Pug-zu Dog Breed

The Pug-Zu is a crossbred dog that comes from two Toy Group pure breed dogs: the Pug and the Shih Tzu. Just as the historical purpose of the Pugs and the Shih-Tzus, Pug-Zus are produced to be ornamental companions. As they are playful, friendly and extremely devoted, they make great pets for first-time families but if you have small and / or young children, they should be taught to be very careful when playing with a Pug-Zu so that injuries don't occur. You should be very mindful of the many possibly costly health factors that may occur.

PROS

• Very friendly
• Wonderful lapdog
• Decent guard dog
• Extremely devoted
• Great with children
• Rather easy to train
• Great for apartment-dwelling
• Excellent for first-time families
• A beautiful dog when deftly groomed
• Only slightly sensitive to being touched
• Can get along with other dogs if well-trained and properly socialized

CONS

• Not hypoallergenic
• Sheds a moderate amount
• Requires a lot of grooming
• Has a low tolerance to heat
• Regular exercise is not recommended
• Has many health issues that may occur
• Vet costs over lifetime can be very high
• Has a fairly high chance of becoming obese
• May challenge much larger dogs than himself
• Can easily exhibit a Napoleon ("small-dog") complex
• Special dog collars, leases, etc., highly recommended
• As a brachycephalic dog, is prone to a great many debilitating diseases, ailments and conditions
• Significant time recommended to be spent for research on Pugs and Shih-Tzus before adopting a Pug-Zu

Both of the Pug-Zu's parent breeds, the Shih Tzu and the Pug, come from very long lineages (approximately 2,000 years for the Shih Tzu and about 1,600 years for the Pug!) of being — literally — royally pampered. Nevertheless, great care should be taken due to the dogs' pushed-in face, as these dogs require more monitoring than most dogs as well as a different exercise routine. Regardless of these issues, Pug-Zus are lovable, playful and devoted companions. Consider this Pug Zu information:

Unlike most dogs with significant intelligence, Pug-Zus are usually easy to train in most all ways. They are eager to please, they appreciate agility toys and they love learning new tricks — all of which can be exploited to train them. The one guidance aspect with which they are difficult, unfortunately, is house-training. Still, this hybrid dog's intelligence is such that they prefer curiosity and exploration to being obstinate or stubborn, although if they are allowed to be headstrong, they may well do so!

While they are not nearly as reluctant to relinquish their formal "royal" status as some Shih Tzus and Pugs can be, they are typically even-tempered, somewhat humorous and rather friendly dogs who love to play, explore and socialize. They are very loyal dogs who will happily accompany you most everywhere you'll allow, can be a good watchdog — and may even try to be a bit of a guard dog as they may think that nothing can scare them!

Due to their brachycephaly, Pug-Zus should not be exercised in very warm or hot weather, and they should be exercised very carefully so that they don't overheat, asphyxiate or have a heart attack. It is very strongly recommended that you have a veterinary battery of tests and exercise recommendations and follow them to the letter lest you cause injury to your cute little Pug-Zu!

Since its purebred Pug and Shih-Tzu parents have extremely sweet dispositions, the Pug-Shih-Tzu temperament is one of affection as well. These cute little dogs absolutely love attention from humans; they have positive, playful personalities, and will make fantastic companions to children. In some cases, the Pug parental characteristics will show, and a Pug-Zu will take on a dignified, distinguished air; usually, though, Pug-Zus are even-tempered, curious, and fun-loving.

This crossbreed is extremely intelligent, and is easily trained to learn new tricks. Pug-Zus will also enjoy scampering outside with the kids--but due to their brachycephaly (their "smush-face"), these dogs tend to overheat easily, so owners will want to avoid giving their Pug-Zus too much physical activity.

One drawback to these dogs' loving personalities is that they normally make terrible watchdogs. Because its tendency is to love everybody it meets, rather than bark at an intruder, a Pug-Zu may instead be happy about leading the intruder to the house safe.

As both Pugs and Shih Tzus are short-faced dogs (medically termed "brachycephalic"), they will almost assuredly pass on these problems to their crossbred puppies. Because of this, they are rather prone to having respiratory, eye and sinus problems directly related to the physical reality induced by decades, if not centuries, of controlled breeding to get their parent breeds so short-faced. There are also allergies, various infections, skin problems, joint issues, dental concerns and a distinct intolerance to merely moderately hot environments that tend to complicate things.

With all the above in mind, you should think well beyond the initial adoption costs if you are wanting a Pug-Zu. There are almost certainly going to be surgery costs and it's practically guaranteed there will be less-urgent yet far more frequent veterinary costs over the lifetime of your cute little crossbred dog. You must also understand that the typical regimen of exercise is not recommended for Pug-Zus and they should only use harness leashes.

Be sure to learn all about both parent breeds and their potential problems. Your Pug-Zu, if well-cared-for, should live to be about 9 to 14 years of age.