Pugshire

Canis lupus

Last updated: September 28, 2022
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© iStock.com/Eric Metz

With their incredible desire to show affection, Pugshire make great lap dogs.


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Pugshire Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Pugshire Conservation Status

Pugshire Locations

Pugshire Locations

Pugshire Facts

Fun Fact
With their incredible desire to show affection, Pugshire make great lap dogs.
Temperament
Active, loving, and affectionate
Diet
Omnivore

Pugshire Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Black
  • White
  • Silver
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
12-15 years
Weight
12 lbs

Pugshire as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
High
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
High
Pure bred cost to own
The price could be anywhere around $200 to $500.
Dog group
Toy
Male weight
9-12 lbs
Female weight
7-10 lbs

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Pugshire is a small hybrid dog, mixing the genetics of the Pug and the Yorkshire Terrier. This breeding gives it a tiny black or brown nose.

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.

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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 users 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.

Pros!Cons!
Friendly: Pugshires are friendly dogs and will become instant playmates with you. They make great lap dogs are great family pets.Separation anxiety: If left, alone, Pugshires could suffer from separation anxiety and also develop some major behavioral issues.
Small body: If you do not want big dogs, these dogs could be a great option for you to consider because they are very tiny and are toy-sized dogs.Exercise needs: They will need at least 1 hour of outside exercise every day. This could sometimes be too much for some owners to accommodate if they are frequently away.
Good with other pets: Unlike several other dogs, these dogs are great for other pets. Families that have multiple animals in the home will likely be paired well with this breed.Stubborn: Especially when training, these dogs could act stubborn sometimes which could be a problem in the long run.
Cure Pugshire looking at the camera

©Bigandt_Photography/ via Getty Images



Pugshire 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 up to 14 inches long and weigh up to 10 lbs., the males reach a slightly larger stature at up to 15 inches and up to 12 lbs.

Height (Male)13-15 inches tall
Height (Female)12-14 inches tall
Weight (male)9-12 lbs., fully grown
Weight (female)7-10 lbs., fully grown

Pugshire 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).

Health and Entertainment for your Pugshire

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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 is 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, they are 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.

Overall, some common health problems that Pugshires suffer from include:

  • Patellar luxation
  • Tracheal collapse
  • Portosystemic shunt.
  • Brachycephalic syndrome

Pugshire 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 for Pugshires

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.

In our opinion at A-Z Animals, the best dog food for Pugshires is Purina Pro Plan Small Breed & Toy Breed Formula Adult Dry Dog Food.

Importantly, the pieces are little enough to be safe for tiny dogs like the Pugshire. Precise levels of phosphorus and calcium make for sturdy bones and cartilage. Combined with glucosamine from poultry and fish ingredients, these nutrients come together to sustain strong joints, too.

Check Chewy or Amazon for this product.

Best Small Dog-Specific
Purina Pro Plan Small Breed
  • Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with probiotics for small dogs
  • Fortified with probiotics for digestive and immune health
  • Calcium, phosphorus and other minerals maintain strong bones and teeth
  • Prebiotic fiber from wheat bran for digestive health
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Pugshire Maintenance and Grooming

Brush the coat of a Pugshire at least once every 3 to 4 days. A pin brush or s 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.

Pugshire 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.

Pugshire 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 lead them to 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.

Pugshire 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 puppy with owner

©Natalia7/Shutterstock.com

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 that 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 the owner’s 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 them 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). Since the breed is so new, there are not any movies or television shows with credits to the breed.

Here are a few popular names for Pugshires:

  • Lola
  • Bella
  • Lucy
  • Otis
  • Frank

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, researchers, farmers, conservationists, writers, editors, and -- of course -- pet owners who have come together to help you better understand the animal kingdom and how we interact.

Pugshire FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a Pugshire?

The Pugshire is a hybrid breed with a small head, brown eyes, and a black or brown nose.

What two breeds make a pugshire?

Pugshires are a crossbreed of the Pug and Yorkshire Terrier.

Are Pugshire hypoallergenic?

The hypoallergenic quality of the coat of the Pugshire entirely depends on their genetics. Since it is partially made of Yorkshire terrier genetics, there is a chance of being hypoallergenic, but it is not guaranteed.

How do you groom a pugshire?

You will have to brush the coat at least once every three to four days, trim its toenails and brush its teeth. It would also need cleaning of ears.

How much does a Pugshire cost to own?

Pugshire puppies can have a price of anywhere between $200 to$500. You can expect an additional price of $1000 for its annual maintenance.

Is a Pugshire good with kids?

They are great around children as well as other bets. However, they have to be monitored around children as they can snap at the kids when they are scared.

How long does a Pugshire live?

The average lifespan of these dogs is 12 to 15 years.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/pugshire
  2. Pet Guide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/pugshire/

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