Chug Dog: Chihuahua mix with Pug

A Chihuahua mix with a Pug is a mixed breed between two popular dog breeds – the Chinese Pug and the Mexican Chihuahua.

This mixed breed is amongst the most-loved hybrids in the United States, just like its parents, due to its friendly disposition and cute looks. Famously known as the Chug, this crossbreed is playful and loyal and has huge personalities in a small body. Typically, Chugs like to think and act like large dogs.

The International Wolf Center says that people who own mixed breeds often find the behavior of their dog makes it a challenge to care for them. Crossbreeding brings a range of diversity in the genetic composition even pups from the same litter. As a result, there is a wide range of looks and behavior patterns among all hybrids which, in turn, makes their behavior fickle and harder to predict.

Some Chihuahua Pug cross owners rave that their mixed breed is cuddly and laid-back. Others, however, say that their Chug is comical and can get a bit aggressive, especially around strangers.

So, before you commit to owning a mixed dog breed, like the Chihuahua mix with Pug, it is advisable that you take time to understand what you are signing up for.

Our article today lengthily talks about the Chihuahua Pug. Everything you need to know, such as temperament, looks, how to care for a Chihuahua Pug, price, and more, we got you covered.

What is a Chihuahua Pug Mix called?

A mixed breed between a Chihuahua and Pug is commonly known as a Chug. Other names for this hybrid include Pughuahua and Pugwawa.

Chugs are designer dogs not purebreds like their parents. For this reason, major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and Kennel Club UK (UKC) do not recognize them as a breed.

The Chug is accepted by registries such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Designer Breed Registry (DBR), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Why mix with Pug?

Pugs were solely bred for the purpose of companionship from the word go and the same goes for Chihuahuas. Both parents are little dogs with big personalities which makes them excellent family dogs for the right people. And since they are both small breeds, the resulting hybrid is a small pooch with even a bigger personality.

The Chihuahua can be feisty and outgoing or shy and timid. Thanks to the Pug’s sweet disposition, the mix makes make them superb companions. Add their gentleness and love for kids to this nature and you have the perfect family pooch that you hoped for. The mixed breed between a Pug and a Chihuahua is extremely affectionate and loyal to its family and owners.

Both Pugs and Chihuahuas are eager to please which means the Bull Pug inherits the trait. Pugs are known to be smart, attentive, and quick learners which compensate for the stubborn streak of the Chihuahua making the Chug easy to train. This crossbreed also gets along with other dogs making it good for multi-pet homes.

Chug Puppies

Chihuahua mixed with Pug puppies are nothing but adorable and charming! These pups are playful and loyal with big personalities locked inside a compact body. Just like their parents, Chug puppies love to love and be the center of attraction.

Chug puppies are too small and delicate. Therefore, they are not good for families with small kids that do not know how to handle them. Chugs have shorter fur and come in a range of colors including solid and bi-colors or tri-colors.

These attractive puppies tend to be yappy although this can be curbed with early training and socialization. They, however, need to be protected in hot weather as they are prone to heatstroke since they are mostly brachycephalic.

Both Chihuahuas and Pugs are popular dog breeds so, getting their cross can be easy. Expect to spend between $600 and $800 for a healthy Chug puppy from a reputable breeder.

Full Grown Chug Mix

Even when fully grown, Chug puppies are tiny dogs which makes them super delicate and prone to injury. These furballs stand 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh 10 to 20 lbs.

A full-grown Chug is playful, affectionate, and smart but will be very stubborn.

Pug Chihuahua Mix Black

Pure black Chihuahuas are very rare to find. However, black tends to be the most dominant color in Chihuahuas making it common as a bi-color. The same goes for a black pug. The Pug comes in two basic colors including black and fawn, but black pugs are also very rare.

To get a black Chug, black most likely has to be the dominant color in both parents. Like its purebred parents, getting a pure black Chihuahua mix with Pug is not as easy. Black, however, is one of the most common colors for this mixed breed.

