Daug

The Daug is an adorable hybrid resulting from crossbreeding a Dachshund and a Pug. These dogs are laidback, affectionate, and make great additions to families looking for a companion. However, because the Daug can inherit traits and features from either parent breed, it’s hard to say what they will look like or which temperament they will get. But this should not prevent you from getting one of these adorable pups, as this is the case with all mixed breeds. Furthermore, both the pug and Dachshund are fantastic pets, so the Daug should be no different.

This breed is generally healthy, so you can save on vet bills. So, if you are obsessed with pugs but don’t want to get one because of all their health concerns, a Daug is a good substitute.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Daug

While Daugs make great family pets, they also have some negative traits. So, to make sure that this hybrid is the right choice for your lifestyle, here are its pros and cons:

The Best Dog Food for a Daug

Luckily, these small hybrids don’t eat a lot, so splurging on expensive dog food won’t break the bank, as it will last longer. However, one thing you need to consider when working out your Daug’s diet is their weight, as this breed is prone to obesity due to overeating. Therefore, they should always be on a strict diet, and owners should never free-feed them. Instead, feeding them three to four small meals a day is beneficial. In addition, there is a possibility that your Daug might be susceptible to food allergies. So, it might take a while to find them the right food. A trip to your local vet will help determine which dog food they can eat. As they are small, it’s best to buy food specifically formulated for small dog breeds.

Daug Weight and Size

The Daug is a perfect option for big city and apartment living because it only weighs 15 to 20 pounds and measures 11 to 13 inches tall.

Daug Common Health Issues

While most mixed breeds are healthier than their parents, the Daug is susceptible to several health conditions that plague the Dachshund and pug. However, inheriting these diseases is not guaranteed, and you might get a perfectly healthy pup. But, if you do own a Daug, it’s always good to look out for symptoms resulting from the following health conditions.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

Because of their pug genes, Daugs can suffer from brachycephalic syndrome. It’s a condition that occurs when the dog’s snout is squished or shortened, affecting the face’s structure. As a result, the dog can find it hard to breathe, especially while exercising, as the bones and facial muscles are pressed together.

This condition doesn’t only affect the dog’s airways. While it makes breathing difficult, it also impacts the dog’s ability to cool itself down, which subjects them to heat exhaustion and eventually collapse. So, if you have ever wondered why your pug snorts and coughs, it’s because of the brachycephalic syndrome. Additionally, their bone structure causes eye problems, making their eyes bulge out of their sockets, which can result in infection.

Whether your Daug will inherit this condition is the luck of the draw. Some have it, while others are perfectly healthy. But you will be able to tell by the shape and size of their muzzle. For example, if your Daug has an elongated snout, they will be less affected.

Cushing’s Disease

Daugs may be susceptible to Cushing’s disease, a condition common in Dachshunds that affects their adrenal glands. This disease causes the dog to produce too many hormones, making them grow way too fast and age quickly. However, if it is caught in its early stages, Cushing’s disease can be treated.

Intervertebral Disk Disease

Intervertebral disk disease (IVD) generally occurs in dog breeds with long backs, like the Dachshund. As a result, certain areas within the spinal columns start to swell, cutting off nerves traveling to the lower body. IVD is usually caused by jumping, injury, or strenuous physical activity. However, it might be hard to diagnose because the symptoms don’t appear immediately.

Canines with IVD will generally experience pain in their legs and weakening muscles. It progresses to the extent that the dog’s lower body becomes paralyzed, which includes its legs and bladder. To treat this disease, vets usually recommend crate rest, and sometimes surgery is required. Unfortunately, while surgery works on some dogs with IVD, it’s costly and doesn’t always reap the results you want.

Life Expectancy

The Daug’s lifespan will vary depending on their genetics and which parent they take after the most. However, on average, they can live for 12 to 15 years.

