Chihuahua vs Pug
Chihuahuas and Pugs are well-known small companion dog breeds with some significant differences in appearance, temperament and care requirements. Which breed is smaller a Pug or a Chihuahua? Pugs are significantly heavier and taller in comparison to tiny Chihuahuas. Despite the small size, Chihuahuas have very upbeat personalities, enthusiastic and alert. Pugs are entertaining but in general are more calm and relaxed when compared to Chihuahuas. Both breeds are very loving and affectionate towards their owners. Families with small kids may find Pugs more suitable as family pets mainly because Chihuahuas are small and fragile, which can be a disadvantage when playing with young children who can accidentally hurt the small pet. Potential owners of either of these breeds need to be able to spend most of the day with the dog as companion breeds such as Pugs or Chihuahuas are not happy when left alone frequently and for long periods of time. Pugs and Chihuahuas are not suitable for working families where the dog stays home alone during the day. Retirees and single people who work from home are ideal owners who can shower the small pet with attention all day long and enjoy the companionship and unconditional love that either of these breeds gives to their owners.
Pugs and Chihuahuas have different grooming needs. Chihuahuas shed significantly less than Pugs which makes coat maintenance much easier for Chihuahua owners. Pugs, on the other hand, have a short coat that can produce a surprising amount of shedding and regular brushing is required for this breed to manage the heavy shedding. In addition to heavy shedding, Pugs have wrinkles on their sweet faces that need to be cleaned daily in order to keep the skin healthy.
Pugs have a short muzzle and are known as brachycephalic breed and Chihuahuas are not brachycephalic. Brachycephalic dog breeds such as Pugs are not allowed by many airlines as the breed is sensitive to sudden temperature changes during flights. When it comes to health, Chihuahuas are healthier as a breed and experience fewer health problems than Pugs. Chihuahuas are also among the dogs with the longest lifespans and on average live around sixteen years while Pugs have a shorter life expectancy and on average live around twelve to fifteen years.
Are Pugs or Chihuahuas more suitable for apartment living? Both breeds make great apartment pets but they still need several walks each day to stay healthy and fit. Many city dwellers choose small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas or Pugs because the convenient size and relatively low exercise requirements make these dogs suitable for living in an apartment. Pugs especially are known for being quiet dogs and they bark less than Chihuahuas when compared, which makes Pugs very polite neighbors for people who live in apartment buildings and want a dog that naturally doesn't bark a lot.
Compare Pugs and Chihuahuas in detail.
Pug Chihuahua Mix (Chug)
Chug is another name for Pug and Chihuahua mix dogs. Chihuahua Pug cross dogs resemble both breeds and in size can reach up to 20 pounds and up to 14 inches in height. Chugs can be versatile in appearance, some Pug Chihuahua cross dogs may have shorter muzzles that resemble Pug's nose, for example.
Image of Chihuahua and Pug mix.
Chug dog
Pug vs Chihuahua: Grooming
Whether you are taking care of a Pug or a Chihuahua, some of the grooming rituals will be similar and these include brushing the dog's teeth once a day with a canine toothpaste, keeping the area around the dog's eyes clean, trimming the dog's toenails and brushing the dog's coat to keep it healthy. Which of the two breeds is easier to groom? Chihuahua dog breed is much easier to groom mainly because of the easy to care for coat and lack of wrinkles that Pugs are known for. Pugs are high maintenance in comparison to Chihuahua because not only do Pugs tend to shed more abundantly, but also the wrinkled faces need special attention daily. If not properly cared for, the facial folds that are present of Pug's face will start getting dirt accumulated and soon the skin can start to get irritated and there will be an unpleasant smell due to the infection. Pug owners need to clean the dog's facial wrinkles daily to keep these areas dry and clean. Many Pug owners use dog grooming wipes designed to keep the dog's wrinkles clean and pet's skin healthy.
Pugs vs Chihuahua: Lifespan
Chihuahuas are among the longest lived dog breeds and these small dogs can live on average around sixteen to seventeen years with some Chihuahuas reaching up to twenty and up years of age. Pugs, on the other hand live around fifteen years on average and when compared to Chihuahuas, Pugs have a shorter life expectancy.
Chihuahua vs Pug: Size
Chihuahuas are among the smallest dog breeds and when compared to Pugs, Chihuahuas are more fragile and significantly smaller. Pugs can reach up to 20 pounds in weight while Chihuahuas can only reach up to 6 pounds in weight. If we compare heights of these small companion breeds, Pugs can reach up to 14 inches in height while Chihuahuas grow up to 10 inches in height.
Pug male weight: 13 to 20 lb (5.8 to 9 kg)
Chihuahua male weight: 4 to 6 lb (1.8 to 2.7 kg)
Pug male height: 12 to 14 in (30 to 35 cm)
Chihuahua male height: 6 to 10 in (15 to 25 cm)
Pug vs Chihuahua: Shedding
Chihuahuas come in two coat varieties that include short hair and long hair. Short hair Chihuahua (also known as smooth hair Chihuahua) feature the least amount of shedding in comparison to long haired Chihuahuas mainly because the shorter coat that covers a miniature sized dog produces a modest amount of shedding, especially when compared to Pugs. Pugs, in comparison to Chihuahuas shed plenty and owners typically manage the heavy Pug shedding by using a Furminator Deshedding tool that helps to keep the heavy shedding under control.
