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Original poster

Chug dogs - any experience?

48 replies

myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 14:17

Hi,

We are thinking of adding a chug puppy to our family.

I have researched as much as I can and I wondered if anyone had any experience of living with chugs and any tips / advice I would need to know?

We have a 2.5 year old DS and I have read that they are a family friendly breed.

Any advice would be brilliant.

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 28/12/2012 14:22

Chug? Is one of those new 'designer' mongrels dogs?

My advise would be don't. I can't stand that people actually pay extortionate amounts of money for what is essentially a mutt because someone has given them a stupid name.

The fact that people are willing to pay means that the 'breeders' are able to continue making a profit from abusing and exploiting their pets.

Further advise would be puppies and toddlers don't mix well.

GrimmaTheNome · 28/12/2012 14:28

Is a 'chug' a chihuahau-pug crossbreed?

Bloody hell - just googled and after the images (cute, to be sure) the next two hits are 'preloved' and 'pets4homes'. A little lower down gumtree. Maybe you get similar for proper breeds too nowaday, just made me ShockSad .

Anyway, first advice as ever is to be careful where you get any dog from.

scrumpkin · 28/12/2012 14:29

I'm sure they're very cute but you can get a mixed breed dog from a rescue and they can be just as cute. Smile

clam · 28/12/2012 14:36

I would research possible health issues first.

clam · 28/12/2012 14:37

Also, I ought to warn you that the only recommendation for a dog you'll get on here is for a rescue staffie or greyhound.

Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 15:25

Yes a chug is a cross between a pug and a Chihuahua.

The reason I looked into this breed is because they are a small dog which would be ideal for our family life.

I have looked into the rescue dog side but I am a bit weary of bringing a dog that may have had issues and will turn on my DS, that makes me very nervous.

I wouldn't look into a rescue greyhound as a greyhound killed my cat last year and they can be vicious.

I understand that people wouldn't necessarily like my choice of dog but I think it would be the best fit for my family and I just wondered if anybody had one for advice before I made the big step of getting a dog, I want to make sure I am doing the right thing.

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 28/12/2012 15:33

Greyhounds aren't viscous. They have a high prey drive. That's very normal in lots of breeds of dogs, it does not make them dangerous to people.

Not all rescue dogs have issues or have had a problematic past or unknown history.

Pugs have very expensive health issues because of bad breeding and should have health tests prior to mating. No one responsible enough to do this would cross breed their prized pedigree dog. Chugs, Doodles etc. are the puppy farmers dream. Chihuahuas have a tendency to be snappy and ill tempered if they are not trained properly.

The chances you will end up with a healthy pup with a good temperament are negligible. There is a far bigger chance that you'd end up with a pup from a puppy farmer, which would have a massive risk of having health or behavioural issues because of poor breeding and early socialisation.

A whippet or an IG pup would better. They are small, relatively healthy easy going dogs. An older, proven rescue dog would be the best choice.

BehindLockNumberNine · 28/12/2012 15:39

I think unfortunately, by saying you wish to buy a 'designer puppy' (and thereby line the pockets of unscrupulous puppy farmers) it is impossible for you 'to be doing the right thing'.
Doing the right thing and buying from a puppy farmer are mutually exclusive.

However, this time of year you will find lots of puppies and young dogs in rescues. A reputable rescue centre will match you up with the correct pup for your family and will provide you with support and back-up once you get your pup home.
That is not something a chug breeder will provide.

BehindLockNumberNine · 28/12/2012 15:40

Oh yes, and greyhounds are not vicious. They have a high prey drive (as most dogs) and are unfortunately a bit faster than most dogs. Which means that they are more likely to catch the cat than the dopey labrador. But both are equal in 'vicious' stakes.

Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 15:40

Thank you for your advice d0ing I didn't realise that cross breeding pedigrees was bad for the dogs.

I am aware that pugs can have some breathing difficulties but my friend has a pug and has never had any problems with her 8 year old dog so I thought it could just be one of those things that some dogs could have and some couldn't.

What is an IG pup out of interest?

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 28/12/2012 15:44

Italian Greyhound. They look like tiny, mini greyhounds and behave like cats.

It is what I believe my Whippy dog is crossed with and she is lovely, but I still maintain that she is not a dog.

My parents looked after her a while back. My mum got up to use the loo to find my Dad cradling an upside down Whippy in his arms whilst stroking her face and making soothing noises at her. She though he'd lost his marbles until she rang me and I explained that she will have manipulated herself into that position and that she likes being sung to sleep

Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 15:45

Ok I take back my comment about greyhounds but after the way they killed our cat (more the owners fault than the dog) I just can't bring myself round to liking them.

I might wait a few months then and go to a rescue shelter to get a pup once some people have got fed up of the newness of a dog after Christmas.

