The Pug Dachshund Mix is also commonly called the Daug or Pugsund. It is a new designer dog breed that combines two very popular breeds – the pug and the dachshund.
It is a controversial mix with a very unique appearance and characteristics. They may also be prone to certain health problems.
In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about the Pug Dachshund mix. This will include a breed comparison, pros, and cons of the breed, temperament, life expectancy, size, and appearance, as well as their grooming and exercise needs.
We’ll conclude with our final thoughts about whether this designer breed is a good choice for you.
Quick Comparison: Dachshund vs. Pug vs. Pugsund
| Items | Dachshund | Pug | Pugsund |
| Type | Hound | Toy | Crossbreed |
| Origins | 15th century | 16th century | 20th century |
| Country of Origin | Germany | China | North America |
| Size | Small to medium | Small to medium | Small to medium |
| Height | 8” to 9” | 10” to 13” | 8” to 11” |
| Weight | 16 to 32 lbs (standard) or 11lbs max (miniature) | 14 to 18 lbs | 15 to 25 lbs |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 13 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Coat | Smooth, wirehaired, or long | Short | Usually short, but may have longer coat depending on parents |
| Shedding | Moderate | Minimal | Minimal to moderate |
| Brushing Needs | 1-3 times a week depending on coat length | Once a week | 1-3 times a week depending on coat length |
| Grooming Needs | Minimal to moderate depending on coat length | Minimal | Minimal to moderate depending on coat length |
| Temperament | Clever, stubborn, mischievous, playful | Charming, mischievous, affectionate | Mischievous, affectionate, playful |
| Trainability | Hard | Moderate | Moderate |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dog Friendly? | Moderate | Yes | Moderate |
| Family-Friendly? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apartment Friendly? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Good with other pets? | No | Yes | Moderate |
| Good for new owners? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touchiness | High | High | High |
| Tolerance to solitude | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Tolerance to heat | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Tolerance to cold | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Barking | High | Low | Moderate |
| Exercise needs | 30-60 minutes per day | 30-60 minutes per day | 30-60 minutes per day |
| Tendency to gain weight | High | High | High |
Pug Dachshund Mix Highlights
Here are a few summary points about the Pugsund:
- New designer dog breed:
The Pug Dachshund mix is such a new crossbreed that they don’t have a lot of history. There can also be a lot of unknowns about them due to the variations in appearance and temperament. - Look at what your mama gave you:
And your papa, for that matter. The best way to know what you’re getting with a Pug Dachshund mix is by looking at who their parents are. What sort of appearance and temperament do their mom and dad have? A responsible breeder will be able to tell you what to expect. - Great for families and new owners:
This mix creates a perfect dog for new owners, families! They are small, loyal, and affectionate dogs, and basic obedience training goes a long way to preventing any behavioral issues. - Good dog for apartment dwelling:
Their small size means that they don’t require a lot of space at all. And while the Dachshund tends to be a vocal watchdog, the Pug is more laid back and balances that out. - The class clown:
These guys are total goofballs and love to please their people! They are quirky and clever, so they are bound to keep you entertained with their antics.
History and Original Purpose of Pug Dachshund Mix
The Pug Dachshund mix is a very new designer breed of dog that was created sometime in the 20th century – most likely in the 1980s or 1990s. It was likely born from an owner’s love for each of the parent breeds and wants to combine them into one. Unfortunately, this means there isn’t much history, so let’s take a deeper dive into each of the Pug and Dachshund, respectively.
The Pug was around prior to the 16th century as a lap dog to Chinese emperors. They were considered to be rare treasured pets to the imperial court along with the Pekingese and Shih Tzu. In the 1500s, Dutch traders brought some back to Europe, and thus began the Pug’s popularity among the rest of the world. The rest, as they say, is history.
Dachshunds, on the other hand, originated in Germany as hunting dogs to repel pests, like badgers, by getting into their burrows and forcing them out – hence their unique body shape. The name literally means “badger dog” in German. Their bravery, stubbornness, and intelligence have persisted through the centuries.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Pug Dachshund Mix
Pros of a Pugsund
Pug Dachshund mixes inherit their loyal, affectionate, and mischievous personalities from their parents. They make excellent companions that will have you laughing over their goofy antics. Pugsunds are incredibly devoted to their owners and love to people, please.
You get the best of both worlds with Pug Dachshund mix because of the relaxed lap dog Pug side plus the tenacious and feisty Dachshund side. This leads to a creature who enjoys all the comforts of life and will happily chill out at home with you, and also one who will also happily join you on your adventures.
Their people-pleasing nature can be channeled into productive training if you use the proper positive reinforcement. While they may not be suited to obedience competitions anytime soon, they are certainly capable of mastering some basic obedience.
Cons of a Pugsund
The Pug Dachshund mix is a controversial designer breed because of the Pug’s short face and health problems. Veterinarian professionals across the globe have condemned the propagation of short-faced breeds, including mixes, because of this. Be aware that if you are getting a dog with a flat face (also known as brachycephaly), you should be prepared to manage health risks and complications.
