The Jack Russell Terrier Pug Mix, also known as a Jug and sometimes a Jag or Jack Pug, is a great dog for people who want a small, active dog that is also very friendly and good with kids.
As a hybrid dog breed, Jugs are 50% Jack Russell Terrier and 50% Pug. Either one parent is a Jack Russell and the other is a Pug, or both parents are Jugs.
Jugs with one Jack Russell Terrier parent and one Pug parent are known as first generation Jugs.
If you want to know more about the adorable Jug puppy in the picture below, read on as we answer some frequently asked questions about Jugs.
Also be sure to check out our interview with Kobe the Jug and see our full list of Jack Russell mixes.
- Jug Quick Facts
- How Big Does a Jug Dog Get?
- How Long Does a Jug Dog Live?
- How Much Does a Jug Dog Cost?
- How Much Do Jug Dogs Eat?
- Do All Jug Dogs Look The Same?
- What Colors are Jug Dogs?
- Do Jug Dogs Have a Curly Tail?
- How Many Jug Puppies are in a Litter?
- Do Jug Dogs Shed?
- Are Jug Dogs Hypoallergenic?
- Do Jug Dogs Bark A Lot?
- Do Jug Dogs Have Health Issues?
- Are Jug Dogs High Energy?
- Are Jug Dogs Good Apartment Dogs?
- How Much Exercise Do Jug Dogs Need?
- Can Jug Dogs Swim?
- Are Jug Dogs Prone to Obesity?
- Are Jug Dogs Aggressive?
- Do Jug Dogs Make Good Family Pets?
- Are Jug Dogs Smart?
- Are Jug Dogs Stubborn?
- Are Jug Dogs Easy to Train?
- What’s a Jug Dog’s Personality?
- Do Jug Dogs Smell Bad?
- Are Jug Dogs Recognized as Their Own Breed?
- Jug Dog Final Thoughts
Jug Quick Facts
| Breed Names | Jug, Jag, Jack Pug |
| Height (inches) | 12" to 15" |
| Weight (pounds) | 13 to 20 lbs |
| Color | tan, caramel, brown, black, white, or combination of those colors |
| Lifespan | 13 to 17 years |
| Cost | $500 to $1,000 |
How Big Does a Jug Dog Get?
When fully grown Jack Russell Terriers are 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh in at between 13 and 17 pounds.
Full grown Pugs are 10 to 13 inches tall and weigh between 14 and 20 pounds.
Because both the Jack Russell Terrier and Pug are about the same size, Jugs are about the size you would expect. They stand between 12 and 15 inches tall and weight between 13 and 20 pounds when they are full grown.
How Long Does a Jug Dog Live?
With an average lifespan of 13 – 17 years, the Jack Russell Pug mix tends to live a relatively long time for dogs. This is right in line with the lifespan of a Jack Russell Terrier and slightly longer than the average life of a Pug.
How Much Does a Jug Dog Cost?
While Jugs are becoming a more popular Jack Russell mix, they aren’t considered an in demand designer dog breed like Goldendoodles. Purchasing a Jug will generally cost between $500 and $1,000.
How Much Do Jug Dogs Eat?
This is where owning a small dog saves money over other dogs as you will spend less money on dog food. As a rule of thumb, you should feed your adult dog 1 cup of food per day for every 15 to 20 pounds of body weight.
For most Jugs, this works out to one cup of dog food per day. It is best to spread it out over two separate meals throughout the day.
See: Veterinarian Approved Jack Russell Feeding Guide
Do All Jug Dogs Look The Same?
While all Jugs are half Jack Russell Terrier and half Pug, there is a relatively large variation between individual dogs. Some Jugs look more like Jack Russells, while others maintain features more closely resembling a Pug.
What Colors are Jug Dogs?
Jug dogs can be a variety of different colors including tan, caramel, brown, and black. They often have one primary color and sometimes have a secondary color that can be any of those four or white.
Do Jug Dogs Have a Curly Tail?
One thing that makes Pugs so cute it their curly tail. Many Jack Russell Pug mixes will inherit a curly tail, but not all of them.
How Many Jug Puppies are in a Litter?
The litter size for Jugs is anywhere between 3 and 8 pups. Usually, there are between 5 and 7 littermates.
Do Jug Dogs Shed?
Both Jack Russells and Pugs are shedders, so as you would expect, Jugs also shed. However, their short coats make them relatively easy to maintain. Daily brushing is recommended to reduce shedding and keep their coats healthy.
Are Jug Dogs Hypoallergenic?
Due to their moderate shedding throughout the year, Jugs are not hypoallergenic dogs.
Do Jug Dogs Bark A Lot?
Jack Russell Terriers are a breed known to bark a lot. Pugs on the other hand are not known as barkers, but that may just be due to the fact that their bark is just not as loud.
Jugs seem to take their barking gene more from the Jack Russell. They are alert dogs that tend to bark when they hear noises and make great watch dogs.
