Pugapoo Basics
If you love the personality and temperament of the Poodle but prefer the small size of the Pug, you may not have to choose between the two – you can choose a Pugapoo which is a cross of both breeds. The Pugapoo varies in size, appearance, and temperament depending on breeding but it will exhibit a combination of the features you love from both breeds. For the most part, Pugapoos are friendly and fun-loving – they also tend to respond well to training and they get along well with children. If you are looking for a small, friendly family pet, you may want to consider the Pugapoo.
Pugapoos are friendly and fun-loving – they also tend to respond well to training and they get along well with children.
Origin
Hybrid dogs have been in existence for many years, so the first crossing of a Pug and a Poodle may have occurred long ago. The exact origins of the Pugapoo are unknown and no one breeder or kennel is credited with the development of this breed. The Poodle was originally developed in Germany as a water dog and its origins can be traced back to the 15th century or earlier. The Pug is a Chinese breed that was brought over to Europe during the 16th century and bred as a companion pet.
Pedigree
The Pugapoo is a hybrid breed, a cross between the Pug and the Poodle. It is possible for a Pugapoo to have more or less than 50 percent of either parent breed depending on breeding.
Food/Diet
The Pugapoo is a small-breed dog and, as such, should be offered a dog food that is specially formulated for small breeds. This type of dog food is designed to meet the energy needs of small breed dogs.
This breed responds well to training and generally does well with positive reinforcement.
Training
The Pugapoo is a cross between and Pug and a Poodle, one of the most intelligent dog breeds, so it is a fairly smart dog. These dogs tend to be highly receptive to new people and places during the first few months of life so expose them to as many new things as you can. This breed responds well to training and generally does well with positive reinforcement. As is true with all dogs, it is recommended that you start your Pugapoo puppy with training and socialization as early as possible to prevent the development of problem behaviors.
Weight
The size of the Pugapoo may vary depending on breeding but, for the most part, this breed stands between 8 and 15 inches tall and weighs between 10 and 30 pounds.
Temperament/Behavior
The Pugapoo is not an overly excitable dog but it does have a good bit of energy, especially a puppy. These dogs are playful and fun-loving and they genuinely love to spend time around people. Pugapoos learn quickly and they are eager to meet new people. One thing to be wary of with this breed is that they do tend to bark, so you should plan to teach your dog to stop barking on command. Socialize your Pugapoo from an early age and make sure he gets plenty of daily exercise and playtime to prevent the development of problem behaviors.
Common Health Problems
For the most part, the Pugapoo is a healthy breed. In many cases, crossbred dogs are less likely to develop congenital conditions than purebred dogs simply because the gene pool is much larger. That is not to say that the Pugapoo isn’t prone to developing certain conditions – all breeds have the potential to be affected by a number of different diseases. Some of the conditions most likely to affect the breed include eye problems, breathing problems, hip dysplasia, and allergies.
Life Expectancy
The average lifespan for the Pugapoo is 12 to 14 years.
Exercise Requirements
The Pugapoo is not an overly active breed but it does have a good bit of energy and loves to play with children and family. This dog requires a daily walk but it doesn’t require vigorous exercise.
These dogs are playful and fun-loving and they genuinely love to spend time around people.
AKC
The Pugapoo is not recognized by the AKC because it is technically a hybrid of two pure breeds rather than a new breed. This breed is, however, recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Breed Registry.
Coat
The Pugapoo exhibits two different coat types – straight or curly. These dogs do not shed a great deal but they do require regular grooming and trimming to keep their fur under control, especially with the curly coat. Pugapoos exhibit a variety of different colors including black, cream, brown, gold, gray, white, and every combination in between. Because this hybrid is mixed with a Poodle, there is a chance that your Pugapoo will be hypoallergenic.
Puppies
Pugapoo puppies vary in appearance depending on breeding. Some puppies are born with short, straight coats while others develop longer, wavy coats. As is true with all dogs, it is recommended that you start your Pugapoo puppy with training and socialization as early as possible to prevent the development of problem behaviors.
Photo credit: Brooke/Flickr; Rachelegreen/Wikimedia
