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Pugapoo (Pug & Poodle Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

pugapoo

Height: 8–15 inches
Weight: 10–30 pounds
Lifespan: 12–14 years
Colors: Black, white, brown, grey, tan, cream
Suitable for: Families with kids, seniors, those in apartments or homes
Temperament: Affectionate, people-oriented, friendly, smart, playful

Playful and friendly dogs that are as adorable as they are fun, Pugapoos are excellent companions for many types of people. As long as you have sufficient time to devote to your four-legged friend, a Pugapoo would make a great partner for you. Pugapoos are a mix of two unlikely mates—the Poodle and the Pug. If you’ve felt drawn to a Poodle but didn’t have the space or money for one, then a Pugapoo might be the miniature substitute you’re looking for.

Pugapoos are loving, people-oriented dogs that want to be with their person all the time. They have minimal exercise needs so they’re equally well-adapted for apartments and houses. Plus, they’re on the smaller side, so their little feet won’t bother the neighbors below you!

This breed can take on a variety of appearances, coming in many colors and combinations. They can be as short as eight inches or as tall as 15 inches, with a weight anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds for an adult. That’s a pretty drastic range, so you never really know what you’ll get with a Pugapoo.

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Pugapoo Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

One big draw of the Pugapoo is their relatively low cost compared to either parent. Both the Pug and the Poodle are fully pedigreed breeds, accepted by the major canine organizations. This means that their puppies can get very expensive.

Pugapoos, however, are a designer breed. This sounds fancy, but it means that they’re a crossbreed between two pure breeds. Because they’re not purebred, Pugapoos aren’t pedigreed or accepted by any major canine institutions. Therefore, they’re much less expensive to purchase. That said, Pugapoos are still very popular as pets, so they’re not as cheap as other dogs.

As an alternative, you can check around at local shelters and see if there are any Pugapoo puppies available for adoption. Not only will this save you money, but you’ll also be saving one lucky puppy’s life.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Pugapoo

1. Some Pugapoos Are Hypoallergenic

One of the multitude of desirable traits displayed by the Poodle is their hypoallergenic fur. Allergies are a major deterrent that prevents many people from experiencing the joy and companionship of a lovely canine companion. But hypoallergenic dogs offer a solution since they won’t irritate your allergies.

Not all Pugapoos are hypoallergenic because offspring only inherit some traits from each parent. Some Pugapoos are hypoallergenic though, so you might luck into finding one that won’t upset your allergies.


2. Two Pugapoos From the Same Litter Can Look Completely Different

As we’ve mentioned, it’s very difficult to predict how the offspring of crossbreeding will look. Their genetics may heavily favor one parent or the other, or they could possibly get nearly equal traits from both. Because there’s so much discrepancy in crossbred pups, there’s no telling what your Pugapoo could look like. They can be almost any color, usually a mixture of several. Moreover, they can range drastically in size, weight, and even temperament.

But these differences don’t just present themselves among different litters. You can have a litter of Pugapoos where each pup looks completely unique. This is actually quite common, with each puppy taking apparently random genetic cues from each parent. You could take two siblings from a litter that look like entirely different breeds of dog!


3. They Prefer to Stay Indoors

Some dogs are perfectly happy spending the majority of their time outside. In fact, some dogs are happier this way! But not the Pugapoo. This is an indoor dog through and through. Don’t get a Pugapoo and expect to keep them out in the yard. Your dog will be very unhappy and will openly display its displeasure to let you know. Don’t be surprised if a Pugapoo left outside for too long is sitting at the door growling.

Parents Breeds of the Pugapoo
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Pugapoo 🧠

Poodles are known for being highly intelligent dogs, and Pugs are far from dumb themselves. Pugapoo pups tend to follow suit, generally displaying above-average levels of intelligence.

These are also very playful and affectionate dogs. They want to be close to their person, playing together or cuddling up all the time. For this reason, they’re not well-suited for individuals, unless they’re going to be home a majority of the time and can be a true companion for their dog, like seniors often are.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Pugapoos make excellent family dogs. They can get along great with children, especially if they’re socialized with kids early on. Because these dogs are so loving, they’ll be close with all members of the family, unlike many dogs who bond closest with a single family member.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Pugapoos usually get along well with most other pets, even cats. They’re naturally very friendly creatures, but you can enhance this further with proper socialization. A Pugapoo that has been around kids and other pets since it was young is going to be a very social dog that gets along well with just about everyone.

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Things to Know When Owning a Pugapoo:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Pugapoos tend to be smaller-sized dogs. Like all small dogs, particularly Pugs, Pugapoos will be prone to overfeeding. A small bit of overeating can mean a large amount of weight gain for small dogs. Be sure to monitor your Pugapoo’s intake so that it’s not eating more than necessary.

These dogs will continue to eat if the food is there, so it’s up to you to only provide what they need and cut them off after that.

Exercise 🐕

Because they’re so small, Pugapoos don’t require a lot of exercise. They don’t need a lot of space either, making them equally at home in an apartment or house. A short daily walk and a bit of playtime should be plenty of exercise for these little pups.

Training 🦮

With highly intelligent parents, the Pugapoo has the potential for easy training. They’ll generally learn quickly and easily, but they sometimes can be stubborn. If you start training your Pugapoo early and use a lot of positive reinforcement, you can train this stubbornness out of them and they’ll make excellent training dogs. At this point, they’ll even do very well with advanced training.

You might be surprised to know, but Pugapoos are quite agile and do well with agility courses and other similar physical endeavors. They catch on pretty quickly and have the physicality to pull it off

Grooming ✂️

Pugapoos coats can range from short and straight to long and curly. As such, their grooming needs will have to be adjusted accordingly. Generally speaking, they don’t require much grooming, only needing a good brushing every few weeks, especially if they take after the Poodle side more.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Pugapoos aren’t known to have many common health concerns, but they’re a fairly new breed and still need time to develop. We can look to the parent breeds for some clues as to what they may experience. Each breed has its own issues, but breathing problems and hip dysplasia are two of the most prevalent.

Though most common in larger dog breeds, hip dysplasia can also be passed down genetically, and Poodles are known for having major problems with this disease. This disease causes the hip to not sit right in the joint pocket. It will then rub against the bone, causing pain and inhibiting movement. It’s a problem that will continue to worsen as your dog ages.

Pugs are what’s known as a brachycephalic dog breed. This means they have short, flat faces with wide heads. This altered bone structure can cause several problems. When it causes breathing problems, it’s called brachycephalic airway syndrome. This syndrome is what causes Pugs to snore and snort. It’s not generally a major concern, though it can be. Not all Pugapoos will develop this, and if they do, it likely won’t be a major health concern.

Minor Conditions
  • Breathing problems
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia

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Male vs Female

As with many canines, there can be some differences between male and female Pugapoos. While these differences may not always pan out, they hold true most of the time.

Males tend to be on the larger size; a bit heavier, and a bit taller. They can also be a little more aggressive and territorial than slightly smaller females. Females also tend to be more loving and affectionate than males.

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Final Thoughts

Spanning a wide range of looks and personalities, the Pugapoo is an adorable dog that combines some of the qualities displayed by Poodles and Pugs. They can be as small as 10 pounds or as heavy as 30 and they come in all shades and colors. This breed is incredibly friendly and affectionate. They need a lot of love and don’t want to be left alone for long, especially outside! Equally adapted for apartment living or a house, Pugapoos don’t require much space or exercise to be happy.

If you’ve considered a Poodle or a Pug before but the outrageous prices sent you reeling, then a Pugapoo might be the adorable pup to replace them.


Featured Image Credit: Brook Robinson, Shutterstock

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