Siberian Husky Pug Mix: Hug Dog Breed Facts & Information

The Siberian Husky Pug mix is a hybrid dog whose designer name is the Hug. With a name like that, you know that this guy is going to be special. While his name makes him sound perfect, it is important that you spend time thoroughly researching the breed so that you know exactly what you are letting yourself in for and to see if he will suit your lifestyle. He is a fantastic pup, but he may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Both the Hug’s parents are ancient breeds that are very popular worldwide as beloved family pets. They both have plenty of character, so you will never be bored with the Hug around.

There are a few things to know about this adorable pup before bringing him home. So, without further ado, meet the one and only Hug.

Parent Breeds

The term “designer dog” is just another way to describe a mixed breed. In the Hug’s case, he is a designer mixed breed of the purebred Siberian Husky and the purebred Pug. Designer dogs have increased in popularity worldwide, with a particular rise over the last decade in America.

There is scientific evidence to suggest that cross-breeding purebred dogs will result in a healthier pup, who will be more vigorous and hardier when it comes to fitness and predisposed health conditions. This process is called hybrid vigor, and unfortunately, many purebred fanatics would like you to believe that this is a myth, but it really isn’t.

In order to fully understand your Hug, you must first learn a little bit about both parent breeds. Mixed-breed puppies inherit characteristics from both parents. They can be more like one parent or a blend of both. There is always a level of unpredictability in appearance and temperament with mixes like this.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky was developed thousands of years ago in Siberia to haul supplies over vast expanses of icy terrain between indigenous tribes. Thanks to their limitless stamina, they performed their job well. Once his daily chores were completed, the tribe that developed him took him back to their family homes, where he would be lucky enough to join them for dinner meals and snuggle up to keep warm at night.

The Siberian Husky is a race car by day and a hot water bottle by night. Because of their sweet nature, they are often mixed with other breeds as well, making designer dogs like the Husky Golden Retriever mix or the Border Husky.

He was relatively unknown outside of Siberia until 1925 when a Husky named Balto famously led a pack of dogs during a grueling 658-mile hike and carried a life-saving antidote to the town. Ever since this achievement, the Husky has been a popular family dog globally. In 2023, Siberian Huskies were listed as the 24th most popular breed out of 200 ranked by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Pug

The Pug is also an ancient breed dating back thousands of years ago. The Pug was an instant hit within royal circles in China, all of whom had a soft spot for small, flat-faced canines. He was strictly kept by royalty, and only those who were gifted a Pug had the pleasure of owning one. When Dutch travelers in China returned to their homeland, they did so with the Pug in tow. He became the mascot of the House of Orange in the Netherlands as a result of warning a Prince about intruders, and consequently saved his life.

It would seem that the Pug has charmed people of all classes across the globe, and he makes a wonderful family pet. In 2023, the AKC listed him as the 36^th most popular dog breed in America.  Pugs are popular mixed breed pups and are often combined with the Chihuahua or other breeds to make a “designer dog.”  They are typically fawn with a black muzzle but, on occasion, can have leucism, which means they have no pigmentation.

The Hug

The Hug, with his two life-saving parents, is a brave and sprightly dog who loves to be the center of attention and join in all the family fun. The Husky is a hard-working pup, while the Pug has enjoyed a life of luxury in Chinese palaces. Their popularity reflects what wonderful dogs they are, and the Hug is no different, thanks to his combination of genetics!

But how exactly do the Husky and the Pug create offspring, I hear you ask?! Well, they get a little help through artificial insemination; the mother is always the Husky parent, and the father is always the Pug parent. Otherwise, things would get very complicated and dangerous.

Temperament

Both of the parent breeds are full of life and personality, so you will not be disappointed with the Hug. They are cheeky pups who are very affectionate and love to spend time with their family.

Hugs are incredibly playful and very friendly. They have a sweet, lively temperament and love to be the center of attention. If you like outgoing dogs, the Pug Husky mix will not disappoint. They are very social and generally like to be around people and other pets.

Size & Appearance

The Hug’s parents are completely different in their sizes, and as such, the Hug’s size will vary massively, even within the same litter. From the relatively new information on Hug, both males and females will measure 10 to 23 inches in height, from paw to shoulder, and they will weigh anywhere between 14 and 60 pounds.

It is quite difficult to ascertain the size of the Hug when he is young, and as such, you should be prepared for your pup to fall on either side of the size spectrum. Generally, however, if he looks more like his Pug parent as a pup, then he will be smaller than those who look more like the Husky. Their muzzle length will vary, as will their tails and ears.