A summary table for the Chihuahua Pug mix

Feature	Description
Breed	Crossbreed
Size	6 to 14 inches
Weight	10 to 20 lbs.
Grooming	Low-maintenance; moderate shedding
Best Suited for:	Experienced dog owners
Lifespan	10 to 13 years
Temperament	Affectionate, loyal, smart, intelligent, and stubborn with a short attention span
Coat	Short and dense
Coat Colors	Black, cream, brown, golden & white
Energy Levels	High
Exercise Requirements	At least 45 minutes per day
Health	Average
Price	$600 to $800

History of the Breed

Darwin’s Ark, there says that there are more than 400 pure breeds of dogs and many other mixed dog breeds. Unlike purebreds, most mixed breeds, such as the Pug mixed with Maltese, have an unknown origin.

Therefore, no one knows their true origin because, as VCA Hospitals says, they have an unspecified parentage. There are no official records about their ancestry or how many distinctive breeds were used to develop them. As such, we assume that most of them first existed as a result of accidental breeding.

Designer dogs, such as the Chihuahua Pug, are developed by mixing two purebreds on purpose to get the best qualities from both thus creating an ideal companion dog. Decent breeding when creating hybrids helps avoid undesirable recessive traits found in some purebreds. With careful and responsible breeding, breeders are also able to create a dog that is healthier than its parents.

For these crossbreeds to be listed in the kennel club to be “a breed”, the Chug must have been bred from F2 generation crosses resulting in a multi-generational cross or F3 Gen. This is the kind of practice that is only possible with unscrupulous dog breeding, something that the creator of designer dogs says is unfortunate.

That being said, designer dogs have been around for the last 2 to 3 decades and that is all we are sure of.

Parents

To know more about the Chihuahua Pug cross, let us take a look at their parents.

The Chihuahua – First recorded in the mid-19^th century, the Chihuahua ranks as the smallest recognized dog breed. These dogs are thought to have been developed from a small, mute dog called the Techichi that was kept in the 9^th century AD by the Mexican Toltec people. The Chihuahua was created solely for companionship and still holds this crown high. The American Kennel Club recognized Chihuahuas as a breed in 1904. Chihuahuas are great dogs and come in two varieties, including the short-haired and long-haired.

Although the Chihuahua is known for being fiercely loyal, lively, swift, courageous, and alert, these small pooches tend to be aggressive. With good training, however, they can make great guard dogs that offer protection without being aggressive. When it comes to dog IQ, Chihuahuas are smart and quick learners. However, they are fairly intelligent with a strong-willed nature making them hard to train obedience and work. Thanks to their eagerness to please and love for treats, training them can be rather easy.

Small dog breeds live long compared to Bulldogs above and the Chihuahua is not an exemption. These dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 20 years and stand 5.9 to 9.1 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 4 to 6 lbs., with colors such as black, white, fawn, chocolate, cream, and gold.

The Chihuahua is susceptible to common health issues like luxating patella, hypoglycemia, spinal injuries, obesity, hydrocephalus, bladder & kidney stones, tracheal collapse, and teeth problems, among others.

The Pug – An ancient dog breed from China, the Pug was created purposely as a companion dog for the Chinese ruling families. These royal pooches lived in luxurious places where they were protected by soldiers until they later became popular across Asia. Buddhists in Tibet kept these dogs in monasteries for companionship as well.

This dog breed is characterized by a wrinkled face with a short muzzle and curled tail plus a glossy coat that sports a range of colors. These pups are charming, smart, playful, affectionate, friendly, calm but alert, and stubborn. All these traits make them incredible family dogs.

The Pug was accepted as a breed by the AKC in 1885. In terms of dog IQ, Pugs are said to have below-average intelligence in obedience and work. However, they have high adaptive intelligence.

The Pug stands 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulders, as seen in this illustration, and has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Major health issues in pugs include canine hip dysplasia, pug dog encephalitis (PDE), and a very high risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Pugs are also prone to minor health issues such as entropion, obesity, patellar luxation, and more.

