20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Bugg Breed
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If you are not sure what dog breed you want, then a designer breed is often a good option as these have the best personality traits and physical characteristics of two purebreds. One such designer breed you might consider is the Bugg. However, before you welcome a Bugg into your home, you must find out everything you can about the designer breed to make sure it is the best option for you and your lifestyle. To help you decide if this is the case, here are 20 things you didn’t know about the Bugg breed.
1. One Parent is a Pug
One of the purebred parents of the Bugg breed is the Pug. These are an ancient Chinese dog breed that dates back more than two thousand years. Chinese Emperors loved this breed as they preferred toy breeds with flat faces. Pugs were unknown to other parts of the world until the 16th-century. Dutch traders introduced the breed to Europe as Chinese and European trade increased. They are now a popular breed across the globe.
2. The Other Parent is a Boston Terrier
The other purebred dog that is used to create the designer Bugg breed is a Boston Terrier, which is a breed that originates from the United States in the 1800s. They are nicknamed the American Gentleman and the Tuxedo dog because of their white chest. Boston Terriers were originally much bulkier, but selective breeding in the early decades of the breed led to the smaller and lighter frame of the modern Boston Terrier.
3. They Have a Flat Face
Both Boston Terriers and Pugs have flat faces and a short snout, so these are features that Buggs also inherit. It is their flat face that many people believe is one of their most appealing features. Another distinctive characteristic of a Bugg is its large, bulging eyes. Again, this is a physical characteristic that is common to both its parents. A further physical trait that Buggs inherit from both parent breeds is a broad chest and narrow hips.
4. Their Ears Can Differ
Although Boston Terriers and Pugs have many similar characteristics, their ears are parts of their body that differ. While the Boston Terrier has large, erect ears that have a rounded tip, the Pug has rosebud ear flaps. A Bugg can inherit either type of ears from its parents, says Dog Zone. However, it is more common for a Bugg to have features of both parents’ ears, resulting in large, folded ears. If your Bugg has folded ears, they are more prone to wax build-up and infections. Therefore, you should take extra care of their ears and regularly wipe them clean with a damp tissue or cotton wool ball.
5. Their Tails Can Also Differ
Another physical characteristic that can vary from one Bugg to the next is its tail. Again, this is because they can inherit their tail from either one of their parents. Pugs have a distinctive donut tail, and some Buggs inherit their tail from their Pug parent. On the other hand, Boston Terrier’s tails come in various shapes and sizes. Some variations include naturally bobbed, straight, and corkscrew and a Bugg can inherit any one of these variations. Therefore, it is difficult to predict which tail a Bugg will have.
6. Buggs Come in Various Colors
Boston Terriers always have some white markings, while Pugs are a solid color. Buggs can inherit various colors from their parents. Some of the most common solid colors are brindle, black, silver, or fawn with a dark mask. It is also possible to get Buggs that are seal or black with the white tuxedo markings of their Boston Terrier parent. Like both parent breeds, the coat of a Bugg is always short.
7. It is a Small-Medium Dog Breed
Both Pugs and Boston Terriers are small to medium dog breeds. Therefore, Buggs are also a small-medium breed. The height and weight of a Bugg will depend on which physical characteristics it inherits from which parent. Boston Terriers are taller and heavier than Pugs, as their height is between 15 and 17-inches, and they weigh between 12 and 25 pounds. Pugs are shorter and lighter, as their height is between 10 and 12 inches, and they weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. Buggs are usually between 10 and 17-inches tall, and they weigh between 15 and 25 pounds.
8. They Are People Lovers
Buggs are a fantastic companion dog because they love being around people. They love to snuggle or play games with their owner, and they thrive on being the center of attention. Many Bugg owners find their playful antics entertaining. Buggs are not known to have aggressive or malicious streaks, and they are not overly-protective. As the bond develops between a Bugg and its human, they become a devoted and loyal pet.
9. Buggs Are Often Stubborn
The one negative personality trait associated with Buggs is stubbornness. If they decide they do not want to do something, there is little chance of you encouraging them. Their stubborn streak is something that can affect training. Although they are intelligent, their stubbornness can prevent them from learning new tasks and commands. Toilet training is one area of training particularly affected by their stubbornness. However, it is important to note that each dog is an individual, so not all Buggs will show signs of stubbornness.
10. They Respond Well to Reward-Based Training
Although Buggs are stubborn, all hope is not lost when it comes to training them. Buggs are a food-motivated breed, so using food to encourage them can make things a lot easier. Using a rewards-based approach will get the most out of your Bugg. Training should take place daily during the first few weeks, and you should enjoy short, fun sessions together. Reward the dog with a treat for good behavior. Early socialization is also important so that your Bugg becomes a well-rounded and sociable pet.
