French Spaniel vs Chug - Breed Comparison | PetzLover

The Chug is a crossbreed with the Pug and the Chihuahua. It is a hybrid not a purebred. Over the past ten to fifteen years people have been developing the Chug, mostly in the United States. People were looking for a lapdog with the characteristics of both the Chihuahua and the Pug. The hybrid dog has characteristics of both breeds, both physical and behavioral. Of course, the Chug is not recognized by the AKC, but it is recognized by hybrid and designer dog clubs such as The American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Kennel and the International Designer Canine Registry.

Developed in France and then in Canada, the French Spaniel is a descendent of 14th century hunting dogs. Originally the breed was very popular with the French royalty and nobility at the Court of Versailles, in the Middle Ages. A French Spaniel named Babe was owned by Catherine I of Russia.

Spaniels were mentioned in Gaston III of Foix-Beams’ The Master of the Game, or Livre de Chasse, in 14th Century France. Most believed that Spaniels had been developed during the 11th century Crusades. By 1650 the French Spaniel was differentiated from the King Charles Spaniel and determined to be its own type of spaniel.

In 1805, they were featured in the Sporting Magazine, hunting mallards. The French Spaniel was crossed with English Setters in the !850’s to develop the French Brittany (Spaniel). But by the end of the 19th century, hunting dogs from other countries were outpacing the French Spaniel so much that it was driven to the brink of extinction. Fortunately, a priest named Father Fournier saved the breed by taking all remaining Spaniels to his kennels at St. Hillarie and developing the lines we see in the breed today. This was followed by the founding of the French Spaniel Club in 1921. The various lines of the Spaniels included the French Spaniel of today, the Brittany of today, the Blue Picardy and the Picardy.

The French Spaniel however has been rare outside of its native country and Canada, where it was imported in the 1970’s to French speaking Quebec. Quebec Canadians fell in love with the breed for hunting grouse and woodcock. In order to ensure that the breed would be continued in line with its French standards, the Club de l’Epagneul Francais du Canada began in 1978. By 1985 the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the French Spaniel. Soon after they were recognized by the United Kennel Club, the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale, the UK Kennel Club and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, but not the AKC (American Kennel Club). They are also registered with organizations such as the American Canine Association, the Dog Registry of America and the America’s Pet Registry. They have been included in the AKC Foundation Stock Service as the first step toward AKC recognition.

The Chug can vary greatly in looks and build from one dog to another. For the most part however, Chugs are small compact dogs, sturdy and muscular. They have a very expressive and lovable face with folding ears, almond shape eyes and short muzzles. Their faces are similar in looks to that of a miniature boxer. .

The French Spaniel is a very tall dog and as such is one of the spaniel breeds two tallest. They are taller than the English Springer Spaniel, have a deep chest and a muscular build. Their legs are very strong, and they have a thick tail that is never docked. It is long, slightly curved and hangs low. He is an elegant dog with dark amber eyes, long feathery ears, and a nose the color of the coat. If the coat is brown the nose is brown. If the coat is black and white the nose is black. Most French Spaniels are white with brown or dark liver or white with black.

Because they are a hybrid, chugs can have a very wide range of different characteristics depending upon whether they have more from the Pug or more from the Chihuahua. But either way they are very lovable little dogs with big personalities. Regardless of whether your dog favors the clown Pug or the stately Chihuahua, your puppy will be a lovable ball of fur. He will be affectionate, friendly and aggressive to bigger dogs.

Children friendliness

Yes, they are very good with children.

Special talents

They are great in filed trials as they can flush, point and retrieve.

Adaptability

The breed is very adaptable and can live in the city or in the country.

Learning ability

The breed is very intelligent and trainable.

Some of the health issues that Chugs face include the respiratory issues that both the Chug and Chihuahua have to deal with. They also can have patellar luxation leading to lameness and arthritis.Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar can result in fainting or coma, confusion or seizures.

The French Spaniel is a healthy breed that adapts well to all types of conditions, especially wet ones. There are some potentially serious health issues that the breed may be susceptible to:

Acral Mutilation and Analgesia

This is a very serious inherited disorder. It is one of many Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathies (HSN) disorders. This is an agonizing infliction that causes the dogs to have no pain in certain extremities and therefore the ability to self-mutilate their feet, pads, claws and digits. They lick and bite their feet often amputating footpads, claws, and digits without feeling any pain. This leads to infection and most dogs end up being euthanized. The disorder shows up by 3-4 months of age.

Ear Infections

Make sure the dog’s ears are cleaned regularly to remove wax and prevent infections.

Epilepsy

This disease causes seizures but can be treated with medication.

Hip dysplasia

Can cause lameness and arthritis.

Feeding

Pugs have great appetites and love to eat and Chihuahuas wont turn down a meal so be careful not to overfeed your Chug. It is important to feed a small breed formula whether you use dry or wet food.

Health issues

Some additional issues that Chugs deal with in respect to health include:

Joint issues

Both elbow and knee inflammations can lead to arthritis and lameness

Eye Issues

Chugs can have runny eyes or cherry eye. If they have cherry eye you will want to treat it immediately or there could be secondary issues with inflammation and infection.

Exercise and games

Chugs may be little, but they still need a moderate amount of exercise every day. A regular walk will do or indoor or outdoor playtime every day. They like obedience, rally and some can do small dog agility, but they would have to be on the larger size for Chugs. Chugs also make great therapy dogs.

Feed the puppy

A high quality dry food made for puppies and if possible for Spaniels. Feed two to three times a day about one fourth of a cup each time

Feed the adult

A high quality adult dry food made for Spaniels if possible. Feed twice a day about one half to three fourths of a cup at each meal.

Points for Good Health

Excellent vision, stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

These dog love to run and play. They are smart and learn easily. They like to chase balls, swim, play hide and seek, Find It, and go hiking. They can excel at learning tricks, agility, rally and obedience trials.