The other day I was driving through the countryside near my home when I saw a sign that said Jug puppies for sale. It caught my eye because I had no idea what a Jug was. It was clear from the sign it was a dog, but not a breed of dog I had ever heard of.
When I got home, I looked it up on the web. It turns out that a Jug is one of a new generation of crossbred dogs, which is becoming increasingly popular. A Jug is a Jack Russell, Pug mix. It is just one example of a new type of dog that is becoming increasingly popular crossbred dogs, which are sometimes also known as hybrid dogs.
What is a crossbred dog?
A crossbred is a dog that has been bred from two different breeds of pedigree dogs. There are many different types.
Here is a list of some of the most popular of this new type of dog:
Pom Frise – a cross between a Pomeranian and a Bichon Frise
Zuchon – a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise
Cava Tzu – a Cavalier and a Shih Tzu
Malshi – Maltese and Shih Tzu
Pugalier – Pug and a Cavalier
Weechon – a Westie crossed with a Bishon Frise
Latese – a Lhasa Apso and a Maltese
Cockapoo – a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle
The list goes on and on, and without a doubt, breeders will find more dogs to cross and produce yet more new variations. So, why are these dogs so popular? Well it is a good question, but one which is relatively easy to answer.
The best of both worlds
With a crossbred or hybrid dog, you get the best of both worlds. To some extent you get two dogs in one.
Take for example the Jug. They have the bold and curious personality traits of a Jack Russell combined with the gentler traits of a Pug. These dogs are extremely cleaver, which makes them easy to train. They are also very sociable and very good with other animals. You get the cute looks of the pug without the breathing problems they often suffer from because most Jug’s noses are longer than a Pug’s.
Something different
We all like to own something different and hybrid dogs are certainly that. They are still relatively rare, so if you are looking for a dog that few other people own a crossbred dog is a great option.
Fewer health issues
Pedigree dogs are lovely, but certain breeds have many health issues. In some breeds, years of selective breeding have bred problems into the dog. We already mentioned the Pug’s breathing issues, which are largely caused by their very short noses. When they are crossbred with dogs that have longer snouts this issue is effectively bred out.
However, hybrid dogs can still be prone to certain health issues, so you need to do your research before buying one. Fortunately, these issues tend to be far milder than the ones that many full bred pedigree dogs suffer from.