The breed combines the best of both worlds, tending to breed short and stout dogs with a little more energy than your average pug, but the sizing and temperament of a Golden Retriever. Your Golden Pug mix won’t be the workhorse, high-octane bundle of energy that you’re used to in a Golden, so if you’re looking for a lower-energy dog with a smaller size footprint, then perhaps the Golden Retriever Pug mix is the right dog for you.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of this curious cross, allowing you to get a better sense of whether or not the Golden Pug is a good fit for you and your family.
Golden Retriever Pug Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 14-75 pounds |
| Height: | 10-24 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 13-15 years |
| Coat Colors: | golden brown color, with slight variances in shade and intensity |
| Temperament: | easy going, friendly, and lovable |
| Suitable For: | Families with extremely active lifestyles, families/couples with/without children. |
What Does a Golden Retriever Pug Mix Look Like?
Most Golden Pug mixes are short-statured, round-bellied animals, owing mostly to their pug genes. They also have the traditional pug faces – a squished face that looks like it’s taken one too many a frying pan, but also (redeemably) has a slightly longer muzzle and a brown-ish nose, owing to their Golden Retriever side. They could also have a longer tail and perhaps a longer body like Golden Retrievers. Their physical characteristics are mostly split between the breeds and are most distinguishable in their faces and their bodies.
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The History of the Golden Retriever Pug Mix
There’s little readily available information on the history of the mixture of these two breeds – but both are some of the oldest dog breeds in the world. The pug was bred by the Shang Dynasty of China, beginning in 1756 BC. Meanwhile, in Scotland in the 19th century, breeders were crossing the Irish Setter with Spaniels of various types to create a dog filled with speed and agility, but equally playful nature for fetching ducks from hunts, as well as being a loyal companion. However, the initial breeding for the Golden Retriever is credited to Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, who cross-bred flat-coated retrievers with Tweed Water Spaniels.
We can therefore surmise that the cross between the Pug and Golden Retriever is due to a desire to breed a smaller size, lower-energy dog – the desire, perhaps, to create an animal that would be a better fit with families of all types, though as above, the precise history of the crossbreed cannot be ascertained.
Golden Retriever History
How Popular Are Golden Retrievers in the United States?
According to the American Kennel Club, the Golden Retriever frequently ranks among the top five most popular dogs in America. No wonder, they’re the perfect family pet.
Who Are Golden Retrievers a Good Dog For?
Due to their lovable and friendly nature, the Golden Retriever is widely loved among all people, old or young, single or with families. They’re a good dog for almost anyone, though buyers should beware that they tend to be fairly higher-energy dogs. So, if you think you’ll have the time and energy to devote to the dog, the dog will give you all of the love and affection that it can muster, day in and day out.
How Did Golden Retrievers Come About?
The history of the Golden Retriever can be traced back to the Scottish Isles and to Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, who needed a dog that would be quick on its feet, lightweight, and agile enough to dart through thick undergrowth and wade into the water to fetch downed ducks – and strong enough to carry them. He crossed Irish Setters and Tweed Water Spaniels with the flat-coated retriever.
Fast-forward nearly 200 years and the friendliness and lovable nature of the Retriever have made it the perfect family dog. Its fierce loyalty will make it the perfect protector, though it is not by nature aggressive. They tend to bark at anything that moves, making it a great guard dog for the home.
When Did We First Cross-Breed Golden Retrievers?
While it is difficult to pin down the exact dates or even rough times when the Golden Retriever/Pug mix may have been created, there are suggestions that it occurred sometime in the late 20th century, with dog owners looking for a lower-energy alternative to the busy, hyperactive and ultra-friendly Golden.
Popular Golden Retriever mixes include:
- Golden Retriever Corgi Mix (Golden Corgi)
- Golden Retriever Boxer Mix (Golden Boxer)
- Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix (Golden Chi)
- Golden Retriever Dalmatian Mix (Goldmatian)
- Golden Retriever Border Collie Mix (Gollie)
Pug History
How Popular Are Pugs in the United States?
Unfortunately for our humble flat-nosed friends, the Pug isn’t one of America’s most popular dogs. They ranked outside of the top 30 in 2021 and it wasn’t much better in 2020. This is likely due to their appearance not necessarily being the most desirable. Despite being the proverbial ‘ugly duckling’, pugs are lovable and happy dogs and will make great family pets.
Who Are Pugs A Good Dog For?
Because Pugs are relatively easy to care for and easy to get along with, they’re the perfect dog for an elderly person, but fit in well in almost any family dynamic. As they’re low-maintenance, you won’t need to walk them five times a day, but regular exercise is almost always good for any dog. However, pugs do come with a host of joint issues as they age, so be wary of that.
How Did Pugs Come About?
