Husky & Pug Mix: 7 Things You Need To Know

With many mixed breed pups ruling people’s hearts, a Husky and Pug cross is one of the top contenders. Both breeds have unique traits that can make you fall in love with the offspring immediately. 

Having a mixed breed pup means you can expect a cocktail of traits coming from both parents. The Husky and Pug cross, popularly known as Hug, is a beautiful breed full of energy and enthusiasm. They make fantastic family dogs just like their parents. They can sway you with their adorable action and charming appearance. 

Owning such a breed can be a bit confusing and tricky in the beginning. So, here are X things that you need to know about your Hug puppy.

History 

The Hug is a hybrid obtained by mating a Husky and a Pug. Both these breeds are popular amongst families because of their friendly behavior and beautiful looks.

The Siberian Husky sees its origin in the Northeast Asian countries, where it was used to drag sleds on thick snow layers. As a result, they are born with a thick, magnificent coat that gives them an appearance akin to their wild relatives; wolves. 

They are not just good-looking; Huskies are one of the smartest and playful breeds of dogs.

Pugs also see their origin in Asian countries. Unlike a Husky, Pugs don’t have a thick, charming height. But they are the cutest of all the puppies you will ever see. They fall under the category of small dogs. 

They bring with them a royalty status as they were popularly owned by Chinese rulers back in the day. Not one of the active breeds, Pugs enjoy sitting on their owners’ laps and napping all day long.

The Hug or Pugsky hybrid takes a little from both its parents and makes a great family breed. They are highly affectionate and loyal to their owners. They are pretty energetic and bring in a lot of cheer and enthusiasm with them. 

Their popularity amongst dog lovers is making it a hit these days. 

Appearance

The Husky and Pug have strikingly different appearances. But when put together, you get a puppy that is so unique that you will fall in love with it instantly. 

It is, however, a chance event on how the puppy will look like. For instance, if the genes are more Husky-driven, the puppy might grow taller than a Pug. 

You can expect the size of the muzzle to be somewhere between that of a Husky and a Pug (isn’t that cute?).  

If the pup is leaning towards the Pug genes, you can expect them to be shorter and lighter in weight. In addition, they might get the coat color of the Husky, but the hair density might remain that of a Pug. 

It is exhilarating to see how the doggo turns out after it grows up. Once this is certain, the result will be loaded with cuteness and affection. 

Height 

As mentioned earlier, you can expect the Pugsky pup to grow anywhere between 12 to 23 inches. However, if the influence of the Pug genes is stronger, you can expect them to be as short as 11 inches too. 

The puppy will fall in the category of small to medium. It will not grow as big as a pure Husky might. 

Weight

Depending on how tall it grows, the weight will also range from 15 to 60 pounds. But, again, if the Pug genes are dominant, the puppy will be lightweight. 

However, regular breeding has shown that the pup is most likely to inherit the muscular and broader build of the Husky. So, you can expect it to grow a bit heavier and taller than the Pug parent. 

Coat: Texture And Color

Depending on which parent contributed the most traits, the coat color of the Pugsky pup can have a wide range. 

Some of the commonly seen coat colors include:

• White
• Black 
• Black and white
• Grey
• Brown
• Silver fawn
• Apricot
• Brown and white 

The density of the coat will also vary across the litter. Some pups might inherit a short coat that sheds less like a Pug. While the other might get the tense and thick double layer coat of a Husky that sheds heavily. 

Temperament

Just like the parents, the Pugsky pups are pretty cheerful and friendly around people. They tend to get social with strangers and go along, wagging their tails for a warm welcome. That is precisely why they make great family dogs. 

Even though not as laid-back as their Pug parent, the Pugsky pup might inherit some laziness. One moment they might be riding high with excitement; the other, they might turn into the biggest couch potatoes you have ever seen!

Huskies are infamous for having destructive energy. They often end up destroying things or digging up the ground to channelize their energy. You can expect the same level of activity from the hybrid as well. 

Pugsky is an intelligent breed that makes an excellent watchdog, if not a guard dog. 

Temperament With Other Pets

As mentioned earlier, these pups are pretty friendly and adjusting. They do great with children as well as other pets. However, the interaction becomes easier and more welcoming if the Pugsky pup is socialized frequently at a young age. 

These pups have a lot of affection and care to offer if handled with the same level of love. Their loyalty and ability to bond with their owner is magnificent and manifests into solid bonds that you can cherish for a lifetime. 

Feeding 

Feeding can be a bit tricky with the Pugsky pups. Since they come from parent breeds, quite a part of the spectrum, monitoring the feed is necessary. 

It is often seen the breed inherits a heavy and bulkier appetite from the Husky parent. In addition, this eating pattern can be seen even in the smaller pups of the litter. But that can cause a lot of health problems, including obesity. Therefore, you must take prudent measures. 

Weight can be quite a problem in the hybrid. However, about two and a half kibbles should be enough to keep your pup’s hunger satisfied. 

Grooming 

Grooming for the Pugsky pup will depend on the type of coat they have inherited from the parents. 

If the coat is smooth and not very dense like the Pug parent, you have not much to worry about. Brushing once a week to keep the debris off would be sufficient, along with biweekly baths. 

If the coat is double coat and dense like the Husky parents, you are in for extensive grooming. The coat will shed quite often and requires extra care. Regular combing and baths are necessary to maintain the coat and skin health. 

If the pup inherits the wrinkles from the Pug parent, you must keep the ridges clean to avoid bacterial infections. The same goes for ear and dental care.

Regular grinding of nails should also be a part of your grooming activities.

Training 

Training this pup can be a bit challenging. Huskies are stubborn and strong dogs. On the other hand, a Pug is laid-back. And getting them to do some exercise can be a challenge in itself. It would be best if you established who the alpha is to make the training easier. 

Training this hybrid pup is not for everyone, and it is often not recommended for the ones without any experience with dogs. 

You need to be resilient and firm in your approach to bring them to the correct zone to start training. 

Health 

There aren’t any particular diseases that target this breed. However, they might be susceptible to the health conditions that are predominant in the parent breeds. 

Some of the commonly seen healthy issues include:

• Dermatitis
• Problems with the eyesight
• Obesity 
• Depression 

Summary

By now, you must have understood why the Pugsky breed is winning the heart of many families and gaining popularity. This adorable breed is excellent for families with kids and those looking for a loyal companion. 

Though it is one stubborn breed to train, you can match their wavelength and enjoy the training sessions when you understand their behavior pattern.  

While raising this breed, two key aspects to consider are developing a healthy eating habit and a proper exercise routine. It will keep their body fit and active and their weight in control.