If you seek the ideal pet, a German Shepherd Pug mix might be the right fit. This breed is relatively new to cross-breeding; however, it is trendy.
What is a German Shepherd Pug mix? This dog mix breed has been created by crossing German Shepherd and Pug dogs. They are generally medium-sized canines loyal, amiable, and need little care.
These pets can be bull-headed and need to be socialized when they’re puppies. However, they are relatively simple to train. “Shugs” is another name for them.
There are many more exciting facts about these dogs mentioned in this article. If you are interested, click it for more details! Let’s scroll down!
Overview Of German Shepherd Pug Mix
Before delving into the specifics of this dog, it’s a good idea to get a general overview of them.
This breed’s appeal is difficult to resist. These medium-sized canines result from a mix of two unique breeds: German shepherds and pugs.
Shug dogs enjoy cuddling and lounging on the sofa, but they also want to fetch. They also make excellent watchdogs, so you can be confident that these little furry friends will always guard the people they love.
You will encounter some that are loyal and warm-hearted. This breed is also amusing, which brings you joy all day.
Shug dogs are no exception to the rule that dogs are the best companion of humans. They are the ideal members of any family.
Here is the general overview of this breed:
| Content | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Crossbreed |
| Group | Designer |
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 10 - 15 (pounds) |
| Height | 10 - 16 (inches) |
| Coat | Short and straight (sometimes wiry) |
| Color | Black, tan, brown, and cream |
| Eye Color | Brown and hazel |
| Energy Levels | Playful and cheerful |
| Purpose | Companion and watchdog |
| Grooming | Low |
| Trainability | Relatively trainable |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Sociability | Highly sociable |
| Temperament | Intelligent, loyal, cheerful, friendly, and sometimes stubborn |
| Exercise Required | Medium |
| Intelligence | High |
| Barking Tendency | Regularly |
| Ideal For | Dog owners for the first time, families with kids or other pets, owners living in an apartment |
| Friendly With Other Pets | Yes |
| Kids Friendly | Yes |
| Common Health Issues | Brachycephalic Syndrome, Allergies, Gastric Dilation Volvulus, and Hip And Elbow Dysplasia |
| Lifespan | 12 - 15 (years) |
| Price | 500 - 2000 (USD) |
What Is The Origin Of German Shepherd Pug Mix?
Little information about its initial breeding is available because the mix is a new cross-breed. As a result, studying the history of their parents is the best method to comprehend the dog’s origins.
German Shepherd Origin
According to a DNA study published in 2018, German Shepherd might originate from the Berger Picard in France, more widely disseminated earlier to since the 19th century.
To manage to breed, researchers tried to prevent canine breeds from losing their distinguishing features in the 1850s.
Shepherds in Germany were the canines used to herd sheep. However, this dog needed to meet specific criteria, such as intellect, strength, quickness, and a good sensation.
Most significantly, German people wanted sheepherders with additional characteristics that set them apart from herding canines from other places.
Breeders eventually succeeded in creating the breed. Following the development of this breed, they implemented methods to encourage inbreeding to improve the dog’s characteristics.
They act as police dogs because of their curiosity, courage, and loyalty. Their average height is around 24 – 26 inches, and their average weight is about 75 – 95 pounds.
They have a 10-to-14-year life expectancy.
Pug Origin
Pugs come from China. They originally appeared as a companion of Chinese royal households.
The dogs must be friendly and calm while also intelligent enough to explore for anything that didn’t belong in the imperial palaces.
They were common in Tibet monasteries, where they provided monks with company and devotion.
Pugs gained popularity in Europe around the 17th century. European doggies were similarly favorite pets among nobles, like the Chinese forefathers.
This breed debuted in America in the nineteenth century. In 1885, the American Kennel Club granted them formal recognition. Later, Pug Dog Club of America founded the office in 1931.
Their average height is around 10 – 14 inches, and their average weight is about 14 – 18 pounds. Pugs have a 12- to 15-year typical lifetime.
Although the parents have a long history, there is no historical evidence of when the Shug officially appeared.
What Does A German Shepherd Pug Mix Look Like?
Because it’s hard to know which parent possesses the dominant DNA exactly, hybrid dogs are notoriously unpredictable.
Shugs, on the other hand, are a little more predictable. Let’s take a peek at a few of the typical appearance traits that a Shug can have.
General Appearance
Most Shugs have stocky, chubby bodies with wide, broad chests.
In addition, they typically feature white marks on their chest and stomach.
Body
This breed is often medium-sized with a well-developed body and a broad chest.
Size
While females can be about 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh about 45 to 50 pounds, males are about 11-15 inches tall and weigh about 45-50 pounds.
Coat
Most shugs have short and straight fur on their coats. Some might have wiry coats like their parent – a German Shepherd.
When it comes to color, shugs have a tan or white coat. Some may be dark if their parents are all black. Brindle might also be a popular coat color.
Face
They might feature a German shepherd nose or a flat face like Pug, depending on dominant genetics. Their nose usually has a dark color.
Ears
This hybrid breeds’ ears will be challenging to guess. Some may have Pug-like floppy ears, while others may have German shepherd-like pointed erect ears.
Eyes
Their eyes are round and generally brown or hazel.
Tail
Shug’s, on the whole, seem to inherit tails of Pugs. As a result, a typical Shug’s tail will be curly. The tail is frequently curled backward.
Their tail may be straight or curly.
