So, you’re stuck between a noodle and a potato. That’s basically what it comes down to when you're looking at a weiner dog and pug. It’s a hilarious dilemma to have. On one hand, you have the Dachshund—a literal hunting dog disguised as a bratwurst. On the other, the Pug—a creature that looks like it ran full-tilt into a parked car and decided to just stay that way.
They’re both small. They’re both iconic. But honestly? They couldn’t be more different if they tried.
I’ve spent years around these breeds, and the one thing people always get wrong is thinking they’re just "lap dogs." If you treat a Dachshund like a stuffed animal, he’s going to dismantle your baseboards. If you think a Pug is just a lazy companion, you’re going to be surprised when he develops a stubborn streak that would make a mule blush.
Choosing between a weiner dog and pug isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about whether you want a tiny, fierce guardian who thinks he can take down a bear, or a velcro-dog who mainly wants to know why you’re eating cheese without him.
The "Weiner Dog" Identity Crisis: More Than a Sausage
Let’s talk about the Dachshund. People call them weiner dogs because of the obvious geometry, but their history is actually pretty hardcore. These dogs were bred in Germany to dive into tunnels and fight badgers. Badgers! Think about how mean a badger is. Now imagine a dog with four-inch legs deciding that's a fair fight.
That history explains everything about their personality. They are loud. They are brave. They are incredibly independent.
A weiner dog and pug comparison often highlights the Dachshund's high prey drive. If you have a backyard with squirrels, your Dachshund will spend 90% of his life vibrating with the desire to catch one. They don't just bark; they bay. It’s a deep, soulful sound that belongs in a much larger dog.
Why Their Backs Are Such a Big Deal
You can't talk about Dachshunds without talking about IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). Because their spines are so long and their legs are so short, they are basically biological suspension bridges with a design flaw.
According to the Dachshund Club of America, about one in four Dachshunds will deal with back issues in their lifetime. This isn't just a "maybe." It's a "you need to buy ramps for your furniture right now" situation. Don't let them jump. Seriously. A single leap off a high couch can result in a $5,000 surgery or permanent paralysis. It’s the heavy price you pay for that adorable silhouette.
The Pug: A Masterclass in Emotional Manipulation
Now, look at the Pug. If the Dachshund is a soldier, the Pug is a court jester.
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Pugs have been around for thousands of years, originally pampered by Chinese emperors. They weren't bred to hunt, herd, or guard. They were bred to sit on laps and look funny. And they are geniuses at it.
The weiner dog and pug dynamic shifts here because Pugs are "brachycephalic." That’s a fancy way of saying they have flat faces. This leads to the famous Pug snort, the snoring that sounds like a chainsaw in a cardboard box, and a lot of sneezing.
Breathing and Heat: The Real Risks
Pugs aren't "lazy" by choice; they're physically limited. In the summer, a Pug can overheat in minutes. While a Dachshund might go for a mile-long hike, a Pug will get halfway down the block, look at you with those huge, watery eyes, and demand to be carried.
Dr. Dan O’Neill, an associate professor at the Royal Veterinary College, has done extensive research on Pug health. His studies suggest that Pugs are significantly more likely to suffer from breathing disorders compared to other breeds. You have to be their lungs. You have to keep them cool. You have to clean those face wrinkles every single day or they will get moldy. Yes, moldy. It's gross. Clean the folds.
Weiner Dog and Pug: The Training Reality Check
If you want a dog that obeys every command, get a Golden Retriever. If you get a weiner dog and pug, you’re signing up for a lifelong negotiation.
Housebreaking: The Eternal Struggle
I’m going to be real with you. Both of these breeds are notoriously difficult to housebreak.
- The Dachshund Perspective: "It’s raining outside. I am not putting my delicate undercarriage on wet grass. I will pee on your expensive rug instead."
- The Pug Perspective: "I know what you want me to do, but I am currently comfortable on this pillow. Also, I forgot."
Dachshunds are stubborn because they think they know better than you. Pugs are stubborn because they are easily distracted by literally anything. Training a weiner dog and pug requires a level of patience usually reserved for saints. You need high-value treats—think freeze-dried liver or plain boiled chicken—and you need to accept that accidents will happen well into their first year.
Grooming and Maintenance: Picking Your Poison
You’d think they’d be low maintenance because they’re small, right? Wrong.
Dachshunds come in three coat types: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired.
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- Smooths are the easiest, but they still shed.