Do Jug Dogs Have Health Issues?
For the most part, mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier than purebred dogs. Even though Jugs are relatively healthy dogs, all breeds have their own health issues.
Some health issues for Jug owners to watch out for are dry eyes, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, and respiratory issues. Jugs were originally bred to elongate the Pug nose to eliminate respiratory issues, but the effort has not been entirely successful.
If you have concerns about your Jug dog, be sure to seek professional veterinary advice.
Are Jug Dogs High Energy?
Jugs are generally medium energy dogs. While Jack Russells are an energetic breed and can be hyper dogs, Jugs also take a cue from their Pug heritage who are more calm dogs.
However, a Jug’s energy level will ultimately depend on if the individual dog is more like a Jack Russell or a Pug. It can be difficult to judge the exact energy level a Jug puppy will have as they get older, so if you are adopting a Jug you should be prepared for the possibility of a highly active dog.
Are Jug Dogs Good Apartment Dogs?
Yes, Jug dogs can make excellent apartment dogs. However, it is important to make sure they get their daily exercise as detailed below.
How Much Exercise Do Jug Dogs Need?
Jugs are not the most athletic dogs, but it is still important for them to exercise. Jugs need between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day.
Because of respiratory issues, walks are the best form of exercise for Jugs. However, they will also benefit from traditional games like fetch as long as they do not get tired to the point of labored breathing.
Can Jug Dogs Swim?
Yes, Jugs can swim, but they are not very good at it. Jack Russells are not the greatest swimmers, and Pugs are poor swimmers.
It is important to exercise caution if you take your Jug swimming. Always be close by and keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t overexert themselves.
If you choose to take your Jug into the water, it is a good idea to use a doggy life jacket.
Are Jug Dogs Prone to Obesity?
Like Pugs, Jugs gain weight easily and love treats. As a result, if their calorie intake is not monitored and they do not get enough exercise, they can quickly become overweight and suffer from obesity.
Are Jug Dogs Aggressive?
Jack Russell Terriers are hunting dogs, so they may be aggressive towards small animals like squirrels and chipmunks. However, outside of the hunting instinct inherited from the Jack Russell, Jugs are not considered aggressive.
Do Jug Dogs Make Good Family Pets?
Yes, Jugs make excellent family pets. Like with all dog breeds, extra caution should be taken by families with young children.
Are Jug Dogs Smart?
Larger dog breeds are usually at the top of most dog intelligence rankings. However, Jugs are a relatively intelligent dog and have about average intelligence for canines.
Are Jug Dogs Stubborn?
Both the Jack Russell Terrier and Pug breeds are known to be stubborn from time to time, so it makes sense that the Jack Russell Pug mix can also have a stubborn streak or suffer from Small Dog Syndrome.
Like all dogs, they need a strong pack leader (owner) to teach them right from wrong.
Are Jug Dogs Easy to Train?
Even though they can be stubborn, Jugs are definitely trainable. Like with any dog the keys to successful training are starting young, using positive reinforcement, and staying consistent.
What’s a Jug Dog’s Personality?
Jugs are generally friendly dogs that get along with both people and other animals. Many Jugs inherit the Jack Russel hunting instinct. They always seem to be on alert and keep an ear out for any strange sounds.
Like their appearance, the personality of Jug dogs can also vary with some acting more like Jack Russells and others more like a Pug.
Do Jug Dogs Smell Bad?
All dogs have a certain “dog smell,” but Pug owners will tell you that Pugs can get pretty stinky. The main culprit is their skin folds that can trap dirt as well as more powerful scent emitting glands.
Mixed with a Jack Russell, the Pug smell is usually tampered down in the Jack Pug. The best way to reduce any dog smell is to take care of their coat with regular brushings.
Are Jug Dogs Recognized as Their Own Breed?
Because the breed is not a purebred dog, the Jack Russell Terrier Pug mix is not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the UK Kennel Club.
However, Jugs are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) who both recognize mixed breeds.
Jug Dog Final Thoughts
Whether you call them a Jug, Jag, or Jack Pug, the Jack Russell Pug mix is an awesome dog breed. The Jug dog can make an excellent family pet that will even get along with other pets.
However, like all small dogs, they are not immune from small dog syndrome and so it is important to make sure they are trained and socialized early in their life.
The purebred Pug and Jack Russell Terrier are both popular dog breeds, so it’s no wonder that the Jack Russell Pug mix is becoming more popular as well.
If you are thinking about adopting a Jug puppy, I hope this post was able to answer some of your questions.
Similar Mixed Breeds
- Boston Terrier Pug Mix (Bugg): The Bugg is a small, energetic dog breed that combines the playful nature of a Boston Terrier with the affectionate temperament of a Pug.
- Jack Russell Terrier French Bulldog Mix (French Bull Jack): The French Bull Jack is a lively and robust breed, blending the intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier with the muscular build of the French Bulldog.