Teacup Pug – 9 Interesting And Unknown Facts About The Tiny Dog

Teacup Pug Infographics

Teacup Pug Video

• Origin: China
• Size: Small
• Dog Breed Group: Hybrid
• Purebred: No
• Lifespan: 6-10 Years
• Height: No Standardization, Literally Small Enough To Fit In A Teacup
• Weight: 3 -10 Lbs (1.36- 4.50 Kg)
• Coat Appearance: Short Soft Or Dense, Double Coat
• Coat Colors: Fawn, Black, White, Silver, Grey, Brindle
• Temperament: Affectionate, Docile,  Devoted, Easygoing, Friendly, Laidback, Keen, Outgoing,  Playful, Pleasant, Responsive, Social, Spirited
• Good With Children: Yes
• Intelligence Level: High
• Good With Pets: Yes
• Hypoallergenic: No
• Grooming: High
• Shedding: Moderate To Heavy
• Barking: Barks When Necessary
• Suitable For Apartments: Yes
• Need For Exercise: High
• Easy To Train: Yes
• Good For First Time Owners: Yes
• Health Issues: Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome,  Hip Dysplasia, Hyperthyroidism, Corneal Ulcers Entropion, Luxating Patella, Distichiasis,  Hemivertebrae, Pug Dog Encephalitis
• Litter Size: 2-4 Puppies
• Average Price: $750 and $4000

The Teacup Pug is not a purebred dog, but it is a crossbreed. This crossing speculated to be a breed by bringing together a Teacup Chihuahua and a pug.

It is known as Pughuahua or a Chug; these result from breeding two genetically defective parent pugs (half breeds).

This genetic defect has induced to design of even smaller pugs called mini-pugs or micro-mini-pugs. Although they can be delightful, dwarfism is not a desirable feature in any breed.

So if you are planning on purchasing one of these adorable looking tiny dogs, remember that you are not getting a purebred dog.

Your teacup Pug, perhaps, is an inferior dog and an anatomical disaster. It will not meet the standards set for any breed. But, it does meet the standard of being an adorable and lovable companion!

Regardless of all this, Teacup Pugs! Those wrinkled faces; that beseeching expression; that twisted tail; that tubby, tiny bod; that spunky attitude: It is the complete package. Once you plunge into these teacups, you never come back!

Is Teacup Pug, The Right Dog For You?

If you want a dog who…

• Is smallish, yet blocky and sturdy
• Has a short face with large expressive eyes, cocked head, childlike expression
• Has a short coat and Easy maintenance on the grooming front
• Incredibly affectionate and polite with everyone, including other pets

You can get a Teacup Pug.

If you don’t want to deal with…

• Wheezing, snoring, and Snorting
• Flatulence(Gassiness)
• Sluggishness to housebreak especially in the rain, which they detest
• Heavy shedding – each day!
• Quite a few potential health problems due to his relatively small gene pool and deformed build

A Teacup pug may not be the right choice.

Teacup Pug Size

• Height – No standardization, literally small enough to fit in a teacup, hence the name.
• Weight – 3 -10 lbs (1.36- 4.50 kg)

Teacup Pug Lifespan

A healthy Teacup pug should expect to enjoy a life expectancy of 6-10 years when properly cared for and fed a good quality diet to suit their ages.

• Exercise Needs – Fairly High
• Intensity – High
• Activity Level – High
• Exercise Requirements – >30 Minutes/Day
• Walk Mileage/ Week – 6 Miles
• Playfulness – High
• Grooming Needs – High

 So, what about the first-time owners?

TC pugs are a better choice for first-time dog owners as they love to please their owners more than anything else and are also easily trainable.

They are consistently friendly, happy-go-lucky dogs with the eagerness to impress always.

Their biggest downside is their many health problems, so make sure you have the money for potential health problems and empathy for a dog who may not have a 10-year life.

Teacup Pug Grooming And Shedding

• Coat Density – Short Soft Or Dense, Double Coat
• Length – Long Or Short And Shiny
• Texture – Straight
• Brushing Frequency – Daily Or Weekly Twice
• Trimming/Stripping – No
• Hypoallergenic – No
• Shedding – Moderate To Heavy

TC Pugs with black coat may have a single layer that sheds moderately, but some do have a double coat.

Most non-black Pug dogs (fawn, apricot-fawn, silver-fawn) and some black Pugs have double coats, a short outer layer, and a soft inner layer.

Double the coat means double the shedding compared to single-coated TC pugs.

Young TC Pugs have minor shedding compared to their adult counterparts. Once a Pug reaches the 12- 15 months mark, the shedding will increase.

While Pugs shed all year round, there can be a considerable increase in both the spring and the autumn. Though this seasonal shedding is somewhat dependent on temperature changes, it can also be triggered by changes in sunlight hours.

It is recommended to brush a puglet no less than 3 times per week or as often as once a day. It is also essential to get through the coat immediately before giving the wash and right afterward.

