Pug Chihuahua Mix: 12 Things To Know

The pug Chihuahua mix is a popular mixed breed. This breed is often called chug, although other names for the mixed breed are pughuahua and pugwawa. Regardless of what you call this mix, pug Chihuahua mixed dogs are loveable, loyal, and full of personality.

History of the Pug Chihuahua Mix

Unlike some mixed breeds, the chug doesn’t have an extensive history. Historians believe that pugs were originally bred in China around 400 B.C. Chihuahuas are named for the Mexican city of Chihuahua, where many trace their origins. The earliest Chihuahuas likely came on the scene around 800 A.D., over a thousand years after the pug.

However, there aren’t any historical records combining these two breeds. It’s suspected that this mix was bred intentionally in the United States a couple of decades ago. The pug Chihuahua mix has gained popularity over the last twenty years, making it one of the top Chihuahua mixed breeds.

Pug Chihuahua Mix Characteristics & Appearance

These dogs are often petite, sturdy, and muscular in appearance. The Chug’s face often looks similar to a Boston terrier pug mix, taking on the facial features of their pug parent.

The pugwawa’s ears may flop like a pug’s ears. However, they may take on the characteristics of their Chihuahua parent, with upright ears.

Pug Chihuahua Mix Size

The pug Chihuahua mix is often small, growing to be only 10 to 14 inches tall. A fully grown Chug will typically weigh between 10 and 20 pounds.

Coat & Colors of the Pug Chihuahua Mix

There can be a lot of variation in the coat and colors of a pug Chihuahua mix. Although their coat can be short, dense, and coarse like a pug’s, it can also be medium-length and silky like a Chihuahua’s. Chugs are often prone to shedding, so they are not considered hypoallergenic.

A pug Chihuahua mix can have a variety of colors in its coat. They can be golden, brown or chocolate, black, tan, cream, fawn, white, brindle, apricot, or a combination of any of these coat colors.

Pug Chihuahua Mix Temperament

The pug Chihuahua mix is often playful, loyal, and energetic. Despite being a small dog breed, the Chug often acts like a big dog. Since this breed is so energetic, pug Chihuahuas often require a lot of attention from their pet parents.

An ideal pug Chihuahua mix will have the loving personality of a pug, combined with the obedience of a Chihuahua. However, this breed can be snippy and yappy like a Chihuahua and stubborn like a pug. Chugs are often affectionate, social, fun-loving, loyal, energetic, playful, and outgoing.

The pug Chihuahua mix can be well-behaved when trained, making them a great option for therapy dogs. Because of their small size, they can live in apartments or senior living. Since they are often gently dogs, they make affectionate companions for the elderly.

Chugs are not aggressive. However, they can be wary of strangers. When untrained and improperly socialized, they can become territorial. This can cause resource-guarding and snapping. It’s essential to train this mixed breed as early as eight weeks old. Proper and consistent training can help mitigate these negative personality traits.

As a small dog breed, the pug Chihuahua mix needs to be prepared for interaction with children or other dogs. Teaching children how to act around these dogs is important for their peaceful cohabitation. Since Chugs view themselves as big dogs, they sometimes get into altercations with bigger dogs or humans. For the Chug’s safety, it’s important to supervise them carefully when they’re around children or other dogs.

Pug Chihuahua Mix Lifespan

Like many small dog breeds, the Pug Chihuahua mix often lives between 10 and 16 years.

Training and Care for Pug Chihuahua Mix

This mixed breed is often low maintenance, making it a good pet for elderly individuals and those living in small spaces. Pug Chihuahua dogs prefer warmer weather, so it’s important to bundle them if you plan on going outdoors in cold weather. Since their small size would allow them to slip through fences, keeping them indoors unless supervised is important.

This breed can have a stubborn attitude, making training an essential part of their care. Because they can be difficult to train, an experienced dog trainer is a worthwhile investment. They need constant, consistent guidance from someone with a firm but gentle hand.

The pug Chihuahua mix is extremely intelligent, making them easy to train quickly. Unfortunately, these small dogs can have a hard time focusing over long periods of time. Training sessions should be kept short and fun.

To maximize the benefits of training your Chug, you should start training as early as eight weeks. If you wait too long to train them, they can become stubborn and willful.

Caring for these dogs is fairly easy, although there are a couple of things you should keep in mind. The pug Chihuahua mix should be brushed daily since their coat is prone to shedding. Since their wrinkly face can trap bacteria, you should clean it regularly with a damp cloth. After using the damp cloth to remove dirt, the area should be patted dry to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Chugs often have dental issues. Because of this, you should try to brush their teeth at least two times a week. Dental checkups and cleanings are also important to help prevent dental issues as they age.

Pug Chihuahua Mix Health Problems

The pug Chihuahua mix is considered a healthy mixed breed. When mixed with the Chihuahua, pugs often have fewer issues with breathing when compared to their purebred pug counterparts.

However, Chugs are more likely than other breeds to develop the following conditions:

It’s important to make sure your pug Chihuahua mix has regular checkups with a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to spot and treat these health problems.

As mentioned in the previous section, Chugs can often have dental problems. Good dental hygiene is an important part of caring for their health needs.

Diet and Nutrition of the Pug Chihuahua Mix

The pug Chihuahua mix has a tendency to overeat, much like pugs. It’s important to make sure you aren’t overfeeding your Chug.

Consult your veterinarian to find out how much food your dog should be eating each day. Their daily nutritional needs will be calculated on their breed, weight, age, and activity level. Because obesity from overfeeding is a common issue in the pug Chihuahua mix, it’s important to monitor how much food they’re eating.

Pros and Cons of Pug Chihuahua Mix

Like any dog breed, there are pros and cons to the pug Chihuahua mix.

Pros:

They’re playful, loyal, and energetic
They aren’t aggressive
They’re a relatively healthy breed
They can thrive in smaller living spaces
They’re adorable

Cons:

When untrained, they can be yippy or snappy
They need extra care to keep bacteria from growing in their facial folds
They require more dental care than other breeds
They may need extra attention, especially in households with children and other pets

Although the pros of this breed outweigh the cons, it’s important that you choose a dog breed that most suits your lifestyle. Because this breed requires more attention, the Chug is not a good choice for people who are rarely home. Consider both the pros and cons, as well as your lifestyle, when deciding on whether a pug Chihuahua mix is right for you.

Price & Where to Adopt or Buy a Pug Chihuahua Mix

Prices of Chugs can vary greatly. While adoption of this mixed breed can be around $300, purchasing a Chug puppy can cost between $800 and $2200.

If you’re looking to buy a pug Chihuahua mix, you can use sites like puppyfinder.com or petfinder.com to find a breeder selling Chug puppies. Local resources like bulletin boards and classified ads may also help you find a pug Chihuahua breeder in your area.

Local shelters may occasionally get pug Chihuahua mixes. Because their breed selection varies based on availability, check with your shelter regularly if you’re looking for Chugs. Many shelters and rescues have websites and social media profiles. Use these online resources to find available dogs.

Pug Chihuahua Mix Summary

The pug Chihuahua mix is a playful and loyal mixed breed. They take on both the physical appearance and personality of both pugs and Chihuahuas. These lovable dogs make great companions for the elderly and those living in apartments.

Although they’re a relatively healthy breed, Chugs often require special hygiene care. The folds on their faces should be regularly cleaned to prevent bacterial buildup, and their teeth should be brushed two or more times each week. Since this breed is prone to overeating, it’s important to monitor their diet carefully.