals, children, sounds, and the big wide world.
Pugs will be easier to socialize than Huskies as this breed loves people. They have an easy to get along with attitude and you shouldn’t have any problems getting them used to other dogs, children, and people.
Huskies, on the other hand, may take some time getting used to different environments and other animals. If started at a young age, you’ll have a much better chance of controlling his behavior when out in public.
If you wait to start socializing them as an adult, it may be hard to change your dog’s attitude towards other people, but you should still be able to control their behavior so they don’t act aggressive or afraid.
Training A Husky
Both dogs can be a little bit challenging to train, but Siberian Huskies are notorious for being difficult to train. They have many qualities which make them challenging to train such as; stubbornness, strong-willed, and independent.
Both dogs will learn best with positive reinforcement training. Huskies may require a little bit more assistance from a professional, especially if you’re a novice.
You may want to consider obedience training classes, to help you learn how to handle your pooch. Regardless of what you do, you never want to use excessive punishment or erratic training, as this will cause your dog not trust you.
With consistent training, both dogs can be properly trained and housebroken.
Living Conditions
Siberian Huskies require more exercise than a Pug and may not adapt well in a small living space.
Due to their large size, Huskies are classified as a working dog. They can still thrive living in an apartment, as long as you do what’s necessary to make them happy.
Try choosing an apartment where there is a park or walking trails nearby. This will make it convenient enough for you to take your Husky for daily walks, so they don’t stay cooped up inside of the apartment all day long.
Climate
Huskies do extremely well in the cold temperatures, however, don’t do so well in hot temperatures because of their heavy double coat.
Pugs don’t do well in either extreme cold or hot temperatures. As I mentioned, they are a brachycephalic dog, which means extreme climate changes can trigger breathing problems.
During the summer make sure that you provide both dogs with plenty of shade and fresh cold water to help keep them cool.
Exercise and Physical Activity Level
Huskies require much more exercise than a Pug, and won’t do well for someone who just wants to be a couch potato. Unlike a Pug, a Husky can go on long walks and won’t tire out easily.
The ideal minimum should be 30-45 minutes of daily exercise. This equates to around 1-2 walks daily, during the week. Then on the weekend, you can go on a long walk or even take them on a hike.
You can even use a weighted vest or dog backpack to help tire them out, especially, if you don’t have lot of time for exercise. Keep the added weight to no more than 10% of their body weight.
Cost
Regardless of what type of dog you get, you should be prepared to pay a pretty penny. The costs of a Husky will vary depending on lineage, gender, coloring, and the location of where you live.
You should be prepared to pay between $600 – $1300 depending on the breeder you choose. If you opt for a top of the line Husky with superior pedigree, the prices can jump from $1,400 and can be as high as $6,000.
The cost for a Pug can vary from $600 – $1,500 and one with superior lineage can range anywhere from $1,900 to $6,000.
Adoption can help you save money on both breeds and most of the time the cost of the adoption includes vaccinations, registration, and your puppy is most likely already spayed and neutered.
Similarities of Both Breeds
While there are not a lot of similarities between these two breeds. The one thing that both have in mind is that both dogs can make great pets and can be good with children.
Of course, this depends on whether the Husky has been trained and socialized properly from an early age. If the Husky was not raised in an environment from a young age with other pets or children, they may cause harm to them.
Pug and Husky Popularity
According to the American Kennel Club, the Siberian Husky ranks higher on the Most Popular Dog Breeds chart. At the time of this writing, the Husky ranks #12 while the Pug ranks #31.
Maybe it’s because more people prefer bigger dogs to smaller dogs? Not really sure what determines which breed is more popular than another one.
Which Breed Is More Intelligent?
Huskies are extremely intelligent dogs and rank #45 on the canine intelligence scale, whereas Pugs rank #57.
Both dogs are smart, but Huskies are not as eager to please their human companions, unlike the Pug. The Pug dog lives to please their humans.
Is The Pug or Husky Best for First-Time Dog Owners?
We all know that Pugs are typically friendly and get along well with babies, kids, and other animals. They are velcro dogs that become attached to their owners.
The Siberian Husky shares some of the same traits as the Pug, such as they are friendly and make a great family dog.
Huskies are best with people who are experienced with dogs and know how to properly socialize and train canines.
Final Word On Both The Pug Or Husky
Hopefully, this in-depth review of the Pug and Husky helped you realize the differences and similarities between both breeds.
Make sure you do your due diligence before getting any type of dog. They will become a member of your family for several years and it’s important to make sure you choose which one is right for you and your family!
Of course, if you still can’t decide after reading this article, then you may want to opt for a Hug, which is a crossbreed between a Pug and a Husky.
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References and Further Reading
iHeart Dogs – Top 3 Health Concerns For Huskies
Dogster – Facts On The Siberian Husky Dog Breed
American Kennel Club – Most Popular Dog Breeds – Full Ranking List
Dog Expert – Siberian Huskies Join List of Blacklisted Dog Breeds