11. They Commonly Suffer from Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome
A common condition from which Buggs and both their parent breeds can suffer is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Fitzpatrick Referrals says that this is a condition that commonly affects dogs with short noses due to their body confirmation. Dogs with flat faces and short snouts have narrow nostrils and windpipes, a long soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and an overly large tongue. These anatomical features can make it difficult for a dog to breathe easily, and they may pant a lot. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome can make it difficult for dogs to exercise, and it also means they are prone to heatstroke in hot weather.
12. Buggs Can Also Suffer from Other Health Conditions
In addition to Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome, Buggs are also prone to several other conditions. Buggs have bulging eyes, and this can make them prone to various eye conditions. Two of the most common are corneal ulcers and cherry eye. The former occurs due to a large surface area of the cornea being exposed, and this leads to the cornea drying out. In turn, this results in corneal ulcers, which is a condition that needs urgent treatment from a vet to prevent the condition worsening. Cherry eye is when the tear gland prolapses and sits on the outside of the eyelid rather than on the inner eyelid. A cherry-sized red lump then forms on the inner eyelid, which is painful for the dog.
13. Obesity is a Potential Issue
Buggs are a food-motivated breed, and they are known for overeating if they are given the opportunity. Their overeating can lead to obesity, which can increase the risk of various serious health conditions. Some of these include diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and joint problems. To avoid your dog becoming obese and developing any of these conditions, you should feed them a healthy and balanced diet and make sure they get enough exercise. If your dog does become obese, then seek your vet’s advice, as they can give you information about maintaining a healthy weight and give you a diet plan for your dog to follow.
14. C-Sections Are Common for Buggs Giving Birth
Both parent breeds of the Bugg have large heads and a small pelvis, and this can cause difficulties giving birth, called dystocia. As Buggs inherit the large head and narrow pelvis that are common to both Pugs and Boston Terriers, they can also experience dystocia if they give birth. Therefore, Buggs have an increased risk of needing a cesarean section to deliver a litter successfully. If you breed your Bugg, they will need regular veterinary appointments, and your vet may decide to plan a cesarean rather than risk an emergency situation during delivery.
15. They Need Their Folds Cleaning
Skin folds are common in Buggs, especially around their face and neck. While this is a normal physical trait of the breed, it is something that is potentially problematic. Dirt and moisture can collect in the folds, and these can lead to sores or infection. The best way to avoid this happening is to clean your Bugg’s skin folds regularly with a cloth or cotton bud. Regularly doing this will significantly reduce the risk of your Bugg developing infections in their skin folds. Try to do this at least once a week.
16. Buggs Shed a Lot
As Buggs have a short coat, many people assume that this breed is unlikely to shed a lot. However, that is not the case, and they are known to shed a lot. You can help them get rid of loose hair by grooming your Bugg regularly. If you do not mind cleaning the extra dog hair in your home, then the shedding is not an issue. Grooming your Bugg is not a tricky task due to their short hair, and giving them a quick brush approximately twice a week is usually sufficient.
17. They Are Suitable for Apartment Living
Although Buggs are an active and energetic breed, they are suitable for apartment living due to their small size. Taking them for a daily walk around the block is sufficient to meet their exercise needs, and you can increase their activity by playing fun games with them regularly.
18. They Are an Excellent Family Pet
If you have children, then it is even more important to make sure you choose the right breed, as not all dog breeds are good at living in a family environment. Fortunately, Buggs have the perfect temperament for family life. They are not known to show aggression around children, and they are a loving, playful, and loyal dog. So, you should not have any problems welcoming a Bugg into your family. However, it is always best to supervise initial interactions to make sure both the children and the dog are safe and happy. It is best to set boundaries for both your Bugg and your children from an early stage.
19. Buggs Are Not Recognized by the American Kennel Club
Currently, Buggs are not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club because they are a designer breed that is the result of breeding two purebreds. It means that Buggs cannot register with the AKC, nor can they take part in any of the organizations’ events. In the past, the AKC has eventually allowed some designer breeds to register after recognizing them as a breed. Therefore, it is possible that they will recognize Buggs in the future.
20. They Have a Lifespan of 10-13 Years
The average lifespan of a Bugg is between 10 and 13 years, says Pet Guide. However, many factors can impact the lifespan of a Bugg, such as diet, exercise, and general health. To give your Bugg the best chance of living a full and happy life, make sure they get enough exercise, feed them a healthy and balanced diet, and take them to regular check-ups at the vets.