Table comparison of Parents of Chihuahua Pug mix: Comparative features of Chihuahua and Pug

Feature	Pug	Chihuahua
Height	8 to 9 inches	6 to 9 inches
Weight	16 to 32 lbs.	2 to 6 lbs.
Temperament	Playful, devoted, clever, Loyal, independent, and active	Devoted, lively, quick, aggressive, alert, and courageous
Energy	High	Moderate to High
Health	Average	Average
Lifespan	12 to 16 years	12 to 20 years
Puppy Prices	$300 to $3,500	About $800

Chihuahua x Pug: Appearance

What does a Pug Chihuahua look like?

Telling what your mix will look like is a little tricky. However, a Pug Chihuahua mix may either take after one parent more or have exceptional traits of both parents. Waiting until they are adults is recommended.

So, how big is a Chihuahua Pug mix?

The Chug is a small dog that stands 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of between 10 and 20 lbs.

Mostly, this hybrid inherits the brachycephalic face of the Pug parent. And while Chugs may have a small stature, they are likely going to be well-built like the Pug parent. Expect this mix to have either larger pointy ears like those of the Chihuahua parent or downturned like the Pug parent.

Coat & Coat Colors

The Chug can have short or long hair, and either be single-coated or double-coated. Either way, it tends to shed all year round like the Pug parent. Most of these mixes have a short coat. Either way, it is a low-maintenance dog and comes in a range of coat colors.

Common colors include brown, tan, cream, merle, fawn, chocolate, and dark brown. Expect this mixed breed to sport bi-color coats like black & tan or black & brown. Other possible coats are merle, spotted, and spotted.

Temperament and Characteristics

A Chihuahua and Pug cross can have a wide range of dispositions. It all depends on whether the hybrid takes after its rather wary and imperious Chihuahua side or his sweetly funny Pug side. At their best, Chugs are friendly and very affectionate.

Many Chug dogs tend to have strong self-esteem which makes them act like much larger dogs. It is what we call the “small dog syndrome”. As a result, this tendency often gets them into trouble especially if they decide to pick up a fight with larger dogs.

Are Chugs smart?

Pug Chihuahua crosses tend to be smart dogs that can learn quickly, especially if training them is introduced at a young age (8 weeks). Both the Chihuahua and Pug parents are not the easiest to housebreak and the same can be with the Chug. Early training is better.

Chugs, like their parents, are companion dogs that thrive on human companionship. For this reason, they are prone to emotional distress if left alone for long and can be very destructive. Chugs can also make great therapy dogs with ample and proper training.

Chugs have a low to moderate activity level that is adaptable to their owner’s lifestyle. Like any dog, this mix will enjoy a nice walk or active playtime each day. If you are interested and able to train, Chugs can participate in and thrive in dog sports such as obedience and rally.

Ease of Training

As mentioned earlier, a Chihuahua mixed with Pug is extremely intelligent and eager to please and learn new things. This is good for training.

On the flip side, this mixed breed can be stubborn and determined to do things their own way and this can make training them a challenge. Additionally, Chugs tend to have a short attention span. Therefore, using short, fun training sessions and positive reinforcement is recommended when training the Chug.

As part of training, take a Chihuahua Pug mix for walks to the dog park and around the neighborhood often. This socialization will help them become accustomed to behaving well when around other people and get along with other dogs and pets.

Exercise Requirements

Pugs and Chihuahuas are active dog breeds with moderate to high energy levels; the same goes for their offspring. While Chihuahuas will be okay with 30 minutes of exercise per day, Pugs need up to an hour.

So, how much exercise does the Chug need?

Typically, a Chihuahua mixed with Pug needs 45 minutes of exercise each day, a 30-minute walk, and 15-minute playtime. This will help them burn the excess energy and prevent the likelihood of developing destructive behaviors.

Chugs tend to have a short snout that leads to breathing problems and overheating. Therefore, do not overexert them during exercises. If they are tired, let them rest and you will get back to it later.

Nutritional Requirements

An ideal Pug mix with a Chihuahua diet should be well formulated to meet all the dietary needs of a dog. This means that the dog food must comprise the 6 vital nutrients of a dog such as water, proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

These vital nutrients must make up your dog’s regular diet to promote proper growth and optimal health. Scientific study has shown that an adult dog’s daily regime can contain up to 50% carbs by weight, as well as 2.5 to 4.5% from fiber. At least approx. 5.5% of the diet should be derived from fats and 10% from protein.

