Chug

Chihuahua Pug Hybrid Dogs, Pugwawa

Family: Canidae Chug or Pugwawa PictureCanis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Michelle McCarthy
Latest Reader Comment - See More
I have a fegle that is a cur and beagle mix  Tanner

  The Chug is an attentive and active companion, and though it has a short history it is one of the most sought after hybrids around.

The Chug is a mixed dog breed, a cross between a Chihuahua and a Pug. Chugs are lively and loyal companions. They are very affectionate and expect lots of attention. They may or may not tolerate strangers or other pets and animals, and though they usually do well with children they may or may not be the best pet for young ones. They do, however, tend to make good watchdogs. When selecting a Chug, look for eye and respiratory problems.


  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Carnivora
  • Family: Canidae
  • Genus: Canis
  • Species: lupus familiaris

Common Name(s) Chug, Pugwawa

Breed Type The Chug is a mixed breed. A cross between a Chihuahua and a Pug, the Chug is a popular hybrid.

Background The Chug has a short history, but it has already become one of the most sought-after hybrids around. Most breeders produce only first generation crosses to preserve the health of the Chug.

Description Chugs come in many different colors. Their muzzles are longer than the Pug's but more blunt than the Chihuahua's. They may have short or medium length hair. Their ears are often short and floppy. Sizes vary, but Chugs are always relatively small.

Care and Feeding The Chug needs a nutritious diet and it must be fed lightly to prevent obesity. Chugs are easy to groom. Occasional brushing and as-needed baths should be sufficient. Be sure to dry your Chug quickly after bathing, and take special care to get the ears dry.
Chugs need regular checkups to stay healthy. Vaccinations are due as follows:

  • 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
  • 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
  • 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
  • Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster

Some Chugs shed heavily. Regular vacuuming is essential during shedding periods.

Housing Your Dog Chugs should live indoors, and they do well in apartments. They have a hard time adjusting to extreme temperatures, especially cold ones.

Social Behaviors Chugs usually do well with children, but they may not be the best type of dog for young ones. They may or may not be tolerant of strangers and other dogs and pets.

Handling and Training Chugs are very smart, but they may be stubborn when it comes to training. It is important to be firm yet gentle for best results.

Activities Chugs need daily walks and play sessions to keep them happy and healthy. But it is important not to overwork them due to their tendency toward respiratory problems.

Breeding/Reproduction The fact that they come from parents of two different breeds makes most first generation Chugs very healthy. But if you breed a Chug with another Chug, it is important to check bloodlines of both your dog and any potential mate for hereditary illnesses. Eye and joint problems, and Pug Dog Encephalitis, are some of the more prevalent disorders to look for.

Common Health Problems First generation Chugs rarely have serious health problems. Of those that do, they usually consist of eye problems and respiratory difficulties. Your veterinarian can determine the best treatment for these ailments.

Availability Chugs may be difficult to find in some areas, but their growing popularity is making them easier to locate. Prices vary.

References "Chug", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
"Chihuahua", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
"Pug", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
"Chug Puppies", ChugPuppies.com
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Chihuahua", Referenced online, 2008
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Pug", Referenced online, 2008

Lastest Animal Stories on Chug


Tanner - 2018-03-06
I have a fegle that is a cur and beagle mix

Reply
Autumn McGrath - 2016-09-09
I have a 13 year old chug, I got him 11 years ago. He was a rescue from the high-kill animal shelter.  He is the best dog in the world and everyone is crazy about him. He is very smart, and good-natured, hes more than jsut a dog, hes like a little angel. He is gentle and friendly to all humans and dogs and cats. He has traveled with me all over the country on planes, trains, even a bus one time due to an airport closure. He is portable, easy to take care of and very adventurous. He sheds fur like crazy and need brushing all the time. His fur will cover the whole house if left un-checked. I use a swiffer alot and furniture wipes and brush him alot. He cant help his shedding. When he was younger, we went hiking every weekend and hour long walks every day. He can rock-climb, swim, and hike for miles. He is very quiet, and didnt even bark until we moved to a house with another dog who barked and he started barkng with her at the gate. But he is not an excessive barker at all. He is not aggressive at all as some others descirbed their chugs. I think it is not the breed that is aggressive. When I first got him he was totally wild and couldnt walk on a leash. He could jump really high onto the kitchen counters when he was young and steal any food that wasnt in a cabinet. He was very athletic. Even though they are small, they need to burn off their energy every day on a long walk. Now he is suffering from BREATHING DIFFICULTY for the past year off and on. I have been maintaing his health for a year, with herbal and holistic remedies. I still have him in good health when they wanted to put him down a year ago. Except for the occasional wheezing and snoring, he acts like a puppy and is so happy. As soon as they start snoring, go to the vet and check it out. I went to 6 vets before I found one I liked who listened and didnt just want to put him down. Mainly I keep him well with the home remedies. REMEDIES I USE;

