Miniature Schnauzer vs Jug - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Jug is a crossbreed – a mix of a pug and a Jack Russell Terrier and they were bred in England with the idea to keep the basic features of a pug but just with a longer nose.

Details on the origin of the dog are not altogether clear but the dog was developed so that it would reduce the breathing problems that pugs and other flat-faced breeds are known for.

This isn’t an old breed and development started around the 1960s. It is one of the most recent breeds to be registered by the American Canine Hybrid Club.

Miniature Schnauzers were first bred in Germany in the 19th century being bred from Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers.

This dog was always used to control rats on farms, but these days he is more a companion. It is believed that the start of the modern Miniature Schnauzer in the United States was around 1924 when dogs were imported from Germany.

It was in 1933 that the Miniature Schnauzer was recognized by the AKC as a separate breed from the Standard Schnauzer.

The Jug will usually end up having a round head with the typical short muzzle of the Pug. He may be somewhat lighter in build than the Pug, taking more after the Jack Russell in this regard.

The way the dog turns out will depend on which dog the puppy takes after. He is a small breed dog standing at between 25 to 36cm at the withers and weighing 5 to 7kg.

When it comes to coat color you'll find they can vary between fawn, black, apricot and sometimes a blend of two colors. While pugs come with smoothish coats, the Jack Russell can either have a smooth or rough coat and your Jug could inherit either a smooth or rough coat.

He could inherit the Pug’s flat, somewhat wrinkled face while others may have a slightly longer muzzle. The eyes are large and the ears are floppy. The legs are short and the tail will no doubt be left long these days and be slightly curled.

Temperament:

The tenacious, fearless, intelligent nature of the Jack Russell Terrier mixed with the entertaining, amicable nature of the pug has brought out the Jug dog with a whole lot of excellent qualities of both dog breeds.

They are loving, loyal dogs and when they are trained and socialized they get on particularly well with both pets and children in the the home. He is intelligent and will be able to learn some simple commands such as sit, stay and lie down.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog breed that stands between 30 to 36cm in height and weighs between 5 and 10kg.

He has a sturdy body with a dense, wiry coat which most people prefer to have stripped. Because stripping is quite tedious, many of these dog owners prefer to have the coat clipped which actually gives the coat a greyish look to it.

The coat is usually a mix of black and silver. Some people refer to the Miniature Schnauzer as having a salt-and-pepper coat – hairs that are a mix of black and white. The dog has a double coat with the outer coat being wiry and the undercoat being a lot softer.

This is a dog that will need to be groomed frequently to prevent matting. A noticeable feature with these dogs is the rectangular shaped head with alert slanted eyes and bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard. In fact the word ‘Schnauzer’ means beard or muzzle.

The ears have been traditionally cropped but these days they are left and then they tend to be half-erect, half-floppy.

Temperament:

This is a tough little dog, fearless, cheeky, arrogant, alert and also friendly. A draw-card with him is that he is considered as a low-shedder and being hypoallergenic.

They’re very intelligent dogs too and will learn quickly when you give him training and socialization. This is important for a dog like this as he can quickly show you that he is strong willed and independent. Training and socialization makes him much nicer as he becomes more balanced and obedient.

He is full of life and extroverted and you can count on him to join you wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Whether watching TV, swimming or hiking, he’ll be there and turn every occasion into a festive event. He is a loving, loyal dog, making a splendid pet.

He's protective of his human family and tends to be suspicious of strangers, and this is what makes him such a great watchdog.

Jugs are wonderful little dogs and they make a good choice for first time dog owners as they don’t come with any difficult characteristics.

They’re playful, intelligent, energetic and amicable and just love to please their human family. Because of his small size, he is also an adaptable dog, being able to settle down in the city or the country, as long as he is given enough mental- and physical exercise to prevent boredom and frustration.

Provide the right environment for your Jug and you’ve got an awesome canine friend for life.

Miniature Schnauzers are such adaptable little dogs, quite happy to make a home with you in the city or in the countryside.

They’re sociable dogs, so just being with his human family wherever they are will suit him well. If he lives in the city however, he will need to have a walk everyday or taken to the park for a run.

