American lo-shi
This is a small dog no more than 21 cm tall at the withers. This is a good-natured and calm animal, very similar in appearance to a pug. The difference lies in more varied colors and shorter legs. Lo-shis do not really like long walks and active games, so they are often trained to use the toilet in the house. Dogs of this breed are a little sloppy and clumsy, but this cannot help but touch them.
What diseases can he suffer from?
Pugs don't get sick that often. Here is a list of the most common diseases:
- Decorative dogs can suffer from obesity, as mentioned above. In addition to including walks in your schedule, you urgently need to remove pig meat from your diet. Force play in the house. Do weekly weigh-ins. Then the dog will definitely not get fat;
- The pug is susceptible to dental disease. Be sure to brush your teeth. Buy special seeds for this process in stores;
- There is an area on the face with folds where infections can easily get into. It must be wiped thoroughly;
- Respiratory tract diseases. More often found in homes with high humidity;
- Glaucoma, cataract;
- Genetic encephalitis is rare. This hereditary scourge cannot be treated. The owner must be prepared for the pet's imminent blindness. Next comes coma and death.
Symptoms of poisoning, rabies, and the presence of parasites may also appear. To avoid these problems, you need to monitor your pug. Don't let him touch suspicious objects on the street.
A dog that looks like a pug: English Mastiff
Petit Brabançon
In appearance, this dog can be confused with a pug: it has the same flattened muzzle and large eyes. The breed is cunning and stubborn and has a rather complex character. She is suspicious and aggressive towards strangers, but once you earn her trust she will be an excellent companion. The Brabançon's coat is short and stiff. The dog loves active walks and games.
Pekingese
The Pekingese belongs to the ancient ornamental breeds bred for the Japanese emperors. Unlike pugs, the animal has long hair, but the same flattened muzzle and button eyes. Representatives of the breed need constant attention and affection; in the family, the animal considers itself to be the main one and requires appropriate behavior. A peculiarity of the breed is considered to be a problem with the eyes, so special attention should be paid to caring for them from puppyhood.
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is very similar to the Pug, but has a stockier build and a stubborn personality. Owners of French bulldogs claim that the dog can guess the owner’s mood and even support him in a difficult situation. The folds on the dog's skin need constant cleaning. The French Bulldog is lazy and does not like long walks. The dog loves to be the center of attention, but does not impose itself.
Terrier and bulldog type
Genetic failures are not as rare as we think. Sometimes they are beneficial and thus new species of animals are actually born. The terrier and bulldog type are not common, but are fairly well known.
For the terrier type, the main feature is a longer neck than required by the standard. The bulldog variety is distinguished by its wide and well-developed chest and paw set. Such dogs are capable of living a long, fulfilling life, but they will not be allowed to participate in exhibitions.
Types of pug dogs
Dogs that look like a pug have both identical characteristics of appearance and character, as well as distinctive features that are unique to this breed. They belong to decorative breeds and require increased attention, but they all stand out for their extreme devotion.
Mini Pugs
A variety of pugs that differs from the original only in smaller size. They are characterized by short limbs and a disproportionately large head.
Quite often, breeders offer the smallest and weakest puppies from the litter, which were artificially fed, as dwarf dogs.
When choosing a mini-pug, you need to remember that such dogs are predisposed to frequent illnesses.
In addition, they have low immunity and a shorter lifespan than representatives of the regular breed, but, in turn, dwarf pugs are very smart.
The dog does not need a lot of space, it quickly learns to go to the tray and does not need daily walks, 2-3 a week is enough for it. The babies are brushed several times a week because they shed a lot.
The folds must be cleaned with damp wipes to avoid inflammatory processes, but bathing once every six months is sufficient. Food for small dogs is good for nutrition.
Varieties of Pugs
First, let's clarify what a variety or species is. This is a set of characteristics that unite a whole group of individuals that have the ability to interbreed and live or originate from the same territorial area. In other words, a breeder can cross two individuals of the same species together and be guaranteed to produce offspring similar to the parents.
But in addition to this predicted production of puppies, there are also various genetic failures or anomalies. For example, if we are talking about dwarfism. No one can say for sure when and to which parents a dwarf pug may be born. But we know almost for sure that the offspring of two dwarf pugs will be standard.
Miniature or pocket dogs are so popular that people are willing to pay a lot of money for them, although they could buy a representative of the same breed, but with a standard appearance, cheaper. Demand creates supply and many breeders are working to make dwarfism not an accident, but a separate species. Thus, American breeder Rebekah Mons, in search of the ideal formula for reducing the breed, crossed pugs and Pekingese. She even ensured that her pets were recognized in the United States. But the World Canine Federation is not yet ready to register Mrs. Mons's pugs.
