A hybrid of the Miniature Schnauzer and pug dog, the Schnug, is one of the most energetic and smartest designer dogs you will ever see. These dogs love being around humans and always try to please others, these little dogs will follow you around, sit in your lap, and obey your commands as well.
The parent breeds of the Schnug, the Miniature Schnauzer and the pug, were developed in China and Germany, respectively.
The pug breed is regarded as a treasured pet of Buddhist monasteries and existed even before 400 BC; the breed became famous in several parts of Europe, as well, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
While the Miniature Schnauzer was developed by crossing standard Schnauzers with the Affenpinscher, and the first female Miniature Schnauzer was born in October 1888.
The pug was used as a watchdog, while the Miniature Schnauzer was developed to control the population of rats, but lately, both have become companion dogs.
The Schnug is a small dog and the average weight and height of the male dog is 17-24 lb (7.7-11 kg) and 12-14 in (31-36 cm), while the weight and height of female Schnug is around 15-22 lb (7-10 kg) and 10-12 in (25.4-31 cm).
The dog has large round eyes triangular-shaped ears, a rounded head, and a curly tail, the breed can be found in several colors such as black, brown, fawn, tan, and cream with black markings on the face.
The Schnug is an easy-to-maintain dog but regular brushing is needed to keep the coat healthy. Trimming, cleaning ears should also be done and unlike most breeds, they just love the grooming process. These dogs are prone to several diseases and infections such as epilepsy, hip and elbow dysplasia, kidney stones, primary lens luxation, and many more.
Let's read more interesting facts about the Schnug, and if you found this article insightful, don't forget to check out exciting information about different animals like the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier and the Peagle.
Schnug Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Schnug?
The Schnug is a hybrid of the Miniature Schnauzer and pug, the dog is loves being around humans and will always try to please us. These small dogs adore attention and will follow you around, sit on your lap, and will always obey the commands.
What class of animal does a Schnug belong to?
The Schnug belongs to the class of Mammalia, the family of Canidae, and the Canis genus. Its parent breeds, pugs and Miniature Schnauzers, were developed in 400 BC and 1888, respectively. Both are registered to the American Kennel Club.
How many Schnugs are there in the world?
The exact population of Schnugs is not known as of now, but these dogs can easily be found in different parts of the world. One of their parents, the pug became very famous in several nations of Europe during the Napolean era. After the second world war, the popularity of Miniature Schnauzers increased so much.
Where does a Schnug live?
Schnugs can easily be found in several countries of Europe, Asia, and North America; the breed is extremely popular in the United States. Their parents, pug and Miniature Schnauzer were developed in China and Germany, respectively.
What is a Schnug's habitat?
Like other domestic dogs, one can find a Schnug dog in homes, shelters, and farms. Also, houses with small yards or apartments will be fine for them.
They generally don't need many hours of exercise, like other breeds. Also, proper supervision is needed if some small child or pet is around as they turn a bit feisty around them. You can also find a Schnug at any reputable kennel club.
Who do Schnugs live with?
You will hardly find a social pet like a Schnug. Like their parents, the Schnug is a companion dog that loves to be around humans; the pet generally tries to please humans all the time.
The dog would follow you, sit on your lap, and also stick to your commands. Also, they remain quite alert and would warn you if some stranger is around.
How long does a Schnug live?
The average life span of both the parents is around 12-15 years, but the Miniature Schnauzer pug mix generally lives for 15-17 years which is a quite high life expectancy for any dog breed. Also, the life span is mainly determined by human care, the more you care, the longer your pet will live.
How do they reproduce?
These dogs follow the same methods of breeding as other domestic dogs. These dogs generally reach adulthood after six months or one year of birth. During this period, the females go through the estrous or heat cycles and are receptive to males.
Also, breeding is primarily done by breeders since Schnug is a designer breed. The gestation period after mating generally lasts for around eight to nine weeks after which the puppies are born.
The litter size of the Schnug is not known. It is always advised to visit the veterinarian once your female pup becomes pregnant to check how she and the puppies are doing. Several owners usually neuter their pets to avoid euthanization of puppies.
What is their conservation status?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has not evaluated the status of the Miniature Schnauzer pug mix since it is a domestic dog. However, the breed is prone to several health illnesses and infections such as epilepsy, hip and elbow dysplasia, kidney stones, primary lens luxation disease, and many more.
