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Muggin Dog (Pug & Miniature Pinscher Mix) Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Muggin Dog (Pug & Miniature Pinscher Mix)

Height: 10–12 inches
Weight: 12–18 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: Black, brown, white, cream, tan
Suitable for: Attentive owners, apartment dwellers, retirees, families with grown children
Temperament: Loving, loyal, affectionate, spunky, alert, cheerful

The Muggin is an adorable mix between a Pug and a Miniature Pinscher. They are small dogs that are very affectionate and have a lot of love to give to their families. They are friendly and playful, and they also love snuggling with their owners.

Despite their small size and unassuming stature, they are alert and fairly confident. They may be wary when meeting new people, but they often warm up to strangers in a short amount of time.

These pups love human interaction above all else, and they will be happiest when they get to spend time with you. They bark infrequently and usually only at unfamiliar noises, so they are great dogs for apartment dwellers, especially given their size. We’ll go over everything you need to know about this adorable breed below so you can determine if a Muggin is perfect for your home!

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Muggin Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Above all else, you need to be aware of this dog’s reliance on human interaction before you bring a Muggin puppy home. They thrive on human contact, and they are very likely to experience some separation anxiety if you leave the house without them. They do best in families where there is always someone around, or in homes with another dog for companionship when everyone is out of the house.

You also need to know that the Muggin inherits some willfulness, stubbornness, and independence from the Pug parent breed. Although these pups are intelligent and will likely understand commands quickly, they may choose not to listen to you. Muggins are therefore recommended for those who have some experience with obedience training or new owners who are willing to dedicate the proper time and research to training.

Lastly, you need to be prepared for licking, and a lot of it. Muggins are extremely affectionate, and their love for you will often present itself as doggy kisses. While some people don’t mind this, others can find it disgusting or annoying, so it’s important that you understand what to expect from your Muggin puppy before committing to this breed.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Muggin

1. Their parent breeds have been around for centuries.

Although the Muggin is a fairly new breed believed to have originated in the late 1900s, their parent breeds date back for many centuries. The Miniature Pinscher doesn’t have a well-documented history, but breeders believe they can trace them back nearly 2,000 years! Pugs have been well documented throughout history and date back to a similar point in history around 2,000–2,200 years ago.

2. They have a royal history.

The Pug is believed to have originated in China about two millennia ago when they were common companions for the royal members of the Han dynasty. In later years, they were also popular as companion dogs for royal and wealthy families in other countries as well such as France, Italy, and Germany.

3. They make good watchdogs.

You may see the small size of the Muggin and their unassuming stature and think they wouldn’t make good watchdogs. However, Muggins are alert and have a healthy distrust of strangers. They will often bark at anything that doesn’t seem quite right, and while they may not be able to take down an intruder, they will certainly let you know of their presence!

Parent Breeds of Muggin Dog
Image Credit: Jumpstory

Temperament & Intelligence of the Muggin 🧠

The Muggin is a small ball of spunkiness and fun. They can be a bit goofy at times, and they are sure to bring joy and laughter to just about any home. Above all else, they are affectionate and loving. Muggins will happily spend time with any member of their family, and they love snuggling and giving kisses whenever possible.

Along with their affection comes an attachment to their human counterparts which can lead to some separation anxiety. They thrive on human interaction, and they’re happiest when they get to spend time with you inside or outside.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Muggins can make excellent family pets. They are loyal and alert, so they’ll happily watch over you, your family, and your home. They’re also highly affectionate, so the more people around to give them love and attention the better!

Muggins are usually fine with children and will never purposefully hurt a child. However, this is a small dog breed that can be rather fragile, so you’ll always want to keep an eye on your dog and children when playing to make sure your kids don’t play too rough. If that does happen, your Muggin is likely to nip at them out of fear. For this reason, these dogs are recommended for families with grown children who will know how to play gently with your dog.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Muggins usually won’t have any issues cohabitating with other dogs, and their abundant love and friendliness will carry over to other four-legged friends. They may be wary around strangers, but they usually get comfortable quickly around unfamiliar dogs.

Muggins also have a low prey drive, so you’re unlikely to run into issues with cats, rabbits, or other small animals. Your Muggin will either ignore them or simply be friendly toward your other animals, as long as they get some friendliness and acceptance back!

