We brought him to a local school’s baseball field and let him loose without a leash for the first time since we brought him home.

We were surprised at how fast and energetic he was. Being a previous pug owner lead me to expect that he would have inherited at least some of the pug’s notorious lethargy and laziness but that was not the case at all.

He ran around non-stop for about an hour and barely even panted.

So are chug puppies athletic?

It depends.

• Chi’s are quick and pugs have strong muscles, so depending on the mix you get, your chug puppy can have a mix of the two. From what we’ve read and observed, chugs are tough little dogs.
• Chugs generally bypass the poor breathing problems that pugs have, so they should have more stamina.
• Chi’s also have less body fat and fur than pugs, which is probably why Max did not pant much. (Dog painting is equivalent to human sweating).
• The best way to determine if your chug puppy is athletic is to take him outside and see what he’s got.

Chug Puppies can be predisposed to choking fits, but it is important not to mistake it for Kennel Cough. Kennel cough is an infection of the bronchial tubes that results in a hacking and hoarse cough. It often sounds as though the chug puppies airways are clogged.

Generally this illness resolves on it’s own and usually coughing is the only symptom.

It may be difficult for you to determine whether your chug puppy is coughing or choking. Generally a chug will “reverse sneeze” when it is having a coughing spell.

The videos below show a dog coughing an can be used as a base for what you should look for:

If you think your chug dog’s coughing is excessive and does not show signs of stopping, bring him to the vet immediatley.

Chihuahuas are very prone to this due to their small trachea’s. If your chug puppy inherited this trait, you should keep an eye for this type of attack. This type of attack is generally caused by the dog becoming excited, nervous or over-active.

What to do if your chug puppy has a choking spell:

1. Gently massage it’s throat
2. Gently place your fingers over the pups nose (this is not cruel). It will force the chug to breath through it’s mouth and open it’s Trachea again.
3. Use a harness instead of a collar when walking your chug puppy. This will place less strain on the trachea.
4. If excitement causes the attacks, work on getting the chug puppy used to the situations that cause excitement.

If the choking is constant or sounds like a cough, take your chug puppy to the vet to make sure he does not have Kennel Cough.

How was the winner this year – a chug puppy!

See the highlights here:

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/puppy-bowl-vi/

Guidelines on Adopting Chug Puppies:

1. Bringing up a chug puppy is an advantage because this means that you are in control of it’s behavior, health and wellbeing from the start.
2. You should adopt a chug puppy when it is at least 10 weeks old. Any earlier and your chug puppy may suffer from separation anxiety.
3. A chug puppy can easily adjust to new surroundings as compared to an adult chug dog that is used to a different environment. However, this benefit is offset by the fact that the pup may chew on some of your household items and would need to be housebroken.
4. There is no assurance of what a chug puppy would look like when it gets old; especially it is a mixed breed. Also, his temperament might change too when he grows up.

Guidelines on Adopting a grown Chug Dog:

1. You would have less of a fuss taking care of an adult chug dog. They already have this established behavior that you can easily adopt too. By being with the chug dog more often, you would have more or less an idea of what its temperament is.
2. Be sure to make note of the chug dog’s behavior and temperament before buying him. Be sure to monitor for aggressive growling or possessive behavior.
3. A full grown chug dog may take time to adapt to it’s new owner.
4. Make sure to introduce the chug dog to your family members before deciding to bring him home. Make sure it gets along with the children and the rest of the family.
5. Adult chug dog may not need your full attention unlike chug puppies need and would require lesser trips to the veterinary.
6. For a fully grown chug dog physique and behavior is basically not a variable anymore. What you see is basically what you get.

Adopting a chug dog is not an easy task and choosing which one to adopt can be a little tricky too. Everyone loves sweet looking chug puppies, but some may not be up to give them the attention they need. Adult chug dogs need no great amount of guidance but can still turn out to be a lovable pet. Whichever you think is the right pet for you, just keep in mind that taking care of them needs a lot of time and effort. In return, they would always keep you company and loved.

The fact of the matter is, not all chug puppy owners are celbrities, but that does’nt mean you can’t outfit your pup with some stylish gear.