As a relatively new breed, there can still be a lot of unknowns when it comes to temperament, appearance, and living requirements. A large part of this variability will depend on the parents of the specific dog you end up getting.
This mix is a combination of two breeds that can have stubborn personalities. It’s important to make sure you are prepared to do the appropriate obedience training or to deal with having a stubborn dog.
Pug Dachshund Mix Temperament
The temperament of the Pug Dachshund mix can vary depending on the dominant traits of their parents. A good breeder will be able to tell you what to expect based on the parents of the litter.
In general, Pug Dachshund mixes are loyal and devoted companions who love nothing more than to be by your side. The Pug side makes them a great lap dog that will lounge around with you and watch Netflix. Meanwhile, the Dachshund side is clever and playful, so they’ll love playing with you and going on adventures with you!
That being said, Pugs and Dachshunds are two strong-headed breeds, so they can quite literally be like “a dog with a bone” in certain circumstances. They can be prone to separation anxiety and obsessive behaviors like chewing, licking, and barking if not properly trained. This can also mean that they will not recall when off-leash if they find something of interest to chase or sniff.
All in all, Daugs have the potential to be good and friendly companions. Appropriate obedience training is necessary to channel any stubborn or aggressive energy.
How long does a Pug Dachshund Mix live?
The Pug Dachshund can live for 13 to 15 years! That being said, they can be prone to health problems. We’ll discuss that more below, but it’s important to know that their life expectancy will depend on regular veterinary care.
Size and Appearance of Pug Dachshund Mix
Size and appearance can vary quite a lot with this mix because it will all depend on their lineage. Pugsund are generally around 8 to 11 inches tall and 15 to 25 lbs. Most of them also have the longer Dachshund body and the flat face of a Pug.
That being said, it is possible to find Daugs with the longer Dachshund snout, which is also beneficial for the health of the animal – more on that below.
Full-grown Pug Dachshund mixes can be small to medium-sized dogs. This will largely depend on how big their parents are.
Pug Dachshund Mix Coat Color
Coat color and texture can also be found in many different forms due to the variety of color options seen in Dachshunds. Dachshund coats can be smooth, long, or wirey and the color combinations are extensive: black, chocolate, blue, cream, red, black and tan, brindle, wild boar, chocolate and tan, piebald, black and cream, dapple, brindle piebald, double dapple, tri merle, chocolate, and cream, or piebald dapple
Pugs, however, have pretty standard and recognizable coloring patterns. Most often they are apricot, fawn, or silver fawn with darker facial features. There are also black, brindle, and white pugs.
Depending on the coloring and coat type of the parents, your Pug Dachshund mix could be any variety of these! However, they are most commonly smooth-coated apricot with darker facial features.
Pug Dachshund Mix Grooming Needs
Pug Dachshund mixes don’t shed profusely and have minimal grooming needs, depending on their fur. The caveat here is if they have longer fluffier fur from a long-hair Dachshund parent, then they may need more regular brushing and grooming to prevent matting.
Brushing once a week is sufficient for these guys with shorter coats. Bathing is another important part of their care. Dogs with skin folds can be prone to skin infections when dirt and bacteria get trapped. It’s important to regularly bathe your Daug and keep skin folds clean and dry in between baths using washcloths or special wipes.
Wipe the ears periodically with a warm damp washcloth or special veterinary wipes to keep them clean, but never put anything inside them. It’s also important to keep them dry during bath time.
With dogs that are less active, nail trimming becomes even more important. Prevent them from growing too long by trimming their nails every 4 to 6 weeks. Pug Dachshund mixes often have dark nails, which can be nerve-wracking because you don’t want to cut the quick! A Dremmel tool makes an excellent nail trimming device. There are lots of videos on Youtube that demonstrate how to do this and how to avoid the quick.
How much exercise does a Pug Dachshund mix need?
Pug Dachshund mixes fall right in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to exercise and training needs. The Dachshund is clever and requires a moderate amount of physical activity and mental stimulation to prevent bad behaviors. Meanwhile, the Pug is a comfy lap dog who is quite happy to lounge around.
Both breeds are also prone to weight gain, so getting enough physical activity is important to maintain good health.
The Pug Dachshund mix needs about 30-60 minutes of exercise each day. This should be broken up into a few walks throughout the day. For example, 2 to 4 walks that are 15 minutes each should do the trick! However, be mindful of the difficulty level with a brachycephalic dog because they cannot breathe very well, so the pace must be easy for them.
Their small size also makes it easy to incorporate physical activity indoors. Throw around their favorite plush toy for a game of fetch, or grab a rope toy for a game of tug of war. This is especially important on hot days because flat-faced breeds will struggle in the heat.
How easy is it to train a Pug Dachshund mix?