- Longhairs need brushing or they turn into one giant mat.
- Wirehairs have that cool beard but need "stripping" to keep the coat healthy.
Pugs, despite having short hair, are shedding machines. They have a double coat. If you pet a Pug, a cloud of tan fur will follow. You will find Pug hair in your butter. You will find it in your closed drawers. It is a fundamental law of physics.
The Weight Problem
Both the weiner dog and pug are prone to obesity. For a Dachshund, being overweight is a death sentence for their back. For a Pug, it makes their already difficult breathing almost impossible.
You cannot trust them to tell you when they are full. They are never full. They are bottomless pits of hunger. A tiny bit of extra weight on a 15-pound dog is like a human carrying around a 20-pound backpack all day. Keep them lean. Use green beans as treats instead of biscuits.
Social Life: Who’s the Better Party Guest?
Pugs are the social butterflies of the dog world. They love everyone. They love other dogs, they love kids, they love strangers. A Pug will walk up to a total stranger and act like they’ve been best friends for a decade.
Dachshunds are more... selective. They are "one-person" dogs. They will love you with a fierce, burning passion, but they might be suspicious of your cousin who visits once a year. They can be nippy if they feel cornered or if a child tries to pick them up incorrectly. Because of their back issues, Dachshunds can be defensive about their bodies.
If you have a house full of screaming toddlers, a Pug is generally a safer bet. If you live alone and want a tiny bodyguard who will watch Netflix with you and alert you to the mailman's arrival with the intensity of a SWAT raid, the Dachshund is your guy.
The "Daug": When Worlds Collide
Yes, people crossbreed them. The "Daug" is a weiner dog and pug mix.
In theory, you get the sturdiness of the Dachshund and the sociability of the Pug. In reality, genetics is a lottery. You might get a dog with a long back and a flat face—the worst of both health worlds. Or you might get a perfectly balanced, slightly elongated Pug with a bit more snout.
If you're looking for a mix, please go to a rescue. There are so many specialized rescues for both breeds (like the Dachshund Rescue of North America or Pug Rescue of Korea). You don't need to pay a "designer dog" premium to a backyard breeder for a mix that might have complex health needs.
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Cost of Ownership: The Uncomfortable Truth
Let’s talk money. Small dogs live a long time—often 12 to 15 years or more.
A weiner dog and pug will both likely require specialized veterinary care. For the Dachshund, it’s the potential for spinal surgery or dental work (their mouths are crowded). For the Pug, it’s BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) surgery or eye issues.
Their eyes bulge out. This makes them prone to "proptosis" (the eye literally popping out of the socket) or corneal ulcers from scratching them on tall grass.
Budget for:
- Pet Insurance: This isn't optional for these breeds. Get it the day you bring them home.
- Dental Cleanings: Both breeds have notorious teeth issues.
- Specialized Harnesses: Never use a neck collar on a Pug or a Dachshund. It's bad for the Pug's breathing and bad for the Dachshund's neck/back. Use a Y-shaped harness that distributes pressure across the chest.
Which One Wins?
There is no winner in the weiner dog and pug debate. There is only "which one fits your chaos better?"
If you want a dog with a massive personality, a bit of an edge, and the soul of a hunter, get the Dachshund. Just buy the ramps. If you want a goofy, affectionate, snoring shadow who will make you laugh every single day, get the Pug. Just keep the AC on.
Your Action Plan for Bringing One Home
Don't just run out and buy the first puppy you see on an ad site.
- Vet the Breeder: If they don't show you health clearances for the parents (specifically OFA testing for hips/knees and eye certifications), walk away.
- Puppy-Proof the Heights: If you're going the Dachshund route, buy "doggy stairs" or ramps before the dog arrives. Training them to use a ramp is much easier than retraining them after they've learned to jump.
- Check Your Climate: If you live in a place that hits 90°F regularly, a Pug is going to be an indoor-only dog for most of the summer. Do you have a place for them to play inside?
- The "Vibe" Check: Visit a rescue or a meetup. See a pack of Dachshunds in action. Listen to the Pug "scream" (it's a real thing). Make sure you can live with the noise and the quirks for the next 15 years.
Ultimately, whether you choose the long one or the round one, you're getting a dog that will change your life. They aren't just pets; they are personalities that take up much more room in your heart than they do on your floor.
Keep them lean, keep them insured, and get ready for a lot of staring. Both of these breeds are professional starers, especially if you have snacks.