Brug Basics

The feisty little Brug is a small dog with an over-sized personality and big sense of self-importance. He brings together the fun-loving character of the Pug and the stubborn nature of the Brussels Griffon for a great family dog who is devoted to his pet parent. Because of his small size, he is ideally suited to a family with older children who understand that he is still a fragile dog due to his smaller stature. Likewise, other pets should be of a smaller size so that active playtime never results in injury. And of course, like all small dogs who possess a totally fearless nature, he’ll need to be watched when visiting off-leash parks. He isn’t a yappy dog, but is quick to step in when he feels it necessary so makes a great little watchdog.

The bold little Brug brings together the fun-loving Pug and the headstrong Brussels Griffon.

Origin

The Brug is a Designer Dog and as such, most likely dates back to the 1980s or 1990s when breeders in North America first began to cross two or more pure-breds dogs in order to arrive at a pooch that was typically healthier than their parent breeds and often non-shedding, smaller or in some instances gentler. With the Brug, you have a dog that hales from the Pug and the Brussels Griffon and while his own history may extend back just 30 or 40 years, both parent breeds bring some pretty impressive lineage. As his name implies the Brussels Griffon (aka Griffon Bruxellois) originated in Belgium and is related to a smallish terrier type of dog known as a Smousie, that was used to rid the stables of rats and other forms of vermin back in the 19th century. This feisty little dog was later bred with the Pug, the English Toy Spaniel and the Affenpinscher which respectively contributed to his flatter coat, large, expressive eyes and overall size. He reached the height of his popularity in the late 19th century when Queen Marie Henriette began breeding and promoting the. With the Pug, you have a solid, expressive-looking pooch that first made his appearance in ancient China where he was a much-loved companion dog to the Chinese emperors. Over time, his travels brought him to Tibet where he joined the Buddhist monks in their monasteries, becoming a highly revered pet. It wasn’t until the 16th century this charming little dog appeared in the courts of Europe as a companion dog to a number of royal households and the “muse” of such artists as Goya. He finally arrived to North America in the mid-1800s and has since become a hugely popular family pet.

Pedigree

The Brug does not qualify to join the American Kennel Club (AKC) because of his mixed breed status however both of his parent breeds are well-known and long-term members. The Brussels Griffon joined the club’s “toy” group in 1910 and is described as being loyal, alert, curious while the animated Pug became a member of the “toy” group back in 1885 and has been characterized as a charming, mischievous and loving dog.

Food/Diet

Because the Brug isn’t an overly active dog and is prone to experiencing joint issues later in life, its important his ideal weight be established and maintained. Opt for a nutrient-rich kibble that meets his needs from an age, size and activity standpoint and always look for one that is higher in proteins that will help satisfy his appetite and prevent over-eating. Similarly, treats should be of a healthy variety and doled out only as earned to prevent obesity. As with many breeds, providing him with 2 or 3 smaller meals throughout the day versus free-feeding will help prevent binge eating that can cause weight gain and also help you monitor his intake to ensure he is eating. And with this dog likely to inherit the flatter, brachycephalic facial structure, eating can be a challenge that requires him to press his nose into his dish and breathe by gulping air (resulting in a flatulent dog). Consider checking out some of the many pet food dishes designed specifically for this type of dog, with a gentle tilt that allows easier, cleaner access to food.

Training

Your little Brug comes from a couple of super smart dogs which means that while he will be quick to pick up on your instructions and know exactly what you want from him alas, a stubborn streak may result in him deciding to not follow through. Patience will certainly be required when training this little dog and because smaller breeds are typically a challenge to house train you’ll want to begin the process when he’s young and more likely to listen. The Brug has a tendency to become possessive of his owner and this can result in him making strange with new faces and acting aggressively to anyone and everything he feels is challenging this relationship. As a result, socialization is a must for this dog as his small size can get him into trouble if he decides to take on a larger animal. Obedience is also crucial and instilling the basic commands such as “sit” or “come” can be a life-saver if he sets out after larger dogs in a leash-free zone. Plan to take a rewards-based approach when training your Brug, tempering the praise and treats he receives for a job well done with a firm, consistent approach that helps him understand the rules and expectations you have of him.

