Pugese -- Pug X Chinese Crested Dog

		Pugese
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			China -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Pugese

The Pugese is a designer hybrid between the Chinese Crested Dog, a dog originally used as a ratter on ships around the world, and the Pug, a companion of royalty for thousands of years. These small dogs are generally very affectionate and friendly with their owners, but can be more reserved and even anxious or jealous of strangers. These dogs are just as comfortable in a smaller living space as they are in larger homes, and can often be entertained with great pleasure with indoor games of fetch or hide-and-seek, but they can be predisposed to separation anxiety and potty training can present a challenge, especially before they acquire full bladder control at around six months of age.

History of the Pugese

The Pugese is a designer dog, a specific cross between two breeds, in this case a highly capable ship's ratter, the Chinese Crested Dog breed and the Pug, a treasured companion of royalty for thousands of years.

	A little of the Pug
	The Pug is perhaps an even older breed, having been part of China's royal landscape since the Shang Dynasty, a dynasty that lasted from around 1570 to 1045 B.C. These little dogs were both prized possessions and cherished companions of Chinese royalty, revered enough to be given as gifts to visiting royal families and other dignitaries who carried them around the known world. They became exceptionally popular in England and were notable at the court of King William III and his wife, Queen Mary II, in the 1600s and again at the court of Queen Victoria in the 1800s, and in the U.S.A., the Pug breed has the honor of being one of the first 15 dog breeds recognized by the newly formed American Kennel Club in 1885.

	Standard of the Pug


	A little of the Chinese Crested Dog
	The more recently registered of the two breeds, the Chinese Crested Dog has been sold, traded and bartered in many ports since the 1500s. They were so quickly popularized as rat dogs on ships and distributed around the world, often by Chinese sailors, that their port of origin has been almost completely obscured. Some experts believe the breed is a descendant of African hairless dogs, while others think they have South American or Central American roots. It wasn't until the 1900s that they were popularized as a pet in the USA, and it wasn't until 1991 that they were recognized by the American Kennel Club. While there are many dog lovers who show elegant, well-to-do Chinese Crested Dogs at traditional dog shows, most people are more likely to recognize the breed from the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, where Chinese Crested Dogs have taken first place in ten of the competitions since its launch in 2000.

	Standard of the Chinese Crested Dog

Appearance of the Pugese

The Pugese is a very small dog, a combination of two toy-sized breeds that are quite different from each other. The Pug is a sturdy, square animal with a short, broad head, square muzzle, soft, round eyes that frequently protrude, and short ears that are set far apart and fall forward or to the sides, finally settling close to the head. On the other hand, the Chinese Crested Dog is a slender dog with a more rectangular shape, narrow head and thin, tapering muzzle, almond-shaped eyes and large, erect ears that rest high on the head. Even the coats are quite different, while the Pug has a short, universally soft single-layer coat, the Chinese Crested Dog can come in two varieties, the powderpuff variety, a double-layer coat consisting of a soft undercoat with a long silky coat on top, or an almost hairless coat, often with patches of long, silky hair on the head, tail and lower legs. As the Pugese can take any of its characteristics from either parent breed, there can be a big difference between individual dogs, even within the same litter.

Temperament of the Pugese

The Pugese is typically a pleasant companion, quite spirited, even a little clownish on occasion, but also capable of behaving with dignity. Both parent breeds are known to be very affectionate with their chosen person(s), but can be more reserved with strangers. They are generally friendly to other animals and not prone to chasing, although some may develop jealous behaviors, especially if socialization is neglected, and they may be more prone to separation anxiety than other dogs. These small dogs can be affectionate, but they are naturally intolerant of teasing or rough behavior, and interactions between these small dogs and children or larger animals must be carefully supervised for the safety of both child and dog. These small dogs can be stubborn, intelligent and independent, a combination that can make them somewhat difficult to train. Training is generally more effective if it's started early, is short and is combined with food as a motivating factor. These puppies may be unable to fully control their bladder or bowels until around six months of age, further complicating potty training efforts.

Needs and activities of the Pugese

This hybrid is generally an energetic, high-spirited animal, but it doesn't generally require much exercise to stay happy and healthy, and they're usually content with just 30 minutes of vigorous activity a day. Exercise and activities for these small dogs are generally more effective if divided into two or even three shorter sessions each day. It's particularly important to take weather conditions into account when exercising the Pugese, as brachycephalic dogs are susceptible to heat exhaustion and bare-skinned dogs may need protection from exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays or the drying or damaging effects of the cold.

Maintenance of the Pugese

Grooming requirements for this hybrid may vary from dog to dog, depending on the coat your dog has inherited. The Pug's short coat is very easy to care for, requiring infrequent baths and short weekly brushing sessions with a smooth brush or grooming glove to remove loose hairs and keep the coat soft and shiny. The coat and exposed skin that characterize the “hairless” Chinese Crested Dog tend to require more frequent bathing than for other dogs, often requiring baths as often as a few times a month, and the crests and plumes of hair require combing a few times a week to prevent tangles from forming. It's particularly important to be selective in your choice of shampoo for these dogs because of their tendency to develop acne and other skin conditions. Pugese hybrids that inherit the long, double coat of the powderpuff variety require daily brushing and tend to have the same sensitive skin as the hairless variety, so although they don't need to bathe as often, it's still necessary once a month or so.