The Pug Husky Mix aka Hug, but sometimes called the Pugsky, is a designer dog breed. They often have a striking appearance that easily catches people’s eye.
And Hugs absolutely love the attention! The Hug is the perfect social dog who loves to be the center of attention.
We understand that huskies are unique and require special care, so we’ve created this one-stop shop to help you find the must-have items for your furry friend.
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Key Questions Answered
What is a Pug Husky Mix called?
A Pug Husky Mix is called a Hug or Pugsky!
How much is a Pug Husky Mix?
Pug Husky Mixes will cost $350 to $1000 from a breeder.
Where can I buy a Pug Husky Mix?
Visit GreenfieldPuppies.com to search for a Pug Husky Mix in your area or try your luck at a local shelter.
Pug Husky Mix Traits & Characteristics
- Loving
- Charming
- Mischievous
- Loyal
- Easy-going
Traits Summary Table
| Traits | Pug Husky Mix |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Blue, brown or both |
| Coat Color | Fawn, black, white, silver or a mixture |
| Shedding | Moderate shedding (not as much as other Husky mixes) |
| Height | 10-23.5 inches |
| Weight | 15-45 pounds |
| Temperament | Friendly, intelligent and loving |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Intelligence | Average intelligence |
| Activity Level | Active but loves daily naps! |
| Good With Kids? | Yes, good with kids |
| Origin | Pugskies were first bred in 90's as a designer breed. |
| Price | $350-$1000 |
| PROS | Prone to some serious health issues, not ideal for heavy activity and stubborn |
| CONS | Great family dogs, playful, fun and adapts well to any home |
Appearance
A Pugsky pup will often look more like one parent than the other. It’s rare for a puppy to have a perfect blend of the two breeds. However, even if the puppy looks more like one parent breed than the other, there will still be discerning clues that indicate the other parent breed!
For example, if the pup looks more like a Husky in the face and body, its ears may be floppy like that of the Pug. Or if the pup has a Pug appearance with its trademark wrinkly face, it might maintain the straight triangular ears of the Husky.
The Pugsky will usually grow to have a stocky and muscular-looking body. And it may have a tail more like the Husky tail that’s straighter, or it may have a tail that curls up and towards the body like the Pug.
Color
The Hug could acquire the fawn or black coloring of the Pug parent, or it could look more like its Husky parent with the white and black patterning. Some may get an almost silver-colored coat. Some may have the blue eyes that many Huskies get, while others may get the brown eyes of the Pug. There are some who may have one of each!
Coat & Shedding
The Hug’s fur will either be short or more of a medium length. It may be short and smooth like the Pug or a bit longer and thicker like the Husky.
Regardless, both parent breeds shed. However, Pugskies are considered a Husky mix that doesn’t shed as much due to the short hair traits of the Pug.
Depending on the kind of fur the pup will inherit, the Hug will need to be brushed out with either a comb, pin/slicker brush, a de-shedding brush combo, or with a rubber curry brush. Either way, prepare for some serious shedding and invest in a good vacuum!
Further reading: Short haired huskies
Size
The Hug has a wide range of sizes. It can weigh as little as 15 pounds to as much as 45 pounds, and it can stand anywhere between 10 and 23.5 inches tall.
If they are on the bigger side, the Hug tends to look long and lean like their Husky parent. Whereas if they are on the smaller side, the Hug tends to look more like its Pug parent, with its short and stocky build.
Temperament & Personality
Both breeds, the Pug and the Siberian Husky are known for having a bit of a stubborn streak. Beyond that, though, the Hug is really a wonderful companion dog. It’s friendly, intelligent, and loving. And, of course, the Pugsky loves to be the center of attention! They want to be right there with you where the action is.
Lifespan
You can enjoy life with a Hug for many years. The average Pug lives 12-15 years, and the average Husky lives about 12 to 14 years. A mix between the two usually falls between 12 and 15 years of age for life expectancy.
