If you are looking for a small and alert mixed breed that is playful and energetic, the French Bulldog Pug mix is an ideal choice. This hybrid results from breeding a French Bulldog or Frenchie with a Pug resulting in a cheek pup that will shower you with loads of affection.
Both Frenchie and Pug parents belong to brachycephalic dog breeds and are famous companion pooches that are outgoing, and good with children as well as other dogs too Their mixed breed, therefore, makes an amazing companion as well. That is why the Frug is growing in popularity, especially due to its cuddly and calm disposition.
While the French bulldog pug mix is small in size, you can see how big their personality is which is one of the reasons why we love it. Most Frug Dogs have a wrinkly face like that of the pug parent and straight or upright ears like the Frenchie parent.
Does the French bulldog pug mix seem like a cross you want to take home with you? Well, the description shows how charming they are but there is more to dog ownership than the looks.
Today, we take a dive into the French Bulldog and Pug mix with a focus on their personality, appearance, training, exercise, nutrition, health issues, grooming, and more. By the end of this review, you will have determined whether this mixed breed is the right choice for you.
What is a French Bulldog Pug mix called?
The French Bulldog Pug mix is commonly known as a Frug while others call it a French Pug.
Being a designer dog, the AKC does not recognize it as a breed. However, it is acknowledged and can be registered with other registries like the DDKC, IDCR, ACHC, and DBR.
French Bulldog Pug mix puppy
Frenchie Pug puppies have an attractive wrinkly face that is irresistible to most people, even those who do not like dogs entirely. Despite their young age, they can be a handful to train due to a stubborn streak and a strong-willed nature. You will need a lot of patience and consistency in training commands.
It will be hard to also tell what your Frenchie Pug will look like as this may vary significantly. The best way to tell this is when they are full-grown.
Full-Grown French Bulldog Pug mix
When fully grown, a French Pug will stand anywhere between 10 and 13 inches in height with a weight of between 14 and 28 lbs. And while appearances may vary even with pups from the same litter, a Frug usually has a compact build, a wrinkly face, and a curled tail. We will discuss this in detail below in the Appearance section.
Check out this picture of a French Bulldog Pug mix brindle when fully grown.
French bulldog cross Pug black
Table
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | 10 to 13 inches |
| Weight | 14 to 28 lbs. |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Grooming | Moderate |
| Temperament | Friendly, loyal, playful, affectionate, strong-willed, but stubborn |
| Coat | Short to medium |
| Coat Colors | Fawn, brindle, black, white, cream, fawn brindle; a mixture of these colors |
History of the Breed
Not much is known about the origin of the Frug dog. Mixed dog breeds are thought to may have existed naturally or because of accidental breeding. The intentional creation of designer dogs by breeders, however, has been around for 2 to 3 decades now. The success of a single hybrid has led to their growth in demand among dog lovers which has led to increased popularity. The development of the French Pug is thought to have started somewhere in the US. It is likely that breeders needed a lap dog with the features of both parents but fewer health issues.
Let us take a brief look at the parents of the French Pug to understand the mix better.
Parents
The French Bulldog – Also known as Bouledogue Français (in French), the French Bulldog appeared in Paris in the mid-19th century but originated in England. This dog breed was created by lace workers with the aim of having a toy-sized (lap dog) type of the famous bulldog. When these workers traveled to France in search of better opportunities, they came with this doggie.
Frenchies are the 109th most intelligent dog breed when it comes to obedience and work and is considered the smartest of all bulldogs including their ancestors. These dogs are friendly and alert with an affectionate disposition, some of a few traits that make them great family dogs. The French Bulldog was acknowledged by the AKC as a breed in 1898. The Frenchie color requirements were established in 1911.
These toy dogs have a lifespan of between 10 and 14 years but are susceptible to health issues such as skin problems, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, mobility issues, breathing issues, and ear infections. Cherry eye and hip dysplasia are also common health problems.
The Pug – An ancient dog breed from China, the Pug was created purposely as a companion dog for the Chinese ruling families. These royal pooches lived in luxurious places where they were protected by soldiers until they later became popular across Asia. Buddhists in Tibet kept these dogs in monasteries for companionship as well.
This dog breed is characterized by a wrinkled face with a short muzzle and curled tail plus a glossy coat that sports a range of colors. These pups are charming, smart, playful, affectionate, friendly, calm but alert, and stubborn. All these traits make them incredible family dogs. The Pug was accepted as a breed by the AKC in 1885. In terms of dog IQ, Pugs are said to have below-average intelligence in obedience and work. However, they have high adaptive intelligence.
The Pug stands 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulders, as seen in this illustration, and has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Major health issues in pugs include canine hip dysplasia, pug dog encephalitis (PDE), and a very high risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Pugs are also prone to minor health issues such as entropion, obesity, patellar luxation, and more.
Appearance
Like other mixed breeds, it is difficult to tell what your Pug French Bulldog mix will look like until they are fully grown.