There is another way to get a smaller dog. When a female gives birth to cubs, obeying the instinct of natural selection, she herself throws the frail cubs aside and refuses to feed them, saving milk for full-fledged and strong babies. If a person doomed to death is fed from a pipette, then there is a high probability that he will remain underdeveloped and will differ significantly from his brothers and sisters in size and weight to a lesser extent. Unfortunately, such specimens will not live long.
At the end of this section, I would like to once again emphasize that there is no dwarf or pocket pug officially recognized by the World Canine Federation. Therefore, when purchasing such a rare baby, you will not be able to participate in exhibitions with him, but you will be able to enjoy his company. In addition, a lot is changing and it is possible that the situation with the official registration of new species will also be decided in favor of new and talented breeders.
A Brief Review of 9 Common Pug Mixes
The term mestizo refers to the offspring of dogs born as a result of crossing different breeds. Previously, puppies from casual relationships were considered marriage. At the end of the twentieth century, for example, dog handlers crossed a Labrador with a poodle to create a guide dog whose fur does not cause allergies.
This is how mestizos appeared, in the exterior of which traits characteristic of one or both parents appear. Today, designer dog breeding has become widespread throughout the world.
Mixed breeds cannot be considered full-fledged new breeds.
From the article you will find out with whom pugs are crossed, is it possible to predict the appearance and character of future puppies?
Chops or chihuaps
The fantasies of breeders sometimes turn into a new breed, and sometimes into eccentricities. Chops will become one way or another, time will tell. This creature is a cross between our heroes and a Chihuahua. They have excellent health and a slightly distorted appearance.
There are no standards yet, the variety is under development, but Chihuaps have already got their first fans. Judging by the reviews, this is a very touching, affectionate and devoted creature. They are born with a disproportionately large head, which puts the mother at serious risk.
Crossbreed
Pugs have a bright appearance and a good-natured character, they are calm and do not cause much trouble to their owners, which is why representatives of this breed are often used for designer selection.
According to veterinarians and geneticists , mestizos acquire a number of positive qualities compared to their parents:
- less prone to genetic diseases;
- resistant to other diseases;
- smarter and easier to train;
- they have an unusual appearance.
Disadvantages of crossing breeds:
- it is impossible to predict the size, appearance, character of the offspring;
- possible nervousness and aggressiveness of mestizos.
The result is more or less predictable when breeds similar in quality and size are taken for crossing.
Here are some designer breeds that are created by crossing a Pug with other types of dogs.
Crossed with Husky
The dimensions of the husky are much larger: height 50 - 60 cm, weight 16 - 23 kg. The breeds are not very similar in appearance and character.
Huskies are not decorative dogs; they need physical activity and jogging.
Hug - this is the name given to a rare mestizo.
He was born to a mother, a Chinese pug, and a father, a Siberian husky. Dad gave the puppy color, blue eyes, good-natured character, mom gave him external features and body structure. These breeds are not specifically crossed.
Description of pugs
Breed standard
Below are the characteristics of pugs adopted by the standard for this breed:
- the head is large, rounded, with a short muzzle, on which folds are well defined. A “mask” of a darker color (usually black) must be clearly visible on the muzzle. Pugs' eyes are round, large and very expressive. Small button ears (rose ears are also allowed) fit snugly to the head. There may be a slight underbite in the bite;
- The dog's chest is powerful and wide, its muscles are prominent, and its back is straight. The limbs should be strong and not too short. The coat of a healthy dog is shiny, smooth, short, dense;
- the tail is thick, set high and tightly curled into a curl (a double curl is more desirable);
- possible colors - black, silver, fawn, apricot-fawn;
- dog height: males – 30-35 cm, females – 25-30 cm;
- dog weight: males – 6-10 kg, females – 6-8 kg;
- life expectancy is 12-15 years.
Character
The main feature of pugs is their friendly and welcoming character (including towards strangers).
This trait is combined with amazing stubbornness and a tendency to dominate if the owner does not show sufficient firmness. For this reason, training pugs is not an easy task.
However, the pug is one of the most loyal breeds. He becomes strongly attached to his owner and does not tolerate separation from him very well.
Peculiarities
These dogs are distinguished by their intelligence and reasonable character. They never show aggression or cowardice.
Breeders and veterinarians recommend taking into account when caring for pugs their tendency to obesity, allergic reactions and problems with the respiratory system.