Positives

When we think of a miniature Pug’s temperament, the first thing that comes to mind is stubbornness. Although these dogs are stubborn streak, they do not insist and look forward to pleasing.

Teacup Pugs are considered one of the most passive/ gentle breeds. They’re tolerant of prodding from toddlers and children without ever biting or nipping.

The teacup or toy Pugs or pocket Pugs have many great qualities for being more than just your pet. Being your friend, they can’t stand the thought of not being with you.

They are attention-seeking and energetic, always running around and being part of the family. As they age, they become much quieter and more docile, but even there, they will still want to be with their favorite person – YOU.

Teacup pugs believe in the motto – “multum in parvo,” meaning a lot in a little, with loads of personality in a small package. TC pugs are not the lively socialites like the other toy breeds are. They are a bit more serious, with a sly sense of humor.

Relaxed and comfortable to live, they’re perfect with children and perfect for families on the move, as long as they understand that Pugs are not designed to be beach rabbits or jogging companions.

Overall, happy-go-lucky, peppy, animated, family-friendly, and spirited dogs love to have human companionship, especially children and seniors.

For the pleasant personality package to the people within them, it’s not unusual to see them going to great lengths to satisfy and gratify their masters. They’ll whine when you leave and go wild when you get home.

Who blabbered that you can’t buy friendship? You get a Teacup Pug. You come pretty close to making friendship!

Negatives

The best thing to do is to examine each of the negatives and make an honest consideration of whether this behavior will bother you or not.

It is also critical to recognize that the trait is a controllable behavior or an innate feature present in the TC pugs that will be part of two of your future lives.

Miniature pugs are voracious eating machines and do not know when to stop, making them gorge like anything and gain a lot of weight. They also snore quite a bit, which becomes irritating to deal with after a while.

TC pugs are also exceedingly clingy. They will accompany you wherever and wherever, and these dogs aware that they push this phenomenon to an extreme. It is just the way they are… It can become a bit awkward after a while.

The TC pugs are the one that often wins over cat aficionados’ who are otherwise not overly enthusiastic about dogs, and it has said many times that the behavior of the Pug is very cat-like.

They have an uncanny ability to think in rather cat-like ways, such as they enjoy their home comforts in much the same way that the cats do, they are pretty independent streak, like to have things on their terms too, and this is perhaps part of the reason why TC pugs do tend to get on well with cats.

They seem to have two basic speed settings: Dormant or full throttle. TC pugs can be very energetic, enthusiastic, and good-humored about things. They usually disburse their energy in short bursts of activity. Still, when your buddy is tired or napping, the “DND” sign will be most certainly on the door!

Still, tempted? Let’s explore further what it takes to take care of this dog daily.

• Trainability – Quick Learners But May Be Stubborn
• Intelligence – High
• Memory – High
• Mouthiness – Low
• Prey Drive – Low
• Wanderlust Potential – Average To High

Many Pockets sized pug owners would say that their dogs are the light of their lives – perky, passionate, intelligent, and playful; these micro breed dogs are remarkable canine companions.

After you’ve fallen in love with their funny faces, stubby bodies, and big brown eyes, though, you might uncover that a TC Pug’s temperament isn’t instead what you expected – they’re mischievous and wayward, gobble everything edible and oh well! They just peed on the floor again!

While some owners will be disposed to categorize TC Pugs into the ‘dumb puppy’ class, but they aren’t that dim-witted. Most TC Pugs are quite intelligent and obstinate enough to proffer on you to get their way.

Like any other dog, they can become positive terrors without consistent obedience training and clear boundaries.

Keep in mind that TC Pugs are dogs, not just lappets, and need daily exercise and attention to feel pleased; an exhausted dog is far less likely to misbehave!

Your buddy can also be trained more efficiently when they’ve had an opportunity to vent off some steam and get some mental stimulation.

So though your pet seems to be satisfied to doze the day away on the couch, it will do them a world of good to gear up, move outdoors, and doing ‘doggy’ things (like going to a dog park or walking or meeting other pups to play with!)

Pugs are like furry locomotives, notorious for pulling on the leash, and their muscular, compact little bodies are amazingly strong, making your arm feel like it’s about to go down before the walk is half over.

You may ask, ‘Would changing collars make a difference?’ Well, as TC Pugs have a mini-brachycephalic face, walking with a dragging.

Pug on a normal flat collar typically isn’t a good idea anyways – the collar can pressurize their tantalizing throat tissues, causing breathing problems (in a dog that already has snag catching their breath).

Also, avoid Choke chain leads or Prong collars with TC Pugs for the same reasons. A harness attached in front with a clip at chest level will allow your pup to move without restraint, as well as making you redirect their movement (and their notice) back to you to check continued pulling.

The best solution, however, is to train your Pug to walk beside you. Use reward-based training, i.e., treats or toys, and positive reinforcement for staying at your side while walking.

When they drag and pull, stop still, hold the leash, reward them for returning to your side, or take steps toward you. In a little while, the dog will become a great mini-walking partner!