Pug owners often choose to brush the dog outdoors so that there's less clean up time needed. Regular brushing with a deshedding tool combined with a healthy diet help to keep the heavy shedding under control. Pet friendly vacuum cleaner is another solution that helps to keep the floors and furniture free from the Pug's hairs that tend to show up everywhere around the home where a Pug lives.
Pug vs Chihuahua: Price
Pug prices start at around $1,000 while Chihuahua prices start at around $500. There are many factors that go into consideration when determining the price of a Pug or Chihuahua dog. For example, age of the dog, the amount of training that the dog received and even pedigree of the dog make a difference in the final cost of the dog. People who are looking to get a Pug or a Chihuahua have an option of checking for these breeds in local pet shelters where it is possible to find a dog of the preferred breed at a very reasonable price.
Pug compared to Chihuahua: Temperament
Pugs and Chihuahuas have very different temperaments. Although both breeds are playful and affectionate with their owners, Chihuahuas tend to be more active and more loud than calmer and quieter Pugs. Pugs and Chihuahuas need to be around their family most of the time as these companion dogs were developed specifically to keep company to their owners. Chihuahuas tend to choose one person in the family as their favorite, while Pugs have lots of love to give to the whole family and rarely choose a favorite person. Chihuahuas and Pugs love to be in the center of attention and these clever small dogs enjoy to be a part of everything that their family does.
Chihuahua versus Pug: Country of breed origin
Chihuahua breed originated in Mexico.
Pug was developed in China as a companion dog breed.
Good with kids: Pug vs Chihuahua
Neither of these breeds is ideal for families with very young kids as these companion dogs need a lot of attention from their owners and parents of young children may not have the time that Pugs and Chihuahuas need every day. Young puppies especially require a lot of attention as they need to be potty trained, fed, walked with, socialized and played with every single day and can almost take as much time and energy as a human baby. Not all parents can afford to spend that much energy on a pup while raising young kids. For older children who are reasonable enough to treat a dog with respect, a Pug may be a more suitable choice of the two breeds. Chihuahuas are more fragile and can be easily hurt when playing with kids while Pugs are more sturdy and less prone to accidental injuries. Even if kids are old enough to have a pet, parents are the ones who should be responsible for feeding, walking and caring for a dog. Children can easily forget to feed or walk a pet and in case a dog doesn't feel well, a child would not know what to do with the dog and how to help the animal. It should be fully an adult's responsibility to take care of a family pet.
Pugs vs Chihuahuas: Companion dogs
Pugs and Chihuahuas make great companions to elderly people who have the time to care for a family pet and who can spend most of the day with the canine companion. Single adults who work from home and have most of the day to spend with a Pug or a Chihuahua also make wonderful owners for these small companion breeds. Pugs and Chihuahuas are guaranteed to add joy and laughter to your life if you have the time and desire to care for a dog who will in return give you the unconditional love every single day. Chihuahuas and Pugs are suitable dogs for people who live in an apartment and with three or four daily walks and some indoor playtime these breeds can easily get the exercise they need during the day. Pugs are more demanding than Chihuahuas when it comes to grooming and potential owners need to take that into consideration when choosing between these breeds.
Good with other dogs: Pugs and Chihuahuas compared
When getting either a Pug or a Chihuahua puppy, socializing the dog from a younger age ensures that the dog will feel comfortable in the company of other dogs. Introduce your puppy to other friendly and well behaved dogs that may be of similar size or age as your pup. Introducing your puppy to other pets or dogs in the household should be a positive experience that will help your Pug or Chihuahua to be at ease with the other pets in the household. Never leave your Pug or Chihuahua with other unfamiliar dogs unsupervised. The small size of your pet makes a Pug or Chihuahua more vulnerable around other larger dog breeds that at times may be aggressive. Pay close attention to your dog when letting him or her play with other unfamiliar dogs as not all dogs may be friendly.
Pug dog vs Chihuahua: Intelligence
Pugs and Chihuahuas are smart dogs but being intelligent doesn't mean easily trainable. While both of these breeds enjoy mental stimulation that may include basic obedience training or interactive dog games, Pugs may be more stubborn and difficult to convince to learn basic commands. For obedience enthusiasts Pugs are not suitable as they can be rather difficult during training. Providing both, Chihuahuas and Pugs with mind stimulating dog toys helps to keep the dog busy and happy at the same time.