Coat & Colors

The Hug’s coat can also vary in length, either short after his Pug parent or long after his Husky parent. Whatever the length, it is commonly soft and smooth. The Hug’s coat can take the color black, gray, fawn, red, silver, and white, or any combination of those colors, and he can also inherit the facial mask colors that both the Pug and the Husky have. As with everything else surrounding the Hug, it really is a potluck when it comes to his coat and coloring.

Training

Both of his parents are intelligent, but they are also very stubborn, which means sometimes they will be really excited about a training session with you, but there will also be days when he won’t even acknowledge your efforts to train him. If it does not benefit him, then he will probably not engage with you. For this reason, he is not recommended for novice dog owners, and nor is he suited for a family who does not have the time to invest in training him.

Whichever parent he takes after, he is going to have a stubborn streak, and as such, it is important to begin obedience training as early as possible. In addition, it is always imperative to socialize your pup early, with unfamiliar surroundings and plenty of other dogs of all shapes and sizes. The Hug will respond well to positive reinforcement training. If you need some help, consider some of these online dog training courses, which can help guide you through basic training and help handle problem behavior.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Pug and the Husky also widely vary in their exercise needs. The Pug is a small dog with medium energy who needs around 40 minutes of exercise a day, whereas the Husky is one of the most energetic canines on the planet, and he needs at least 90 minutes of intense exercise a day.

While the Hug may take after either parent, his exercise will also depend on his size. If he is smaller, he will need less exercise than if he were similar to the size of his Husky parent. For this reason, if you are welcoming a Hug into your home, you should be prepared to exercise him for at least an hour a day.

Both the Pug and the Husky are known to suffer from separation anxiety, so the Hug does not like to be left at home all day and should not be left longer than about four hours. A great way to tackle this is to crate-train your pup from an early age. This helps him learn that his crate is his safe space, and as such, he will be less anxious while you are away. Learn more about the best dog crates for separation anxiety.

The Hug is suited to both apartment living and large abodes. If you do live in an apartment with no garden, you need to be prepared to take him for more frequent or longer walks, in order to give him the exercise he needs.

The Hug, with his Husky parent’s intense exercise needs, will also require plenty of mental stimulation throughout the day. A great way to provide this is by giving him a treat-filled puzzle toy to keep him occupied. It is unlikely that the Hug is going to be a sedentary pup.

Be Careful Not To Overwork Your Hug Pup

Additionally, as his Pug parent is a brachycephalic dog, this means that because of his flat face, he will struggle to breathe, especially during exercise. For this reason, it is important to monitor the Hug during exercise sessions, and if he appears to be struggling to breathe, then you should stop the exercise and calm him down.

This can often cause problems with the Hug because if he has inherited his Pug’s brachycephalic face but his Husky parent’s intense exercise needs, then he will need to expel his energy yet struggle to do so. This will undoubtedly be difficult to manage.

Health

Because the Hug is a hybrid, he will be hardier than most purebred pups. However, this does not mean that he is exempt from any health issues. As he is a relatively new breed, there is little information on his specific health issues, and as such, there are no current breed standards.

Overall, the Pug parent suffers more health issues than the average dog, whereas the Husky suffers much less than the average dog. For this reason, the best way to determine what health issues he may be predisposed to is to look at his parent’s health conditions and be aware of all of them.

5 Common Hug Health Issues

Based on his parent’s health concerns the Hug is predisposed to the following health issues:

1. Eye conditions – Because of his flat face, the Pug is predisposed to many eye conditions, such as the common Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), as well as cataracts and entropion. However, he is also prone to Pug-specific issues, such as Brachycephalic Ocular Syndrome. Additionally, because of his bulging eyes he is more prone to eye injuries.
2. Skin conditions – Pugs commonly suffer from sensitive skin and are also prone to specific skin issues such as demodectic mange, yeast infections, and cheyletiella dermatitis. He is also prone to getting skin infections in between his wrinkles and rolls.
3. Brachycephalic Syndrome – This is a condition that is suffered by flat-faced dogs who suffer from breathing difficulties and heat regulation. Though his flat face looks cute, it can be very dangerous for the pup. For this reason, it is suggested that he use a harness rather than a collar and a leash to protect his windpipe and breathing.
4. Pug Dog Encephalitis – Though this disease is linked to the Pug, it is possible that the Hug might inherit this condition. It is characterized by inflammation of the brain tissues, which causes pain and seizures. It often reduces their life expectancy significantly. However, the pain can be alleviated with medication.
5. Hip Dysplasia – One of the only common concerns of the Husky is hip dysplasia, which is caused by an abnormal formation of the hip joint and can eventually cause painful arthritis.