The pug is one of the oldest dog breeds known to man. Bred in China during the Shang Dynasty, bred mainly for its looks rather than any physical attributes, the traditional pug made its way from China to Europe and arrived in the United States during the 19th century. Making their way into the hearts and homes of Americans, as well as operating as show dogs.
How Did We First Cross-Breed Pugs?
While again, information is spotty on the present cross-breeding of the pug dog, we do know that Pugs emanated from ancient China and were taken overseas by King William III from Holland to England in the early 16th century. Since they arrived in the United States, there have been dozens of different cross breeds between pugs and other dogs, probably in an attempt to replicate the cute snub-nosed look of the pug, with the physical (bodily) characteristics of other dogs.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, a crossbreeding craze swept the United States. Pugs were not spared by this, and a number of popular Pug crosses emerged. These include:
- French Bulldog Pug Mix (Frug)
- German Shepherd Pug Mix (Shug)
- Pitbull Pug Mix (Pit Pug)
- Boxer Pug Mix (Poxer)
- Poodle Pug Mix (Pugapoo)
What Kind of Personality and Temperament Does the Golden Retriever Pug Mix Have?
However, from the initial breeding of the Retriever Pug Mix, the temperaments match almost perfectly. They’re both very friendly, loyal, and intelligent dogs. The Pug has lower energy levels than the Retriever, though your breed may vary. However, in general, they’re great family dogs. Make sure that you can offer a low-octane, laid-back lifestyle that’s better suited to a pug’s stature and genetic disposition of health issues – mostly relating to muscle and joint issues.
Are Golden Retriever Pug Mixes Friendly?
In short: yes. Golden Retrievers and pugs are both very friendly dogs as individuals, and so when matched together, they maintain their friendly nature. Though they are fiercely loyal and can be very protective (such as barking at the wind), prepare yourself for that with a good training regimen.
Are Golden Retriever Pug Mixes Easy to Train?
Depending on the exact genetic makeup of your dog, in general, Golden Retriever mixes of all types are generally considered particularly easy to train – due to their breed’s disposition for loyalty and genealogical history of being bred for a purpose.
How Much Can Golden Retriever Pug Mixes Weigh?
Golden Retriever Pug mixes typically come in at anywhere from 20-40lbs on average, with the lower end producing an average weight of 15lbs and the upper end producing a giant weight of 75lbs.
How Tall Can Golden Retriever Pug Mixes Get?
Typically, this mixed breed stands at around 21 inches tall.
Similar Sized Breeds
There is a plethora of similar-sized dog breeds out there – anything that’s mixed with a small and medium-sized dog will offer a similar size. Though, depending on the precise genetic makeup, you may get a Golden Pug mix that’s on the smaller, or larger end of the spectrum.
Does a Golden Retriever Pug Mix Shed?
It depends on their coat. In general, longer-haired Golden Pug mixes will shed, though not to excess. But short-haired Golden Pug mixes will not. The longer-haired versions will need to be brushed regularly.
How Much Exercise Does a Golden Retriever Pug Mix Need?
A moderate amount of exercise is usually required for this mix, though they are not excessively energetic dogs. One walk per day will usually suffice.
How Long Does a Golden Retriever Pug Mix Live?
The typical age of this breed is around 13-15 years. Though these breeds are susceptible to canine cancer and BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome), these can inhibit them from reaching these ripe old ages.
What Health Conditions does the Golden Retriever Pug Mix Have?
The Canine Health Information Centre states that the Golden Retriever comes with the following health complications:
Similarly, Pugs tend to have hip and elbow inflammation issues due to their weighty appearance and the strain that places on their joints.
Therefore, combining the two genetics of the dogs is likely to come with a mixture of health issues.
However, many of these issues are preventable through regular exercise and a healthy diet lifestyle, staving off the effects of their genetic predispositions.
How Can You Find a Golden Retriever Pug Mix For Sale?
Before looking at breeders, you should try to find a Golden Retriever Pug Mix for adoption at a local shelter. While it may be difficult to find a Golden Retriever Pug Mix at shelters it could be beneficial to check all local adoptions first before contacting a breeder.
Apart from the fact that you’ll pay much less to adopt, you’ll be happy knowing you are giving that dog a loving home.
How Much Does a Golden Retriever Pug Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost for any Pug puppy is around $1,000 – $3,000 USD for a purebred. Given that you’re looking for a cross-breed, you can sometimes expect this rough evaluation to change slightly by a few hundred dollars.
Is the Golden Retriever Pug Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’re looking for a low-energy, lovable family dog that’s happy at home or outside, then the Golden Retriever Pug mix might just be the dog for you.
Nick Meagher
I'm Nick Meagher, a lifelong dog enthusiast and the voice behind this blog. Having grown up with dogs, I've developed a deep understanding and an unbreakable bond with these amazing companions. Through MyK9Life, I aim to share insights, tips, and heartwarming stories, celebrating the joy and journey of life with our four-legged friends.
