What Happens When You Mix A Yorkie With A Pug?

The Pug is an ancient dog breed that originated in China during the Han dynasty and was kept as pets by the Emperor. 

The Yorkshire Terrier was developed until the Industrial period in Britain, and the breed is descended from the rat-catching terriers that worked in the mills.

 Have you ever wondered what happens when you mix a Yorkie with a pug? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about these little cutie pies of the hybrid dog world!

The Pug Yorkshire Terrier Mix

This hybrid dog (also known as Pugshires or Yorkie Pugs) is the result of pairing a Pug with a Yorkshire Terrier, also known as a ‘Yorkie’.

The Pugshire / Yorkie Pug

What can we expect when a Yorkie is paired with a Pug? These hybrid dogs have been around for the last few decades, with their popularity steadily growing in the last decade.

Pug Yorkshire Terriers can look very different from each other, as is the case with any hybrid dog. They can throw more to the Pug side, or the Yorkie side – this is unpredictable and can not be discerned until the dog is an adult.

To see the huge variety of different ways the Pugshire can look, check them out in this gallery.

Yorkie Pug Coat Type

This little hybrid hound has a short to medium-length coat, which is soft and silky. They can be hypoallergenic, thanks to the Yorkie genes (but don’t assume that they will be if you have allergies.) Shedding is low to moderate, and they need a brush a few times a week. Their coat color can be any combination of gray, gold, fawn, and black.

Yorkie Pug Temperament

This is not a dog to leave alone for long periods because they can suffer from separation anxiety. Having said that, this dog is not as ‘yappy’ as a purebred Yorkie.

The Yorkie Pug makes a good family dog because they are good with other dogs, and other pets – as long as they are socialized.

The Yorkie Pug can be of moderate difficulty to train due to their Pug stubbornness!

Their compact size means that they are happy in an apartment.

This little dog is smart, loves attention, and loves to play. They are energetic but love a nap, they can be affectionate yet headstrong, and they can be silly and naughty! Talk about a mass of contradictions in one cute little body!

Yorkie Pug Health 

Along with the Yorkie health issues listed in the Yorkshire Terrier section below, the Pugshire can also suffer from health issues associated with Pugs including spinal abnormalities, and respiratory problems due to their shirt snouts (Pugs are brachiocephalic.) 

Due to their respiratory problems, they are better suited to a moderate climate and will suffer in a hot climate. 

Skin issues such as dermatitis and allergies can affect the Yorkie Pug.

This dog can be prone to being overweight, due to their Pug genes. So two 20-minute walks per day is a good idea for this dog.

Yorkie Pug Cost

You would be looking at forking out around $200 to $500 for a Yorkie Pug pup, but please do check out your local shelters and rescues first!

Feeding the Pugshire

This little dog needs anywhere from ½ to 1 and ½ cups of good quality commercial dog food per day, spread over two meals. How much you feed your dog depends on their weight. Try a mixture of wet and dry food in a variety of flavors, and no table scraps!

The Purebred Yorkshire Terrier

To understand what these hybrid dogs can be like, you may like to read up about what the Yorkshire Terrier is like in terms of appearance, temperament, health, training, obedience, feeding, and exercise.

Yorkie Appearance and Grooming

This dog belongs to the companion dog class and is thus a smaller dog breed. The adult Yorkie stands 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder and weighs a teeny 4 to 6 pounds.

They have pointed ears and an erect tail, which can sometimes be hard to discern beneath all of the fur!

Yorkies have a distinctive silky coat that combines dark gray and golden colors. This coat does grow long and needs regular bathing, brushing, and clipping. 

Yorkie Temperament

Some words used to describe this little dynamo of the dog world are smart, self-assured, and adventurous! They can be cuddle bugs and mischievous by turns.

Yorkie Health

The Yorkshire Terrier can live for up to 12 to 15 years if properly cared for.

Yorkies are prone to several health conditions, including:

• Patellar Luxation: this is when the kneecap goes outside of the femoral groove when the dog flexes their knee. This can cause sudden lameness in the affected limb.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: or PRA. This is where the photoreceptor cells in the eyes deteriorate over time, resulting in blindness.
• Portosystemic Shunt: this is where a vein abnormally bypasses the liver, meaning that blood is not passed through the liver. You can read more about it here.
• Hypoglycemia: This is when the dog has low blood sugar and it is not uncommon in small dog breeds. It can be fatal if left untreated.
• Collapsed Trachea: the trachea is also called the windpipe. When a dog suffers from a collapsed trachea, they will make a honking sound like a goose, and have a dry cough.
• Reverse Sneezing: this is not serious but can frighten the dog, so they need to be reassured during a reverse sneezing fit. It usually happens during exercise, or when the dog eats or drinks too fast.
• Infections in the eyes/gums/teeth

Yorkie Training and Obedience

Like all dogs, for the Yorkshire Terrier, early obedience training is essential. They should be socialized with other dogs (ideally, at puppy school), as they can lunge at another dog despite their small size. And they can be ‘yappy’, in which case at home and professional dog training can help.

They are receptive to training, happily – except for when it comes to toilet training, which they can find challenging.

Yorkie Feeding and Exercise

These dogs should be fed ½ to ¾ cup of quality commercial dog food per day. These little dogs love to romp indoors and burn off energy this way. So one brisk daily walk outdoors is enough to keep them happy.

We hope that this article has helped inform you about the Pug Yorkshire Terrier mix!

Read more about: Is The Pug and Dalmatian Mix Right For You