Muggin dog
Credit: Erik Lam, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a Muggin

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Muggins are small dogs, and their diet will reflect their size. They will need between a cup and a cup and a half of dry dog food a day. The food should be high in protein from multiple sources, and a food with omega-3 fatty acids will help keep your pup’s tiny joints healthy and functioning properly as well.

As is the case with many small dog breeds, Muggins are prone to weight gain and obesity. Your Muggin will eat too much if you let them, so if you notice any weight gain after they’re beyond puppyhood, reduce the amount of food you’re offering or schedule a vet visit to get some personalized guidance on a healthy feeding volume.

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Exercise 🐕

Many people believe small dogs need less exercise, but this isn’t the case with the Muggin! They have a moderate energy level, and they require about 45 minutes to an hour of dedicated exercise every single day. Because Muggins are prone to some joint problems, walks or vigorous play on soft surfaces is best if you can avoid cement or concrete.

Muggins are affectionate and will love to snuggle and relax above all else, but you must be careful not to restrict exercise simply because your dog seems complacent without daily walking. If you let your pooch lounge all day, they likely will! Exercise is extremely important for keeping your pup healthy and happy, even if it doesn’t seem like they’re up for a walk. It will also help limit any destructive behavior, and it will help prevent weight gain and associated problems as well.

Training 🦮

Muggins are intelligent and loyal, so there’s a chance you’ll get a pup who is fairly easy to train. Their trainability really depends on which parent breed they resemble more, as they can inherit stubbornness and willfulness from their Pug parents. These traits can lead to some difficulty with obedience training. Because of this, Muggins are recommended for those who have some experience with dog training.

Muggins are also sensitive and fairly emotional dogs, so any training should be done in a positive manner. Instead of correcting or giving negative attention for bad behavior, they will respond much better to positive reinforcement for good behavior. Praise, affection, and treats are great for rewarding a job well done—just make sure you don’t overfeed your pooch with treats during obedience training!

Beginning training early on and remaining consistent and persistent will be the best way to train your Muggin. Starting early with obedience can help avoid the willfulness you may experience from your pooch.

Grooming ✂️

Muggins have short fur that isn’t very dense, but they still do shed quite a bit. They shed the most going into summer and winter, but year-round shedding should also be expected. While you won’t cut down on shedding completely, brushing your pup with a pin or slicker brush each day or every other day will help. Daily maintenance will also help keep your dog’s coat shiny and skin healthy.

Baths shouldn’t be given too often, as frequent bathing can dry out your dog’s skin and cause irritation. Plan to give your pooch a bath about once every 6 weeks.

You’ll want to do some weekly dental maintenance as well by brushing your pup’s teeth with a dog toothbrush. You can also provide them with some treats or chew toys that are designed to help maintain dental hygiene.

Lastly, you’ll need to keep your dog’s ears clean and nails trimmed. Wipe any dirt, debris, or wax build-up out of your Muggin’s ears about once a week to prevent infection, and keep their nails trimmed so they don’t crack or break during exercise or playtime.

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Health and Conditions ❤️

Thankfully, Muggins don’t often experience many life-threatening health conditions, so they usually live long, fairly healthy lives. There are, however, quite a few more minor issues that could present themselves that you’ll want to watch out for. You should also schedule routine checkups with your vet just to make sure your pup stays in tip-top shape!

Minor Conditions
  • Dry skin
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Weight gain and obesity
  • Hypoglycemia
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patellar luxation
  • Epilepsy
  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Leg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Liver complications
  • Megaesophagus

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Male vs Female

Male Muggins will tend to be a bit larger than female Muggins. They can stand up to 4 inches taller and weigh in up to 10 pounds heavier. The temperament in Muggins depends more on which parent breed they resemble than it does on sex, so both genders are equally as likely to exhibit some stubbornness and willfulness as well as affection.

For the most part, you can expect an even temperament and similar behavior from both genders with this hybrid.

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Muggins are adorable, spunky, and lively dogs that pack a lot of personality into a small frame. They love human interaction, will always want to be around you, and adore being the center of attention.

They are alert, loyal, and slightly distrustful of strangers, so they’ll seek to protect you and your home from any danger despite their small size. When they’re not on patrol or investigating unfamiliar noises, they will be happiest snuggling with you on the couch.

Muggins are excellent family pets and can make wonderful additions to any home. If you’re willing to put some time and effort into regular training, and if you and your family have the love and attention required to keep your Muggin happy and satisfied, this may be the perfect breed for you!

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Featured Image Credit: Ysbrand Cosijn, Shutterstock

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