Collection: Personalised Pugzu Gifts

The Pugzu is a designer crossbreed the result of crossing a Pug with a Shih Tzu to produce a small and friendly dog on average about 12” tall. Unlike other Pug crosses, the Pugzu still retains that distinctive face with the squashed nose, endearing to look at but not always so good in the health department. Some crossbreeds have sought to use a dog with a longer face specifically to reduce this aspect of the Pug’s conformation which can cause breathing difficulties and health problems.

Size-wise, the Pug and the Shih Tzu are well-matched partners which is not the case with all of the breeds which cross with the Pug.

The Pugzu is the new dog on the block but its ancestry is long and very noble. The Pug is an ancient Chinese breed first recorded in the Han dynasty between 206 BC and 200 AD. The Pug enjoyed royal patronage and was protected and revered appearing in Europe in the 1500 and 1600s.

The Shih Tzu can trace its Chinese roots nearly as far back as the Pug although, during the Chinese Revolution, the breed nearly disappeared completely with only 14 dogs surviving to which every modern Shih Tzu can trace back their lineage.

The fashion for hybrid breeds has been prominent for about the last twenty to thirty years and produces dogs that will favour one parent more than the other. Consequently, there is currently huge variation within the breed in terms of physical characteristics although the height of the Pugzu is fairly consistent.

The Pug temperament which can sometimes be aloof and a little stubborn is tempered by the mix with the Shih Tzu to create an engaging and friendly little dog. Happy in family life, the Pugzu is an endearing and loyal companion and adapts well to different home environments.