To prevent these health issues and keep your dog healthy, regular full-body examinations should be performed.
Schnug Fun Facts
What do Schnugs look like?
The dog has large round eyes triangular-shaped ears, a rounded head, and a curly tail, the breed can be found in several colors such as black, brown, fawn, tan, and cream with black markings on the face.
By looking at their cute face, one can see the desire to play, also if you look closely into their eyes, they would lose their focus.
*Please note that this is an image of a Miniature Schnauzer, not a Schnug. If you have an image of a Schnug, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.
How cute are they?
Apart from their appearance, there are numerous things that are ample enough to prove their charm. Unlike most mixed breeds, these dogs would go to any extent to please humans, they love to follow us.
They like playing family games and facing new challenges set by their owners. One would love to play and run with these adorable little dogs. Also, they don't get aggressive in small spaces and a small apartment would also be fine for them.
How do they communicate?
Like other dogs, the Miniature Schnauzer pug mix follows the same methods of communication. Generally dogs bark, growl, or use body movements to express what they want from humans.
Also, humans also train and teach them new words or commands to make them more comfortable. The pug is also known for obeying commands. Like other dogs, the Schnug dog would also alert you if some stranger is around.
How big is a Schnug?
The Schnug is a small dog and the average weight and height of the male dog is 17-24 lb (7.7-11 kg) and 12-14 in (31-36 cm), while the weight and height of female Schnug is around 15-22 lb (7-10 kg) and 10-12 in (25.4-31 cm). These dogs are twice as big as Toy Poodles and English Toy Spaniel dogs.
How fast can a Schnug run?
The exact speed of the Schnug breed is not known as of now but their parents used to serve as hunting dogs. The Miniature Schnauzer could easily reach the speed of 32 mph (52 kph), while pugs could run with a speed of 10 mph (16 kph).
The Schnug breed can easily give 45 minutes to running, exercise, walking, and other activities and can easily walk 8 mi (13 km) every week.
How much does a Schnug weigh?
The cross weighs around 15-24 lb (6.80-10.88 kg).
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no specific names given to the males and females of the mixed breed. People generally use terms such as dog and bitch to refer to males and females of the species, respectively. The term sire is used for the adult male dogs, while the word dam is used to call the adult female dog.
What would you call a baby Schnug?
The babies of Schnugs are known as puppies.
What do they eat?
The cross is an omnivore and primarily eats meat, grains, vegetables, and dog food. The dog is generally small in size and does not require much food, one to two cups of food would be sufficient for the dog.
A proper feeding schedule should be made and be aware not to overfeed your pets, as being a small designer breed, obesity could cause severe health problems to them. Owners should always go with food rich in high nutrients and should always avoid fatty and calorie-dense food.
Are they slobbery?
Generally, Schnugs do not slobber like most domestic breeds, but one should regularly brush their teeth to avoid tooth decay and dental problems. Also, do not worry if your dog drools while playing or cuddling.
Would they make a good pet?
If you want a little dog that would roam around you, play with you, then this cross would be the best option for you. They can play for long hours and remain happy to be around kids.
Unlike most dogs, Schnug also likes the company of a cat but can be dangerous for small mammals like rabbits and hamsters. From grooming the hair to exercise, the dog likes everything.
A shorter and wiry coat of hair would look fantastic on them and it would also require a minimum grooming. Also, Schnug is quite alert and would bark if some stranger is around.
The breed goes well with Labrador retrievers and Maltese Shih Tzu mix dogs. The Schnug dog would cost the owner around $500-$2,700.
Did you know...
An adult Snorkie dog would weigh around 10 lb (4.5 kg).
Is the Schnug hypoallergenic?
Schnug dogs like their parent breed, pug, are not hypoallergenic. They can also be prone to several infections and diseases. But the Miniature Schnauzers are prone to allergies, as well.
Is the Schnug a good guard dog?
Both, the pug and the Miniature Schnauzers served as guard dogs in older times and the same trait has been inherited by the Schnugs. These dogs are hyperactive and generally remain very alert if something unusual is happening around them. They generally bark and warn their owners.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our whale shark facts and Asian elephant pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable dog coloring pages.
*Please note that the main image is of a Miniature Schnauzer, not a Schnug. If you have an image of a Schnug, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.