Brindle Pug: Key Features and Breed Traits Guide for 2022

Brindle Pugs are great for families, and will surely bring smiles and lots of laughs with their goofy nature. Personality aside, this breed has a long and proud history and defining characteristics.

Keep reading to learn whether this breed is right for your family!

What Is a Brindle Pug?

The Brindle Pug is a rare find because of its unusual coat color.

Brindle is a pattern that consists of layering with black and a lighter color. This gives the Brindle Pug a uniquely beautiful coat.

The lightly colored base can be:

• Silver
• Fawn
• Apricot

Only 1% of Pugs sport the brindle coat, making it the rarest type of Pug.

Other coat colors that pugs are more likely to have include:

• Black
• Fawn
• Apricot
• Silver Fawn

The most identifiable trait of the Brindle Pug is its small size. A fully grown Brindle Pug is typically 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder. It’s common for Pugs to weigh between 14 and 18 pounds.

The Pug was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885. Many historians agree the breed originated in China and there are records of the Pug existing all the way back in 400 B.C.

Throughout this time, Pugs led a glamorous life, living in upper-class homes and royal palaces! With its esteemed history, it only makes sense that the Brindle Pug is highly sought after.

Why Is the Brindle Pug So Rare?

Brindle Pugs have a complicated history full of debate on their legitimacy and aren’t considered purebred by most experts. 

Because of this belief, the AKC doesn’t recognize brindle as a standard color or pattern for Pugs. They can’t enter dog shows for this reason.

Brindle Pugs come from parents who have the brindle gene. Some believe the gene came about from cross-breeding. Others believe brindle has always been in the Pug’s genes.

Many official breeders avoid breeding brindles because of the lack of AKC recognition, which accounts for the reason they’re so rarely found.

For more information on the brindle coat and which breeds it appears in, check out our Best Brindle Dog Breeds Guide!

How Much Does a Brindle Pug Cost?

Because of their rarity, Brindle Pugs can come with a hefty price tag. The price range for a Brindle Pug can be between $800 and $2,000.

Many factors can affect the price you pay, including:

• Health
• Lineage
• Breeder reputation
• Local supply and demand

Lower pricing is more common in older Brindle Pugs, while pups tend to cost more. 

How to Buy a Brindle Pug

It’s highly recommended to buy from a reputable breeder. You can find a Pug breeder on the AKC Marketplace or through word of mouth. 

You can also use websites such as PetFinder to try to locate one at a shelter. The chances are lower that you’ll find one this way, but the adoption fee is much more reasonable. That said, you most likely won’t get information about the lineage of your new pet.

What to Know Before Buying a Brindle Pug

Like with any breed, there are a few key things to know before buying a Brindle Pug. These facts can be a gauge for how this breed could impact your day-to-day routine and lifestyle.

These traits include:

• Lifespan
• Temperament
• Trainability
• Exercise needs
• Whether they’re good for first-time dog owners
• Whether they’re good with children

It’s important to make sure that their traits and needs match your lifestyle. This will make both you and your new pooch much happier. Matching your dog’s needs with your own will drastically reduce the chances of needing to rehome your pet.

Keep reading for more information.

Lifespan

On average, the life expectancy for Brindle Pugs is 12 to 15 years. Fortunately, the lifespan is long for this lovable breed and they’ll be sure to provide great memories throughout the years. 

Temperament

When it comes to owning a Brindle Pug, you can expect an immediate attachment. This breed will want to be by your side 24/7. Because of this, your dog won’t be too happy if he or she is left alone at home for long periods of time.

Some common personality traits include:

• Fun-loving
• Goofy
• Playful
• Affectionate

They do have a stubborn side, though, which can be especially noticeable during house training! Consistency is key with this breed.

How Is a Brindle Pug Trained?

Because this breed isn’t too active, excessive training isn’t required. Unlike other breeds, all that’s required for your Brindle Pug to learn are a few common tricks and skills throughout their growth.

These skills include teaching your Pug its name and common tricks such as “Sit” and “Stay”.

You should set a regular schedule for various things, including:

• Feeding time
• Potty breaks
• Naptime 

Crate and house training are crucial for your Pug to learn. This shows the difference between their crate and bathroom. Once this is properly understood, your Pug will have an easier time with training.

Pugs are high-maintenance, so introducing them to the regular grooming routines early on will help in later years to come!

Socializing is another common training area for puppies. You can achieve this by taking your pup out to places where they can meet both people and pets. Socialization not only helps the Pug age out of timidness and anxiety, but it makes them much more sociable.

Exercise Needs

Brindle Pugs do require exercise, but not as much as other breeds do. Because of Pugs’ squished noses and the breathing problems they’re prone to, they prefer shorter exercise times.

A couple of 15 minute walks a day can give them achieve enough exercise. Visiting dog parks or playing are also good ways of keeping your Brindle Pug active. When bringing your dog to the park, remember to keep it collared for safety. 

Need a reliable collar for your new Pug puppy? Stop by our Best Small Dog Collars review and guide!

Are They Good for Beginners?

In the case of the Brindle Pug, they can potentially be a good first dog if you’re prepared for certain things. This breed does require extra attention, as well as medical care if his or her squashed face shape causes medical problems. 

Their small size and minimal exercise needs also make them a great choice for apartment living. A Brindle Pug can be a great addition to your life, even as a first-time owner.

Are Brindle Pugs Good with Children?

Brindle Pugs are fun and sociable dogs and can fit in easily with the family dynamic. As a whole, Brindle Pugs are known to be loving and affectionate towards children. 

Socialization helps them become closer with all family members. Regardless of the children’s age, the Brindle Pug will get along with them just fine and become a great companion.