TC pugs are, of course, highly active puglets.

For a dog that possesses such high energy levels as the TC pugs, a well-planned feeding with the right balance of nutrients and protein-rich diet and a consistent feeding schedule is needed to accommodate all that activity.

Daily Food Consumption – Approximately 600 – 1,400 calories per day (i.e., puppies- 50 calories/ 1 lb of body weight, adults -40 calories/ 1 lb of body weight).

Meat should be the number 1 ingredient as dogs must have this protein as their primary food source. The ratio should be approximately 40% meat, 30% vegetables, and 30% starch. Don’t forget to add a dog supplement to your puglet’s dinner.

So, what should be the mixture in the best food for pugs in an ideal situation? This is what to look for

• With high nutritional value but the low calorie per pound (about 40-50)
• Small kibble  with a balanced supply of nutrients
• Skincare nutrients
• Coat care nutrients
• Allergens (a big no)

Meal frequency for TC pugs

• First 1-3 months: 3-4 meals per day (1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of High-quality, nutrient-dense dry foods and wet foods)
• 3-6 months: 3 meals per day (¼-1/3 cups of quality food)
• 8-12 months: 3 meals/day (1/3 to ½ cups of quality food)
• Older than 12 months: 1-2 meals (½ cup of quality food)

Best foods for Teacup pugs

• Whole meats and meat meals (whole chicken, beef, fish, and lamb)
• Brown rice
• Peas, Green beans
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• kale, parsley, sardines
• Broccoli
• Spinach

What to Avoid

• Avoid foods that are formulated for large breeds
• Large Kibbles may be too hard for your pug’s teeth and can damage them
• Canned or wet foods can contain extra fat or calories
• Avocado, garlic, mushrooms, onions, green tomatoes, and raw potatoes can also be unsafe
• Keep chocolate, coffee, and other foods containing caffeine away from your pug.
• Grapes, Currants, and Raisins
• Almonds, Walnuts Pistachio Nuts, Macadamia Nuts
• Avoid seasonings, salt, or butter to the food.

Major concerns:

Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS) – Being a brachycephalic breed, TC pugs can experience upper airway abnormalities that cause partial hindrance to a dog’s breathing, especially when the weather is hot.

The prominent congenital abnormalities seen are excessively long soft palate about the head shape, tracheal hypoplasia (abnormally narrowed windpipe), and stenotic nares (collapsed nostrils).

BAOS leads to snoring, struggling for breath, respiratory noise, respiratory distress with rapid breathing, and mouth breathing, leading to collapse and death.

Hip dysplasia – Hip dysplasia is a congenital disease caused by a malformation in the hip joint that affects both of the hips.

Hyperthyroidism – A rare condition in which the dog’s thyroid glands are over-producing thyroxin hormone that results in metabolic hyperactivity or carcinoma of the thyroid. If this does not receive proper treatment, it will cause heart and/or kidney failure, leading to death.

Allergies – Food Allergies, inhalant allergies by airborne pollens, Dust mites, contact allergies such as Flea and tick bites, dog shampoo, and bedding or due to chemicals

Corneal Ulcers – As they have big bulging eyes, it is easy for them to scratch or injure their cornea. Sometimes the trauma or injury is minimal and difficult to identify.

Entropion – Entropion is a condition in which the lower eyelid rolls inward or inverted, causing the eyelashes to irritate the eye’s cornea. This can be congenital or sometimes the result of injury, painful corneal lesions, or chronic eyelid infections.

Minor concerns

Distichiasis – These are a sort of eyelash disorders that are found in pugs in which hairs grow in an unusual area on the eyelid (meibomian glands).

Hemivertebrae – They are congenital Vertebral and spinal abnormalities found in Pugs and miniature pugs where the vertebrae’s left and right halves grow unequally.

Patellar Luxation – This is a hereditary problem in which the dog’s kneecap (patella) is “out of place” or “dislocated” or malformed. This will eventually rupture their cranial cruciate ligament.

Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) – Also known as necrotizing meningoencephalitis, this is a rare neurological disease that tends to affect young to middle-aged Pugs. This fatal and aggressive inflammatory disease of the CNS is exclusive to pugs.

Teacup Pug Price

You should expect to pay at least $750 and $4000. Some can go up to $2000 for your Teacup puppy depending on the pedigree, vaccination details, and the breeder.

Teacup Pug Breeders

Breeders, animal shelters, and rescue groups

You may stumble upon plenty of flashy adverts for teacup Pug puppies for sale and pictures of teacup Pugs in newspapers and online – many sitting in teacups to hammer the point home.

However, always check over these claims’ legitimacy and conduct a thorough visitation of the home before buying one. Some teacup breeders will try and sell a runt dog with adverts such as “dwarf Pugs for sale.”

Never purchase a dog from pet stores, mills, and puppy farms. You can save yourself from the undesirable traits of a dog by choosing the right puppy and right breeder.