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Chug Dog (Chihuahua & Pug Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts, Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

chug puppy

Height: 10–14 inches
Weight: 10–20 pounds
Lifespan: 10–13 years
Colors: Black, brown, cream, fawn, and white
Suitable for: Adults with older children, active families, couples, individuals, apartment dwellers
Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, feisty, yappy, sometimes territorial

The Chug is a hybrid dog and a cross between the Chihuahua and the Pug. Fun-loving, loyal, and tiny, the Chug comes with some of the best characteristics of both of their small, feisty parent breeds.

Chug puppies can inherit a mix of both positive and negative traits from their parent dog breeds. While the Chihuahua is known to be spunky yet loyal, the Pug is famous for being a goofy, playful pup. Your new Chug’s personality can be a mix of any or all of these traits. Some Chug owners rave that their dog is cuddly and relaxed while others report that their Chug has a comedic Napoleon Complex and can get a tad aggressive around strangers.

Also known as the Pughuahua and the Pugwawa, the Chug is as cute as its adorable name suggests. With a big, round head and large, soulful eyes, Chugs make the perfect companion for both city apartment dwellers and suburban homeowners.

But as with any animal, owning a Chug dog can come with its perks and drawbacks. Let’s explore everything that this tiny pooch with a big personality has to offer.

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Chug Puppies

chug puppy
Image Credit: Annette Shaff, Shutterstock

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

When you’re looking for a Chug puppy, it’s always important to get them from a high-quality and reputable breeder. As the popularity of mix-breed dogs increases, so does the potential for puppy mills and backyard breeders. As with any major decision, it’s critical to do your homework before making a commitment to any breeder. You can find a good breeder by asking for referrals from pet care professionals, such as vets or trainers, friends or family members, or by attending a local dog show in your area.

When you find a reputable breeder, ask to visit the facilities before making any payment and pay close attention to the puppy’s parents’ behavior and health. Chugs tend to suffer from a couple of health issues so it’s important to know you’re dealing with a breeder who has done complete health checkups on the puppies.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Chug

1. Be Sure to Bundle Up!

Since they are short-haired dogs, Chugs do not like cold, wintery weather and love being dressed in a coat or sweater for wintertime walks.


2. Small but Mighty

Your Chug could come with a muscular face that strongly resembles that of a Boxer.


3. Royal Companions

Did you know that the Pug parent breed was actually a companion breed for Tibetan royalty in 206 BC? They were actually named after the Pugyal Kingdom.

Parent Breeds of the Chug
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Temperament and Intelligence of the Chug 🧠

Opening your home to a hybrid dog is a box of surprises and can come with a mixture of personality traits from both their parent breeds.

Keep in mind that your Chug pup’s personality will depend upon if they take after the Pug or Chihuahua parent breed. They can be a sweet comedian, like the Pug, or a little imperious, like the Chihuahua.

Your Chug will most likely be feisty yet loyal. As with Chihuahuas, the Chug can sometimes become fiercely attached to one particular member of the household and even become territorial over that person. Fortunately, the right training techniques will curb this unwanted behavior.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

One study has indicated that your dog will be less prone to separation anxiety if they live with a family.

Chugs thrive with couples and active families with older children. If you have tiny tots running around your house, you may want to consider getting a different breed. The Chihuahua side can sometimes get snippy around young kids.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

It’s always best to start socializing your Chug from a young age so that they are friendly with all of the pets in the household. Take them to the dog park or walks throughout your neighborhood to get them acclimated to other dogs and people.

When properly socialized, Chugs can make fantastic housemates to the other four-legged members of your family.

chug
Image Credit: Annette Shaff, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a Chug 

In order to help your Chug thrive, here are some tips for feeding, grooming, and exercise.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Chug is a small dog with a big appetite. If you’re not careful they may “chug” all of their food down! So, try not to overdo it on the treats, even when they are tempting you with their adorable, wrinkled face. Also, keep their daily caloric consumption to under 600 every day. This roughly equates to one cup of dry, high-quality kibble per day.

Excess weight can exacerbate some health issues, including joint problems and breathing difficulties.

Exercise 🐕

Despite their small frame, the Chug is high energy. Luckily, they can burn it off very quickly and tire themselves out within 45 minutes. Ideally, your Chug should be enjoying a 30-minute walk followed by 15 minutes of playtime every day.

Due to their short snout, you should never overexert your Chug because they may have trouble breathing. They shouldn’t accompany you on a jog, but they do love to play!

Training 🦮

The Chug can be simple to train as they are fairly bright and eager to please. But, thanks to their Chihuahua parent breed, they can also be extremely stubborn. You will need to be patient and consistent when training your Chug, and always use positive reinforcement as your training method.

Punishment methods have been known to promote anxiety and problematic behaviors in Chugs. Yapping is a common issue in Chugs. Instead of using punishment, give them a tasty treat when they stop barking or when they do not yap in a situation in which they normally would.

chug - chihuahua pug mix
Image Credit: Michelle Fichthorn, Pexels

Grooming ✂️

Your Chug is a low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. However, brush them once a week to remove dander and dead fur. Be sure to also gently clean their adorable face wrinkles daily with a baby wipe or damp cloth. If your pet’s big, bulging Pug eyes suffer from secretion, gently clean them with a damp cloth.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Your Chug will be predisposed to many of the same conditions that their parent breeds face.

Minor Conditions
  • Eye issues
  • Like cherry eye or cataracts
  • Obesity
Serious Conditions
  • Respiratory problems
  • Heatstroke
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Hip Dysplasia

The short facial structure will also make it difficult for your Chug to breathe. A “Brachycephalic dog,” it is critical to not over-exert this breed.

chug close up photo
Image Credit: Michelle Fichthorn, Pexels

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Male vs. Female

Now that you’re convinced that you want to bring a Chug into your life, the only question left to answer is if you want a male or a female.

While male Chugs can be a tad bigger (about an inch and 1–2 pounds heavier) than their female counterparts, both genders generally have the same temperament and personality traits.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re seeking a goofy breed that loves to love, think about getting a Chug. These dogs are confident comedians who are devoted to their human companions. They have limited exercise needs which makes them ideal for older adults or city apartment dwellers and their willingness to please means that they’re easy to train.

Just be sure to start socializing them early on, don’t overexert them, especially in the summer, and keep a watchful eye on them when they are playing with your young kids.

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Featured Image Credit: Michelle Everets, Shutterstock

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