It’s difficult not to be tempted by a dog known as the Hug. But if you are thinking of introducing a husky pug mix into your household, do your research first. It might seem strange to mix two dog breeds so dissimilar, but it’s not always a bad thing. However, sharing your life with a dog is a big commitment. So it’s only fair to both you and your dog that you are as prepared as you can be for both the good and the bad aspects of a mixed breed companion.
Since most designer dogs have a short history regarding their breed, it’s useful to look at the parent breeds to determine what you can expect from your dog. Not only does a dog’s history enable us to understand what your chosen dog is likely to need in terms of exercise needs. But it also helps determine how suitable they are for our lifestyle.
Breed history
As with all mixed-breeds, the characteristics a puppy inherits can be from either parent breed. This means that within the same litter, there could be puppies that are more like their husky parent while others are more like their pug parent. However, most will fall somewhere in between and have elements of both breeds.
The Husky and Pug could not be further apart from each other regarding their breed history. On the one hand, you have the high energy, exercise hungry Husky. While, on the other, you have the couch potato, and some would say lazy Pug.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a working dog. Valued for its stamina, speed, and independent thinking. The Husky was used both as a form of transportation – pulling sleds and as family dogs helping to keep children of nomadic tribes warm as they slept in the harsh winter conditions of Siberia.
During the summer months, Huskies were often left to their own devices and had to hunt for themselves, and this prey drive is still evident today in the modern dog.
Pug
Meanwhile, the Pug’s history has always been as a companion dog. Valued highly by Chinese Emperors, its primary role was to provide company and entertainment. With an established history as a companion dog, the Pug breed is affectionate and devoted to their owners and are well known as the clowns of the dog world.
So what can you expect when you cross two very different breeds?
Pug Husky mix temperament
So what happens when you combine the husky and the pug?
The Hug dog is the result of two breeds that both have big personalities. The Pug is known as being a lot of dog in a small space while the internet is full of Siberian Husky antics. Although both the Pug and the Husky are friendly, playful, and mischievous, the Pug has the edge regarding tolerance.
Husky Pug mix at its best An affectionate, playful and tolerant dog that is a friend to everyone. Devoted, charming and fun
Although the Siberian Husky often works as pack animals, they can be choosy about their canine companions. The Pug’s sociability can moderate the Husky’s selectiveness and produce a happy dog to share its life with other animals. Meanwhile, the active genes of the Husky parent lessen the Pug’s love of the couch. Producing a dog that has medium to high energy levels.
What’s more, as both parent breeds are affectionate, you can expect husky pug mixes to welcome everyone into your home. Although this trait isn’t good if you are looking for a guard dog, it’s perfect if you have regular guests.
As the Husky is bred to be an independent thinker, they are not always willing to go along with what you ask them to do, particularly if there’s nothing in it for them. Combine this with a Pug’s stubborn streak. You may want to reconsider your choice if you are looking for a dog always eager to please.
Husky Pug mix at its worse A stubborn dog with a high prey drive and boundless energy. Easily bored, intelligent and challenging
Husky Pug mix appearance
With two such different-looking parent breeds, it can be difficult to predict what the husky pug will look like accurately. Although you might expect husky pug mix puppies to look like a mix of their parents, genetics are rarely that simple. So with any mixed-breed dog, appearance is always the best guess based on the parent breeds and previous litters born from that pairing.
However, you can expect your Hug to be medium-sized. Larger than a Pug by some way but smaller than a Husky. The Husky’s long nose tempers the squashed face of the Pug resulting in a dog that has more of a square face like that of the Boxer dog breed.
Husky pug mixes often have the coat coloring and length of the Pug. However, sometimes the long thick double coat of the Husky is evident, as are the masks and face markings. What’s more, the ears vary between flat like the Pug to erect like the Husky and all the variants in between.
Since both parent breeds have curly tails, a Hug puppy will likely inherit a curve in its tail. Despite this, the curl in the Hug’s tail is likely to be less pronounced than that of the Pug. And carried more loosely over their back, more like their Husky parent. Finally, and perhaps the most endearing feature of the Husky’s appearance is their startling blue eyes, and some Hug puppies may inherit this aspect of their Husky parent.
Husky Pug mix exercise
On the one hand, you have the lazy Pug. On the other, you have the boundless energy and stamina of the Husky. It’s likely that if you choose a Pugsky, you will need to do a fair amount of exercise each day. At least an hour every day is required as well as additional playtime to keep your puppy happy. Although the Pug parent is content to wander with its owner, the Husky is more adventurous and will run when off lead.
Never underestimate the distance that a Husky can cover in a very short space of time. If your Hug has inherited the prey drive of the Husky, you have a dog that needs to be on a lead at all times.
Husky Pug mix grooming
Both the Pug and the Husky are moderate to heavy shedders. If you are lucky, your Hug has inherited the Pug parent coat that needs little maintenance to keep it looking good.
Although Pugs shed freely, get rid of dead hair with weekly brushing. If your Hug’s coat is longer and has a dense under-layer like that of the Husky, then it needs slightly more attention. The Husky blows its coat twice a year and sheds moderately the rest of the time. An undercoat rake is your best friend when the soft downy fur is being cast off. Daily brushing at these times will keep the hair at bay. Otherwise, you will end up with a house full of fluff.
Husky Pug mix health
Whatever dog you choose, there are always associated health risks with particular breeds. Luckily the Husky is a relatively healthy breed with only a couple of primary considerations regarding health.
The Pug, in contrast, has several common health issues to consider. Although breeding with a more robust kind of dog without the same problems often mitigates the seriousness of the conditions, it’s worth being prepared;
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy
- Distichiasis
- Entropion
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Corneal ulcer
- Elongated soft palate
- Intussusception
- Luxating patella
- Pug dog encephalitis
- Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS)
Although this list may look a bit scary, don’t let it put you off. These are only possible problems, and it’s quite possible that your pug husky mix won’t suffer any of these health problems.
Husky Pug mix highlights
Suppose you want a friendly, affectionate medium-sized dog that is playful and full of personality. Then the Husky Pug could be the perfect dog for you. Tolerant and mischievous, they are a great family dog; the Pug’s history as companion dogs ensures that your Hug will be a devoted friend.
What’s more, the Husky’s love of exploration combined with their energy guarantees that your Pugsky will be ready for adventure whenever you are. The Hug is a dog that combines two very different breed types-huskies and pugs and creates a charming, fun, and lively companion who is gentle and intelligent.