Pug compared to Chihuahua: Trainability
Chihuahuas are easier to train than Pugs. Starting obedience training while the dog is still a young puppy and following a positive training approach based on rewards such as small food bites or playtime can make obedience training easier. Both breeds are capable of learning basic commands and owners need to be patient and consistent as it will take time before your Pug or Chihuahua understands what is required of them to do in order to get rewarded. Short and positive training sessions that last five minutes or so done several times a day are most effective. It is important to start with teaching your pet to give you full attention before you can proceed to other basic commands. To help your Pug or Chihuahua keep their focus on you, start training your dog in a quiet area where there are no distractions. Have your pet's favorite toy or small bits of favorite snack handy and call your pet by name. As soon as your dog gives you an eye contact, reward your student right away. After a few repetitions your dog will understand that once you call him or her by name, they need to look you in the eye immediately in order to get rewarded.
Potty training is another important art to master by your pet. If you have an indoor dog potty, start training your pet to use it as soon as you bring the dog home. Potty training a Pug or Chihuahua needs to be done by the owner as the dog can not learn to use the indoor potty on his own. You will need a few days to carefully watch your pet for first signs of potty readiness and as soon as you see the puppy pacing around and sniffing the floor or acting anxiously, immediately take the dog to the indoor dog potty and provide an immediate reward once the dog completed his or her business there. Never punish the dog for accidents as that will only confuse your pet and prolong the potty training process. Instead, quickly clean up the accident with an enzyme cleaner so that there's no trace of dog's urine left on the floor. The scent on urine may trigger the dog to continue using the area as his or her toilet. How long does potty training a puppy take? That depends on how much time the owner spends with the dog and actively helps the dog to get potty trained. Spending a few days with the puppy continuously guiding the dog to use the dog potty area when needed can help to train your pup sooner and may take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the owner's availability to potty train the dog.
Pug versus Chihuahua: Barking
Chihuahuas are clear winners in comparison to Pugs when it comes to barking. Chihuahuas are more vocal and naturally bark more than more reserved and quiet Pug dogs. While Chihuahuas are more prone to barking when approached by strangers, Pugs are too friendly and tend to quietly welcome new people in their surroundings.
Pug vs Chihuahua: Exercise needs
Pugs and Chihuahuas are small companion breeds that do not need hours of exercise daily. A few daily walks around the block and some fun playtime at home help to keep these breeds active and happy. Keep in mind that Pugs have short muzzles and should not be exercised during hot and humid weather. Pugs are not built for very long walks or for prolonged running exercises. Chihuahuas and Pugs can get plenty of exercise while spending time in a fenced yard. Taking a stroll around the block during comfortable weather is another great way to exercise your pet. Chihuahuas are less vulnerable to hot weather than Pugs. Neither of these breeds should be left alone in a car or outdoors during extreme temperatures.
Health issues: Chihuahua vs Pug
Chihuahuas are among the healthiest dog breeds with few known genetic issues. Pugs, on the other hand, have a few health problems specific to the breed. The short muzzle, for example causes the dog to have problems breathing and Pugs may snore when they sleep. Pugs are vulnerable to sudden temperature changes and are banned by most airlines. Pugs that don't exercise enough or eat too much or eat unhealthy diet may easily gain weight that brings along a whole range of various health problems. Keeping a Pug and a Chihuahua in a healthy weight helps to maintain the dog's overall health.
Chihuahua breed versus Pug breed: Dog behavior issues
Companion dog breeds such as Chihuahuas and Pugs were specifically developed to spend most of the time with their humans. Companion breeds that are left alone frequently and for long periods of time are certain to start developing various behavior problems that may range from excessive barking to causing damage around the home. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to choose the right dog breed for your lifestyle. Getting a companion dog breed if you are only at home in the morning and at night to spend some time with the dog is not responsible as the pet is going to suffer long and lonely hours while you are working and he or she is home alone with nothing to do. Pugs and Chihuahuas hate to stay at home alone and are happiest when can be around family most of the time. Other behavior problems may include chewing on things a dog is not supposed to chew on. For example, your new leather shoes. Preventing this behavior takes discipline - keep the expensive things out of the dog's sight. Also, provide the dog with something he or she actually can chew on. A nice chewable dog toy is a great investment and your young puppy will have something fun to chew on when the new teeth are coming and when there's an urge to chew. Chewing on dental treats for dogs can also help to keep your Pug's or Chihuahua's breath fresh and helps to keep the teeth clean. If you need to step out and leave a dog alone for a short time, give your pet a chewable toy to keep Pug or Chihuahua busy and out of trouble while you're not there to supervise your pet. Also, don't forget to take your pet for a walk before you leave the dog alone so that you won't come back to some yellow puddles on the floor or even worse.
Pug and Chihuahua breeds compared: Popularity
Pugs and Chihuahuas are very close in popularity rankings in the United States. According to AKC popularity rankings, Pugs take 32nd place while Chihuahuas are just slightly more popular and take the 30th place in popularity rankings.
Difference between a Pug and Chihuahua: Loyalty to the owner
Pugs and Chihuahuas are affectionate and loving towards their owners. The difference between these breeds is that a Chihuahua may choose one favorite family member while Pugs tend to share their love among all family members.
Both breeds love to be around their families and want to be included in everything that their families do.
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