The combination of the stubborn Dachshund with the people-pleaser pug creates a mix that can be moderately easy to train. That being said, the pug is generally a dog that enjoys a life of leisure, so I wouldn’t sign your pug dachshund mix up for an obedience competition anytime soon.
Start early with socializing your Pug Dachshund mix puppy and definitely get into some puppy obedience classes to get the basics down pat. Lots of positive reinforcement in the form of praise will teach them how pleased you are and will go a long way.
Pug Dachshund Mix Health Problems
Pugs are prone to a number of health problems due to their flat faces. As cute as they are, they often struggle to breathe and get enough air.
This flat-faced or short-faced condition is known as brachycephaly and is an inherited trait in the Pug Dachshund mix. It is known to cause breathing problems because the nasal cavity is compressed in these breeds.
This in turn makes dogs with brachycephaly intolerant to heat or exercise. It can also lead to a collapse of the larynx, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Brachycephalic breeds such as the Pug and the Pugsunds are also prone to spine problems, eye injuries from bulging eyes, and infections in a skin fold.
It doesn’t end there. Dachshunds have their own health issues. This includes things like dental disease, back problems, eye disease, bloat, Cushing’s, diabetes, patellar luxation, trachea collapse, allergies, Legg-Perthes, and hip dysplasia.
It’s crucial to get regular checkups at the vet and to follow any preventative care that they recommend.
Emergencies and illnesses are virtually inevitable with a pet dog. This is where pet insurance can help! For a relatively low monthly premium, you can be protected in the event of a large vet bill. If a pet insurance plan isn’t for you, then you should at the very minimum be putting away money into a special savings account each month to help cover emergency costs when they inevitably arise.
Pug Dachshund Mix Feeding and Nutrition
Just like most other dogs, your Pug Dachshund mix won’t require anything too special when it comes to their diet. Pick a high-quality dry dog kibble and follow the instructions on the side of the bag. Those instructions will tell you how much kibble your pup needs each day based on its size and the nutritional value of the kibble.
The amount of food for a dog this size will probably be somewhere around 1 ½ cups to 2 cups per day, depending on the food. Each kibble is formulated differently, so some foods may fit in more calories into a smaller serving size (i.e. be more calorie-dense) whereas others may be fewer calories and require a larger portion size. Sort of like if we were to eat a cup of grapes vs a cup of raisins, or comparing a cup of cheese to a cup of milk. This is why it’s important to read the bag.
It’s very important to feed your Pugsund appropriately because they are prone to weight gain. Avoid giving them table scraps or calorie-dense treats. The freeze-dried liver is a great treatment option!
Is the Pugsund good with children?
The short answer is: yes! The Pug Dachshund is an affectionate and playful breed. Monitor them closely with young children and be sure to provide proper introductions.
It’s important for children to know how to interact with a dog as much as it is for a dog to know how to interact with children. Both should know to be gentle and kind to each other. No snatching treats out of little hands and no little hands grabbing onto ears or skin folds.
Otherwise, they are goofy and fun-loving animals that love to bond with the whole family!
Does a Pugsund get along with other pets?
As with children, Pug Dachshund mixes simply require proper introductions to other pets. The prey drive of the Dachshund is majorly tamped down by the Pug’s laid-back nature.
They are unlikely to go chasing after the resident house cat or guinea pig, as long as they have been properly introduced.
That being said, it’s always a good idea to follow a bit of a probationary period at first until you can trust that all animals are safe to be together alone. This also provides the opportunity to provide gentle correction in the event that someone does behave inappropriately.
How much does a Pug Dachshund Mix Cost?
If you are buying a puppy from a reputable breeder, then Pug Dachshund mix puppies will likely be $500 to $1000 or more. A reputable breeder will be registered with their local breed club and national kennel club. They will also likely require you to visit in person or virtually before you buy in order to ensure that it’s a good fit.
It’s crucial to know who you are buying from and avoid purchasing off of an online marketplace or pet store, which are often fronts for harmful puppy mills. Puppies that come from mills or farms are often riddled with genetic health issues, which will get expensive for you in the long run. They will often be taken away from their mothers too soon, leading to behavior problems too.
You can also likely find a Pug Dachshund mix for adoption through various shelters and rescue organizations! Adoption fees can range from $50 to $500 depending on the agency. These fees are often to recoup the cost of veterinary care and fostering the animal in their care.
Final Thoughts
Pug Dachshund mixes can make great family dogs that are great for new owners and apartment dwellers. There is one major caveat though, and that is all of the health complications that this mix can be riddled with. The biggest one being flat-faced brachycephalic genetics.
Brachycephalic breeds are largely unethical due to the health problems and breathing difficulties that accompany the face shape. They will struggle to breathe in hot climates and during most forms of activity. While they are adorable, the vast majority of vet professionals condemn the breeding of brachycephalic breeds.
If your heart is set on this mix, then we’d recommend looking for pups or adult dogs that have a longer snout in order to try to offset the brachycephalic trait.
Other Dachshund Mixes
You might want to see more Dachshund mixes, check out the list below: