Muggin

12-18 lbs
10-12"
Unknown
Miniature Pinscher
Pug

The Muggin is a playful dog with a happy disposition. Very loving, the Muggin will form a close bond with his favorite human and will want to remain by his side at all times. While the hybrid is small, he will have a lot of energy and require a lot of activity. Fortunately, the Muggin will typically get along well with children as well as other dogs, making them a good family pet. As they bark frequently, living in an apartment may not be ideal for the breed. The Muggin can be challenging to train and may be best for an experienced pet parent.

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Miniature Pinscher and Pug

Muggin Health

Average Size
Male Muggin size stats
Height: 10-14 inches Weight: 12-22 lbs
Female Muggin size stats
Height: 10-12 inches Weight: 12-18 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Megaesophagus
  • Von Willebrand's Disease
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
  • Liver Problems
Minor Concerns
  • Demodectic Mange
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Pateller Luxation
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • Blood
  • Knee
  • Hips
  • Liver Ultrasound
  • X-Rays
  • Thyroid Testing

Muggin Breed History

The hybrid called the Muggin is a new breed of dog without a detailed history. The two breeds that are bred to create the hybrid have long histories. The Miniature Pinscher has an appearance similar to that of the Doberman Pinscher, only much smaller. The Miniature Pinscher’s ancestry is not clear, though most agree that the breed is old, possibly having been around for 2000 years. Despite this, detailed accounts of the breed are only available beginning in the 1800’s. It is thought that the Miniature Pinscher comes from the German Pinscher family; it has also been suggested that the Italian Greyhound and the Daschund are a part of the Miniature Pinscher’s background. By the latter portion of the 1800’s the Miniature Pinscher’s development was underway, with the Pinscher Klub being formed in Germany. In the early 1900’s the Miniature Pinscher arrived in the United States where it became popular, with the Miniature Pinscher Club of America being formed and the American Kennel Club recognizing the breed in 1929. While the breed was initially used to control rat populations, it is now mainly a companion dog. The Pug originated in China during the Han dynasty, sometime between 206 B.C. and 200 A. D.. Emperors of China owned the dogs and treated them as royalty. Evidence of similar dogs to Pugs has been found in ancient Tibet and Japan. When the dogs were brought to Europe by Dutch traders during the 1500’s and 1600’s, they were given the name Mopshond and became popular with royal households. The breed was given other names: the Carlin in France, Doguillo in Spain, Mops in Germany and Caganlino in Italy. By the 1800’s there were two dominant breeding lines in England. One was the Morrisson line, known to have been founded on Queen Charlotte’s royal dogs. The other was started by Lord and Lay Willoughby de Eresby and founded on dogs that had come from Hungary and Russia. The Pug was seen on postcards, figurines and paintings during the Victorian Era and became very popular. After the Civil War the breed came to the US and in 1885 was recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Muggin Breed Appearance

The appearance of the Muggin will depend on the traits that he inherits from his parent breeds. He may inherit the short snout and curly tail of the Pug or the Miniature Pinscher’s longer snout or shorter tail. The pug will have thin, small ears, while the Miniature Pinscher’s ears are set high on his head. The Muggin can be seen in numerous colors to include cream, black, brown, golden and white. Muggins may also have a combination of colors like black and tan. The coat of the Muggin is usually short and fine and dogs of the hybrid will shed often. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Muggin eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Muggin nose
Black
brown Muggin nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
cream Muggin coat
Cream
black Muggin coat
Black
brown Muggin coat
Brown
white Muggin coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Muggin straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Muggin Breed Maintenance

The Muggin will shed regularly and more heavily during spring and winter. Daily brushing of your Muggin will be required, along with regular vacuuming of your floors and furniture. The short coat of the Muggin is easy to brush using a solid hair brush. The hybrid should be bathed only when necessary; bathing your Muggin too often can lead to dry skin problems. To remove fur that has been shed, you can wipe your dog with a damp cloth. As with all dogs, his teeth should be brushed at least two times per week to ensure his long term dental health. Your Muggin’s nails should be clipped as needed and his ears should be checked weekly for infection. 

Brushes for Muggin
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Scissors
Scissors
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Muggin requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Muggin Temperament

The Muggin will be loving and affectionate to his human, enjoying the opportunity to curl up next to you while you are reading or watching tv. Part of his showing affection will include plenty of licking of his favorite humans. The hybrid may bark a few times when hearing a strange noise or meeting a new person, though once they determine there is no danger they will relax and their sweet nature will emerge. Separation anxiety does occur with the Muggin, who will be nervous that when you leave for the day you won’t come back. Having another dog for him to spend time with will help alleviate this for him. The Muggin will do well with children, though if handled roughly might nip.