While the Pugsky may be more prone to health issues than other dog breeds, with proper nutrition, exercise, and preventative healthcare, these dogs can live an exceptionally healthy and long life.
Further reading: How old is my Husky in humans years?
Intelligence
The Hug is usually described as having average intelligence.
In fact, there are different types of intelligence among dogs. Huskies, for example, were bred with a job in mind for them to do. As such, they are intelligent in an instinctive way and in a working way.
Their instinctive intelligence gives them the smarts they need to do what they were bred to do, and their working intelligence gives them the ability to learn to do an even better job.
Pugs, on the other hand, were bred to be companions, not to work! That’s not to say that they don’t have their own type of intelligence, though. Pugs have what some people refer to as adaptive intelligence, which means they are capable of easily adapting and changing their behavior accordingly as well as learning from their past.
They are eager to please their owners, so they’ll adjust their behavior accordingly and don’t often have to be told twice if they are being naughty! A Hug, then, could be considered the best of both worlds as they will have adaptive intelligence as well as instinctive and working intelligence!
Further reading: How smart is a Husky?
Activity Level
While energetic and active, thanks to their Husky genes, this breed also enjoys a good nap on the couch. They know when to play hard and when to rest. Some folks even find that their Pugsky loves to participate in various dog sports like disc dog competitions, rally obedience, and agility.
Are Pug Husky Mixes Good with Kids?
These dogs are not at all known for being aggressive and are considered to be great family dogs. They often get along just fine with children and other pets.
Speed, Strength & Endurance
Huskies are well known for their speed and stamina, thanks to their history as sled dogs. In fact, Huskies with sled dog training have been known to run as many as 100 to 150 miles per day. Pugs, on the other hand, aren’t known for their athletic ability, but they absolutely do love to play!
Behavior
Hugs are known for being friendly and sociable to their family and strangers. Many owners call them attention hogs or velcro dogs because they always want to be by their side. The Hug sometimes tends to be a bit stubborn, but for some, it can be an endearing quality.
Without proper activity and exercise, though, the Hug can become destructive. If he’s feeling a little wound up, the Hug might decide it is high time to redecorate the living room and start chewing up the couch and pillows!
Visit our Husky Behavior hub to learn more.
History & Origin of the Pug Husky Mix
History of the Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is an incredibly old breed of dog that has roots tracing back to some 4,000 years ago. The dogs we recognize today as Siberian Huskies are believed to have originated with the Chukchi people in northern Siberia.
Huskies were more than just companions for the Chukchi people. They would pull sleds full of food and equipment and even snuggle up and keep the families warm at night! In the early 1900s, the Siberian Husky made its way to Alaska, where it continued to grow in popularity.
History of the Pug
The Pug’s lineage can be traced back some 2,000 years. They were one of the favorite breeds of the emperors of ancient China! Around the 1500s, the breed eventually went on to earn the love and favor of many European Royals, including William and Mary of Orange.
They ruled the Netherlands and, later on, England. From there, the Pug would continue to grow in popularity across the world.
Breeding the Pug Husky Mix
Like many of the hybrid and designer breeds, the Hug has only recently begun to be purposefully bred. A good breeder will provide proof of the health of the parents and will test against common inheritable traits.
Furthermore, the Pugsky isn’t something that can occur naturally. Instead, the Husky is always the mother, as a pug would be too small to carry a husky puppy to term. This would be done through an IVF process.
How to Take Care of a Pug Husky Mix
Nutrition
It is usually recommended to feed this breed between 1.5 and 2.5 cups of food per day based on the dog’s size and activity level. These pups can easily become obese, so providing a high-quality diet and not overfeeding will be important.
Remember that treats should only be a small percentage of a Hug’s daily diet. To avoid an excessive calorie intake during training sessions, consider breaking treats into smaller pieces. Your pup will still appreciate the treat, no matter what size it is!
Some people often find success by working on training using their dog’s breakfast kibble or dinner kibble as treats instead of actual treats! It often helps get them even more excited about their food. But in all honesty, Pugskies don’t usually need much help getting excited about their food!
