Pugapoo Dog Breed Info: Pug Poodle Mix

What is a Pugapoo Dog?

Heritage:

Pug Poodle Mix

Other Names:

Pug-A-Poo, Pug A Poo, Pugoodle, Pugadoodle, Pugdoodle, Pugpoo, Pug Poodle Mix

Pug Poodle Mix Breed History

Pug Breed History:

Pugs originated during the Han Dysnasty in China, way back in around 200 A.D. They were very spoiled, as they were the dogs of emperors. They were even guarded by soldiers! Some believe they are related to the Tibetan Mastiff (ancestor of the Mastidoodle), but this has not been confirmed.

During the 1500s and early 1600s, China began trading with European countries, and therefore Pugs were introduced to Europeans. They instantly became a big hit. They were common in royal households. William, Prince of Orange, even claims his beloved Pug saved his life by barking to signal the approach of the Spaniards.

Despite being in Europe for hundreds of years, Pugs didn’t reach England until the 1800s. Pugs peaked in Europe during the Victorian era. After the Civil War, they were introduced to America. This breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. Additionally, the Pug Dog Club of American was founded in 1931.

Poodle Breed History:

While commonly associated with the French, the Poodle actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany over 400 years ago. In German, “pudelin” refers to the splashing in water that the dogs would do to retrieve waterfowl. The Poodle’s curly, weatherproof coat as well as its natural swimming ability and high intelligence made it an excellent retriever.

Eventually, Poodles made their way from the lake to the life of luxury as they were the breed of choice by French nobles, and eventually royalty across all of Europe. To this day, the Poodle is still the national dog of France. The entertainment industry then caught on to the Poodle’s showy looks, intelligence, and ease of trainability and gave them a prominent role in circus acts across the world.

While the Poodle started out as the “standard” variety, eventually the miniature and toy variations were bred. The Toy Poodle started in the United States in the early 20th century to be a city-dwelling companion dog. Due to the many positive personality traits and its hypoallergenic coat, Poodles are now commonly bred with a wide variety of other breeds to produce the “designer” hybrid dogs known and loved by many as “doodles.”

Pugapoo Breed History:

Like many varieties of doodles such as the Saint Berdoodle and Poogle, the exact date of the origin of the Pugapoo breed is unknown. It’s likely that the accidental breeding occurred as far back as the 1600s, when both breeds were common in Europe.

However, in the United States between the 1980s and the 2000s, there was a significant increase in breeding Poodles with other dogs. It’s likely that on the latter end of this time frame Pugapoo puppies were intentionally bred.

Pug Poodle Mix Appearance & Grooming

How Big Do Pugapoos Get?

Pugapoos are not large dogs. On average, males are between 10-15 inches in height and females are between 8-12 inches in height. Males weigh between 15-30 pounds and females weigh slightly less, between 10-25 pounds.

Pugapoo Dog Breed Coat & Grooming:

The coat of Pugapoo puppy depends on the genetics they inherit from their parents. If the Pugapoo obtains a coat that more closely resembles the Poodle’s coat, it may require more frequent brushing. If the coat is more similar to the Pug, it will be lower maintenance and require less frequent brushing.

The type of coat also dictates how often they should be bathed. If the Pugapoo has the longer, curly, Poodle-like coat, they should be bathed every three to six weeks. If they inherit the shorter, Pug-like coat, they only need to be bathed when necessary because the natural oils in the dog’s coat should keep the shorter coat healthy.

Are Pugapoos Hypoallergenic?
Do Pugapoos Shed?

Pugapoos are not guaranteed to be hypoallergenic and likely won’t be. Pugs are pretty heavy shedders, although Poodles are hypoallergenic and generally non-shedding. When mixed together, the shedding may be better controlled.

However, when a mixed breed has only one hypoallergenic parent, it is impossible to guarantee that the offspring will be hypoallergenic. The only way to guarantee a hypoallergenic offspring is if both of the parents are hypoallergenic.

Pug Poodle Mix Health & Wellness

Pugapoo Dog Breed Lifespan:

Deciding to add a Pugapoo puppy to your family involves a long-term commitment. The Pug Poodle mix averages about a 12-14 year lifespan.

Pugapoo Dog Breed Common Health Concerns:

Although mixing breeds often minimizes health problems, there is still the potential for health problems to arise. Pugapoos have some potential health problems that you should be aware of.

Some of the major concerns include patellar luxation, cataracts, sebaceous adentis, hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, Pug dog encephalitis, legg-calve perthes disease, progressive retinal atrophy, and gastric dilation volvulus (also known as bloat.) Some other potential concerns that warrant your attention include allergies, epilepsy, and brachycephalic syndrome.

Due to the cost of treating these common health concerns, we highly encourage all dog owners invest in pet insurance. We recommend getting a free online quote from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance.

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Pug Poodle Mix Temperament & Personality

Pugapoo Dog Breed Behavioral Traits:

The Pugapoo is a loyal, friendly, and affectionate dog. These dogs are considered highly intelligent, and adequate amounts of mental stimulation are important for them. This keeps them entertained and decreases the chances of them participating in destructive behavior. This dog may be slightly wary of new visitors, and will you give a bark or two to alert you to their presence.

This friendly dog is usually great with children, although older children are preferable. This is because younger children sometimes don’t know how to be gentle with smaller dogs and can scare or upset a tiny Pugapoo.

Pugapoo Dog Breed Activity Requirements:

Pugs are not considered very active dogs requiring much activity. Poodles, on the other hand, do require a significant amount of exercise due to their working past. Estimate dedicating around 45 minutes of your day to giving a Pug Poodle Mix a proper amount of exercise. This can be in the form of walks and trips to the dog park where they can romp with other dogs. As a puppy, a Pugpoo may require more exercise than just 45 minutes.

Something to be cautious about with this breed is their bradycephalic condition. Their flat snout contributes to this and can have adverse effects on ability of the Poodle Pug mix to breathe properly, especially after physically exerting themselves. Additionally, be careful that the Pugapoo does not become overheated. Keep water nearby and always encourage frequent breaks.