Chug

The Chug, albeit a new breed, does not have an exact documented origin. There have been countless hybrid dogs for many years, and often no one breeder has been credited with the developments of new breeds. Cross-breeds like the Chug (Pug and Chihuahua) have become popular for the past two decades as people began to develop dog breeds that are different for several reasons. For instance, people claim that hybrid dogs are hypoallergenic and can carry the best traits of each breed.

The Chug as a designer dog has been in existence for 10 to 15 years, but this hybrid dog breed has already become popular family dogs because of its adorable look and sweet nature. Currently, the Chug is not recognised by the Kennel Club in the United Kingdom nor by any other international breed associations. However, breed clubs have been set up to make sure that Chugs are bred responsibly to make sure hereditary health conditions inherited from parent breeds will be kept to a minimum.

Chugs can also be a little aggressive owing to its Chihuahua heritage. They also often inherit the barking tendencies present in both parent breeds. However, it is vital to make sure that it is socialised correctly while young to curb any negative traits early on.

If you ask if a Chug is a great choice for a family with kids, the answer will be not quite. However, it is not because Chugs may become aggressive but because they are a small breed and prone to get injured easily. Children should be taught how to handle small breeds such as the Chug and interactions must always be supervised.

• Senior and less active: up to 473 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 532 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 590 calories daily

Getting a Chug puppy will cost you £400 to £650. Monthly food costs will set you back about £15 to £25 a month, which is not much since it's a small breed. Pet insurance is also important to help you offset some costs on veterinary expenses in case of accidents or sudden illness. The cost to insure a Chug is around £20 a month for a basic cover while it's £45 for a lifetime cover. However, pet insurance does not cover the basic veterinary procedures. It is safe to say that a budget of £700 a year will suffice. For the first year, veterinary expense will include initial vaccinations, boosters and neutering.

On top of all this, factor in the cost to buy dog supplies and equipment, which include the leash, collar, bed, bowl, toys, and more. As a rough estimate, the cost to care for a Chug may set you back from £35 to £70 a month, depending on the type of insurance you get.