Pugshire

Pugshire is a small hybrid dog that is the result of breeding between the Pug and the Yorkshire Terrier. These dogs are sweet and loving, though they primarily enjoy being a doting lap dog. If you are looking for an affectionate dog for yourself, the Pugshire delivers.

These dogs have small yet furry ears, while their tails curl up backward. The eyes of a Pugshire are often a deep brown, paired with a brown or black nose. This toy-sized dog has a very distinct way of showing affection — licking its owner.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Pugshire

Taking a look at the positive and negative aspects of the Pugshire will give a well-rounded idea of what owners can expect. Though none of these details are meant to be a deterrent, they ensure that any owner knows exactly what they are getting into before they pursue the adoption of a Pugshire for their family.

Size and Weight

The Pugshire is a rather small breed, weighing very little as they maintain their puppy-like size. While the females can be 12 to 14 inches high and weigh 7 to 10 lbs., the males reach a slightly larger stature at 13 to 15 inches and 9 to 12 lbs.

Common Health Issues

The Pugshire is lucky in that it is generally a healthy breed, thanks to its genetics. However, owners have to be particularly careful about their lifestyle, as there are many issues that can result from the way that they are cared for (even with a 15-year lifespan).

Patellar luxation is a rather common issue for the Pugshire, causing great pain as the kneecap is dislocated. They are also prone to a collapsed trachea, which would prevent them from breathing properly. Portosystemic shunts — which are caused by a wrong connection between the portal vascular system and the systemic circulation of the body — can also occur.

Since this dog has two different breeds as its parents, it is inherently at risk of developing the same health problems as them. Brachycephalic syndrome — a condition that combines a soft palate with pinched or narrowed nostrils and partially obstructed breathing — is common among dogs of this size and shape. This problem is often inherited from the parents, so you may want to learn more about the dog’s health history if the adoption is done with a breeder.

Temperament

These crossbreed dogs have a good temperament and love people (as well as other pets). They tend to get along with newcomers to the household as well, though it is best to expose them to a broad social group early on to acclimate them. Each day, they need about an hour of exercise, and a dog-friendly park may be the perfect place to handle both of these needs. Still, due to the licking they use to show their affection, they may meet many friends along the way.

When the Pugshire is nervous or scared, they do not like to be engaged with. Households with small children should look out for these warning signs, teaching their children how to properly play with the pup. The most well-trained dog will still respond when afraid, though you shouldn’t be deterred from training them to maintain the proper behavior.

Due to the love that Pugshires have for their families, separation anxiety is relatively common. However, as the pup learns more about your daily habits and becomes more acclimated to your schedule, this anxiety may subside with time.

How to Take Care of a Pugshire

Whenever you adopt a new animal, you need to be prepared for the care that it requires. Here are a few things that you should know before you bring home the Pugshire from the local adoption center.

The Best Dog Food

These crossbreed dogs are not very demanding or picky when it comes to food. You can feed them high-quality dry food for dogs. However, you would have to check what is best suitable for your Pugshire’s age, activity level, and size. The food should be made from high-quality ingredients and must not contain any color and/or additives.

You should make sure that you don’t overfeed your Pugshire, since their stomachs are rather small. Break up their servings into multiple small meals each day.

Maintenance and Grooming

Brush the coat of a Pugshire at least once every 3 to 4 days. A pin brush or a stiff-bristle brush will likely work the best. For the area behind the ears, under the neck, and under the legs, a metal comb is much better suited.

When you give them baths, they should be washed with a mild shampoo that won’t dry out their coat. Since their skin is sensitive, these baths can be spread out or done on an as-needed basis. During these grooming sessions, make sure to clean their ears and trim their toenails. Prevent tooth decay with regular brushing once a week.

Training

Training these dogs can sometimes be a lengthy task, becoming rather time-consuming. Be patient while training these dogs, and the reward will be great. They tend to be stubborn, so certain commands can take longer to learn and obey. Try to use positive reinforcement (rather than strict punishment) to get them to listen.

Exercise

Pugshires are generally active dogs and love to run around. Give them the freedom to run and play outside for at least an hour each day to avoid boredom and disobedient behavior. Dogs that are not given this time can become aggressive and show other negative behaviors.

When they get to come out, Pugshires generally enjoy a variety of different exercises, including swimming, playing catch, and playing with other dogs. They even love a long walk whenever they get the chance. If the weather isn’t good for any of these outdoor activities, they need to be socially engaged with as much physical activity as possible. If a walk is all that you can muster, the Pugshire will be happy just the same.

Puppies

Taking care of your Pugshire puppies is more or less the same as taking care of your Pugshire adult dog. Puppies thrive when they are exposed to other animals and people to ensure that they are friendly. Since they have smaller bodies, the puppies will need to be fed smaller and more frequent meals.

Pugshire and Children

Pugshires are loving and caring dogs and make great family pets. They are great around children and other pets. However, always be sure to monitor small children who may be inexperienced with animals. As long as this supervision takes place and proper training occurs, this type of dog can be an asset for any household.

Dogs Similar to a Pugshire

As entertaining and affectionate as the Pugshire is, it may not be the right pet for every family. Here are some of the breeds that are similar to Pugshires.

• Pug: The dogs have a unique appearance and are very friendly and loyal towards their owners’ families.
• Yorkshire Terrier: These dogs have a strong personality, and they are known for not shedding at all. They are also known to be very alert and attentive to their owners.
• French Bulldog: This breed makes great companions and is small in size, which makes it ideal for most households.

Famous Pugshires

There are several famous Pugshires on the social media platform Instagram, like Brody (@brodythepugshire), Roxie (@pugshireroxie), and Rambo (@itsrambow).