Pug Poodle Mix: The Ultimate Guide

Published: 11/15/22 •  8 min read

The Pug Poodle mix is the perfect choice of pet for anyone looking for an adorable lapdog, with an energetic side and a quirky personality. This smaller dog was designed to join the characteristics of two adorable breeds together to create a more active, long-haired family dog.

Pug Poodle Mix
Photo: @dougie_pugapoo

Pug Poodle Mix – At a Glance

Weight:10-30 pounds
Height:8-15 inches tall
Lifespan:12-14 years
Coat Colors:White, grey, brown, black, tan
Temperament:Highly intelligent, energetic, loving, loyal & affectionate
Most Suitable For:Families with or without children, single individuals – not necessarily recommended for the elderly due to energy levels.

What Does a Pug Poodle Mix Look Like?

Pug Poodle Mix
Photo: @cookieandoreo_20

The Pug Poodle mix has a decent blend of both parents – being a small dog, most of the concentration will be on its face. Expect your Pug Poodle to have the nose of a pug and not quite have the same type of squashed face that you’d expect. It will also likely have a longer coat, with straighter front legs and angular rear lengths, with a slender body. It may also have a slightly wider face, with eyes set not quite centrally, like the Pug.

The History of the Pug Poodle Mix:

As a designer dog, the history of the Pug Poodle mix isn’t entirely available. Though one thing is certain: designer dogs of this sort became more popular in the United States and across the West in the 1960s and popularity soared between 1990 and 2000, so we can surmise that the Pug Poodle may have been crossbred around this time.

Pug History

Pug History

The Pug dates back to ancient China, to almost 400 B.C, where it was bred as a companion dog for Chinese nobility and monarchy – becoming a favourite lapdog of Chinese emperors. The Chinese traded Pugs to Europe in the sixteenth century, where they continued to be companion pets of royalty, of both Dutch and English royal houses, even being favoured by Queen Victoria of England. Pugs arrived in the United States in the 19th century.

How Popular Are Pugs in the United States?

During one of the waves of immigration to the United States in the 19th century, new American immigrants brought over their pug dogs and thus, the American pug population began. In 1931, Pugs were recognized by the American Kennel Club. In the AKC’s 2021 rankings, Pugs were the 33rd most popular dog in the country.

Who Are Pugs a Good Dog For?

Pugs are great lap dogs for almost anyone, they’re low-energy, low-fuss, low-maintenance animals with a fondness for their owners and a laissez-faire attitude to life. Making them a great fit for families, the elderly, or even single folk looking for a companion.

How Did Pugs Come About?

Pugs were bred in the earliest days of the Chinese Song Dynasty, sometime around 400 B.C. They were created as companion pets for Chinese nobility and royalty and became firm favourites of Emperors, Kings and Queens throughout history, in both Europe and China.

When Did We First Cross-Breed Pugs?

Most people who keep Pugs as companions do not like to crossbreed them, and given their size, most of the crossbreeding that does happen tends to take place between dogs of a similar size to the Pug. For this reason, little is available on the actual history of Pug crossbreeding, either in the United States or abroad. Having said that, the popularity of crossbreeding in the US shot up after the 1960s and reached a peak between 1990 and 2010, so we can assume that the Pug was first crossbred somewhere in that timeline.

Popular modern crossbreeds of the Pug include:

Poodle History

Poodle History

There is a dispute among cynologists about which country the Poodle hails Germany or France. A majority of cynologists believe that Germany is the correct country. The poodle was bred be a ‘water dog’ to retrieve downed game and waterfowl, today they are both companion pets and athletic dogs used in shows.

How Popular Are Poodles in the United States?

The Poodle is a very popular breed in the United States, placing fifth in the list of most popular dog breeds of 2021 by the American Kennel Club.

Who Are Poodles A Good Dog For?

Poodles were originally bred in Germany (though they’re the national dog of France) to be fetchers for German hunters who were hunting waterfowl. Their curly, short coats dried fast and their speed and agility made them great swimmers.

How Did Poodles Come About?

Poodles were originally bred in Germany (though they’re the national dog of France) to be fetchers for German hunters who were hunting waterfowl. Their curly, short coats dried fast and their speed and agility made them great swimmers.

When Did We First Cross-Breed Poodles?

The Poodle is actually one-half of the original ‘designer’ breed of dog – the Labradoodle. This breed was thought to have been created in the 1950s, likely by accident. Today, Poodles are the most popular dog breed for mixed breeding in the world.

What is the Temperament of the Pug Poodle Mix?

The Pug Poodle mix may inherit either the relaxed, laissez-faire nature of the Pug or the excitable, energetic nature of the Poodle, depending on which is the dominant gene. Regardless of energy levels, you can expect your Pug Poodle mix to be a very loving and affectionate dog.

Are Pug Poodle Mixes Friendly?

The Pug Poodle mix is one of the friendliest mixed-breed dogs you could hope to come across. Both sets of parent breeds have a reputation for being friendly animals, you’ve nothing to worry about!

Are Pug Poodle Mixes Easy to Train?

Though your Pug Poodle mix may be a little stubborn, thanks to its Pug parents, Poodles are quite easy to train and so you can expect a relatively easy training journey with your Pug Poodle mix.

How Much Can Pug Poodle Mixes Weigh?

Pug Poodle mixes usually weigh between 10 and 30 pounds.

How Tall Can Pug Poodle Mixes Get?

Most Pug Poodle mixes stand between 8 and 15 inches tall.

Similar Sized Breeds

There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Pugapoo. These include the Tibetan Spaniel, the Boston Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the Small Brabant.

Does a Pug Poodle Mix Shed?

One of the main attractions of poodles is that they are generally non-shedding and hypoallergenic. However, this is not the case with the Pugapoo. Pugs can be fairly heavy shedders, despite their short coats, and Poodles don’t shed – so you can expect your Pugapoo to be a light shedder.

How Much Exercise Does a Pug Poodle Mix Need?

The Pugapoo will generally take after their Poodle parent in this department and require a fair amount of exercise – though it should be noted that these dogs are generally happiest when indoors. However, a good thirty minutes of exercise a day will do your Pug Poodle mix wonders!

How Long Does a Pug Poodle Mix Live?

The life expectancy of the Pug Poodle mix is anywhere between 12-14 years.

Like with any dog, there are a number of factors that will determine the number of years your specific Pug Poodle mix lives like diet and exercise.

What Health Conditions Could the Pug Poodle Mix Have?

How Can You Find a Pug Poodle Mix For Sale?

Locating a Pug Poodle mix for sale can be a tricky task, so we recommend adoption instead. You might get lucky at your local veterinarian or animal shelter. However, if these fail, AdoptAPet.com allows you to search your local area for dogs seeking adoption! 

How Much Does a Pug Poodle Mix Cost?

If you’ve exhausted your adoption routes and are left with no choice but to purchase a Pug Poodle mix, the average cost of one of these pups will be upwards of $1000.

If you choose to go down the route of purchasing a Pug Poodle mix, rather than adopting one – we highly recommend that you thoroughly read the AKC’s advice on finding a reputable breeder before proceeding with any purchases.

Is the Pug Poodle Mix the Right Breed For You?

The Pug Poodle mix is a great option for almost any dog owner, though make sure you can handle the potential energy levels of the Poodle. They’re a great fit for families, with or without children, and also for single individuals. We hope our guide to the Pug/Poodle mix will help you make your decision.

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.

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