Pug and Poodle Mix: Traits, Health Issues, and Appearance

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The Pug and the Poodle are among the dog breeds with big personalities. They have the same size but there are a lot of differences between them in terms of physical traits. Ever wondered what the flat-faced Pug would look like if it was bred with the cute Poodle? Meet the “Pugapoo” in today’s post!

History

The Poodle is a native of Germany while the Pug is a native of China. During ancient times, poodles were trained to rescue fall birds from hunters. They were originally used as water dogs, hence the name. The poodle’s name means to splash in water in the German language.

Unlike the Poodle, the Pugs were bred not to work but as lap dogs during the 5th Century BCE. The Shang dynasty rulers used them as gifts. They were brought to Europe during the 16th Century by the Dutch East India Company.

Appearance

The Pugapoo’s face has a strong resemblance to the Pug. It has the same short and blunt muzzle as the latter. Many Pug Poodle mixes also got the Pug’s large and bold eyes. However, it is hard to see if they have large and deep wrinkles because their face is covered with hair just like the Poodle.

They come in different coat colors. You can find a Pugapoo in white, black, fawn, brown, cream, and gray coat. The coat is similar to the Poodle’s coat, which is a single dense coat. The reason why they don’t shed is that they are not double-coated, unlike the majority of dogs.

A Pugapoo may grow as heavy as the standard Poodle, which is around 20 to 32 kilograms or as tiny as the Pug, which is only 6 to 8 kilograms. They are usually short like the Pugs, with a height anywhere between 25 and 30 centimeters. Still, it is worth noting that some Pugapoos could grow taller if the Poodle’s breed is more dominant. On average, the miniature stands at 35 centimeters and above.

Personality

A Pugapoo is a fun-loving dog much like its parents. It is naturally affectionate with its family. In fact, it cannot tolerate being left alone for a long time. It will not be a big problem to associate it with small kids as long as the children were trained on how to properly treat and handle a pup. The Poodle is not as friendly as the Pug but this can be fixed by socializing the Pugapoo early in life.

The Pugapoo is a smart and eager to learn dog, especially if it did not inherit the stubbornness and willfulness trait of the Pug. It is recommended to take him to puppy classes for obedience training to teach him the basic commands, like how to sit and how to stay. This dog is a combination of the Poodles’ instinctual personality and the Pug’s independent nature.

Grooming

A Pugapoo has the coat of a Poodle, which is very soft and wavy while they are babies. The coat can grow thicker and curly as the dog ages. The changes in their coat can be observed before they turn one year old. Once the hair becomes curlier, it becomes more challenging to groom your Pugapoo.

To prevent mats and tangles, use a pin brush when grooming your dog. Their coat will be prone to large mats as they grow older. The tangles can be quite difficult to brush out if this is not done on a regular basis. The Pugapoo rarely needs bathing even though it needs lots of brushing.

While the Poodle has demanding grooming requirements, it is worth noting that they are still considered to be hypoallergenic dogs. They don’t shed as much as other dog breeds. If you are allergic to the dander in pet hair, a Pugapoo can be the best designer breed for you.

Feeding

The recommended meal frequency for Pugapoo pups is four times a day. For adult dogs, it should be twice a day at reasonable intervals. Pups 8 weeks to 6 months should be fed ¼ cup of puppy food per day. It can be as much as half a coup starting at 8 months or when they turn a year old.

Consider high-quality dry dog food for your Pugapoo and follow the instructions on the label in order to avoid overfeeding. There are many human foods that are not suitable for dogs. Never offer salty and sugary treats. Also, keep an eye to the amount of food you are serving him because it may cause diarrhea if the dog ate something out of moderation.

Aside from serving healthy meals, it is also important to keep your Pugapoo well-hydrated at all times.  Refill his water bowl with filtered water every meal and before you go out. Make sure that the water bowl is clean before refilling it with water. Dogs need to drink half an ounce to an ounce of water for every pound of their weight per day. So if your Pugapoo weighs around 40 pounds, it should consume 20-40 ounces of water a day.

Exercise Needs

The Poodle is an energetic dog with a penchant for exercise and outdoor activities. It has high energy levels and can run at 32 miles per hour at top speed. On the contrary, the Pug is a bit of a couch potato and does not have the same energy level as the Poodle. So try to keep a balance when exercising your pet. To be on the safe side, just follow the recommended activity level for Pugs.

Give your Pugapoo 20 minutes of walks per day, one in the morning and one before evening. It is true that they don’t need a great deal of physical activity but they still need to keep moving in order for them to have healthy joints. If the weather does not permit so, you could try playing fetch or tug-of-war with your Pugapoo. Exercising your Pugapoo also helps stave off boredom and stimulate his mind.

Health Issues

On average, a pug’s lifespan is 10 to 15 years. It’s true that they are generally healthy and are less susceptible to diseases compared to purebred dogs. Still, it helps to know the possible hereditary traits they could get from their parents:

  • Allergies – both the Poodle and Pug are prone to allergies of different kinds. Hypersensitivity to food can occur at any stage during the dog’s life. It is difficult to diagnose and the best thing pet parents can do is to be cautious when giving anything new to dogs.
  • Hip Dysplasia – as with the majority of dog breeds, the Poodle and the Prone are susceptible to developing Hip Dysplasia. This condition cannot be prevented because it is hereditary but it can be controlled by providing the dog with low-strain exercises.
  • Epilepsy – a condition that can affect most dogs, epilepsy is a neurological problem that affects the brain and the body. It is important to know the things that trigger it, like low-grade foods and certain spices.
  • Legg-Perthes Disease – it is a condition that occurs when there is disintegration in the dog’s hip joints. Symptoms usually begin showing when dogs turn five months old. The affected leg can be extremely painful and will cause the dog to be lame.

Conclusion

This mix of breeds produces a dog that is suitable for-first time owners. It will be good as a family pet because it has an impressive temperament with young children. The Pugapoo is a bit active but does not have a big interest for wanderlusts. It is highly trainable, easy to feed, and generally healthy as long as you give them all the care they deserve.

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