He is also a dog that scarcely sheds, so he suits people battling with allergies. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, if you nurture your Mini Schnauzer and give him the best food and exercise there is, as well as loving him, you’re going to have a loyal and devoted pet.

Your jaunty little Jug can live anything from 12 to 20 years when looked after well.

Just like with any other dog however, he can become ill, and then you will need to get him to the vet as soon as possible. Allergies, breathing problems, bloat, primary lens luxation, skin disorders, deafness, cardiomyopathy and obesity are just some of the common dog diseases that your Jug might have to deal with.

Breathing Problems:

Because one of the dogs used in the development of the Jug is a Pug, as a brachycephalic breed, they could suffer with breathing problems. The Jug which inherits the shorter muzzles can suffer from a condition known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.

Eye Problems:

Some Jugs can have the large, protruding or bulbous eyes of the Pug. With an eye problem known as Entropion, the lid of the eye can turn inward so that the eyelash pushes into the eyeball, causing lots of redness, discharge and irritation. This can lead to an infection in the eye. You may notice your Jug constantly pawing at his eye.

Obesity:

This can be a real problem for your Jug and the extra weight will put additional strain on the dog’s heart and other organs and also affect his overall health and wellbeing.

Your Miniature Schnauzer is pretty healthy and he isn’t likely to cost you much in terms of vet fees. There are however some common dog problems that you want to be aware of such as cataracts of the eye and hypothyroidism.

Cataract:

This a a problem in the lens of the eye. The lens should be clear, and when a dog has a cataract, it obscures the vision. The size of the cataract can lead to blindness.

Diabetes in a dog can bring on cataracts as can genetics or damage to the eye from exposure to ultraviolet light. Fortunately, dogs with cataracts can still see. Dogs with old cataracts can have surgery to remove them.

When a dog owner suspects a cataract in their pet’s eye it is best to treat it immediately with anti-inflammatory dog cataract eye drops. Cataracts never go away however without surgery.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland in the neck produces a hormone called thyroxine. It controls metabolism, but with hypothyroidism, enough of the hormone isn’t made. Its a common disease which affects all dog breeds.

Signs of hypothyroidism include hair loss, weight gain, intolerance to cold and a troublesome skin. To have the disease diagnosed, the vet will do a series of blood tests.

Exercise:

Small he may be, but the Jug is an energetic little dog who will require exercising to keep him content. Toys to chew on are good and you can take him for walks too. Throw a ball for him or let him tug on a rope.

Diet:

To keep your little Jug healthy and happy, you want to be sure that his diet is made up of a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals. If you feed him a commercially manufactured food, make sure that its one of the best ones free of toxic colorants and preservatives.

Check on the packaging for portion sizes for your pet. Give him some home-made food too such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to also include some raw meat mixed into his kibble from time to time. Fresh, cool water should always be included day and night.

With healthy food, your Jug can make it to 17, 18, 19 or 20 years of age even. Remember that anytime you get a pet, you can check with your veterinarian for dietary recommendations.

Grooming:

The Jug can shed quite a bit, particularly if he inherited more of the Pug coat. Make sure you brush his coat at least twice a week to rid him of loose hairs. Brushing also strengthens the bond between you and your pet.

General:

Recognize the signs of an ear problem. These can be redness or swelling, ear scratching, head shaking or ear discharge.

To keep his teeth and gums healthy you can provide him with safe, appropriate toys to chew on as well as dental chews recommended by your vet.

Check your dog’s eye health. Signs of an eye problem are eye discharge and redness. Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible and try and remove hair around the eye that could be causing irritation.

Let’s look at several ways you need to care for your Miniature Schnauzer -

Make sure you have his puppy injections on time. This means knowing which veterinarian you’ll use. Later on if you don’t want to go in for breeding, you will need to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Make sure you have a nice warm, dry spot for your dog to sleep. It can be a cardboard box, or you can buy a dog basket or sleeping platform. Make sure your pet loves it and knows he can retreat to it anytime he wants.

If he goes outside for a few hours, make sure that he has a place to lie in the shade and away from the elements.

Good food promotes good health and longevity. You can feed your pet one of the top quality commercially manufactured foods and give your pet some variety by adding in some boiled chicken, vegetables and brown rice. Some raw meat occasionally can also be excellent for your pet.