Shug Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- German Shepherd & Pug
- Breed Nickname:
- Shug
- Size:
- Medium
- Height:
- 10 to 15 inches
- Weight:
- 45 to 50 pounds
- Life Span:
- 10 to 13 years
- Coat Colors:
- Black, fawn, brindle, tan, and cream
Shug Characteristics
About The Shug
What Is A Pug German Shepherd Mix called?
Mixing a German Shepherd and a Pug together creates the Shug. This hybrid is a medium-sized ball of fun that loves to spend time with its owners.
Shugs are eager to please and require little in the way of maintenance, so they make for good family dogs for novice owners.
Shugs are bursting with energy so will need someone to keep up with them. They might be smaller than most, but they’re still agile enough to keep you on your toes!
To learn more about the Shug, keep reading our ultimate dog breed guide.
Shug Breed History
First bred in the 1990s in North America.
Bred to minimize breathing issues in the Pug.
Demand instantly soared for the Shug.
The Shug is a fairly new breed, originating in the 1990s in North America. Many mixed breeds were bred at this time to maximize hybrid vigor and create healthier dogs.
The Shug is likely to have been first bred to minimize the breathing difficulties that so many Pugs suffer from due to overbreeding.
The Shug was so popular when they were first introduced that breeders needed to work overtime just to keep up with demand! Shugs are still popular to this day and are hailed as great dogs for novice owners.
Shug Personality & Temperament
Loving dogs with plenty of intelligence and energy.
Great with children and other pets.
Can display destructive behaviors when bored or stressed.
Most owners agree that the Shug is a happy and energetic breed with plenty of intelligence, making training sessions a treat.
They’re great at obedience training, although housebreaking might pose a challenge! This is a common issue of the Pug parent, who is known for being stubborn sometimes.
Shugs are good with children and other dogs provided that they have been properly socialized beforehand.
They’re also known for getting on well with strangers, although the protectiveness of the German Shepherd might make them slightly aloof with new people.
Shugs can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long, so they’re best for owners who are home for the majority of each day.
German Shepherds have a tendency to dig when they’re restless, so don’t be surprised if your Shug turns to destructive tendencies when left alone without sufficient mental stimulation.
Shug Health
Hybrid vigor could make the Shug healthier than its parent breeds.
Health concerns include breathing issues, allergies, and bloating.
Life expectancy of 10 to 13 years.
Shugs can benefit from hybrid vigor as the Pug and German Shepherd aren’t close breeds in nature.
So, while both parent breeds suffer from their fair share of health issues, the Shug might be less at risk of these due to hybrid breeding.
A good example of this is breathing difficulties. The majority of Pugs have breathing issues due to their squashed snout, which is the result of hundreds of years of inbreeding.
Breeding a Pug with a German Shepherd gives the Shug a chance to inherit the German Shepherd’s longer snout, which could eliminate the risk of breathing difficulties altogether.
However, there are still some issues that might occur in a Shug’s life. The major concerns are Joint Dysplasia and Gastric Dilation Volvulus (bloating), and minor concerns include Allergies and Brachycephalic Syndrome.
Shug Training
Good dogs to train.
Eager to learn and work with their owner.
Positive reinforcement is essential.
As a whole, Shugs are considered fairly trainable. They don’t have a problem listening to their owners and they’re happy to work together to learn new things.
Some German Shepherds need to learn who the alpha is in the house, but the majority of Shugs don’t have this issue. Likewise, some Pugs have small dog syndrome and are stubborn, but this doesn’t seem to extend to the Shug.
To reinforce the idea that you’re both working as a team, never use harsh words or negative behaviors towards your dog.
Reward their positive behavior with words of affirmation and treats, and ignore the bad behaviors. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train any dog, and you’ll see results much quicker.
Just like with any dog, Shugs need to be socialized with other dogs, strangers, and children to ensure that they grow into sociable adults.
Taking them to the dog park from an early age is a good way to do this.
Shug Exercise Requirements
Good dogs to train.
Eager to learn and work with their owner.
Positive reinforcement is essential.
While Pugs love to cuddle up on the couch with their owners, German Shepherds prefer to remain active.
You have their working history to thank for that! So, the Shug is a fairly active dog. They’ll need around 45 minutes of exercise a day, although depending on their personality this number might be higher or lower.
If your Shug has inherited the squashed snout from its parent, you’ll need to be extra vigilant in keeping them from becoming overexerted.
They might suffer from breathing difficulties if this isn’t monitored. Always keep a bottle of water with you to cool them down if they start showing signs of breathing problems.
Shugs are small enough to live in apartments, but they’d prefer access to a fenced yard where they can run around throughout the day.
They’ll need an owner who can keep up with their mental stimulation and exercise needs.
Shug Diet & Feeding
Offer food formulated for medium dogs with moderate energy requirements.
Make sure the food is fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Be careful not to overfeed your dog.
Shugs need a diet formulated for medium dogs with moderate energy levels. There are some foods specifically marketed for Pugs or German Shepherds that could also be used.
These foods contain the usual amount of protein with some carbs and healthy fats mixed in. Vitamins and minerals should be fortified into your chosen food.
Premium kibble should be offered as lower-quality food might be too tough on the Shug’s teeth.
Always make sure you’re not overfeeding the Shug as they are prone to gaining weight quickly, and this can lead to a number of health issues in the future.
You may also be interested in:
Shug Cost
Costs between $500 and $2,000.
Always shop around for a reputable breeder and ask for reviews.
Ongoing costs include food, toys, training classes, vet bills, and more.
Shugs can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000. While the lower end of this spectrum might be tempting, we recommend that you match the price with the breeder.
Reputable breeders will charge higher prices as their dogs have been screened and properly cared for.
Untrusted breeders can charge less due to the unethical breeding practices they use and how many puppies they are breeding a year. To minimize facing health and behavioral issues in the future with your Shug, opt for a reputable breeder.