 -NuVet dog supplement powder, it is a mix of supplements that help dogs with tumors, cancers and illnesses. It contains all of the stuff to help dogs fight cancer.  (NuVet.com)

-Rescue Remedy, and L-Theanine to keep him calm and not breathing too hard. (vitacost.com)

- Licorice oil drops for soothing his throat (vitacost.com)

-Colloidal Silver, to get rid of tumors, growths and infections (vitacost.com highly reccomend this)

-NEM or natural eggshell membrane for the natural collagen to supprt his windpipe (vitacost.com) 

-Cold-pressed, high lignan organic flax oil for omega 3's and health support (vitacost.com) 

-Trachea Support for kidney not grasping the Qi , apparently it is the best blend for his condition, they have many blends available and will even call you on the phone to find out which blend works for your dog.  Pawhealer.com

-Hound honey KC attack syrup Pawhealer.com

Also I elevate his food bowl on a stack of magazines with a dishcloth on top against a wall so he doesnt have to dip and bend his throat to get the food down. He chokes and gags on his food if he has to bend his neck down to eat it. He keeps his neck straight and eats smoothly. 

I also boil a sauce pan of water every night and turn the heat off after it boils, and drop a teaspoon of Eucalyptus oil (vitacost.com) in the water, take it with a pot holder and holding a dishcloth underneath, I wave it around where he is sitting or set it nearby him on a safe table or shelf of course, and the vapors help him breathe alot. Sometimes I carefully hold him above the pot of steam and make him breathe it in. You could do the exact same thing with a Vick's vaporizer/humidifier too, I just prefer to have the portable sauce pan technique. I try to keep the house really clean of dust and use the eucaylptus pots to clean the air and set it in every room once a day. All of this stuff is really easy and only takes a few minutes a day. 

  • Judy Gregg - 2017-02-08
    Hi, Autumn! Thanks for the info about your sweet little Chug! I just got one a few days ago and she's just precious! She's so sweet and so smart! When she needs to go outside to pee or poop, she will whine until I take her out and she's ONLY 8 weeks old! I could hardly believe it! I hope I'm lucky enough to have her as long as you've had your sweet baby! Thank you again for the info and recommendations!
  • donna gillespie - 2018-02-20
    I'm getting my first one friday ! Rescue dog. 13lbs they say. He's getting spaded at the vets so i have to wait!
Reply
Juliana - 2016-12-09
Does anybody know of back/slip disc problems in a chug

Reply
TCowie - 2015-05-11
I just purchased a chug. I just want to make sure that I don't over exercise him. He is nine weeks old, how far can they walk

  • Clarice Brough - 2015-05-14
    This dogs are fine with daily walks around the block.
  • Janet - 2016-08-03
    My chug is hot natured, he used potty pads if wet outside he does not like wet grass. Really likes his leash, uses it as a tug-of-war toy and walks himself with it. Carried him in a purse for the first year. Have a hard time leaving him when I grocery shop, a little dog friend helped.
Reply
Judy - 2015-09-23
Are there any Chug puppies or young adults available in the Denver area? Looking for lovable companion.

Reply
Deb KRAUS - 2015-07-10
Looking for CHUG puppy or young chug male or female.......

Reply
Amy Sheffler - 2014-12-19
My fiance rescued a pug from a No Kill shelter several years ago. He was so severaly abused he was missing almost all of his fur and he had fleas so bad he lost 1 of his eyes so my fiance named him Uno. He didn't know how to walk on grass or even play. He never barked, gave kisses, or jumped up to greet us. Sadly Uno passed away last year and my fiance was devistated to say the least, So when we came across the chug I knew I had to get him a Chug puppy! If any one could let me know of any puppies in the Pennsylvania are I would greatly appreciat it. Thank You.                                              

Reply
katrina - 2011-11-18
I have pugwawas for sale. I am from Twin Falls id if anyone would like to know more just comment back!

  • Juli Tucker - 2014-02-18
    Hi, Do you still have pugwawas for sale? We live in Sandpoint and can travel to Idaho Falls. Thank you, Juli Tucker 208-610-3498
  • Juli Tucker - 2014-03-05
    Hi, Do you still have your puppies for sale? We are looking to buy a chug. We recently lost our 8 year old baby and are heartbroken. Thank you, Juli Tucker 208-610-3498
Reply