The Hug is an affectionate name for a lovable dog that descends from two popular breeds. The Pug Husky mix might sound like a hard-to-imagine mixed breed, but it’s still one of the best dogs to add to your family.
This loyal, intelligent, and loving dog is full of surprises and might be the right companion for you and your family. So, if you’re thinking about adopting a dog and you’re considering the Hug or the Pugsky, you’ve come to the right place. Read this article to learn more about this dog.
History of the Pug Husky
There are no detailed documents about the origins of the Hug mixed breed, but it’s believed that people started breeding Pugs and Huskies in the past 20 years or so. The new mixed breed became quite popular as it descends from two of the world’s most popular and ancient dog breeds.
The Pug dogs originated during the time of the Han Dynasty in Ancient China. Pugs relate to an ancient breed of short-nosed Lo-Sze dogs, and they soon became kings’ and emperor’s favorites.
These spoiled little dogs were very popular among the Asian nobles, and when the Dutch traders arrived, they brought these dogs to Europe. Soon enough, the royal families of Europe decided to adopt these small and smart dogs. Right after the Civil War, the Pug was recognized by the AKC.
Huskies have a different history, although they originated thousands of years ago. The people of the Chukchi Tribe bred the Siberian Huskies to pull their sleds and carry their goods for long distances. These strong and muscular dogs had thick coats that enabled them to spend time in the cold weather of Northern Russia.
Huskies were treated well by their owners and stayed inside their tents, where they shared food and shelter. This is probably how these dogs grew to become highly affectionate and loving. Then, during the Gold Rush era, these dogs found their way to Alaska.
Pug Husky Mix Facts
Just like other mixed breed dogs, it’s hard to predict how a Pug Husky litter will turn out to be. This litter usually comes from a Husky mother, who is larger, and this will facilitate the birthing process. Breeding a female Pug with a male Husky can be too dangerous for the mother and the litter.
Appearance
The appearance of the Pugsky dog can be quite unpredictable. It might have the distinctive facial folds of the Pug, or it might have the long muzzle and the markings of the Husky.
The body is rather stocky and muscular, but it’s usually bigger than the body of a Pug. At the same time, it’s likely to be smaller than a Husky, so it will work for you if you find the Siberian Husky too big.
This dog is a small to medium-sized dog, and it usually weighs between 14 and 36 pounds, depending on which side is more dominant. Some Hugs are a little smaller than Huskies, while others can be as big as them, reaching a height of 24 inches.
Miniature Pug Huskies are bred from Pugs and Miniature Huskies. These are usually smaller and can be between 12 and 16 inches tall.
In general, the Pugsky is usually considered mini Husky with some facial folds that make it look a lot like a Pug.
Hugs usually inherit the big round shape of the eyes from their Pug parent, and this makes them more vulnerable to infections. They can be as dark as the eyes of Pugs, but they might inherit the icy blue eyes of Huskies. As a matter of fact, you might also encounter a Pug Husky dog with one blue eye and another brown eye.
The tail is usually curled toward the tip, and the ears can be erect or floppy. Breeders noticed an interesting remark, though. When the Hug has the coat pattern of a Husky, its ears tend to be floppy like the ears of a Pug. However, when the markings resemble the Pug’s markings, the ears tend to be erect like the ears of a Husky.
Despite looking unique, mixed-breed dogs like Pug Huskies aren’t that popular, and they sometimes end up in shelters. This happens because people don’t favor mixed-breed dogs as their appearance and temperament are usually difficult to predict.
Moreover, they can suffer from more health problems than other purely bred Pugs or Huskies.
Coat
Pugs and Huskies have very different coats. Pugs usually have fine short-haired coats, while Huskies have double long-haired coats that keep them warm in cold weather. The Pugsky can have a short and smooth coat like the Pug with an undercoat like the Husky. It might also have a waterproof topcoat with long hair.
The crossbreeding of Pugs and Huskies can result in various coat colors, depending on the dominant coat color gene. If the Pug’s genes are more dominant, the coat’s color can be apricot, fawn, silver fawn, brindle, or black. If the Husky’s genes are more dominant, the coat’s color can be gray, white, black, brown, red, or a mix of several colors.
Pug Husky Mix Behavior and Temperament
The Pug Husky is a loving, loyal, affectionate dog that follows you wherever you go. It’s a great companion and a playful dog to add to your family, and it will be an excellent friend to your kids. A lot of Hugs inherit the clown-like attitude of Pugs, so they will fill your household with love and laughs.
Personality
It’s usually hard to predict how your Pug Husky dog will turn out to be because Pugs and Huskies have very different personalities. Pugs are outgoing dogs that love to please their humans, and they’re pretty easy to train, unlike Huskies, who are considered incredibly independent and sometimes stubborn.
So, your mixed breed Hug can be as lenient as the Pug or as stubborn as the Husky. In most cases, you’ll get a well-mannered and medium-tempered dog that offers the best of both worlds.
Exercise
Pugs are rather lazy dogs, and they don’t like to exercise a lot. On the other hand, Huskies are highly energetic dogs and should exercise more often.
Hugs can be a little bit more active than Pugs, but they will work for you if you can’t fulfill the exercise needs of an active Husky. Still, these dogs need daily exercise and appreciate play time as it will keep them physically and mentally stimulated.
