Caring for Your Hug: Key Health Concerns and Solutions

by Zander Panford. Reviewed by Fitpetgo

Updated: Sep 15, 2024

Introduction

The Hug dog breed may be a less familiar name for many pet owners, but they have been around since the early 20th century. These adorable canines were created to be loyal companions and excel at providing affection. Originally bred in Canada, the Hug has gained popularity worldwide due to its sweet nature and versatility.

Bred as therapy dogs, Hugs have a remarkable ability to comfort people with their gentle presence. Besides making excellent family pets, these canines are highly trainable which makes them suitable for various dog sports and tasks. Despite their endearing appearance and loving characteristics, the Hug breed is not widely recognized by kennel clubs or major breeding programs.

This article delves into the care requirements, needs, temperaments, and health peculiarities of the lovely Hug dogs to give prospective pet owners a complete understanding of the responsibilities associated with adopting this breed.

General Care

The basic care for any canine includes regular exercise, diet, veterinary visits, and socialization.

Nutrition

Hugs have distinct dietary requirements in their life stages. While puppies have specific nutritional needs, adult or senior dogs demand an easier-to-digest food due to aging issues.

A standard recommendation is for pet parents to consult with a veterinarian before settling on any dog food. Since each Hug has different genetic makeup and lifestyle, individual requirements can vary.

The dietary needs also differ among breeds based on their size (small, medium, large), metabolic rates, age, and health concerns such as kidney disease in senior pets.

Consulting with veterinarians is essential to make these informed decisions for your pet's well-being. Their professional advice ensures the food provides enough nutrients that address the specific needs of Hugs without any unnecessary weight gain or underfeeding issues.

Exercise

Regular activity helps maintain a healthy heart, muscles and brain functions in dogs. For Hugs specifically, engaging them with some form of play (walks, fetch, runs) should be their part in dog owner responsibilities. However not excessive stress will help your Hug reach full potential.

For Hugs, regular 15-30 walk duration is enough because they are generally sedentary companion breeds. Avoid giving too much exertion so as to prevent injuries and maintain good cardiovascular health.

Hug Issues

Unfortunately the breed's less popularity status means availability of research articles that address Hug genetics may not have caught up yet, although an increase in studies could give rise to a higher likelihood of identification and therefore improved care for them. For now one should still take precautions and regular visits from veterinarians while dealing with your dog.

While their lifespan is average at 8-12 years most owners experience common symptoms with breed's specific issues only appearing once they reach the average of this average expected age.