Both German shepherds and pugs are quite popular dogs and hence there is a thought of cross-breeding them to get the best of both the dogs.
So what a German Shepherd Pug mix is? German shepherd pug mix is developed by cross-breeding of German Shepherd and Pug. They are medium size dogs who are friendly & loyal and require low maintenance. They are also known as Shugs.
Due to the sheer difference in size, Pug is always the daddy and the mix is generally bred with the help of IVF technology advancement of science. If Pug is the mother, she may die while giving birth.
German shepherd pug mix at a glance
| Size | 11 to 15 inches |
| Weight | 45 to 50 pounds |
| Temperament | Friendly, Loyal and Intelligent |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Price | $500 – $2000 |
| Purpose | Companion dogs |
| Popularity | Low |
| Grooming | Low |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Appearance
Hybrid breeds are typically unpredictable as we do not know which parent has got the dominant genes. But in the case of Shugs, they are relatively more predictable. Let us look at some of the physical traits that you can expect.
Body: A german shepherd pug mix is usually a medium-sized dog with a heavily built body and a broad deep chest.
Face: They may have a german shepherd snout or a flat face of a Pug based on dominant genes. The color of their nose is black.
Eyes: They have round eyes which are usually hazel or brown.
Ears: Ears of this mixed breed would be tricky to guess. Some will have floppy ears of a Pug whereas others will have pointed upright ears of a German shepherd.
Tail: They typically have a curly tail which will curl over their back.
Coat: Coat of Shug dog is generally short and can be either straight or wiry. They can come in varied colors like fawn, brindle, black, or cream. Some times they also have white markings on their chest and stomach.
Size: German shepherd pug mix can grow to a height of 11 to 15 inches and weigh approximately 45 to 50 pounds.
Lifespan: The lifespan of a German shepherd pug mix is around 12 to 15 years.
Shug dog – temperament
Here are a few personality traits that you can expect when looking for a German shepherd pug mix.
Cheerful and energetic
Shug dogs are quite cheerful and athletic. They would love to play along with you or join you for running, jogging.
Family friendly
They are loving and affectionate to the family. They will enjoy both the active playtime as well as idling around you while you watch TV.
Loyal
They are loyal and obedient dogs who would stand with you always.
Intelligent and easy to train
They are intelligent dogs who are eager to please their owners which makes them easier to train.
Stranger is no danger
They enjoy the company of humans who can be strangers as well! Hence they don’t do well as guard dogs.
Good with children
They love to play along with children and are patient with them but as they are medium size dogs, it is recommended that children be with them under adult supervision.
Apartment friendly
They would love a fenced yard where they can play and run. But at the same time, they can adapt to apartment living as well provided they are getting sufficient time for exercise or playing outside.
Care
Nutrition
It is recommended that German shepherd pug mixes have 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. With one of the parents being Pug who is a greedy eater, be careful of the amount of diet you are giving to him.
If he is not active or doing enough exercise and eating more food, he may become obese. Diet should be based on the size and activity level of the dog. You can also consult a Vet in case of any issues.
They being medium size active dogs, meat should be the number one ingredient in their food. Protein sourced from meat is required for healthy muscles. It should be at least 18 % of the total diet.
We recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula – Chicken and brown rice.
Exercise
German shepherd pug mix is an energetic dog who is quite active. He would love to play or go running, jogging along with you.
But you should be careful if they inherit the flat face of a Pug. If they do, they would be prone to Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS).
Due to this, they can get overheated quickly and you should not go for exercise with them in direct sunlight. It can be a life-threatening situation.
It is better to engage him with play and games indoor to subdue his urge to sprint. Also, keep a water bottle handy whenever he is doing the exercise especially in hot weather.
Grooming
Both the parent breeds of Shug, german shepherd and pug, shed a lot, but Shug doesn’t shed much and have low grooming requirements.
They have a short coat which is relatively easy to groom. Once a week brushing and occasional bathing is good enough. Handson Pet grooming Gloves can just do the job for them.
You should also trim their nails once or twice in a month to prevent nail split which could be quite painful.
Training
Shug is easy to train a dog. They are intelligent dogs who are eager to please their owner. It is recommended to do obedience training and socialization from an early age.
It is best to have short training sessions with them so that you don’t lose their attention. Positive reinforcement training is recommended.
Health
With German shepherd pug mix being a new designer crossbreed, not much study has been done on them to be certain of any health issues that they may be specifically prone to.
They may likely inherit some of the genetic health issues of their parent breeds i.e. german shepherd and pug. Below are a few which you should be aware of.
