Daug

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

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

A brief presentation of the Daug

Loyal, relaxed and perhaps barky, the Daug is a small to medium-sized dog that is a cross between the Dachshund and the Pug. This is a relatively new hybrid that probably originated in the United States, perhaps around 15 to 20 years ago. The Daug is a gentle family companion that can be quite sturdy and muscular when it comes to a small dog. They often have rounded faces with a few wrinkles and folds characteristic of their parent breed, the Pug. These hybrids tend to be low-maintenance, and can be excellent companions for owners who aren't looking for an overly active dog.

History of the Daug

There isn't much information on the Daug breed itself, but we can learn more about the parent breeds to understand what to expect from the hybrid breed.
        

A little of the Dachshund

        
The Dachshund is an eager, courageous little breed that would have been used as a hunting dog. They were mainly used to hunt animals such as badgers, foxes, rabbits and weasels. Their strong, short legs made them highly skilled in their work, enabling them to bravely enter and dig into even the smallest animal burrow. The Dachshund originated in Germany in the 1600s, and in the late 1800s, the breed began to gain popularity due to its reputation for endurance and agility on the hunting grounds. This courageous, spirited dog was registered with the American Kennel Club as a member of the Hound group in 1895.
Standard of the Dachshund

A little of the Pug

The Pug is an ancient breed of small dog that originated in China before 400 BC. Not much is known about the Pug breed, although some speculate that the Pug may have been created through the use of breeds such as the Pekingese or even a small Bulldog. Historically, it is thought that the Pug's main purpose was simply to serve as a royal companion for China's high-ranking nobles and emperors. These dogs were treated with the utmost respect and were said to belong only to the wealthy, often living in palaces. The Pug, a very successful dog in the ring, joined the list of purebred dogs listed with the American Kennel Club in 1885 and was entered in the Toy Group.
Standard of the Pug

Appearance of the Daug

The Daug is considered a small to medium-sized hybrid, measuring 28 to 33 centimeters in height and weighing up to 11 kilos. These hybrids can have a small to medium-sized muzzle (not as small as the Pug, however), an angular face, rounded ears and wide, bulging eyes. They are often broad and strongly built, and their legs and body tend to be muscular. The body tends to be long like a Dachshund and wide like a Pug. You may notice concentrated wrinkles and folds near the forehead and muzzle. Some hybrids may develop the classic underbite seen in Pugs. Coat colors can be silver, fawn, brown or black.

Temperament of the Daug

Daugs make charming family dogs because they are friendly, laid-back and often cling to their owners. These sturdy little dogs tend to be very friendly towards other pets, including cats, dogs and even other small mammals. These hybrids can be barkers and often don't like to be left alone for too long. They can be cautious and aggressive towards strangers at first and will bark a lot with new people, but in no time at all, your Daug will be accepting strangers into their home. Daugs are often quite good with children, but will need to be socialized with them during childhood. In turn, children need to learn to respect animals and treat them gently and with care.

Needs and activities of the Daug

This hybrid can have bursts of energy, but for the most part, it's a fairly gentle dog. It doesn't require too much activity and exercise, but still needs at least two walks a day. The Daug can have a strong prey drive, so providing stuffed toys and balls can help provide mental stimulation, although this hybrid will also demand and expect interaction with family members. Take him to the dog park regularly so he can meet and greet other dogs and people. He'll enjoy obedience training and could be quite good in earth dog competitions if given the opportunity. Keep him entertained and stimulated, and your lap will be the perfect place to rest after a fun day.

Maintenance of the Daug

These hybrids can have short or slightly long coats, so grooming requirements will depend on the length of your Daug's coat. For the most part, the Daug tends to be low-maintenance, making it ideal for busy owners. These hybrids are low to moderate seasonal shedders, but can shed somewhat throughout the year, requiring their coats to be brushed at least twice a week with a soft bristle brush. Bathing should be kept to a minimum, as these hybrids can be prone to dry skin and dandruff. As with all dogs, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning and nail trimming should be performed every 4 to 6 weeks, with teeth cleaning performed much more often. In addition, if your Daug adopts more Pug characteristics such as "wrinkles and folds", owners should clean between these folds to avoid bacterial build-up.

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