Chug Prices Australia

A cross between a Chihuahua and a Pug, the “Chug” is a tiny dog with a big personality! These little pups are packed with energy, affection, and a playful spirit, which makes them a wonderful companion for family homes and for anyone looking for a furry best friend. But before you decide this is the right breed for you, you need to think about the full costs involved. After all, owning a dog is a long-term financial commitment, and along with the purchase price, there are ongoing expenses like food and veterinary care to think about. So, to make things clearer and help you prepare, we’ve put together all the information you need about the true costs of owning a Chug below.

How Much Does a Chug Cost in Australia?

The first cost you’ll have to cover is the price of the puppy, and this will vary quite a bit depending on where you decide to buy from. If you buy from a registered breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 for a Chug pup. On the other hand, adopting from a shelter comes with a much lower average cost of $300 – $600.

One thing to keep an eye out for when you’re looking for Chugs for sale are listings that seem way too low in price. These dogs may come from unregistered breeders, who will prioritise profit over care, meaning that your puppy could suffer from health or behavioural issues later in life. Instead, always make sure you buy from a registered breeder or adopt through a rescue shelter.

Average Price of a Chug When Buying Through a Registered Chug Breeder in Australia

Purchasing a Chug from a registered breeder will set you back between $1,500 and $3,000. Now, this might seem like quite a wide price range, but the reason is that there are several factors that determine how much a puppy is priced, including size, coat, and upbringing. We’ll explore each of these in more detail further down the page.

Average Price of a Chug When Buying Through an Adoption Shelter in Australia

When you adopt a Chug from a rescue shelter, you’ll pay a much lower price of around $300 – $600 in adoption fees. This isn’t really a purchase price, but something that covers the cost of vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing, and helps towards the costs of running the shelter. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that you’ll find a Chug when you visit a rescue shelter, but since they’re crossbreeds (and, therefore, often less desirable than purebred dogs), you stand a good chance of finding one compared to some other breeds. To increase your chances, it’s worth calling around your local shelters or browsing their available dogs for adoption online.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Chug

That’s the average cost of purchasing a Chug covered, but as we explained, there are some factors that determine the final price tag. Let’s look at some of these in more detail.

Breeder Reputation

If you choose to purchase a pug through a registered breeder, the price will always be higher than adopting. However, if the breeder has an excellent reputation, has carried out health screenings and raised their puppies in a social, caring environment, the costs will sit more toward the $3,000 mark. This is because these extra steps in their early care will cost the breeder money, which will be reflected in the price of the puppies. Don’t be put off by this, though. While the price will be higher, the result is a healthy, happy puppy that could save you thousands in expensive vet bills in the future.

Coat

Because they’re crossbreeds, Chugs can have a variety of coat types, ranging from short and smooth to long and fluffy. This affects the price because longer-haired Chugs are rarer and are usually more in demand, which means these puppies will be priced higher than their short-haired counterparts. Likewise, their coat colour will also affect the price, with rarer shades like blue or brindle fetching higher prices compared to more common colours like fawn, tan, or black.

Size

Chugs are small dogs by nature, given their Chihuahua and Pug lineage. However, they can vary in size quite a bit, depending on whether they take after one of their parents more than the other, and some breeders focus on producing “teacup” Chugs, which are particularly tiny. These dogs are often priced higher because they are more in demand, especially with people living in apartments.

Costs of Essentials for Your Chug

You’ve paid for your Chug puppy and can’t wait to bring them home. But wait! There are some essentials they’ll need to feel happy and comfortable, and these also come at a cost:

• Dog crate: $100 – $180 for a small, comfortable crate that can be used for training and to offer a safe space for your Chug to escape when they need some downtime.
• Dog bed: $60 – $150 for a small, supportive bed with a built-in memory foam layer to help cushion their tiny joints while they sleep.
• Dog collar/lead: $30 – $60 for a durable but lightweight adjustable collar and a retractable lead.
• Feeding bowl: $15 – $40 for a non-slip, shallow, slow-feeder bowl that can accommodate your Chug’s short snout and stop them from suffering from digestive issues from eating too fast.
• Dog toothbrush: $20 – $40 to prevent plaque buildup and keep your Chug’s pearly-white teeth in the best possible condition.
• Dog car harness: $40 – $80 for a crash-tested and road-legal harness to keep them safe and secure during car journeys.
• Puppy treats: $20 – $40 per month for rewarding good behaviour and offering some mental stimulation for quiet play.
• Puppy training pads: $20 – $40 to help with directing your Chug where to relieve themselves during the early stages of house training.
• Dog shampoo & conditioner: $25 – $40 for a gentle, hypoallergenic product that can deep clean their coat while protecting the skin.
• Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $30 – $50 for a set of brushes and clippers to keep their coat and nail in the best condition.

Chug Maintenace Costs

The costs of Chug ownership aren’t over just yet. There are also ongoing maintenance costs you’ll need to cover throughout the year to make sure your new canine pal is as healthy as possible. Let’s break these down below.

How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Chug?

You’re going to need to feed your Chug, and as a small but energetic breed, they need a well-balanced and nutritious diet. A healthy adult Chug should weigh between 4kg and 7kg and will need 120g – 200g of food each day. This means, across the diets below, your monthly dog food spend could total $30 – $160

• Cost per day on a dry kibble diet: $2 – 4 $4 for a high-protein kibble mix specially designed for small breeds.
• Cost per day on a wet food diet: $3 – $6 for canned or fresh wet food, made with real meat and vegetables, and as few preservatives or artificial ingredients as possible.
• Cost per day on a raw food diet: $4 – $8 for a custom plan with meals made from raw meats, vegetables, organs, and bones.

Do keep in mind that these prices are just estimates, and the cost of dog food will depend on the brand you choose and the ingredients it contains, as well as the age and health of your Chug. It’s always best to consult your vet before deciding on which diet would be best for your dog.

How Much Will Veterinary Care Typically Cost for a Chug?

You’ll also need to cover the cost of routine veterinary care to protect your Chug from various illnesses and health issues. Here’s what to budget for:

Cost of Routine Preventative Care:

• Annual vet checkups: $80 – $140 for a general checkup, including looking for early signs of illness and weight advice.
• Vaccinations: $100 – $150 per year for core and optional vaccines that protect against various nasty canine diseases, such as distemper and parvovirus.
• Worming and parasite treatment: $10 – $40 per month for flea and tick treatments, and worm prevention.
• Dental cleaning: $300 – $600 every few years to remove plaque buildup and perform any necessary extractions under anaesthetic.
• Pet insurance: $35 – $80 per month, depending on coverage, to cover unexpected medical costs.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Chug’s Grooming?

Compared to some other breeds, Chugs have relatively low maintenance coats and a lot of grooming can be done at home. However, every now and then, a trip to a professional will be needed to keep them looking good and feeling healthy! This is what you might pay across various grooming services:

• Hydrobath prices: $30 – $60 for a deep-cleaning bath with a hypoallergenic shampoo.
• Full groom prices: $70 – $120 for a hydrobath, blow-dry, trim, nail clipping, and ear cleaning.
• Face, feet, and tail groom prices: $25 – $45 to wash and trim these easily-dirtied areas in between full grooms.

Chug Training Costs

Like all dog owners, you’ll want your Chug to be a respectable and upstanding citizen! But to achieve this, you’ll need to invest in some training classes, which also come at a cost. Here’s what to budget for:

• Basic obedience training: $150 – $200 for a 6-week course that focuses on obedience, including essential commands, lead walking, and how to behave in public spaces.
• Puppy training class prices: $100 – $150 for a multi-week group class that covers the early basics, including socialisation and a few commands.
• Specialised training prices: $90 – $150 per session to deal with tougher, specific issues like aggression, separation anxiety, and excessive barking.

Understanding the Full Costs of Owning a Chug

Bringing a Chug into your life is a really exciting thing to do, but it’s also incredibly important that you’re financially prepared for both the initial costs and ongoing expenses. After all, these affectional little pups need a loving home where they can thrive, and that means budgeting for their care over their average 10 – 15 year lifespan. If you’re ready to commit and feel you’re up to the challenge, you’ll have a fun-loving companion who will brighten your day for years to come.