As with any pup, be sure to be aware of potential health problems, thoroughly research them, and monitor them for symptoms. If you have any concerns, speak to your veterinarian.

How Long Does A Hug Live?

Overall, if the Hug inherits his Pug parent’s health conditions, then he will be likely to suffer more health issues. As with any mixed breed, you can never be certain what he is going to inherit. The Hug’s life expectancy will range from 10 to 15 years on average.

Consider pet insurance for your Hug when he is young due to the prevalence of health conditions in brachycephalic breeds. Pet insurance may not cover all health issues, but it can be very helpful in the case of an emergency or serious illness. Learn more about pet insurance and what it covers in our guide.

Nutrition

The Pug and the Husky’s nutritional needs vary. The Husky needs higher-calorie food to satisfy his exercise needs, while the Pug needs much less. Depending on the Hug’s size and energy levels, they will consume around 2 cups of food a day. It is important to feed the Hug age-appropriate food as his Pug parent is prone to obesity.

Grooming

Generally, and regardless of the coat that the Hug inherits, he will only require brushing thoroughly once a week and a quick brush every few days to keep their coat manageable. Other grooming needs, such as nail trimming and ear and dental cleaning, are the same as any other pup. The only specific grooming issue to consider is that if your Hug has wrinkles or skin folds like his Pug parent, then you will need to invest time into thoroughly cleansing them with cotton wool buds and specialized products.

As Family Pets

1.  He is a fun-loving and cheeky pup.
2. He will provide you and your family with hours of fun and laughter.
3. The Hug will need an average of 60 minutes of exercise a day.
4. He will not do well being cooped up all day long.
5. He is very sociable with his immediate family and outsiders.
6. He believes everyone is his friend, so he doesn’t make the best guard dog.
7. The Hug is very affectionate with children and other animals.
8. He will do well with a young family or a multi-pet household.
9. He is not hypoallergenic, and he is a medium shedder.
10. This makes him less suited to a family with dog allergies.
11. The Hug is independent, and as such, he can be difficult to train.
12. He is not the best pup for a first-time owner.

Hug Puppies & Cost

The cost of a Hug puppy will start from around $1,000 to $2,000 and upwards. Here, appearance traits play a big part in the pricing of puppies, and if the puppy is an even mix of Pug and Husky, the more expensive he will be. Additionally, if he inherits his Husky parent’s coat markings, particularly around his face, with his bright blue eyes, then this will also bump up the price even more.

The Hug is relatively new and rare in the hybrid world, and as such, it will take slightly longer to find a breeder than another hybrid mix. The best way to find a reputable breeder is to thoroughly research breeders online who are in your area and likely much further afield, as they are rare. Then, read reviews and ask about their breeding practices. Alternatively, you could speak to local Pug and Siberian Husky breeders and ask them for referrals to Hug breeders.

Rescue & Shelters

Not all families have the time to invest in raising and training puppies, and as such, it is sometimes easier to adopt an older dog who will likely already have the training in place. If you are interested in this, be sure to contact local shelters. Some shelters have waiting lists for certain breeds, and they may be able to contact you if a Hug is placed in the rehoming shelter.

While adopting a rescue pooch is an amazing thing to do, there are some negatives. Often, you are not fully aware of his history, whether he was bred from reputable breeders or healthy parents or if he has experienced any traumatic experiences. But if a rescue center does not think that the dog is suited to you, they will not allow you to rehome him, and so for that reason, in most adoption cases, the pup is perfectly okay.

Am I Ready For A New Dog?

Whether you are a first-time dog owner or already have a pack of happy hounds, it is important to be sure you are ready to bring a new pup into the mix. Dog ownership comes with many expectations and responsibilities. If you have children or other people in the home, it is wise to discuss the role and dog duties everyone will have before adoption day. You can also familiarize yourself with what to expect from your new puppy and the reasons to look out for it.

Why Trust Us?

Emma is a dog fanatic with over 20 years of experience and the proud mom of two rescue dogs, Bonkers and Chips. Before becoming a freelance writer specializing in canine content, she worked as a professional dog walker and sitter for many years. She has undergone various canine care courses and has looked after several breeds with different needs. Emma dedicates countless hours researching the latest pet care, health, food, and training developments to keep her two best buddies and other doggy clients as happy and healthy as possible.