The Pug Poodle Mix – What You Need To Know about the Pugapoo

Last Updated on April 27, 2023

Pugs and Poodles are two of the most adorable dog breeds. Mixing the two creates a new breed of dog that has the nicknames “Pugapoo,” “Pugoodle,” and “Pugapdoodle.”

The Pug-Poodle mix are designer dogs with two purebred parents, so they have their own characteristics and needs.

Continue reading to find out all there is to know about the Pugapoo, including health, personality, and more.

Where did the Pug Poodle mix originate?

The Pugapoo got its name by mixing its parents’ names (Pug + Poodle = Pugapoo). This hybrid dog seems to have been in existence for quite some time.

But the exact origins of the Pugapoo are still a mystery. However, many say that their roots run parallel to other hybrids.

The Pug is originally from China and is said to have existed since ancient times.

In the 16th century, the Chinese people traded with Europe, sending the Pug to European shores. The dogs quickly became associated with royalty, especially in The Netherlands.

The Standard Poodle was developed as a “water dog” in Germany and has been around since the 15th century. However, the dog was also bred in France, along with other “water dogs.”

They were originally large dogs, but with their rise in popularity came the development of toy and miniature dogs.

Even though these mixed breed dogs have probably been in existence since the 16th or 17th century, the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize them.

What does a Poodle Pug Mix look like?

One thing you should note about this toy dog is that two pugapoo puppies from one litter can look different from one another.

It all has to do with the laws of genetic probability, although most first-generation Pugapoos have a blend of traits from both parent breeds. 

The Pugapoo generally has an elongated nose as their parents have a long nose and a flat face, respectively. They will also most likely have drop ears.

The neck of the Pugapoo is generally short, and the body is of small stature with a reasonable length. Their bodies can range from a slim to a stocky build.

The front legs of the Pugapoo are generally straight and muscular, whereas their back legs are mostly angled and muscular.

Size: How big does a Pugapoo get?

The Pugapoo is a toy dog, so they are small. Their height can range from 8 to 15 inches (20cm to 38cm), and they generally weigh between 10 and 30lbs (4.5kg and 13.6kg). 

Although there are some differences between male and female Pugapoos, these aren’t set in stone.

However, males tend to be stockier and more aggressive, while females tend to have smaller builds and are more loving and nurturing. 

Pugapoo puppies are small dogs and. The Pugapoo is usually full-grown when they are 1 year old. 

These dogs are perfect indoor pets. They generally don’t need too much space, and they are perfectly happy playing and living in houses and/or apartments. 

Coat of the Pugapoo

A Pugapoo’s coat type can either be long and curly (from the poodle parent) or short and straight (from the pug parent) coats. They aren’t known for shedding too much. 

However, Pugapoos, especially ones with a curly coat, should be groomed and trimmed regularly to keep their fur under control. The fur is generally more profuse around the head, face, legs, and tail.

Their coats have various colors or a combination of all of them:

• Black 
• Gray 
• White
• Brown
• Gold 
• Cream. 

This breed’s color markings have no set areas or patterns; it is all up to genetics.

Here is a video on 10 facts about The Pugapoo:

Temperament: Are Pugapoos good pets?

Pugapoos are good house pets, and they tend to be easy to handle.

As mentioned above, there isn’t much of a difference between male and female dogs. The only possible difference is the aggression from the male side, but even the aggressiveness isn’t on a concerning level.

This dog is a good family dog and handles children well, as they are playful. They are affectionate and loyal to their owners.

The Pugapoo is a gentle, social, and intelligent dog with hints of whimsy in its character. This makes them a lot of fun but difficult to train.

They are friendly to strangers and can get along well with other dogs, cats, and pets. 

Seeing as the Pugapoo is a social, affectionate, and friendly dog, they don’t like to be alone for long periods. They have some degree of separation anxiety as they enjoy being around people and other animals. 

They aren’t known to bark excessively, but they will bark at visitors when they aren’t familiar. Otherwise, they are relatively quiet. 

Seeing as they are playful and energetic, they can be difficult to train at first. The owner must exercise positive reinforcement when training to yield the best results. They are also easily potty trained.

How to take care of your Poodle Pug Mix

Each dog has specific needs and ways to take care of them. The Pugapoo has unique traits that are formed from being a hybrid of two different breeds.

Pugapoos are not generally high maintenance and aren’t difficult to take care of. Give them some exercise, proper grooming, and a healthy diet, and you are good to go. 

They are also able to live in any type of environment. Just be careful of increased heat or cold temperatures and look out for panting, which is typically an indication of overheating.

Exercising your Pugapoo

The little bodies of the Pugapoo can store a lot of energy, which means the dog can be lively and active. Exercise is a good way to get some of that excess energy out of their bodies.

They don’t necessarily need a considerable amount of exercise, but they do enjoy long walks. A lengthy walk once a day would be an ideal amount of exercise. Playtime with their owners is also a great activity. 

