Breeds / Small
Jug puppies
Jugs are confident, playful and affectionate, with the Jack Russell's energy softened by the Pug's easy going nature. They can be stubborn and like to test boundaries, but they want to please and respond best to short, positive, reward based training.
The facts
- Size class Small
- A cross of Jack Russell Terrier and Pug
- Country of origin Not published
- Adult weight 5 to 10 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 11 to 22 lb
- Adult height 25 to 36 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming High
- Coat type Short, smooth or rough
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Not published
- Good with other dogs Not published
About the Jug
The Jug crosses the Jack Russell Terrier with the Pug, a relative newcomer that Pet Health Club says is fast becoming popular with owners in the UK. Many inherit the Pug's recognisable face and curly tail on a less stocky frame, with a short coat that can be smooth or rough in black, brown, fawn and other colours. Pet Health Club gives adults as 25 to 36 cm and 5 to 10 kg, with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
A Jug needs around 45 minutes of walking a day, split into a shorter morning walk and a longer evening one, plus training and puzzle games for the brain. Walk them in the cooler parts of the day in summer so they do not overheat, and expect a strong urge to chase squirrels and rabbits. The short coat sheds heavily, so a daily brush keeps loose hair down. Before buying, look closely at snout length, because a puppy with the Pug's flat face can inherit breathing problems that sometimes need surgery to open the airway.
A cross, not a breed. The Jug is a cross rather than a standardised breed, so face shape, coat and energy vary and can favour either parent, and puppies from one litter can differ. Snout length is the point to check: Pet Health Club notes that snout sizes differ and that Jugs with the Pug's flat face are more prone to breathing problems, so watch both parents and the puppy breathing at rest and after play.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Jug puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Breathing problems linked to the flat Pug face (brachycephaly); some Jugs need surgery to open their airways
- Hip dysplasia
- Deafness
- Allergies to fleas, food or pollen
- Dental and gum disease, which routine six monthly vet checks help pick up early
- Obesity, since Jugs put on weight fairly easily
Your Jug puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Jug.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 5 to 10 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 10 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Jug
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- pethealthclub.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- Health notes from Jug breed information at https://www.pethealthclub.com/uk/pet-advice/jug-breed-guide. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for the good with children rating, the good with other dogs rating and country of origin, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.
Photo: Misteri82, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.