Daug: Your Complete Guide
Daugs are becoming an increasingly popular breed. They’re a combination of dachshunds and pugs, which is where they inherit most of their traits. Most daugs have a combination of traits from both parents. For example, some daugs have a temperament that’s closer to a pug but with the physical features of a dachshund. It’s always a good idea to consider the dog’s heritage to determine how the dog will turn out when adopting a daug.
That said, if you’re unsure about daugs, you’re in the right place. This article covers everything you need to know about daugs, including breed-specific traits, temperament, size, and health issues. While they’re a recent breed compared to some other designer dogs, there’s a lot to learn about them. Read on to learn more about daugs below.
Quick Look at the Daug
Below is a glance at the daug in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 13-16 inches at the shoulder, 25 pounds |
| Coat Type | Short to medium-length, smooth, straight |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Affectionate, loyal, smart |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Daug?
Daugs are considered designer dogs, which is something that just started recently. For daugs, most breeders suggest that their lineage can be traced back about 30 years. There’s also some evidence that shows that daugs most likely came to be in the United States. While they don’t have a long and documented history, the best way to learn more about their history is to understand the history of the dachshund and pug.
We’ll begin with the dachshund. This breed comes from Germany, and they’ve been around for 100s of years to hunt badgers and other small game. They have slender bodies, hence their nickname, the Hot Dog. The breed came to be in the 1700s and was finally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. While these dogs became less popular once they weren’t used for hunting, the breed has started to become popular again, especially with new breeds being made like the daug.
On the other hand, you have the pug. This dog breed has been around since ancient times and is thought to have originated in China. The Chinese loved these small dogs, and they were used as status symbols for the nobility. Over the years, the breed began to spread through Russia, India, Africa, and other countries of the world, and they’re commonly used to create unique mixed breeds like the daug.
What Do Daugs Look Like?
Daugs have a unique appearance but they do share similar traits as their pug and dachshund parent breeds. Typically, they’re small to medium-sized dogs and weigh in at around 30 pounds. However, this can change based on the traits that the dog inherits.
When it comes to their body shape, most daugs resemble dachshunds more than pugs. They will usually have short legs but a long and muscular body. As for their face, this is where more of the pug comes through. It’s often a mix of a pug’s squished nose but with the eyes of the dachshund. The coat on the daug can be influenced by either the dachshund or the pug, with some unique variations in length and color.
For the color, you’ll find daugs to be fawn, brindle, or even black; some daugs will have a combination of these colors as well. Their coat length can also vary, but it’s usually a smooth and soft short coat.
What Size Is a Daug?
Daugs are small dogs, but they have stocky builds, so they’re not as light as some toy breeds. That said, daugs only grow to 13-16 inches tall at the shoulder, and they don’t usually weigh more than 25 pounds. There isn’t much size variation based on gender, but expect females to weigh a few pounds less than males.
What Is a Daug’s Coat Type and Length?
Daugs have a coat that’s usually short to medium, but it can change based on the genes that they inherit from their parents. For example, some daugs will have short and straight coats that they inherit from their dachshund parents, while others will have coats that are similar to pugs. Typically, their coat is smooth to the touch, and it doesn’t grow very long, even if you don’t keep up with grooming.
What Is a Daug’s Temperament?
The temperament of a daug is closely related to the temperaments of dachshunds and pugs. These breeds are energetic, loyal, affectionate, and intelligent, which is a great combination for daugs. This means that you play with them with ease, teach them plenty of commands, and you don’t have to worry about them around other people, your children, or other pets. While their temperament can vary based on the specific daug, pugs, and dachshunds are known for having good personalities, so there isn’t much to worry about.
Are Daugs Good With Kids?
Daugs can be good with kids of all ages. Most daugs can be friendly with young children as well, but you should always watch them when they’re playing. It’s unlikely that they will hurt your child. In fact, you have to watch them because it can be easy for a child to harm them due to their small size. That said, they’re perfectly fine with adolescents, teenagers, and, of course, older people.
Are Daugs Good With Other Animals?
Daugs are great with other animals, but there are some things you need to be aware of. While you can introduce them to other dogs and cats, they do have a prey drive. This means that they can chase squirrels and other small animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, and mice. The good news is that any behavioral problems with other animals can be resolved with socialization training from a young age.
Are Daugs Aggressive?
Daugs are not the most aggressive breed. Typically, they’re affectionate, cuddly, and loyal to their families. That said, if they do feel threatened, daugs can be aggressive. This is unlikely to be with family members, but it can happen with strangers they don’t know who are entering their homes or territory. They may also be aggressive with some smaller animals due to their prey drive. Thankfully, these behaviors can be trained away with positive reinforcement training.
Do Daugs Bark?
Daugs can bark often and at just about everything. Therefore, you should expect them to bark at other dogs, strangers, and small animals running around outside. The good news is that this can always be trained away with the right technique. You should always focus on positive reinforcement and never yell at them for barking. Remember, it’s just how they express themselves.
Are Daugs Affectionate?
Daugs are affectionate animals. They love to warm up with their family members and will often sleep in the same bed as their favorite person if you let them. Daugs also love to be petted and cuddle. Brushing them every day is also a great way to make them happy and help them bond with you. When it comes to strangers, daugs will bark often at first, but eventually, they’ll slow down and warm up to them. Ultimately, it comes down to the stranger being around enough for the daug to get used to them.
Are Daugs Intelligent?