High-protein diets can be beneficial for endurance exercise in dogs.

So, how much food should you feed your Chug mix per day?

According to PetMD, feeding your dog too little food leads to nutritional deficiencies while too much causes obesity. The dietary needs of your Chug mix will change slowly from their puppy stage to adulthood and senior age.

A nutritionist we talked to told us that a Chug should not eat more than 600 calories per day. So, feed a Chug 1 cup of dry kibble per day split into two small meals. These dogs may be small, but they have very big appetites. Do not overfeed or free-feed them as it could lead to obesity.

If you are unsure about how much food a Chug should eat, talk to your vet and come up with a diet plan that is personalized for your doggie friend.

Health Issues

Not long ago, the Institute of Canine Biology study conducted a study on the health of purebreds and mixed breeds.

While the institute has not traced the history of this debate, it would be right to imagine that it was fueled by two issues. First, is the high burden of genetic disorders in purebred dogs. Second, it is the opinion of some that individuals should adopt shelter dogs instead of buying a purebred.

This argument from one side is that mixed-breed dogs are healthier than purebreds. Purebred breeders, however, rebut this as a myth. The study concluded that purebred dogs have a higher risk of at least 10 of the 24 genetic disorders examined. You can read more about this research here.

So, are Chugs healthier than Pugs?

An analysis by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), found that mixed breeds were 1.4 times more likely than purebreds to be a carrier of a recessive disease. That is better compared to 2.8 times in purebreds.

Chugs, however, tend to inherit the brachycephalic face of the Pug parent and this leads to breathing problems. This is one of the major health issues for this mixed breed. Generally, the Chihuahua mixed with Pug are healthier, but they are still susceptible to certain health problems.

Common health issues in Chug Chihuahua crosses include respiratory problems, hypoglycemia, hip dysplasia, and heatstroke. Other minor health issues are eye problems and obesity.

Life Expectancy

What is the lifespan of a Chihuahua Pug mix?

Based on an article on the mortality of mixed breed dogs by WebMD, these pooches have an average lifespan of 14 years, with small breeds living longer than large ones.

That being said, the Chihuahua mixed with Yorkshire Terrier has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years.

Good grooming, neutering, proper feeding, and a richer genetic pool have an effect on the lifespan of a dog. Make sure that your mixed breed attends all planned vet visits.

Grooming

Do Chugs need grooming?

Yes, a Chihuahua mixed with Pug, like any other doggie, needs grooming.

Luckily, Chugs are considered low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. Typically, their short coat needs to be brushed once a week to remove dander and dead hairs. As for baths, they should not be regular as this would strip off the natural oils of the Chug’s short coat.

Chugs have wrinkles on their face that need special attention. As such, clean the face using a damp cloth and dry thoroughly but gently to prevent dirt build-up that would lead to infections. Trim their nails regularly, every 4 to 6 weeks, and brush their teeth at least 3 times a week or daily.

How Much is a Pug Chihuahua mix?

A healthy Chihuahua Pug cross puppy will cost you $600 to $800 when purchasing from a trustworthy dog breeder.

The cost can vary significantly depending on the breeder’s location. If the parents of the mixed breed were show dogs, the price could be higher.

As a rule of thumb, do not buy puppies from puppy mills or online sites. Visit the breeder’s location.

Where to Adopt

Adopting a Pug mix with Chihuahua is always better and cheaper than shopping, especially when you do not know where to find a responsible breeder. Most mixed breeds find themselves in rescue centers and shelters when people are unable to care for them. Adopting a pup is a great way of saving stray dogs that need homes and proper care.

You can start by asking workers from your local shelter whether this mixed breed is available. Alternatively, you can also check with the rescue organizations for Chihuahua and Pug such as the Chihuahua Rescue & Transport (CRT) and Kentuckiana Pug Rescue.

FAQs