Designer dog breeds properly gained currency with poodles, and today pug mixed breeds are becoming increasingly popular.
The primary benefit of cross-breeding pugs is to minimize the dog’s chances of developing one of the many hereditary diseases associated with pugs.
With an easy-going temperament and those cute, charismatic features, the pug makes a great choice for inexperienced or first-time owners.
15 Favorite Pug Mixed Breeds
- Puggle
- Pug Tzu
- Jug
- Chug
- Bugg
- Shug
- Hug
- Pugador
- Bullpug
- Pugalier
- Bassugg
- AffenPug
- Poxer
- Frug
- Puginese
1) Puggle
Back in the 1980s, US dog breeders began experimenting with the cross-breeding of dogs. The Puggle – a pug crossed with a beagle – was one of the early results of this experimentation.
Despite being a mixed breed, Puggles are still sadly prone to the health issues that are common in each of the parent breeds. These conditions include epilepsy, cherry eye, and hip dysplasia.
As with all of the cross-breed dogs on our list today, the physical characteristics of the Puggle vary substantially depending on which parent’s genes are dominant.
The Puggle, then, gives you the intelligence and skillset of the beagle combined with the energy and the playfulness common to pugs.
Read More: Why Do Beagles End Up in Shelters? See why this popular breed is often surrendered.
2) Pug Tzu
A pug crossed with the endearing Shih Tzu yields the Pug Tzu.
The coat of this mixed breed can vary from the short fawn or black coat common to pugs through to the longer and more colorful coat of the Shih Tzu.
Give the sunny disposition of the parent breeds, you can expect the Pug Tzu to be similarly happy and friendly. Their temperament makes them unsuitable for watchdogs. As with any cross breed, though, this is not guaranteed. Nothing is guaranteed when you mix dog breeds.
A house dog calling for very little exercise, you need to keep an eye out for the breathing problems this cross breed is prone to developing.
3) Jug
A pug crossed with a Jack Russell gives you the Jug, a mixed breed that is not accurately documented. From what we do know, Jugs first started springing up in the United States in the 1960s.
While the Jug is becoming more popular, it’s also a pretty rare mixed breed, so you’ll turn heads with this furball.
Typically a healthy breed, Jugs are nevertheless prone to some health conditions, including luxating patellae, hip dysplasia, dental issues, eye health, vision issues, and cancer.
Energetic and active dogs, make sure you have the time and ability to give them plenty of vigorous exercise. Make sure you have a good dog fence for your yard, though. These dogs are prone to digging relentlessly.
4) Chug
When you cross the twee chihuahua with a pug, you get the Chug or Pugwawa.
Both parents are house dogs, and this mixed breed is cut from the same cloth.
Although Chugs are tiny, they are brimming with confidence and tend to attack other dogs, regardless of size.
This cross breed often overeats, so keep an eye on weight management to avoid the problems associated with canine obesity.
5) Bugg
When you cross a pug with a Boston terrier, you get the lovable Bugg.
Buggs are liable to inherit issues with their breathing, backs, and joints, common problems for both parent breeds.
A more welcome genetic inheritance comes in the form of the gentle and friendly disposition Buggs are famous for.
Quite tough to house train and requiring moderate exercise levels, these whip-smart dogs are great if you have kids in the house.
6) Shug
When the enduringly popular German shepherd is crossed with the pug, you end up with the Shug, a bright, energetic, and active designer doggo.
Check out a comprehensive list of the best German shepherd mixed breeds for more inspiration.
7) Hug
Crossing a husky with a pug returns the sprawling Hug.
Packed with energy and requiring lots of vigorous exercise, these mixed breed dogs can inherit characteristics from either parent, so what you end up with here can vary dramatically.
8) Pugador
When the pug is crossed with the labrador retriever, you get the remarkably devoted Pugadors. Even by the exacting standards of most dogs, this mixed breed is intensely loyal and will never leave your side.
Avoid this cross breed if you’re looking for an independent dog happy to spend lots of time alone.
9) Bullpug
Smaller than their bulldog parents, the Bullpug results from crossing the pug with the bulldog.
Even when fully grown, this cute designer dog still retains puppy-like features. Floppy ears and deep brown eyes combined with those trademark wrinkles give you a dog you’ll want to pick up and cuddle on sight.
The goofy nature of the pug dilutes some of the standoffishness English bulldogs have a reputation for, and the Bullpug is a social and fun dog, an ideal addition to a family with kids and other pets in the house.
Susceptible to a laundry list of health conditions, you’ll need to take proper care of your Bullpug with close veterinary supervision.
These cross-bred dogs have pretty low energy levels and like nothing more than relaxing on the couch or snoozing on their favorite dog bed.
10) Pugalier
If you cross a cavalier King Charles spaniel with a pug, you get the regal Pugalier.
These lapdogs are wrinkled and incredibly sweet, affectionate pups. They have a strong desire to please and will interact well with children.
With similar short noses to the pug, this cross breed can often develop breathing problems.
These dogs often overeat so make sure to keep an eye on their food intake, and to offset this tendency with plenty of exercise for your fur baby.
11) Bassugg
When you cross the basset hound with the pug, you get the striking Bassugg.
Taking on the physical characteristics of both parent breeds, you’ll get the long, stocky body and short bowed legs of the basset hound married to the short noses, wrinkles, curly tails, and grumpy expressions characteristic of pugs.
Gentle and easy-going around kids, these cross-bred dogs are easy to train and super-smart. Make sure you give them plenty of exercise, and plenty of stimulation, too.
12) AffenPug
When you cross a German Affenpinscher – monkey terrier – with the pug, you end up with the
AffenPug.
This mixed breed dog looks at a glance like an Ewok from Star Wars.
Small dogs, they are loaded with attitude and personality. Although friendly, they can also exhibit a stubborn streak.
Loyal and always ready to follow you, these devoted dogs have moderate energy levels.
13) Poxer
When you cross the pug with the boxer, you end up with a Poxer, a dog somewhere between the sizes of its parents breeds.
Puggish wrinkles tend to come through, along with lengthy tails and pointy ears.
Cuddly and affectionate dogs, Poxers are highly energetic and very curious. Alert and intelligent, they make great family dogs, assuming you take care of their abundant exercise needs. Poxers are also effective guard dogs.
14) Frug
The Frug is the union between the pug and the French bulldog.
With upright ears and wrinkled foreheads, these sweet dogs interact well with people of all ages.
This mixed breed doesn’t fare too well in hotter climates due to the breathing problems they tend to develop.
Territorial, you should ensure this mixed breed is properly socialized from puppyhood.
15) Puginese
Crossing the pug with the Pekingese delivers a mixed breed that’s super-sweet and very cuddly, bonding very closely with their owners and the rest of the family.
This cross breed doesn’t have very high energy levels, so they make the smoothest fit in more relaxed households.
As with many short-nosed dogs, the Puginese can struggle with breathing, something that’s more noticeable when the mercury rises. If you live somewhere with year-round sun, this is not the best pug mixed breed for you.
Since these dogs often have a stubborn streak, you should train them properly to correct this.
Lazy and regularly found napping, these character-filled dogs are well worth considering if you’re looking at mixed breed pugs.
Conclusion
We very much hope today’s glimpse at the best pug mixed breeds has given you some inspiration.
Never rush into bringing a dog home and always make sure you do plenty of research. If any of the mixed breed pugs we showcase today takes your fancy, start reading up on the breed in more depth to establish whether it’s suitable for you and your lifestyle.
We have a busy content calendar for the coming months here at BarkVA, so we’d suggest you bookmark our blog before you head off. Be sure to pop back soon any time you need advice on anything canine. See you soon!
