Pug-Zu

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Pug-Zu is from two Chinese breeds traditionally prized as house pets and companion dogs. The small-sized Shih-Tzu and Pug were long kept by upper classes and nobility as a luxurious indulgence. Nothing more was required of these dogs but to be cheerful and well-groomed ornaments, often seen in paintings and drawings with their masters and mistresses.

The Shih-Tzu is believed to be descended from mountain wolves, and thought to be a cross between the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. Both the Shih-Tzu and the Pug are brachycephalic dog breed, with round skulls, shortened muzzles and round, protruding eyes.

Color

The Pug-zu can come in a variety of colors, as the parent Shih-Tzu does. The Pug usually has a solid coat color of fawn or black. A black mask or coloration around the eyes and muzzle and on the ears is common.

Coat

The Pug-zu's coat, if taken after the Shih-Tzu, will be medium-long to long, soft, and silky, with a fluffy undercoat. The Pug will contribute a much shorter coat, albeit similar in texture.

Personality

The Pug-Zu is a small companion dog perfectly suited for indoor living and in small spaces. Not known for its athletic ability or great stores of energy, the Pug-Zu offers instead its amiable, cheerful disposition and its general tendency to greet and accept everyone, even strangers and other dogs, as friends. This breed is great for cuddling, as, aside from its convenient size, it basks in and returns affection as well. Children will enjoy the cuteness and playfulness of the Pug-Zu, although care must be taken that the play isn't too rough that the Pug-Zu is put at risk. It is not barky, but will express its displeasure if ignored or left alone too often. Eager to please and very partial to attention, the Pug-Zu is tractable and will do tricks for treats and praise. Curious as well, the Pug-Zu will investigate other (new) animals in the house, but will end up regarding them as just another dog, just another member of the family, regardless of their size.

Care

Care and grooming could be extensive and costly if the coat takes after the Shih-Tzu. Constant brushing will be required, not only to maintain the shine, but to straighten out the snarls and mats, as well as to get rid of the shed hair in the undercoat. The coat could grow up to the floor, and this will need clipping for ease of movement. Hair on the head is often tied up so as not to cause vision difficulty. A shorter Pug coat will require lesser maintenance, just weekly or twice-weekly brushing to clean away dirt and take care of shed hair.

Training

Puppy training is typically not difficult for the Pug-Zu, and crate training will work best. Correction of behavior such as chewing should be undertaken early, although harsh discipline will damage the dog's personality and cause more harm than good. Repetitive commands and rewards will often work well.

Activity

The Pug-Zu is not too demanding when it comes to its exercise requirements. Due to its size and middling energy level, a half-hour to an hour of leisure walking daily will be enough. If not possible, playing indoors or in a small yard can be substituted.