Weight

Your Brug is the offspring of two small dog breeds which means that regardless of which influences his gene-pool more, he’s still going to be a small dog that will ultimately weigh somewhere between 10 and 15 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The self-assured Brug is a playful, loving and loyal family dog who is completely devoted to his pet parents. He loves nothing better than to snuggle up on a welcoming lap or cuddle on the sofa but because of this deep bond, he can be overly suspect of new faces and other animals who he feels are infringing on his human pack. This possessive streak can result in him acting aggressively and will require socialization from a young age. It also means that he will likely suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for longer periods of time, so his ideal family will have someone at home during the day to keep him company and prevent him developing destructive behaviors. This curious, often stubborn little guy can also be prone to small dog syndrome if his owner does not establish pack leadership from the onset so begin training while he is young and is more inclined to listen and understand the rules.

Common Health Problems

Although Designer Dogs are typically healthier than their pure-bred parents, its important you do the necessary research into what your new family member may inherit down the line. With the Brug that can include respiratory issues from their flat, brachycephalic facial structure, cataracts and dry eye as well as joint issues including patella luxation and hip dysplasia from both breeds. If your Brug inherits the Pug’s heavy facial folds he may also be prone to smelly yeast infections if they are not cleaned on a regular / daily basis to prevent a build up of bacteria. In spite of what may seem like a lengthy list of potential ailments, the Brug is generally a healthy little dog who may live his entire life without any issues at all.

Life Expectancy

The Brug is a small dog and with the right diet, mix of exercise and regular check-ups with his vet to monitor his health, he will enjoy a long, healthy life of between 12 and 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

This is a busy little dog and its fairly easy to meet his exercise needs through inter-active playtime – either indoors or outdoors. That said, mental stimulation is always important and can be achieved through a couple of short daily walks that expose him to other animals and new sights and sounds. Periodic visits to a dog park are a great way for him to burn off a little steam but this is a very small dog with a big sense of adventure so you’ll need to monitor him carefully to ensure he doesn’t decide to run with the big dogs. And because he will almost certainly inherit the flatter face of the Pug, be aware that warm weather can present challenges. On hotter days, consider meeting his exercise needs through indoor play or plan to keep walks short, carry plenty of fresh water and be prepared to stop for shady breaks.

The self-assured Brug is a loving and highly loyal family member.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as a Griffon Pug, the Brug is a Designer Dog which means he is the offspring of two different pure-bred dogs. As a result, he isn’t eligible to join the coveted American Kennel Club who are focused on promoting the standards and well-being of pure-bred dogs. He is however recognized by several lesser known organizations including the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

Because he comes from two short-haired breeds, your Brug will most certainly have a shorter coat however that’s about the only thing that can be predicted with this little dog. He may inherit the softer, smooth texture of the Pug who sheds enormously or the rougher, dense fur of the low-shedding Brussels Griffon. Either way, he will likely be a moderate shedder that requires brushing 2 to 3 times a week to keep loose hair in check and ensure his coat always looks its best. Because he may inherit the facial folds of the Pug, a quick daily cleaning to ensure he hasn’t collected food and debris in the creases will be necessary. Smelly yeast infections are common in dogs that have heavy folds because of the ease with which bacteria can grow. Similarly, floppy eared dogs should have a weekly inspection and cleaning to remove dirt and debris that can turn into infections if left unchecked.

Puppies

The little Brug dog begins with an even smaller Brug puppy and care will need to be taken when he is handled. Children must always be supervised and exercise or playtime will need to keep his tiny legs and joints in mind. With a small dog that is already prone to joint issues later in life, injury now could be catastrophic to his quality of life. This self-assured little pup can be possessive of his human pack as he gets older so will need early socialization to help him learn to play nice with others and because small breeds can be a challenge to housebreak, an early start with this aspect of his training will be important.

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