Visit our Husky Nutrition hub to learn more.
Exercise
This breed will have lots of energy and will need daily exercise. But if the pup inherits more of the Pug parent genes, it can have a difficult time with strenuous exercise.
In these cases, frequent breaks will be necessary so the dog has time to catch its breath. In fact, the best way to exercise these dogs is frequently throughout the day instead of in just one big stretch of time. The Pug side of the Hug just doesn’t have the same kind of stamina as the Husky!
Further reading: How much exercise does a Husky need?
Grooming
Either way you slice it, the Hug will require frequent brushing, even if it doesn’t inherit the longer fur of the Husky. Depending on the type of fur the Hug inherits, it may need different kinds of brushes for its fur.
For example, if it has more of a Husky coat, a comb and de-shedding rake will work wonders. If it takes after the Pug parent, a soft bristle brush or a rubber curry brush will help distribute the natural oils in the coat and help reduce shedding.
Because Pugs can be prone to skin irritation and dirt build-up, you’ll want to ensure the dog gets bathed regularly with a non-irritating shampoo. In between baths, it is a good idea to frequently wipe the dog’s face, especially in and around the facial folds. Regular ear cleaning and nail trimming will also be a must.
Training
It is never too early to start training your Hug. Start with lessons at home using positive reinforcement like treats and excited praise. You’ll want to socialize these dogs early on, too, so they don’t become stranger-shy or dog-shy. A great way to do this is to take obedience classes together. Your dog will get to learn new things and make new friends!
Keep in mind that Pugs were bred to be companion animals and, as such, are always eager to please their humans. Because of this, the Hug can be quite sensitive to harsh discipline, so it is best if positive reinforcement is used to train them.
Visit our Husky Training hub to learn more.
Pugsky Puppies
As puppies, these dogs are fun and energetic, and you can be sure that wherever you go, people will want to say hi to your dog! And though they won’t be ready to run fast or run for long distances, they will need lots of short play sessions throughout the day. In between their many naps, of course!
Further reading: When do Huskies calm down?
General Health
Though the Husky is a relatively healthy dog, the Pug, on the other hand, is more susceptible to several health concerns. This can result in the Hug experiencing some of the same health concerns the Pug faces. For example, though Huskies generally don’t overeat, the Hug can still be likely to become obese.
One of the most common health concerns that Hugs face is brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome. This is basically another way of saying that the dog will have breathing difficulties because of the way its face and head are shaped.
Hugs are also prone to dermatitis, which can be especially prevalent around the skin folds of the face. And like Huskies, the Hug faces other health concerns like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hip and elbow dysplasia, and hypothyroidism.
Visit our Husky Health hub to learn more.
Pug Husky Mix Price
Due to the fact that the Pugsky is only made possible by in vitro fertilization, the cost of one can be a bit higher than you may expect due to the cost of the process as well as veterinary care for the mother.
Expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $1000 dollars for a Pugsky puppy. However, some do end up in shelters or rescues, so it is always a great idea to start your search there first.
Places to buy a Pugsky include:
Visit our Husky Price hub to learn about the maintenance cost of Huskies.
Pugsky Pros & Cons
CONS: Prone to some serious health issues, not ideal for heavy activity and stubborn
PROS: Great family dogs, playful, fun and adapts well to any home.
Pug Husky Mix Alternatives
Here is a list of similar sized Husky mix breeds (smallest first!):
- Miniature Husky
- Husky Chihuahua Mix
- Pomeranian Husky Mix
- Corgi Husky Mix
- Beagle Husky Mix
- Boston Terrier Husky Mix
- Pitbull Husky Mix
Recommendation
If you’re looking for a companion husky mix breed that’s always up to keep busy and have fun just as much as they are ready to snuggle up on the couch for a movie marathon, the Pugsky might be just the perfect dog for you!
Have you got a Husky Pug Mix?
Share your experience below. And photos! 😍