Daugs are intelligent dogs. Dachshunds and pugs are smart breeds, so it’s common for their mixed offspring to have the same level of intelligence as their parents. In fact, most daugs will be smarter than the average pug or dachshund because they benefit from having genes from two parents. On average, they can be trained with ease, learn complex commands, and learn a large amount of commands. This makes them a great designer breed because they’re smart enough to participate in dog shows.
Are Daugs Energetic?
Daugs can be energetic dogs, but sometimes they like to relax and sit around on the couch, which is also true for pugs. Therefore, you can expect moderate energy levels from your daug. While they might not have the most energy, that doesn’t mean you can neglect their exercise needs. To manage their claws, they need to move outdoors or go on regular trips to the groomer. Additionally, you should make sure they get at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. This is crucial for their muscles, hearts, joints, and even their mind.
Are Daugs Easy to Train?
Daugs are easy dogs to train due to their parent breeds. While the pug isn’t known for being the easiest dog to train, dachshunds are great when it comes to training. In fact, dachshunds have a people-pleasing attitude that makes it easy to have them learn commands. Daugs can also be trained to walk off a leash, stay on your property without a fence, and much more.
When training a daug, focus on positive reinforcement, socialization, and behavioral training in order to correct their behavior accordingly. Always avoid yelling or harming the dog because it won’t help them learn anything. We also recommend working with a professional if you want to bring your daug to designer dog shows or if you’re struggling. The best time to train them is between 6-12 months of age, but you can teach them new tricks as they get older; not being able to teach an old dog new tricks is a myth.
Are Daugs Good Watchdogs?
Daugs are not the most reliable watchdogs, but they will alert you to potential danger. They may bark at anything that approaches your door, but that’s better than some dogs that might not make a sound when someone is at your door. The drawback to this is that they can’t determine friend and foe very well. That said, there are some training methods that you can employ to help them with this behavior.
Are Daugs Good Service Dogs?
It’s not common to see daugs in use as service dogs. While it’s not a common breed for service dog work, it’s important to note that they can still be service dogs because there aren’t any rules about breeds that can or can’t be service dogs. If you’re going to use a daug as a service dog, we recommend going the psychiatric service dog route. These dogs are trained to help people who have a mental health disability like panic attack disorders, epilepsy, and crippling anxiety. They can also fetch medications and help people with major depressive disorders or other serious mental health problems.
We recommend this route because they’re too small to be a physical service dog. For example, they might not be able to reach a cabinet or strong enough to push a wheelchair.
How to Care for a Daug?
Caring for a daug is often as simple as caring for any other dog breed. Your goals should include feeding them the appropriate diet, making regular trips to the vet, and ensuring that they get plenty of exercise. Grooming needs are also important to consider, so it’s a good idea to brush their coat, check their teeth, and look for any skin rashes or problems with their coat. While daugs are low maintenance compared to some other breeds, you still have to care for them properly. Learn more about how to care for a daug below.
Do You Need to Groom a Daug?
Yes, you need to groom your daug. The dog should be brushed at least twice per week with a bristle brush for the best results. Once it’s shedding season, brush them daily to help with hair removal. To manage their claws, take them outside often and make sure they get exercise to grind their claws down; if they don’t wear down naturally, you’ll have to use a professional. Also, spend some time cleaning their ears weekly and feed them a dental treat or brush their teeth to avoid dental problems.
Do Daugs Shed?
Daugs have a light to moderate shedding schedule that you’ll have to deal with throughout the year. While their shedding is low most of the year, when the seasons change, your daug might start to shed more. Living in regions without a lot of climate variation may help, but there will still be light shedding that you have to deal with daily.
What Health Problems Do Daugs Have?
Since they’re a mix of dachshunds and pugs, daugs are a healthy breed. Typically, mixed dogs are healthier than purebred dogs because they have genes from two parent breeds. While daugs are a healthy breed, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to health issues. One of the most notable diseases that can impact them is Cushing’s disease.
This condition occurs when adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. Unfortunately, this leads to kidney damage, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and other health problems. To prevent this condition from getting worse or harming your dog, bring them to the vet as soon as you notice the warnings.
Daugs are also prone to some other health conditions, including allergies, digestive problems, diabetes, and hip and elbow dysplasia.
How Long Do Daugs Live?
Daugs are healthy breeds, and with proper care, they can live long and healthy lives. Expect the average daug to live for 12 to 15 years. To ensure that they live their best life, make sure you feed them food high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Also, take them to the vet annually and help them get plenty of exercise for the best longevity.
What Should a Daug Eat?
A daug should eat food that’s made for small to medium dogs. The food should be high in fat, protein, and carbohydrates if they’re getting a lot of exercise. Also, they should be fed dental hygiene treats when possible to help them clean their teeth. Food for a daug should also include vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep their coat, teeth, and muscles healthy. Feeding a daug a proper diet goes a long way in ensuring that they live a long and healthy life.
Is a Daug the Right Dog for Me?
It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced pet owner or someone who’s adopting for the first time, daugs can be a great choice. They get along well with children, young children, and even other animals once they adjust to your home, so you don’t have to worry about territorial disputes or rebellious behaviors. That said, you should watch them if you have a young child in the home to avoid any bad behaviors between your dog and your child.
When it comes to the amount of space you need, they’re small to medium-sized dogs, so they’re not something you have to worry about too much. That said, they do like to exercise, so make sure your home has a backyard, or you know some places where you can take them.