Jug (Jack Russell Terrier & Pug Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts, Personality

The Jug is a rather silly name for an adorable dog that is a cross between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Pug. The Jack Russell is a highly energetic, curious, intelligent dog that highly contrasts with the calm and easygoing Pug. When you bring a Jug into the family, its appearance and personality will depend on which parent it takes after more.

The Jug will generally be the same compact size as its parents and usually sports a round head and a muzzle that could be shorter like the Pug or longer like the Jack Russell. They typically have triangular, floppy ears and a tail that curls thanks to their Pug heritage. Depending on what type of Jack Russell is the parent, the Jug’s coat could be smooth or rough-coated and comes in a variety of colors, but is most commonly fawn or black with the Pug’s trademark black muzzle.

Jug Puppies

If your heart is set on adopting a Jug, the dog’s background might be unknown and you could end up with an adult rather than a puppy, but you will be rescuing a dog and giving it a second chance at a much happier life. If you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder, you need to find a reputable and responsible breeder to avoid dealing with a puppy mill.

The Jug can be quite energetic because of its Jack Russell heritage but will also be calm thanks to the Pug. They can be easily trained because they are intelligent but might be prone to small dog stubbornness. They are overall healthy dogs with long lifespans and are very friendly and social dogs.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Jug

1. The Jug is best for apartments or houses, depending on their nature.

If the Jug takes more after its Pug parent, it will likely do quite well in an apartment given the Pug’s laid-back nature. However, if the Jug is more like the Jack Russell, it might do better in a house thanks to the Jack’s high energy and tendency to bark.

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2. The Jug can be the best of both parents.

They aren’t as excitable and hyperactive by nature as the Jack Russell, and they don’t tend to have the same breathing problems as the Pug.

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3. The Jug has been around since the 1960s.

They are thought to have been crossbred in the 1960s in America and are currently one of the more popular hybrid dogs.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Jug 🧠

Jugs are energetic yet calm dogs that enjoy running and playing as much as cuddling with you on your favorite chair. These are feisty, loving dogs that do not do well when left alone for long, and as long as the Jugs have been well-socialized, they love playing with other dogs and children.

Jugs are very intelligent dogs that are fun-loving, active, and social and will need a lot of mental stimulation, so they don’t become bored. They are also very courageous dogs that will stand their ground no matter the threat.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Jugs make excellent family pets but would do best with older children. If there are younger children in the household, they should be supervised and need to be taught how to approach and play with a dog appropriately and gently. The Jug will bond well with everyone in the family and enjoys spending time and playing with everyone.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Jugs do quite well with other pets as long as they are socialized as puppies and taking into consideration that they are territorial by nature. They do have a strong prey drive and might attempt to chase smaller animals, but happy and positive relationships will form if they are raised with them.

Things to Know When Owning a Jug:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since Jugs are small, their diet should be typical for small dogs, which should include a high-quality dry kibble. Reading the food bag’s guidelines will help to decide how much and how often they need to be fed every day. An average of just under 1 cup per day spread out to twice per day should be sufficient.

Pugs are prone to becoming overweight, so check with your vet if you’re concerned about your Jug’s weight and health.

Exercise 🐕

Jugs are very active dogs and will need a minimum of a 30-minute walk, but 2 or 3 shorter walks that add up to 45 to 60 minutes every day would be ideal. Allowing the Jug time to run, and playtime with a ball are additional exercises that will benefit your dog immensely.

However, do keep in mind that if the Jug’s muzzle resembles its Pug parent, they won’t do well exerting themselves in hotter weather.

Training 🦮

Training the Jug can be relatively easy due to its high intelligence and devotion, but they might decide they are the alpha of the household, and therefore training should be accomplished with patience and firmness. Only use positive reinforcement with the Jug or aggressive and destructive behaviors might emerge.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming the Jug is quite low maintenance as they generally have short coats that only need brushing about once or twice a week. However, if your Jug has more of a rough coat taken after their rough-coated Jack Russell parent, they will need to be brushed more often. They should be given a bath only when necessary with a good dog shampoo as the natural oils from most dog’s coats help keep their skin healthy.

The Jug’s ears should be cleaned about once a month, and their nails trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks. The Jug’s teeth are prone to dental issues and should be brushed about 2 or 3 times a week or more often as you see fit.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Because the Jug is a crossbreed, it is much less likely to suffer from these health conditions, but your veterinarian will check your dog’s hips and kneecaps, and run tests on your dog’s larynx and trachea. The vet will also run blood and urinalysis tests as part of a complete physical exam. Your vet will check your dog’s eyes, ears, and skin, and if there are any concerns about your Jug’s weight, your vet will discuss diet and exercise options.

Male vs. Female Jug Dogs

Jugs are about 11 to 14 inches in height and weigh around 13 to 18 pounds. Female dogs tend to be a little smaller and lighter than the males, so expect female Jugs to be closer to the bottom end of the height and weight ranges and the males to be in the upper range.

The next consideration between males and females is if you decide to have your Jug undergo surgery. Spaying a female dog is a more complex surgery that tends to be more expensive and with a longer recovery time than neutering a male dog. However, neutering and spaying your dog will help to prolong its life. It can help prevent future health problems and alleviate some of the dog’s tendencies towards aggression and running away.

The most important thing that will determine your dog’s personality is how it was trained and socialized as a puppy and how it has been treated as an adult.

Final Thoughts

The Jug comes from two quite different breeds and gives you the best of both the Jack Russell and the Pug. Not as hyperactive as the Jack Russell and not as sedate as the Pug, the Jug is an energetic dog that also enjoys its downtime with the family.

The Jug is a popular hybrid, so finding one online shouldn’t prove too difficult with an Internet search. However, if you’re having trouble locating one in your area, you can start by speaking to Pug and Jack Russell Terrier breeders. Other options can include attending dog shows and talking to local and national dog clubs. Also, posting your interest in the Jug on social media can get the word out to a broader audience.

The loving, energetic, and intelligent Jug will make a fantastic addition to your family if you’re looking for an adorable and feisty dog that you can spend lots of time playing and snuggling with.

See also:

• Hokkaido: Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
• Jack Highland Terrier (Jack Russell & Westie Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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Featured Image Credit: anetapics, Shutterstock