Brug

A Brug dog has a level of confidence that far outsizes its small body. This canine is a mix between a Brussels Griffon and a Pug. It’s unclear exactly when and where the Brug originated, but each of its parents has a long history. Pugs date back to at least the 1600s in China while the Brussels Griffon breed originated in Belgium in the 1800s. The Brug is a part of the hybrid group of dogs.

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The Brug dog has a loyal, affectionate temperament and a bold personality. This hybrid breed gets along best with older children in a family. Older children have more of a tendency to take great care when walking and running around with this tiny pooch so as not to injure it.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

In terms of height, a male Brug dog can be 13 inches from head to paw. A female grows as tall as 11 inches. When it reaches adulthood, a male can weigh 15 pounds and a female can weigh 13 pounds. A seven-week-old Brug dog is four to five pounds. This canine is thought to be fully grown at nine months to one year of age.

Common Health Issues

A dislocated kneecap, or patellar luxation, is one of a handful of common health issues of the Brug. An owner may see a Brug running along and suddenly begin limping. When the issue is minor, the kneecap can sometimes go right back into place without treatment. In other instances, physical therapy is necessary to treat patellar luxation.

The eyes of a Brug are the first thing you notice about this dog. So, it wouldn’t take long for an owner to notice a Brug’s entropion. Entropion is when one or both eyelids roll or push in on themselves. The small lashes on the eyelid rub against the dog’s eye causing pain. Surgery is often successful at treating this health issue.

Health and Entertainment for your Brug

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Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is another eye ailment of this dog. It’s a disease that is not painful but causes a dog to lose its vision over time. No treatment is available for PRA at this time.

The most common issues for the Brug dog are:

• Patellar luxation
• Entropion
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Temperament and Behavior

The best word to describe this canine’s personality is bold. It’s not unusual for a Brug dog to charge up to a fully grown Labrador Retriever without hesitation. These hybrid dogs have a friendly and loyal temperament. In a household, it’s likely to form a strong bond with one person in the family.

Its curious mind is one of this canine’s most endearing traits. This little pooch needs to know everything that is happening in a household! Its huge eyes and sweet face make a Brug dog a welcome pet.

Care

For a family that purchases a puppy or adopts an adult Brug, it’s helpful to know all that can be done to increase its quality of life and its lifespan. Taking superb care of this pet means learning about its general health requirements, diet, exercise, and grooming regimen.

Best Dog Food

Although Brug puppies and adults may look similar in size, they each require a diet that supports their nutritional needs.

Brug puppy food: Carbohydrates are a must-have in the diet of these puppies. Carbs supply this small hybrid dog with energy and stamina for its daily activities. Protein supplies strength to its bones, muscles, and joints. Patellar luxation is an issue for this dog making protein all the more important in its diet. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are good for this puppy’s developing brain and vision. Fiber is necessary for the health of this pup’s digestion.

Brug adult dog food: Because small dogs like the Brug are prone to obesity, it’s important to lower the carbohydrate intake of an adult. The activity level of a family’s Brug should also be taken into account when deciding on carbohydrate intake. Protein in its diet nourishes this dog’s muscles and joints. Vitamin A is a nutrient that can aid in a Brug’s healthy eyesight. Keep in mind this dog is at risk for progressive retinal atrophy. Fiber is another critical piece in the diet of this adult dog.

According to A-Z Animals, the best dog food for Brugs is Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small Paws for Small Breed Dogs.

Since Brug owners’ number one health worry is their dogs’ eyes, they’ll be happy to reach for this dog food. It has everything to help keep Brug’s vulnerable eyes in working order- beta-carotene, vitamin A (also good for the skin), and taurine, which nourishes the heart, too. Since Brugs can struggle with their knees, the copper for connective tissues and plentiful calcium are encouraging.

Follow the link below to buy your Brug Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws on Chewy and Amazon.

Best for Small Breeds

Hill's Science Diet Small Paws Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe

$43.99

• Chicken and rice formula for small breeds Adult 1-6
• Omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E for healthy skin and shiny coat
• Natural ingredients and antioxidants for immune health

Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

Some Brug dogs have short, smooth hair while others have a longer, wiry coat. All Brugs need to be brushed two times each week. A slicker brush along with a comb can remove dead hairs and smooth its coat. Also, moisten a clean, soft cloth with warm water to wipe the underside of your pet’s ears. This takes away dust and excessive wax that could encourage the growth of bacteria and cause an infection.

How much does a Brug shed? It is a moderate shedder. Weekly grooming attention can help a family to avoid loose hair on the carpet and bedding. Getting rid of dead and loose hair from this dog’s coat sets the stage for new hair growth.

Flea allergies can be an issue for this hybrid breed. Red spots, flaking skin, and a lot of scratching are all signs of this issue. A vet can assist an owner in treatment for a Brug’s skin irritation and the underlying allergy.

Training

Of course, a family’s Brug dog needs to learn how to sit, stay, and heel, just like other dogs. When it comes to obedience training, a Brug learns its basic lessons fairly quickly. Keep in mind that some of these dogs can be distracted during sessions of training. So, keep treats on hand for success. Also, an encouraging tone of voice and words of praise are both very powerful tools in training.

This mix of intelligence and a tendency to become distracted is common in the Pug breed as well.

Exercise

Brugs have a large supply of energy contained in their little frame! A lively 30-minute walk in the neighborhood a couple of times a day is good for this canine’s physical and mental health.

The dog park is not a good idea for this particular pooch unless it’s able to exercise with other dogs of its size. Putting it in to run around with larger dogs may result in injury to a Brug. Games of fetch with appropriately sized toys are another way to get this canine moving.

Brugs are a suitable choice for someone who dwells in an apartment. For these dogs, an apartment has plenty of space to move around and relax.

Puppies

Brug puppies are extremely small, even after a few weeks old. One thing to remember is to use care when moving around these puppies. It’s very easy to unintentionally step on or close a door on a puppy.

Children

A family considering adopting or buying a Brug should understand this pet does best with older children. Understandably, it is always worried about being stepped on, fallen on, or otherwise treated in a harsh way. Its tiny body is much more vulnerable to injury than a larger, sturdier dog. Because the Brug dog is so sensitive to being stepped on or hurt, it may nip or bite a toddler or a young child who doesn’t yet know how to gently handle this pet.

Similar Dogs

Brussels Griffons, Pugs, and Pekingese are all similar to the Brug in a few ways:

• Brussels Griffon – Half of the Brug mix, this dog shares a long lifespan and an energy-filled personality with its hybrid offspring. But, a Brussels Griffon can have a coat with a red tinge while a Brug’s color can be a mix containing brown, black, cream, or white.
• Pug – This breed is the other half of the Brug mix. They share a high energy level and affectionate temperament. In terms of size, the Pug is prone to be a little heavier than a Brug.
• Pekingese – These two canines are very similar in size. A loyal temperament makes them both good lapdogs. Pekingese differ in their variety of coat colors.

Popular Names for Brugs

Some popular names given to these dogs:

• Penny
• Milo
• Rosie
• Lola
• Toby
• Frank
• Gizmo
• Jojo

1. American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/brussels-griffon/
2. VCA, Available here: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/eyelid-entropion-in-dogs
3. today's veterinary nurse, Available here: https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/articles/luxating-patellas-pathology-and-treatment-options/
4. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_retinal_atrophy