They can adapt to apartment living better than Huskies, and they won’t attempt to escape as often. Yet, setting up a traditional or wireless fence will guarantee that your Hug will be safe.
Be careful not to over-exercise your Hug because it can get too tired. Also, if your Pug Husky has a flat face, it will be more prone to heat exhaustion.
With Family
If you’re looking for an affectionate, loving, and easygoing dog, then a Hug will be the best dog for you. It descends from two loving and affectionate parents, so it will be the best family dog.
The Pug Husky dog loves to be around adults and children. Still, you should monitor your kids while they’re playing with the dog, especially if you have a young puppy.
This dog inherits some alertness from its Pug parent, although it won’t be an excellent guard dog. Yet, it can be a good watchdog, a lot better than the Husky, that rarely shows any kind of alertness around strangers.
Because both parents of the Pug Husky appreciate human interaction, this is not the right dog for you if you tend to leave the house for extended periods. Hugs can become too clingy, and your dog will feel emotionally hurt when you don’t spend enough time with it.
This is why this dog will be the perfect dog for a retired person or someone who works at home. If you want a cuddly dog that doesn’t mind spending the night in your lap, then the Hug will be the right dog for you.
With Other Pets
Most Pug Husky dogs are friendly towards other dogs, inheriting this trait from their friendly and affectionate Husky parents. Pugs aren’t aggressive, but they can be pretty shy around other dogs.
This is why Pugskies can be a little shy but still get along with other pets like cats because of their low prey drive. So, this mixed-breed dog will be a good choice for a multi-pet household.
Behavioral Issues
The Pug Husky dog is an easygoing dog and won’t have a lot of behavioral issues. Yet, it needs more attention than most other dogs.
Hugs can be more stubborn than Pugs, inheriting this trait from the Husky parent. This is why socialization is crucial, or the dog will be very difficult to deal with. Moreover, the Hug can bark excessively, especially when it’s left home alone, because it suffers from separation anxiety.
Chewing on different items, including shoes and furniture pieces, will be a problem if your dog doesn’t get enough exercise and attention. This is why providing your dog with enough chewing toys and bones will keep it happy.
Pug Husky Mix Socialization and Training
Obedience training is as important as cleaning and watching the health of your Hug. The Husky parent is known to be quite independent and can sometimes be stubborn, so your Pugsky can inherit this trait. The Pug is a little shy, so you need to train it to understand the household rules.
Your Pug Husky will be a sensitive dog, and harsh training methods can hurt its feelings. So, it will become withdrawn and sad. Positive reinforcement without being too harsh will be the right way to train your dog.
Pug Husky Mix Grooming
When you get a Pug Husky, you need to understand that you’ll spend a lot of time cleaning and grooming your dog. You should brush your dog’s fur depending on its thickness. If your Hug has the thick coat of a Husky, you’ll have to brush it more often to remove any loose fur. You should brush the hair at least two times a week to keep it healthy.
If your Hug has the facial folds of a Pug, you need to clean and dry them at least once a month. These skin folds are prone to bacterial and fungal infections when not maintained.
Brushing the dog’s teeth is crucial to keep it healthy because it inherits dental problems from its Husky parent. This dog isn’t suitable for a beginner or busy dog owner. It’s not a low-maintenance dog, so you should know that it requires a lot of attention.
Pug Husky Mix Prices and Expenses
The price of getting a Pug Husky puppy is between $1200 and $2000, depending on the breeder and the dog’s lineage. Because it’s not easy to find, you should do enough research to get a healthy dog. You should also ensure that your dog has the right health certificates and vaccines, which should be included in its price.
This dog doesn’t eat as much as a Husky but requires medical attention. Depending on the health condition of your Hug, you should expect to pay about $2000 a year for vet visits.
Pug Husky Mix Rarity
The Pug Husky mix is quite rare. It’s not easy to find because breeders prefer to avoid this mix as it is prone to different health issues. Yet, you might find abandoned dogs at the shelter because their owners didn’t know how to take care of them.
Pug Husky Mix Life Expectancy
A healthy Pug Husky can live between 12 and 15 years like its Pug and Husky parents. Yet, this dog usually suffers from a lot of health issues, so you need to keep visiting the vet and have it checked regularly.
Pug Husky Mix Health
This is probably the main reason why you should think carefully about getting a Hug. Mixed-breed dogs usually inherit different health problems from both parents. Yet, DNA testing can help prevent various health problems.
Respiratory Problems
Respiratory issues are common in Hugs that inherit the short snout of the Pug. They might also have soft tissues that block the airway.
Corneal Atrophy
This is a condition that the Hug can inherit from the Husky parent. It’s characterized by having spots that lead to impaired vision.
Skin Issues
If your Pug Husky inherits the wrinkly skin of the Pug, it will be prone to different skin conditions. Fungal and bacterial infections are common, especially if you don’t clean and dry your dog regularly.
Obesity
Hugs are prone to weight gain, especially when they’re not fed well. Limit the intake of treats, and watch your dog’s weight because it can lead to several health issues.
Wrap Up
The Pug Husky is a rare mix breed, but it combines the traits of two of the most popular pure breeds. Pug Huskies are affectionate dogs that love spending time with the family and get along well with children and other pets.
However, these dogs require a lot of attention and are prone to health issues. So, they won’t work for you if you want a low-maintenance dog that doesn’t require a lot of attention.