How Much Grooming Does My Brindle Pug Need?

The Pug is low-maintenance when it comes to brushing and bathing. They should be brushed a couple of times a week for shedding and bathed every few weeks. Their activity level can both increase or decrease the frequency of bathing.

Dirt and dander can be loosened from the Pug’s coat by giving them a once-over with a high-velocity dryer or brush prior to bathing. This is also a highly recommended method as it makes bath time easier!

What Other Care is Required for a Brindle Pug?

For a miniature dog, you wouldn’t expect the Brindle Pug to require a lot of maintenance, but contrary to their stature, this breed can require some extra care.

• Wrinkles are a distinguishable feature for many Pugs, and if your Pug happens to have them, their folds will need cleaning. Regular cleaning can prevent skin yeast infections. The folds should be kept both dry and clean using wet wipes. 
• Brindle Pugs shed a lot! Because of this, brushing their coat often can come in handy as it picks up any loose hair hiding in the coat. Grooming gloves can be especially useful as it reaches deep, grabbing all the dead hairs.
• Tending to the paws should be done every two weeks unless your Brindle Pug is extremely active. If that’s the case, care should be done more often. Applying paw wax to their paw pads helps protect against hot and cold walking surfaces.
• Pugs need their nails trimmed every once in a while! For most Brindle Pugs, trimmings can be done every 6 to 8 weeks, when the nails are grown out. 
• Their large eyes are susceptible to collecting flecks of debris. This problem can be warded off by wiping away eye discharge or any fine particles as often as possible.
• Keeping their ears clean is important. A Brindle Pug’s ears should be cleaned once every 6 weeks.
• Pugs may be prone to a dry or chapped nose, this can be helped by applying nose balm once a week or as often as 3 times a day. Dry environments or taking your dog out in the cold can cause dryness.

While this may seem like a lot of work, nearly every task is quick and easy. They can easily be grouped together so you aren’t spending as much time on them.

the Best Diet for a Brindle Pug

When it comes to dog food, there are a lot of options to choose from, but what’s the best for Pugs? These are some things you should keep in mind when choosing dog food.

• Instead of canned wet food, opt for dry kibbles formulated for small dogs. Large breed food can lead to weight gain, as well as damage to the pug’s teeth.
• As a general rule, real meat as the first ingredient in your dog food is ideal. Checking the first 3 ingredients for any byproducts is also useful, as these should be avoided when high on the list.
• If you want to treat your Brindle Pug with some wet dog food, make sure you keep an eye on the calorie count! Managing this breed’s food intake and weight is key to preventing obesity.

Some fun foods to incorporate in your Brindle Pugs diet include:

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Chicken
• Beef
• Lamb

Just be sure that you watch how much human food you give your dog so that they get the right balance of nutrients.

What Should Be Avoided When Feeding a Brindle Pug?

There are many other foods that should be avoided when it comes to your Brindle Pug’s diet. Oftentimes, human foods are highly toxic to dogs, and there are a few that are unique to this breed, as well.

Although potatoes can be incorporated into the Pugs diet, raw potatoes can be harmful. If you’re planning on giving this breed potato, make sure it’s fully cooked. Fruit can be toxic to this breed.

Some of the fruits to avoid include:

• Cherries
• Grapes
• Peach pits
• Currants
• Plums

Feeding them these fruits can also cause health problems such as heart disease or kidney failure. In addition to fruits, these are some of the other foods you should avoid giving your dog.

These include:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Avocados
• Mushrooms
• Green tomatoes
• Chocolate
• Caffeine

While they vary in severity, all of these can have harmful effects on your beloved pooch. To keep him or her safe, it’s best to avoid them entirely.

Do Brindle Pugs Have Health Problems?

Most dog breeds do come with a history of health problems. Brindle Pugs are subject to a few, with many being specific to the Pug breed.

Some of these conditions include:

• Nose and breathing problems
• Hip dysplasia
• Obesity
• Cherry Eye
• Brachycephalic Syndrome
• Encephalitis

Remember, this doesn’t mean that your Pug will end up with any of these, just that they’re more likely to get these diagnoses than other breeds.

What We Like About Brindle Pugs

In general, owning a Brindle Pug comes with many benefits. These small dogs have a lot of great things to provide!

• If you’re able to get your hands on this dog, you’d be lucky, since Pugs with a brindle coat are rare.
• The Brindle Pug is sure to stick by its owner’s side, making it a great addition to the family. This dog can also be great in homes with children of any age.
• With a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years, this dog will likely be around for a long time and provide a lot of great memories.
• This breed is great for apartment living.
• As far as activity level goes, the Brindle Pug is relatively low maintenance, only requiring a few 15-minute walks per day.

Besides, who can resist that adorable, smooshed face? We sure can’t!

Potential Drawbacks of Having a Brindle Pug

Although Pugs have a lot of favorable traits, there are also a few negatives to the breed.

These include the following:

• Pricing can lean on the high side due to the rarity, especially if you’re buying from a reputable breeder.
• Maintenance and regular grooming can be time-consuming and may not be feasible for some pet owners.
• The breed is susceptible to health conditions, particularly breathing difficulties.
• Your Brindle Pug might have a hard time if they’re left home alone for long periods.

If your lifestyle can accommodate these struggles, a Pug might be just the right choice for you and your family.

Brindle Pug Statistics at a Glance

Before buying a Brindle Pug, it’s a good idea to review how they could affect your day-to-day routine and overall lifestyle. Giving thought to this breed’s temperament and requirements can help with the decision of whether or not the Brindle Pug is the right dog for you!

As long as you show this little dog lots of love, the Brindle Pug will provide love and loyalty for many years to come.