I didn't realise these breeders were called puppy farmers and it was bad for the dogs, I wouldn't want to be involved with something like that

Sorry of I caused anyone offence by posting this'

OP posts:
MothershipG · 28/12/2012 15:47

I have nothing against crossbreeds but I am against puppy farming and the trouble is that's where most of these crosses come from, and they are getting increasingly sophisticated. So you'll go to someone's house where they'll tell you it's their family pet and how loved they are and I guarantee you they're just the front for a puppy farm and in a week or 2 they'll be spinning the same line to the next person who fancies a cross. Sad

So if you can find a breeder who can prove that they have done all the health checks on both the dam and sire and is reluctant to home to a family with a toddler (possibly inexperienced?) family then I'll eat my hat you might be able to convince me that they are not a front for a farm or back yard breeder.

If someone is at home most of the day you can get small breed rescue puppies, have you looked at Many Tears?

Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 15:48

Grin Haha I like the sound of your dog d0ing

Do they take a lot of walking, training etc?

OP posts:
Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 15:53

Can someone please explain to me what a puppy farm is? Do they mistreat the dogs?

Alot of the breeders I have looked at say they are KC registered and that the dogs have had vaccinations and health checks.

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 28/12/2012 15:53

20 minutes twice a day is enough. They were bred as lapdogs so they aren't the brightest match in the box, but they can be trained if you have the patience. Whippy hasn't been and it's not an issue. All she does is sleep, cuddle and eat anyway. She escaped a few days ago, ran to the green opposite our house and then sat there looking confused and bewildered until dd1 rescued her and brought her back inside.

They will walk longer if you want them to, but they don't need more and they don't 'do' bad weather. They don't shed much and don't smell as 'doggy' as other dogs but if you don't like cats, an IG is not for you. They are very cat like.

AgathaHoHoHo · 28/12/2012 15:57

Surely all dogs take a lot of training, in as much as training has to be consistent and lifelong to maintain good behaviour?

What is it about the pug/chihuahua cross that appeals to you? If posters knew what it was that you actually wanted, perhaps someone could suggest something suitable that is less likely to be the result of puppy farming/indiscriminate breeding.

D0oinMeCleanin · 28/12/2012 15:59

A puppy farmer is a volume breeder. They breed as their main source of income and view the dogs as earning potential rather than sentient beings to be loved and cared for.

They rarely health test their dogs and they are often left without essential veterinary care. The adult dogs are bred from repeatedly, a lot of the time they are literally bred to death. They go without human interaction for most of their lives and are usually kept in less than sanitary conditions, making toilet training their off spring hard.

They often use 'front' homes as in they pay a normal family to take in the puppies and pretend they were bred in their home and the bitch is their family pet. When you take on a puppy farmed dog, you won't get to see the reality, only what the puppy farmer wants you to see.

You cannot KC register a cross breed, anyone who tells you they have are lying.

Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 16:00

D0ing I do like cats and I we currently have a cat so I will look into that breed for more information.

OP posts:
kitsmummy · 28/12/2012 16:03

Here you go, I have found you a pugalier, which would be a better cross than one involving a chi on Many Tears site (rescue) and if you'd been asking last week they had a pug x shitzu x cavalier litter of rescues on there too

Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 16:04

agatha ideally I would like a family friendly dog, that is good with children.
I work 3 days a week but my DSis and DFIL live 5 minutes away so they would be able to pop in on my days at work to make sure the dog is ok.

I would like a small dog like a pug / chihuahua which is when I was researching the pug breed I found out about chugs.

We have a big garden for the dog to be able to run around in on my days at work and then a quick walk in the evening when I get back, then on my days off I will be able to apes more time walking them.

OP posts:
Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 16:07

I am also aware that a dog no matter what breed would take a lot of training and time and I am willing to spend that time to make sure I have a healthy and happy dog.

We have been thinking of getting a dog for about a year now and I want to make sure I am doing the right thing.

My DH has grown up with dogs all his life and has wanted one for a while but the majority of the work would be down to me which is why we are compromising on a small dog.

OP posts:
Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 16:10

Wow thank you D0ing I had absolutely no idea any of that went off, I feel terrible now the poor poor dogs.

OP posts:
Original poster
myflabberisgasted · 28/12/2012 16:14

Oh kitsmummy that pugalier harry is so cute.
I will look on the many tears website now at rescue dogs instead, the puppy farming people have turned my stomach!

I will contact them about Harry he looks ideal the poor dog.

OP posts:
Lilyloo · 28/12/2012 16:38

Any reputable rescue will find you a dog to suit your family. We picked up our 9 week old pup yesterday, he is lovely.
He has had his injections, health check and is booked in for neutering already, we also had a homecheck.
I would thoroughly recommend using a rescue, the support from them is great our last dog was a great family pet for 10 years.
A chug is essentially a cross breed why line the pockets of a puppy breeder.