Here are some designer clothing ideas for your chug puppy:

1. Sweaters and Coats. Chug puppies are often suceptible to the cold temperatures, so why not outfit him with some outer wear?

Online stores that have sweaters and coats for your chug puppy:

• Pet Smart
• Snuggie for Dogs
• Doggie Vogue

2. Hats. While it may not be that practical, hats will set your chug puppy apart from others in the pack.

Online stores that have hats for your chug puppy:

• Superstar Pet Lovers
• K9 Cool Hats

3. Boots. Boots will keep your chug puppy’s paws warm on those rainy or snowy days.

Online stores that have boots for your chug puppy:

• Petco
• Ruff Wear

How to know if your chug puppy is possessive:

1. As a puppy, your chug will probably welcome all guests that come his way. However, as he gets older watch to see how he acts around new visitors. If he barks at them continuously after they enter the house, then there could be cause for alarm. If your chug puppy only barks when guests first enter, that is ok.

2. If your chug puppy begins to curl his lips and growl when you try and take his toys, this behavior should be corrected if possible. It is a common trait of a Chihuahua.

How to correct chug puppy possessive behavior:

1. Get him used to socializing with other people and other dogs at a young age. Also make sure you let all family members participate in training so he offers his allegiance to more than one family member.

2. Get your chug puppy used to you and your family invading his personal space. This means his bed, his treats etc. Practice gently pulling his treats away while he is chewing on them. If he growls, say a command loudly such as “no” or “bah”. After that, place him in his crate for about 10 minutes and try again.

Due to their small size, chug puppy’s can be possessive but after some training and patience, they will continue to be loving and loyal pups

Dental problems in pets go way beyond bad breath. Periodontal disease is the most common health problem in chug dogs today. In fact at, least 80 percent of dogs suffer from it by age 2. If this is untreated it can lead to further damage in your chug puppy.

Unfortunatley, chug puppies fall into toy breed of dogs which have a tendency to develop dental problems more so than larger breeds.

Dr. Daniel Carmichael, veterinary dental specialist with the Veterinary Medical Center in West Islip, N.Y. reccomends the following for chug puppies dental health:

1. Schedule regular dental checkups with your vet. If you notice an outbreak of bad breath coming from your chug puppy, take him sooner.
2. Daily to bi-daily brushing of your dog’s teeth.
3. Choosing dog treats with dental benefits. Chewing on rawhide has been proven in clinical studies to help reduce plaque and tartar. The treats may not smell that great, but they do to your chug puppy – which means he will chew longer.

A healthy chug, is a happy chug, so make sure you pay close attention to his dental hygeine.

So what is rawhide anyway?

Rawhide is actually the inner hide of an animal – generally a cow. While it may sound unappetizing to humans, dogs really enjoy at. Many theorize that it is due to the fact that in fufills the wild dog instinct to chew their prey.

Is rawhide good for your chug puppy?

Depending on your Chug dog’s diet and current health condition, you have to be careful when deciding whether or not to give him rawhide.

Here are some tips for giving your puppy rawhide:

• Do not let your chug puppy swallow large pieces of rawhide, as it may cause diarrhea.
• When the rawhide get’s small enough to swallow, make sure you take it from your chug puppy and throw it out.
• Rawhide should be used in moderation and shound never replace a balanced diet.
• Pets with a history of allergies, diarrhea and vomiting should not chew on rawhide.

Rawhide can keep your pet entertained and help him exercise his teeth. However, make sure your pet can handle it. If you have concerns, consult your vet.

So what’s the big deal about designer dogs? Many look for them due to specific physical appearences and behavioral attributes. Many people are starting to flock to chug puppies because of their small size and good temperaments.

Many people are opposed to the deliberate crossbreeding of dogs like the chug. This is primarily because there are devious breeders out there that may be trying to make a quick buck.

If you get your chug puppy from a reputable breeder, you should be able to find the perfect companion at the right cost. Make sure the chug puppies you are looking at seem healthy. Chug dogs are not a “teacup” breed. Teacup breeds often have health problems, so be weary of them. However, chug puppies can often stay small in size.

So in a nutshell, yes it is safe to buy a chug puppy. Just make sure you do your research first.