What Are The Outstanding Temperaments And Personalities Of This Dog Breed?
You may expect a loyal and lovely friend with a calm personality and a cheerful nature if you have a Shug.
Most of them inherit the stubbornness of Pugs, and you should be willing for the tricky housebreaking process.
If you are searching for this dog, here are some typical personality traits to expect:
Loyal
Shugs are incredibly loyal dogs due to their German Shepherd ancestry.
Cheerful
Shug dogs are energetic and cheerful. They enjoy playing with you or accompanying you when you’re jogging or running.
Gentle
Well-behaved dogs might be incredibly gentle. Also, gentleness is not the same as calmness. They are seldom aggressive, but they have plenty of energy.
Intelligent
Shugs are canines with a high level of intelligence. It is another characteristic that the dogs got from their thoroughbred parents.
Because the nature of German Shepherds is sheepherders, they must be smart enough to realize when one of the sheep escaped.
Pugs, likewise, have the intellect to recognize when their owners are in danger.
They are extremely intelligent.
Children Friendly
They enjoy playing games with kids and are tolerant of them.
However, because these dogs are medium-sized, youngsters should be supervised when around them.
Apartment Friendly
This dog breed is suitable for apartment life since they are highly bright and trainable. Even inexperienced owners may find housetraining their pets to be a breeze.
Family Friendly
They treat the family with love and affection. They’ll like both energetic playtime and lingering around you when you’re doing something else, such as watching TV.
How To Raise And Take Care Of This Dog?
Below are the most critical aspects you should consider when raising and taking care of a Shug:
Nutrition
Every day, a Shug will consume roughly 2 cups of dog food.
Nevertheless, the amount of food necessary will depend on the size and characteristics it inherits from its parents.
A German Shepherd-like Shug will require more nutrition than a Puggy-like Shug.
If you’re not sure what food to get your dog, consult your veterinarian to find healthy products accessible in your region.
Training
This dog breed is incredibly easy to teach owing to their German Shepherd DNA. Yet, the Pug’s cleverness is practical to assist a lot.
They may work as blind guide dogs or service dogs. Shugs must be trained from a young age, as they might get overprotective and oversensitive of their owners.
That’s why they might be even violent out of loyalty if not correctly trained.
If you are searching for some exercise to train your dog, watch this video:
Exercise
This breed is a cheerful and energetic dog. It likes to join you in playing or running.
Based on which attributes it acquired from its ancestors, the amount of physical activity a Shug needs will differ significantly.
If your pet resembles a German Shepherd-like dog, it may require more physical activity than a Pug-like Shug.
If your pet features a pug’s squat face, it may have respiratory problems when it exercises for too long, particularly in the summer.
The normal Shug needs to walk about minutes each day to stay healthy. If you realize it has difficulty breathing or is experiencing joint pain while running, give it some shorter walks more regularly.
If it is suffering major breathing problems while walking, you should take it to the veterinarian.
They are active and need a lot of exercise.
Glooming
Shug’s parent breeds shed a lot, but Shug sheds less and needs less grooming.
They possess short fur that is relatively easy to handle. Brushing once a week and showering are sufficient.
It would be best if you cut your dog’s nails either once or twice per month to avoid unpleasant nail splits.
What Health Problems Are Associated With This Breed?
Shugs are hybrid dogs, so they can inherit many health problems from their parents. If you’re thinking of adopting one, here are some things to keep in mind:
Hip Dysplasia
When the dog grows older, it develops arthritis. When their leg bone does not fit comfortably into the hip joints, it causes this health problem.
It is a health issue that can be passed down down the generations, so experts advise not to breed these dogs.
Bloating
Bloat happens when their stomach becomes inflamed and filled with gas, preventing water and food from passing through.
The dog becomes shocked since it can’t regurgitate the excessive gas. This situation necessitates rapid medical treatment.
Elbow Dysplasia
It is a condition in which the elbow joint develops abnormally. This damages the joint’s articular surface, resulting in arthritis once more.
Allergies
Grass and pollen allergies are common among shugs. Itchy skin and ear infections are typical symptoms.
Some might get grass allergies.
Dermatitis
Shugs might be more susceptible to skin problems if there are creases on their face, which is Dermatitis.
You should take care of these skin areas and keep them from moisture and dust so that they are always clean.
Obesity
Obesity is a significant issue for canines, and it has been sadly becoming widespread, particularly in the United States.
Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)
BAOS is a physical disorder that causes dogs with flat faces, such as Pugs.
Flat-faced puppies have a shorter skull and more fatty tissue in the lungs, making breathing difficult.
Flat-faced dogs might get BAOS.
How Much Does A German Shepherd Pug Mix Cost?
The price of each dog will differ considerably based on its ancestry and the breeders. Puppies bred from German Shepherds and pugs range from $500 to $2,000 on average.
It’s essential to note it is a brand-new breed. As a result, there is still lots of buzz about its ownership, which explains the high prices.
The initial expense of adopting a Shug puppy should not be your big concern but the maintenance cost.
The average expense of raising this dog is around $480 annually, including feeding costs, healthcare expenditures, and comfort goods like toys.
This breed is relatively costly.
Wrapping Up
That’s all about the German Shepherd Pug mix you should learn about if you plan to raise one. In general, these dogs are perfect pets for any owner.
They are not only loyal, energetic, and loving dogs but also incredibly clever to train. Besides, you should pay attention to their health problems during the process of nurturing.
Thanks for reading!
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