10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Chug Dog Breed
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The Chug Dog is an excellent example of a mixed breed that comes from two well-known breeds, which would be the Chihuahua and the Pug. This can make for a great canine companion, but it is important to remember that since the Chug Dog isn’t a well-established breed, the mixing can make for a rather unpredictable set of characteristics. Something that interested individuals will want to keep in mind when looking over a Chug Dog. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about the Chug Dog:
1. Bred from the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is an old breed, so much so that no one can be sure of its exact origins save that it sprung up in pre-Columbian Mexico. However, it is interesting to note that some genetic studies have revealed that the Chihuahua doesn’t have as much pre-Columbian DNA in them as one would expect, which suggests that there was significant cross-breeding with European breeds following the Columbian Exchange to result in a dog that is similar in shape if not necessarily in genetics to its predecessor.
2. Bred from the Pug
Meanwhile, the Pug is believed to have started out as the prized dogs of the Chinese elite before eventually spreading from China to its neighbors and then Western Europe via the House of Orange. Supposedly, the Pug actually became the official dog of the House of Orange, which might be connected to how a Pug is said to have saved a Prince of Orange by warning him of the presence of would-be assassins.
3. Not Guaranteed to Be a 50/50 Crossbreed
People have been crossbreeding dogs for a long, long time. Due to this, there is no guarantee that a particular Chug Dog is going to be a 50/50 mix between the Chihuahua and the Pug. Instead, it is perfectly possible for it to be a multi-generational mix, which is why interested individuals need to get a good idea of the background of the particular dog that they are interested in.
4. Intelligent
There are some people who look down on the intelligence of the Chihuahua. Likewise, the Pug isn’t exactly famous for its intelligence either. However, it should be mentioned that both breeds are considered to be smart breeds, meaning that the Chug Dog tends to be a smart animal as well. This is a good thing because this means that the Chug Dog tends to respond well to training.
5. Responds Well to Positive Reinforcement
Those who are curious should know that the Chug Dog tends to respond best to positive reinforcement, whether carried out with clicker training or some other method. Ideally, the owner of a Chug Dog should strive to keep the training sessions short and fun, which should help keep the Chug Dog interested in what they are doing instead of boring them.
6. Responds Well to Firm and Consistent Ownership
On a related note, the Chug Dog tends to do best when their dog owner behaves in a firm and consistent manner towards them. In fact, this is critical because a lack of such leadership can lead to some serious behavioral problems, which will create further complications for both dog and dog owner.
7. Generally Friendly
Generally speaking, interested individuals can expect the Chug Dog to be a friendly dog. Moreover, members of the breed tend to be not just friendly towards their family members but also eager to make new friends so long as they have received the right upbringing.
8. Generally Healthy
Since the Chug Dog is a mix, it should come as no surprise to learn that it tends to be a healthy dog. However, it is possible for a Chug Dog to inherit the medical complications of both sides of its ancestry, meaning that Chug Dog owners will want to watch out for eye problems, respiratory problems, and the like.
9. Needs Regular Exercise
The Chug Dog isn’t a particularly demanding dog when it comes to its exercise requirements. Often, a daily walk of 30 minutes’ duration is enough to keep it satisfied.
10. Beware of Small Dog Syndrome
Both the Chihuahua and the Pug can be prone to what is called Small Dog Syndrome, which is a collection of behaviors that include excessive excitability, excessive aggressiveness, and an unwillingness to listen to human commands. Luckily, the Chug Dog isn’t doomed to Small Dog Syndrome because it is something that can be prevented or corrected with the proper training.