Daug Temperament

Daugs were specifically bred to be companion animals, and they are friendly, laidback, and generally make fantastic family pets. Additionally, they are often people-oriented and have a hard time being left on their own. Luckily, they are not as hyperactive as other small breeds and would prefer to laze about on the couch. Furthermore, Daugs with shorter snouts should not be heavily exercised because it affects their breathing.

Daugs can suffer from separation anxiety, so if you work a lot or are hardly ever home, this is not the right breed for you. Being left on their own can cause depression or destructive behavior.

Lastly, this breed is not very friendly towards strangers, especially if they have not been socialized from a young age. Therefore, they bark loudly at any strange visitors entering your home. While this trait is perfect for someone looking for a watchdog, it’s not great if your neighbors live on top of you or you have a newborn that needs to nap.

Lastly, Daugs are not the most intelligent breed, and training them can be challenging. Therefore, they need a patient and persistent hand to teach them commands.

How to Take Care of a Daug

Taking care of a Daug doesn’t require a lot of effort; their grooming needs are relatively low-maintenance, and they don’t need a lot of exercise. However, this does not mean that they don’t need any care. Therefore, below is everything you need to know about caring for a Daug.

Grooming

Because Daugs have short fur, they don’t require a lot of grooming. However, these dogs shed a lot, which worsens during fall and spring. By brushing them twice a week, you can significantly decrease the amount of hair in your home. Also, brushing your Daug will remove dirt from its coat, so you won’t have to bathe it as much. It also helps spread natural oils across the fur, which is vital in keeping their coats and skin healthy.

You only need to bathe a Daug every few months or when they are extremely dirty or smelly. However, if they inherit wrinkly faces from the pug, you will need to regularly clean in between the folds to prevent bacteria and moisture from accumulating and causing infection. There are specific dog wipes available for cleaning their faces.

Training

Because this breed isn’t very intelligent, and they were not bred to work alongside people, training them is challenging. But, Daugs are generally well-behaved and don’t require much guidance, which makes them amazing family dogs. In addition, they are well-mannered and, if correctly stimulated, do not cause problems.

However, if you have other pets, you need to socialize this breed as they usually don’t like sharing attention with other dogs or cats. Owners can do this by introducing them to different dogs, people, and environments. Therefore, enrolling them in doggy daycare as puppies is an excellent solution.

Exercise

Because the Daug can suffer from brachycephalic syndrome, they shouldn’t get too much exercise. But this does not mean that they don’t need any physical stimulation. Two 15-minute walks a day should do the trick and keep your dog healthy. Furthermore, you can replace these walks with short play sessions. But, whatever you do, do not force them to exercise for extended periods, as they can overheat. However, play should always be encouraged as this breed can be quite lazy and quickly gain weight, which is detrimental to their health.

Puppies

Female Daugs can have litters of five to six puppies. These pups may look adorable and innocent, but they can be quite a handful. Their mischievous behavior can be curbed by early socialization and training, and it will help them grow into well-adjusted, friendly pooches.

Daugs and Children

While Daugs are laidback and affectionate, they are small and can easily be injured by young kids who don’t know how to handle dogs properly. In addition, if a child harms them, they could bite out of fear. So, they are best suited to families with older kids. However, if treated gently, they have no problem curling up with anyone in the family and will likely follow your children around all day.

Daug Cost

Because the Daug is so rare, they fetch a pretty penny. Dog lovers can pay up to $3,000 for one of these pups! They are expensive because the demand is higher than the supply. Furthermore, their parent breeds aren’t the healthiest dogs, and breeding them can be difficult. So, breeders have to perform numerous health tests on the parents, and they require a lot of medical care, which is costly.

Dogs similar to the Daug

There are a few dogs that are similar to the Daug in size and temperament; they include:

• Beagle-Harrier: Elegant scenthounds that are easy to train and make great companions.
• Bluetick Coonhound: Friendly dogs with a deep bawl mouth and a cold nose.
• Brittany: They were initially bred for bird hunting as they are a type of gun dog.