Grooming: Are Pugapoos hypoallergenic?

The difference in coats means that some Pugadoos can be quite hypoallergenic if they have a bit more fur like the poodle coat. However, Pugapoos with short fur are not known to be hypoallergenic. 

If the dog’s genes are predominantly leaning towards the toy poodle’s side, the chances of shedding and being allergy-friendly are higher. Pugapoos don’t shed too much, however. 

The various kinds of coats from Pugappoos mean that their grooming needs also vary. The Pugapoos might have to visit the parlor every six weeks at most, depending on their coat type.

They don’t need their nails clipped if they get enough exercise. But they do require their teeth to be brushed at least once a day to prevent gum recession and wobbly teeth. 

They don’t need to take a bath often, but you should clean their ears regularly. Fortunately, they aren’t known to smell bad if you care for them properly.

Feeding a Pugapoo: What is their food consumption?

There isn’t a lot of fuss when it comes to feeding Pugapoos, except giving them regular meals.

Make sure that the food you are giving your Pugapoo is high-quality and that it is meant for dogs of the same size and level of energy. You can feed them twice a day with controlled portions as not to overfeed the dog.

Here are some dog food products that are specifically for small breeds:

• Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
• Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Turkey & Oatmeal
• Zignature Trout & Salmon Meal

Try to stay away from feeding them human food like fruits, veggies, and sweets—especially puppies.

Instead, Pugapoo puppies should be eating food made for their growing bodies, which requires a lot of nutrients. 

What health problems does the Pug and Poodle Mix have?

Pugapoos are, for the most part, a healthy breed of dog. All dog breeds are susceptible to different health issues.

Still, mix-breeds like a Pugapoo or a Goldendoodle are less likely to develop congenital conditions because of the larger gene pool than purebred dogs. 

Pugapoos do, however, still have the potential to develop some health conditions.

Some signs that your Pugadoo has Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are a worsening limp, stiffness in one or both rear limbs, licking or chewing at the hip area, muscle atrophy, and restlessness and aggression. 

Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) is a fatal inflammatory disease that affects the dog’s central nervous system.

This disease’s actual cause is unknown, but recent studies have shown that the development might be from an abnormal response in their immune system.

Other health conditions Pugapoos are susceptible to are: 

• Eye problems – mostly inherited.
• Breathing problems
• Hip dysplasia
• Allergies 
• Epilepsy
• Cushing’s Syndrome

A healthy Pugapoo’s lifespan is usually from about 13-15 years, and they typically pass away from either disease or simply old age.

How much is a Pugapoo Puppy?

Pugapoos are popular breeds to have as pets, and as such, they can be anywhere between $200-$800 depending on where you procure your pup.

Alternatively, you could go to the local shelters and see if there are any Pugapoos up for adoption. 

If you want a pugapoo, you can find a local breeder and visit them. Or you might be able to adopt one from a Poodle Pug rescue. A litter can be anything between 3-8 puppies.

Pugapoo breeders

One of the Pugapoo breeders in the US is pugapoo.blogspot.com. This breeder is in Oregon, and they don’t ship puppies. 

Here are other sites you could visit to check for Pugapoo puppies:

• Greenfield Puppies
• Puppy Finder
• AKC Marketplace

When looking into breeders, one thing to note is to make sure that you meet them and visit their kennels. If you cannot meet them in person, try to arrange a video conference with the breeder.

Also, make sure to ask them questions and get a full medical history to prove health screenings.

Where to rescue or adopt a Poodle Pug mix

While Pugapoos are popular breeds, some of them still end up in shelters. 

Waters Animal Rescue is an organization that rescues animals from unruly and unhealthy environments to ensure a healthy and happy home for them. 

They don’t only work with Pugapoos. They also rescue other types of dogs, namely Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Retriever, German Shepherd, Dachshund, French Bulldog, and Beagle.

Who should get a Pugapoo dog?

The Pugapoo is a wonderful dog to have as a first pet. They are little dogs, and they don’t need too much maintenance. 

Some of the pros of owning a Pugapoo are that they’re good with kids since the Pugapoo is playful and adore socialization. They don’t overeat or bark excessively.

The only cons could be that they need to have their teeth brushed every day and aren’t good guard dogs.

So, if you are looking to teach your kids some responsibility and give them a companion, the Pugapoo is a good way to teach them. Plus, you then have a furry friend of your own!

The Pugapoo is loving and loyal, and they make playful lap dogs. They are the perfect family pet and will stand by your side and be a constant companion dog. 

There might be a bit of work that comes with owning a Pugapoo, but the love and affection one gains from this adorable doggy are worth it.

Feel free to share your experiences with this mixed breed by commenting below! 

Further reading: Similarly sized breeds to Pugapoo

• Bushland Terrier
• Dorgi

Reference

• https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/treating-cushings-disease-dogs