Pugottie
The Pugottie is a cross between the Pug and the Scottish Terrier. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Pugottie. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Pug
The Pug is a small but solidly built toy breed with a distinctive square, compact body and substantial muscular development that belies its diminutive size. Standing 10 to 13 inches at the withers and weighing between 14 and 18 pounds, the breed embodies the Latin phrase multum in parvo, meaning a lot in a little. The body is well-proportioned with a level topline and broad chest, supported by sturdy, straight legs that contribute to the breed's characteristic rolling gait. The overall build reflects the breed's mastiff heritage, presenting a muscular and cobby appearance with excellent substance for a toy breed. The head is large and round with a flat face, featuring a short, blunt muzzle that creates the breed's distinctive brachycephalic appearance. The forehead displays deep wrinkles, including a vertical crease known as the prince mark, which resembles a Chinese character and was historically prized in Chinese breeding programs. The Pug possesses a short, smooth double coat that lies close to the body and has a soft, glossy texture. The breed comes in several color variations including fawn, apricot, silver fawn, and solid black, with fawn and black being the most commonly recognized in show standards. Fawn-colored Pugs display a black mask covering the muzzle and ears, along with a dark trace line running down the spine. The coat sheds year-round, with double-coated individuals shedding more heavily than those with single coats. Regular brushing helps manage the considerable shedding this breed produces. Prominent facial features define this breed's appearance, including large, dark, globular eyes that are set wide apart and project somewhat from the skull, giving the Pug its characteristic expression of concern or curiosity. The ears are small, soft, and velvety, folding either as button ears or rose ears close to the head. Perhaps the Pug's most recognizable feature is its tightly curled tail, which sits high on the hip and curls in a characteristic spiral over the hindquarters, with a double curl being particularly prized in show dogs. This distinctive tail formation results from a natural spinal deviation in the lower vertebrae extending into the tail bones.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Pugs are fairly laid-back dogs that adapt well to various living situations, from apartments to larger homes. They are not typically given to extensive barking, digging, or destructive chewing behaviors. However, they do require daily companionship and can become anxious or depressed when left alone for extended periods. The breed enjoys playing games and will enthusiastically chase balls, though they may not always return them. Their brachycephalic structure limits their tolerance for vigorous exercise, particularly in hot or humid conditions, making them better suited to moderate activity levels and indoor living.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Obesity occurs at more than twice the rate in Pugs compared to the average for all dogs, contributing to joint problems, breathing difficulties, and reduced quality of life. Hip dysplasia affects the breed despite its small size, and hemivertebrae, a spinal condition related to the characteristic corkscrew tail, can cause neurological problems in some individuals. Pug Dog Encephalitis is a rare but usually fatal inflammatory brain condition that affects Pugs far more than any other breed. Regular veterinary checkups and working with responsible breeders who screen for hereditary conditions can help identify and manage these health concerns.
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier is a small, compact, short-legged dog of sturdy build with substantial bone and muscular development that projects power in a small package. Standing approximately 10 inches at the withers and weighing 18 to 22 pounds for males and 18 to 21 pounds for females, the breed has a thick-set, cobby body hung between short, heavy legs. The overall silhouette is distinctively rectangular, with the dog being longer than it is tall, and the back is short, level, and muscular with a high-set tail carried erect in a characteristic carrot shape. This compact structure allowed the breed to pursue prey into underground burrows, a task for which Scottish Terriers were originally developed. The head is long in proportion to the overall size of the dog, with the skull and muzzle being of equal length when viewed in profile. The planes of the skull and muzzle run parallel, separated by a slight but definite stop that allows the eyes to be set deeply under the brow. This creates the breed's distinctive keen, piercing expression that enthusiasts describe as varminty. The ears are small, pointed, and carried erect, covered with short velvety hair, while the nose is black regardless of coat color and projects somewhat over the mouth. Dark brown to nearly black almond-shaped eyes are set wide apart and well under the brow. The Scottish Terrier possesses a weather-resistant double coat consisting of a hard, wiry outer layer and a soft, dense undercoat. The coat is trimmed to create the breed's distinctive outline, with longer furnishings on the beard, legs, and lower body forming a skirt-like appearance if left untrimmed. Coat colors include black, brindle, wheaten, and gray, with black being particularly popular. The distinctive beard accentuates the muzzle, and long eyebrows add to the breed's characterful expression. The coat sheds minimally but requires regular grooming to maintain proper texture and appearance.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Scottish Terriers require owners who understand and appreciate their unique personality. They are not ideal for households with very young children due to their low tolerance for rough handling or unexpected disturbances. The breed does well with moderate exercise requirements, enjoying daily walks and play sessions that engage both body and mind. Scotties are natural diggers and may pursue small animals with determination, reflecting their heritage as vermin hunters. They make excellent watchdogs, alerting to visitors and unusual sounds, though their protective nature should not be confused with guard dog capability. At home, they prefer being nearby their family rather than directly in their laps, embodying the independence that defines the breed.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Additional health concerns include craniomandibular osteopathy, a painful bone condition affecting the jaw during puppyhood, and cerebellar abiotrophy, a progressive neurological disorder. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap dislocates from its normal position, affects some individuals, as does epilepsy. Hypothyroidism, involving insufficient thyroid hormone production, can cause weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. Regular veterinary checkups, maintaining a healthy weight, and working with breeders who perform recommended health screenings can help identify and manage these conditions. The Scottish Terrier Club of America maintains health testing recommendations that responsible breeders follow to reduce the incidence of hereditary conditions.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Pugottie may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Pug and Scottish Terrier to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.