Bloating
Medium or Large dogs having deep chest like Shug are prone to this medical condition gastric torsion commonly known as bloating.
It happens when the stomach of the dog is filled with gas and it twists. The dog is unable to vomit this extra gas and goes into a shock. This condition requires immediate medical assistance (maybe surgery).
Here are a few tips to prevent bloating in German shepherd pug mix.
- Give a small two to three meals instead of one large one.
- The dog should relax for an hour after the meal.
- Put his bowl on a higher platform so that he doesn’t need to spread his legs for eating food.
Hip dysplasia
It is a medical condition in which thigh bone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint. It slowly leads to arthritis as the dog ages.
This is an inheritable disease and dogs having this should not be bred. Care should be taken to keep the weight of Shug in control.
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia means abnormal development of the elbow joint. This causes damage to the cartilage surface of the joint and again leads to arthritis.
This is also an inheritable disease and German shepherd pug mix having this should be neutered.
Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)
This is a medical condition prone to dogs having a flat-face like Pugs. Flat face dogs have a reduced skull length and excess soft tissue in their airways which may obstruct airflow.
This can make them prone to get over heated. Tips to reduce any severe impact include :
- Avoiding exercise in a hot climate or direct sunlight.
- Avoid excessive exercising
- Keeping the dog hydrated
Dermatitis
If Shug has wrinkles on the face like a Pug, he may become prone to skin-related issues. Like with all wrinkle dogs, care should be taken to keep the skin folds clean from dust and moisture.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | Prone to separation anxiety |
| Friendly and Loyal | Not good as guard dogs |
| Cheerful | |
| Low maintenance |
How to get a German shepherd pug mix puppy?
It would not be easy to find a reputable breeder for a German shepherd pug mix as this is a new designer crossbreed. You should check them first at a rescue center.
Before you take one at home, do spend some time to better know each other and once you are sure, you would be all set.
In case you would like to go for a breeder, we would suggest you do some checks on the breeder to avoid any challenges later. Here are a few tips that you can follow.
- Do some reference checks of the breeder from past owners and locals.
- Look for all the health records of the puppy and parents as this dog is prone to a few genetic ailments.
- Check the area where puppies and dogs are kept for lighting and cleanliness.
Origins
German shepherd pug mix is a recent crossbreed and hence not much is known about when they were first bred. We can take a look at each of the parent to understand the traits which they can follow based on the dominant genes.
German shepherd
German Shepherd is the second most popular dog in the USA as per American Kennel Club.
They are medium to large size dogs. As the name suggests, they were originally bred in Germany by Captain Max von Stephanitz as a herding dog for flocking the animals.
As industrialization happened and herding declined, they soon became popular as working dogs across the world for their strength, intelligence, trainability, and obedience.
German Shepherd has a strong, muscular, and long body. They have a squarish head with a long muzzle. They have erect pointed ears.
German Shepherds are energetic and easily trainable for the task. They are territorial and wary of strangers.
Being curious, courageous, and loyal as well, they excel as Guard dogs and are popular as a police or military dog.
Early obedience training and socialization is recommended for them. GSDs shed a lot and require lots of grooming.
They can grow to a size of 24 to 26 inches and weigh approximately 75 to 95 pounds. The average life span of the German Shepherd is 10 to 14 years.
Pug
Pugs originated in China. They are quite an old breed and were documented by Confucius in 551 BC. They were loved by the novelty and were bred as companion dogs.
Pugs are known for their witty humor and the bonding they make with the humans. They love to please humans and their naughty tricks have earned them the title of Clown of the dog’s world.
Pugs need a lot of care. Their flat face makes them prone to heat exhaustion. Do not take them under direct sunlight as they cannot high temperatures well.
Pugs also have wrinkles on their face which makes them susceptible to skin related to issues. You should regularly clean their skin folds and remove any moisture or dirt from there.
Pugs weigh approx 14 to 18 pounds and are generally 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder. The average lifespan of the pug is around 12 to 15 years.
Final Thoughts
The German shepherd pug mix is a dog with a friendly, affectionate, intelligent, and loyal attitude. He would do well as a family dog.
But if you travel a lot or go to the office with no one left at home, this would not be an ideal dog for you.
Do you know or own a German shepherd pug mix? Leave a comment and share your story below!
Other interesting breeds to check:
- Blue Heeler german shepherd mix – https://yourdogsworld.com/b/blue-heeler-german-shepherd-mix/
- Husky Pug mix – https://yourdogsworld.com/b/husky-pug-mix/
- German shepherd husky mix – https://yourdogsworld.com/b/german-shepherd-husky-mix-shepsky/