Pugshire Basics
Friendly, cute, and sweet, the adorable Pugshire is the ideal companion dog. This designer dog breed was developed to be a perfect pet for people who live in an apartment or pet owners looking for a lap dog that doesn’t need much exercise. Naturally, the charming looks and the goofy, loving persona of this hybrid leave no one indifferent- it really is not a surprise that the Pugshire makes an ideal choice for so many people.
As a designer dog breed, the Pugshire comes from two purebred parents- in his case, it’s the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pug. The somewhat unusual combination of the two small breed dogs results in a compact canine with a big heart- and a big personality. With timely training and socialization, this one-of-a-kind doggo will be a true rockstar: extroverted, playful, and kind to everyone he meets.
Of course, as it is the case with all dog breeds, the Pugshire also has some requirements and quirks that not all pet owners find suit their lifestyle. For instance, those that inherit the distinct flat face are not the best choice for hot climates- that’s just one of the tidbits that you should know about. To find out everything about the Pug and Yorkie mix before you make a final decision, read on!
Laid-back, smart, and full of love for their family, Pugshires really are the ideal lap dogs and companions.
Origin
The origin of all designer dog breeds is mysterious- to a certain degree. We know that it all “officially” started in the 1980s when the term was first coined and put to use. An Australian breeder combined a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever to try and create the world’s first hypoallergenic seeing eye dog. This inspired many others to try and crossbreed purebreds in an effort to produce new breeds, then dubbed designer dogs. However, while the story of the Labradoodle might be well-known, not all hybrids share the same situation. In fact, there are more designer dogs with unclear origin than there are those whose history is well-documented.
One of the reasons for this is that many of the mixes now being developed as designer dogs existed for years before they got their name and status of the designer dog breed. Granted, those mixes were usually unplanned and unfortunately often unwanted. The popularity of crossbreeding changed that to an extent, as it led to the intentional mixing of purebreds with a clear goal for the litters that came from those crossings.
There are no breeders that claim that they were the first to bring Pugshire puppies to the world. This makes it impossible for anyone to know the exact origin of this particular breed, but the general consensus is that they are likely to share their history with most other hybrids. In other words, the Pug and Yorkie mix probably came to be in the last 20 to 30 years, somewhere in the United States.
Pedigree
The Pugshire is a mixed breed dog with two purebred parents: the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pug. As the first generation (F1) crossbreeds, they fall into the category of designer dog breeds. The fact that they’re an F1 hybrid means that each puppy always comes from a Yorkie and Pug parent, and their lineage is always a 50-50 percent mix of both. As a result, these pooches can have varying traits, sometimes favoring one parent over the other. For example, in one litter, you can have puppies that have a wrinkly face like the pug, and some with a foxier Yorkie nose- each with a slightly different coat. While this unpredictability can be a hindrance for the breed’s official recognition, it’s also one of the things people love about designer dogs. Each Pugshire will be unique, inside and out!
However, multigenerational Pugshires are also a common occurrence. These are dogs with a slightly “broader” family tree as multigenerational breeding involves introducing unrelated Pugs or Yorkies to the gene pool. Alternatively, Pugshires can also be bred to other Pugshires. This is done for the sake of uniformity and in hopes of creating a breed standard. In other instances, people just want to make sure their Pugshires favor one of the parental breeds more than the other.
Food/Diet
All dogs will rely on a healthy lifestyle and well-balanced, nutritious diet to thrive. As a pet parent, one of your main responsibilities will be making sure that your pet gets all of the nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy. Luckily, the Pugshire is not demanding when it comes to his dietary preferences. These dogs usually have healthy appetites and do well on high-quality dry food for dogs. Of course, you can’t just grab any bag of kibble and expect it to be good for your Pug Yorkie mix. They will need food that is suitable for their age, size, and activity level. Additionally, the food should be made from high-grade natural ingredients and without artificial colors and additives. As a rule of thumb, Pugshire will do well on premium small breed formula.
Since the Pugshire is not usually a picky eater, you can count on him gobbling down the kibble without hesitation. However, just because your pooch likes to eat doesn’t mean you should overindulge them with treats or overfill their bowl with food. As a small breed dog, the Pugshire will be particularly prone to easy weight gain and can become obese as a result of it. Needless to say, obesity can cause a number of serious health issues for pets. It’s best to strive to keep your pet’s weight at an optimal level. To make sure your pooch is eating the right amount of kibble, consult with a vet or check what the manufacturer recommends for serving sizes.
Despite his many qualities, the Pugshire is not a suitable dog breed for beginners.