Muggin Activity Requirements

While the Pug is rather inactive, the Muggin often takes after his Miniature Pinscher parent, having a higher activity and energy level. Your Muggin will likely enjoy taking a regular walk (once or twice a day) with his human as well as both indoor and outdoor playtime. If you notice that your Muggin is acting out, it may be a sign that he needs more activity and stimulation (both mental and physical) to get his energy out and to avoid boredom. The Muggin has a tendency to be overweight, and physical exercise will be important to help him maintain a healthy weight. The hybrid will do fine in an apartment as long as he is taken outdoors for walks and play time.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
5 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
50 minutes
activity minutes

Muggin Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.00 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Muggin Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Muggin size stats at six months
Height: 6.0 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
Female Muggin size stats at six months
Height: 5.5 inches Weight: 7.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Muggin size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
Female Muggin size stats at 12 months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 13.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Muggin size stats at 18 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 17.0 lbs
Female Muggin size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs

Muggin Owner Experiences

rosco
11 Months
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
he gave me a reason to be needed again...he so loving....wonder now why i waited to get another pet...he has my whole heart!!! love this little guy sooo much
6 months, 1 week ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Bella
9 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
She is a really good puppy but she might be pregnant but she is the best thing that happened to me
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Oscar
7 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Oscar was easy to train as a puppy. It helped that we had a great big fenced in yard for him to explore. He loves going for long walks, and hikes. He enjoys exploring new places. He is 100% loyal. He loves to be around us, and trusts us. He loves lazy nights, cuddled up to us on the couch.
1 year, 4 months ago
Bruno
1 Year
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hide & Seek
Fetch
Hunt
Nap
Play
Swim
Hike
Walk
I adopted a Muggin almost 5 months ago. He was found on the street when he was only 4-5 months old, abused and scared. I thought the whole time that he was some kind of chihuahua mix, but using Google Images, I found out that he is indeed a Muggin. I did some more research (found a bunch of Instagram accounts with similar dogs, and one in particular was the exact copy of Bruno), so now I am certain of his origin. He is a super playful, sweet boy. He can get super mental when playing, I find it cute. He has an amazing relationship with other dogs, big or small, and he is EXTREMELY affectionate. I have a body sling for dogs, and sometimes on the cold days, I just carry him around in that while I work and cook, etc. otherwise he'd be begging me to pick him up. He LOVES the beach and playing in the sea. Overall adapts to situations really quickly, as long as I am around. A super fun dog to have, smart but not trainable (Bruno only does SIT, but I don't think he does it as a trick, it just comes natural when I hold my hand up in front of him). I love Bruno, and I am so happy I found such a cool, fun, loving dog at a shelter.
1 year, 5 months ago
Roky Erickson Tully
5 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
New to me. Rescued after 333 days at shelter. Almost euthanized
1 year, 11 months ago
Ricky
5 Years
7 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I've never had a dog that was so attached to me and it's wonderful
2 years, 7 months ago
Knopa
6 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Thery good dog? friendliness fnd activity
2 years, 9 months ago
Reba
2 Years
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling
Cuddling, napping, being outside
Cuddling, napping, being outdide
Playing, being outside, cuddling and napping
She has been wonderful!! I can leave the house for 10 minutes and when I return she yips with excitement and gives me a full teeth smile..she is glued to me at the hip. She does have peeing issues..I believe she has kidney issues. We are on our second bladder infection in a month and when I got her at 8 weeks old up until she was over a year old she would drink water and within minutes pee clear urine..she knows to go outside and pee and will snd then within 15 minutes pees on the floor. It is 90% better but still.is an issue. she has other dogs and cats to play with and does but doesn't let me too far out of her sight. Love her to pieces!!
4 years, 6 months ago
Grizzly
3 Months
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have found that it is very easy to train Grizzly and he is very friendly with everyone and everything. Only grooming he needs is his nails trimmed and a bath once in awhile. He is an average shedder. He does get either over heated or too cold very easily and his eyes must be cleaned often. Must have lots of toys so he stays entertained or else he will get bored and try to find his own entertainment. Regular walks help to release energy.
6 years ago
P.
1 Year
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chasing birds
Napping
Hiking
Long walks
playing with squeaky toys
Dog Parks
Cuddling
Chew Toys
Our Muggin is the most social dog I've ever met! She LOVES other dogs and wants to play with every dog that she meets. She is also very friendly with people and children. She looks very pug-y, but seems to take after her minpin side in temperament. She has lots of energy and requires a good amount of exercise. We live in a NYC apartment and I would say that a muggin would probably prefer a yard, but is fine as apartment dog as long as you get them out for lots of exercise. Does not like cold weather and must wear sweaters/jackets outside in the winter. Very quiet dog, rarely barks. Expressive, affectionate, and cuddley at home. Smart and pretty well behaved, but stubborn. Good travel companion, enjoys excursions and does well in cars/trains/planes. Average shedding, nails are filed by city sidewalks. Great dog!!
2 years, 11 months ago
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Sketch of smiling australian shepherd