The Mini Pug, also called “Miniature”, “Teacup” or “Toy” Pug, is the smaller version of a Standard Pug. Sometimes they’re referred to as “Chugs”, “Chuggs” or “Pughuahuas” given that they’re a cross breed of Pug and Chihuahua. They’re still regarded as a member of the Pug family and are not recognized as a separate breed just because they have a difference in size. If you don’t have a Chihuahua and you want a Mini Pug, you can just simply breed two Mini Pugs—making their offspring a purebred.
If you are interested in learning more about Mini Pugs, then this post is for you. We will cover the top 11 things to know about Mini Pugs —including their history, coat, shedding level, grooming, drooling level, size, life expectancy, temperament, adaptability, trainability and food & diet.
Top Things To Know About Mini Pugs
History
The Pug’s (full-sized and miniature ones) history goes way back during ancient times in China, where it is believed that the Chinese were the ones who first mastered the breeding of Pugs—thus where they originated. In culture, the aforementioned breed’s wrinkles are cherished as they represent good luck charms. But there are some that were cherished more than others, particularly when the wrinkles seem to form the letters of the word “prince” in Chinese script. In addition, they’re bred to be a companion for the wealthy Chinese businessmen as some kind of luck on their business ventures. Back then, this breed was also treated like royalty since they’re usually the companion of the Chinese emperors in their palace or even Tibetan Buddhist monks in their monasteries. As Pugs made their name known, their breed spread out to other countries, such as Japan, Russia and Europe, owned as well by royalties and upper-class families.
Mini Pug Temperament
Mini Pugs are naturally friendly to their family and can socialize themselves well with strangers and other breeds, too. In addition, they can be too attached with their family and may follow you wherever you go around the house. That being said, if they feel that their adoration isn’t reciprocated, they tend to give cold shoulders in return. In any case, they have a playful nature within and they can be an excellent playmate for children. They also tend to make their family laugh with their own silly antics which they’re very proud of.
They make an ideal house dog for family since they’re an affectionate, loyal and obedient breed. They’re happily content by just sitting on their owner’s lap while doing their own thing, whether it’s watching TV, reading a book or stitching clothes, whatever you name it. Though, at some point, they can be pretty stubborn and strong-willed. Even though they’re miniature, they do like exploring different areas in your house, especially if you have a large space. You’ll see them snooping around almost every corner, minding their own business. However, for the same reason they’re miniature, don’t let them walk too much for when they get exhausted, it might result in their breathing difficulties.
Mini Pug Adaptability
Mini Pugs adapt well to apartment living, even with a small, limited space—thanks to their miniature size. However, as mentioned above, they don’t take pleasure in alone time at home and prefer to be with their family at all times. In any case, they have low resistance against cold, so they might not be a great choice for companionship if you’re someone who’s living in a cold climate. But, to resolve this problem, you can dress them up with thick dog clothing, so they can insulate themselves against cold. You can also cover them with extra layers of clothing or even blankets for additional warmth once they lay down to get some rest. Speaking of which, they have a tiny bladder, so expect them to urinate from time to time. Lastly, since they’re miniature-sized, they’re very likely to fall down the stairs or couch—or even get overlooked and stepped on. That being said, you should always be aware of their presence in the room to prevent accidents.
Mini Pug Trainability
First and foremost, they don’t indulge in harsh training techniques or punishments. So, you might need to invest a lot of patience, especially when their stubborn nature prevails. Regardless, they’re eager to please and with their precise energy levels, they’ll be able to do well in training sessions. When it comes to their daily exercise, they don’t need something vigorous since they’re only small in size. Moderate exercises, such as walks, jogs or even playtime sessions can also be considered as a form of exercise and will already suffice to maintain healthy physical condition. However, you should watch out for their eating habits as this breed has a deep fondness for food—which is why it is important for them to have their daily moderate exercise to tone down the possibility of obesity.
Food and Diet
Mini Pugs will thrive whether it is commercial pre-made products or homemade meals—as long as the quality is not discarded. But for more reassurance for yourself and your pup, ask the approval of your trusted vets before feeding it to them. On an important note, regulate their calorie consumption as they’re very prone to obesity due to their eating habits. In addition to this, with their miniature size, it is only sensible to not get them overweight as it can only cause discomfort. You should monitor their weight from time to time, or else, they might develop some health issues related to weight gain.
Coat of the Mini Pug
The coat of the Mini Pug is as ever the same as the Standard Pug. They have a glossy, short-haired coat with a smooth texture. Their coat only comes in a few color selections, such as white, black and fawn. They may have a brindle coat pattern for any of the aforementioned colors.
Mini Pug Shedding Level
Mini Pugs are heavy shedders just as well as their standard counterparts. However, due to their size difference, the amount of coat they shed is distinctly fewer than the full-sized ones in comparison. They shed coats all-year round and their intense shedding occurs twice a year, particularly in spring and fall seasons. So, during this time, apply some shedding reduction practices, such as coat brushing, supplements ingestion and food and diet.
Mini Pug Grooming
Due to their miniature-sized and short- haired coat, their grooming is rather easier than the Standard Pug. They only require minimal efforts of grooming from the owner, which includes weekly brushing. It will help remove loose or dead hairs from their coat, making them look clean and at their best. Regular bathing is not necessary, not unless they tend to get dirty every time from daily routine or just dog things. Lastly, their nails should be trimmed regularly as longer nails can cause them uneasiness, particularly when walking and running. So, you should observe their nails as often as you can.
Mini Pug Size
The average size of a Mini Pug is anything that’s less than 14 inches tall, weighing at about 4 to 12 pounds. But some Mini Pugs can slightly exceed its average height and weight, depending on the amount of food they consume on a regular basis—as well as the heredities from both sides of their dog parents.
Health Issues & Life Expectancy
Generally, Mini Pugs can live for 13 to 15 years. However, some can actually live longer than their average life expectancy, especially when they are well fed, exercise often, and manage to avoid genetic and hereditary health issues.
The genetic or common health issues for this breed may include, but not limited to:
- Hydrocephalus
- Hypoglycemia
- Collapsing Trachea
- Patellar Luxation
- Myelopathy
- Idiopathic Epilepsy
- Dystocia
- Dental Problems
The Last Word on The Mini Pug Breed
Mini Pugs are an ideal breed for a companion at home. They have a well-balanced temperament that makes them an excellent choice. For a start, they treat everyone as their best friends, including strangers. That alone, you’re reassured that they won’t mean any harm to other people—as well as other dog breeds. Furthermore, they’re loyal, affectionate and playful towards their family, so there’s nothing more you could ask for.
Overall, Mini Pugs are highly recommendable for novice owners since they’re highly manageable by means of caring, grooming, and training and/or exercise. However, their owner should at least be aware of their common health risks. So, by the time any of these symptoms start to show up, they’ll need medical attention immediately.