Training
Despite his many qualities, the Pugshire is not a suitable dog breed for beginners. If this is your first time owning a dog, this strong-willed hybrid might be too big of a challenge. While generally sweet and eager to please, owing to their parentage, these dogs often have a stubborn streak and can be difficult to potty train. However, if you do have previous experience with dogs, it shouldn’t be an issue- they just need a bit more patience. Use positive reinforcement methods for best results. If you expect your Pugshire to pay attention in class, you better come equipped with some yummy treats and be ready to sing their praise when they do something well! Of course, you should also be firm and assertive. Your pet needs to know who the leader of the pack is!
Not unlike many compact canines, the Pugshire is also prone to small dog syndrome. To make sure your pooch doesn’t become a bossy, dominant doggo, timely obedience training and early socialization are a must. In addition to proper training, make sure to expose your puppy to various situations that include people they don’t know, children, and other pets- and correct their behavior along the way.
Weight
Both the Pug and the Yorkie are small dogs, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that their mix is very petite. The Pugshire will usually weigh between 7 and 10 pounds, with a height of 12 to 14 inches at the withers.
Temperament/Behavior
The spunky little Pugshire is a pleasure to be around. With proper training and socialization, these crossbreeds have friendly behavior and a sweet temperament- they will get along with anyone they meet. However, despite their affectionate nature, they are not the best choice for families with young children. Not only that their petite size puts Pugshire at risk from injury, but these dogs can also be nippy if provoked. For these reasons, it’s best if you have no kids in the household or if your children are in their teens.
Laid-back, smart, and full of love for their family, Pugshires really are the ideal lap dogs and companions. Seniors will love the fact that they’re low maintenance and love to snuggle on the sofa, and the singles will certainly appreciate their devotion and their playful, charming behavior.
Of course, every dog will is one of a kind- each will have a personality and temperament that is unique to them. Some Pugshires will be more outgoing, others will be all about cuddles. The important thing is that they do inherit the best of both worlds- it’s just question of which traits are more prominent!
Common Health Problems
As a breed, the Pugshire is relatively healthy. In the end, the most important thing will be the combination of their lifestyle and predispositions they inherit from their mom and dad. Make sure you avoid puppy mills and pet stores as sources for getting a puppy.
When it comes to breed-specific issues your Pugshire may be at risk for, owing to his parents, these include patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, and portosystemic shunt. If the puppy favors the Pug parent in terms of the face shape (flat nose, wrinkles) it will also be prone to brachycephalic syndrome.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy for a Pugshire is between 12 and 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
The Pugshire is lively and playful, but these dogs don’t need much exercise to stay happy and healthy. Their compact build makes it even easier for them to get the activity they need, as they can burn off excess energy even by playing indoors. This is one of the reasons why the breed is popular with apartment dwellers- Pugshires will be perfectly happy living in a condo. Nevertheless, like all dogs, they will also need daily time outside, in the fresh air. Take your pet to a few brisk walks, visit the local doggy park for some socializing or play fetch in a backyard, if you have one. Overall, circa 30 to 60 minutes of deliberate exercise is enough for the Pugshire.
The Pugshire is lively and playful, but these dogs don’t need much exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Recognized Clubs
As a designer dog of mixed breed lineage, the Pugshire is not recognized by the American Kennel Club or its international counterparts. There are, however, many smaller clubs that do accept the Yorkie and Pug mix as an actual breed. American Canine Hybrid Club, Dog Registry of America, Inc., International Designer Canine Registry recognize these dogs under the name of Pugshire. Designer Breed Registry and Designer Dogs Kennel Club recognize it as Pugshire Terrier, the breed’s alternative name.
Coat
As a rule of thumb, the Pugshire has medium-length hair that sheds moderately or very low. However, there are no guarantees when it comes to his coat. The Yorkie has long, soft hair and the pug a short sleek coat, so there’s no saying which will prevail. Some Pugshires have a wiry coat, others have short shaggy ones, and others have a longer, softer fur. Every dog is unique!
And the variety doesn’t end there. The color possibilities are virtually endless, the main being brindle, pied, and all shade of cream, gold, and fawn. Bi-color combos are possible, usually those like the Yorkies sport.
Puppies
Pugshire puppies are cute, clumsy, and they will steal your heart in an instant. Their sweet and playful behavior, paired with those big, round puppy eyes… It’s easy to see how they charm your pants off. Of course just because Pugshire puppies are adorable as heck doesn’t mean you should forget about obedience training and socialization. Starting training early is important as it will ensure your dog becomes well-adjusted and friendly.
Photo credit: Eric Fahrner/Shutterstock