Predictably, the French Bulldog Pug mix will have a face that resembles both parents with large bat ears like the Frenchie parent and the wrinkled face of the Pug parent. This small-sized doggie will have a height of 10 to 13 inches at the shoulders and weigh between 14 and 28 lbs. You should expect your mix to have a stocky build and a short curly tail.
The French Pug has a double coat that is short to medium in length. The coat colors, however, will depend on the parent they take after most. You should expect your mixed breed to have solid coat colors such as brindle, white, black, fawn, fawn brindle, and cream. Frugs can also have a blend of these colors.
Temperament and Characteristics
The French Bulldog Pug mix has a wonderful disposition that makes them friendly and loyal. These pups will do anything to steal your attention and love being around you or following you everywhere you are in the house. Due to their Pug parent, Frugs are adaptable dogs that will become accustomed to their environs quickly. However, they will not do well in extremely warm temperatures as they are susceptible to overheating and breathing problems.
This mixed breed’s easy-going character makes them very good and patient with kids and they can play with them all day. These natural charmers will do anything to please you which is a plus when it comes to training them. And since they thrive on human companions, this also means that they are susceptible to separation anxiety that could lead to destructive behaviors.
French Pugs are guard dogs by nature. Therefore, they will need proper training and socialization to differentiate between an intruder and a stranger. This mix is also good with other dogs, so you do not expect trouble or commotion at home. You should, however, keep your Frug away from large pooches.
Ease of Training
While the French Bulldog mix with Pug tends to be stubborn, they are eager to please their owners which can make training a bit easier. However, you will need to introduce obedience training to them while they are still young. Being intelligent makes understanding commands easy and quick for your Frug dog, but it is recommended that you use positive reinforcement.
This crossbreed would not be a great choice for inexperienced dog owners especially due to its strong-willed nature. It takes tolerance and determination because they will take a little bit longer to be housetrained. Training sessions should be made enjoyable, short, and consistent.
Like all dogs, your French Pug needs early socialization to bring out the best in him. Let them meet new faces and dogs so they can familiarize themselves with the world around them. This will help bring a well-behaved mix that knows how to behave around people and other pets.
The video below explains the exercise requirements of a French Pug
Exercise
Although the French Bulldog Pug mix is playful and quite active, they do not have demanding exercise needs. These low exercise needs are appealing to many dog owners including retired seniors. That being said, your French Pug only needs 30 to 45 minutes of exercise each day. Include different activities such as walking and playing to help your pooch burn off excess energy.
You should avoid exercising your Frenchie Pug a lot during warmer seasons because their flat face causes breathing problems when exercising. This mix will also need mental stimulation. So, it is good that you invest in sturdy toys that he will play with to keep his mind busy and prevent boredom.
Nutritional Requirements
The French Bulldog Pug mix is a lap dog with high energy levels and will need proper nutrition to thrive. As such, feed them a high-quality diet that is made with healthy ingredients and formulated for small dog breeds with high energy levels.
Typically, a French Pug will consume between 1½ and 2 cups of premium kibble each day split into two small meals. Make sure you do not overfeed your Frug because they are prone to weight gain which can lead to serious health problems with joints especially.
If you are dubious about the amount of food or the type of dog food that you should feed your Frenchie Pug, you can consult your vet.
Health Issues
Although most mixed breeds have fewer health problems than their parents, the French Bulldog Pug mix tends to inherit most health issues.
Serious health conditions in Frenchie Pugs include Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), pulmonary stenosis, and prolapsed eye gland (cherry eye). Frugs are also prone to minor health conditions like patellar luxation, obesity, hypothyroidism, entropion & ectropion, and skin issues like dermatitis.
To make sure that your Frenchie Pug is in good health, make sure that you take him for regular vet visits for checkups. Should there be any special diet your vet recommends, feed them too.
Life Expectancy
A French Bulldog Pug mix has a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years.
How to Care for them
The best care for your French Bulldog Pug mix begins with proper nutrition and exercise as required. You also have to maintain the scheduled vet visits especially since French Pugs are susceptible to many serious health conditions that can be life-threatening. When you do that and groom them appropriately, then you will have a healthy and happy pooch.
Grooming
The Frenchie Pug has few grooming needs which means that their upkeep is considerably low. Their short, straight hair requires weekly brushing to keep your mixed breed neat. Since this cross sheds slightly, you must invest in a quality vacuum cleaner to pick up your dog’s hair.
This mix should be bathed monthly to keep their skin and coat healthy, and special focus must be done on skin folds if your Frug takes after the Pug parent. Check and clean their ears regularly to prevent infections and brush their teeth every day to promote optimal dental health.
Cost: Frenchie Pug for sale
If you are looking for a French Bulldog Pug mix for sale, expect to pay anything between $1,000 and $2,000 from a reputable and responsible breeder. The cost of breeding this mix is high especially because the mother (Frenchie) requires artificial insemination which is a costly process.
We recommend that you go to the breeder’s location, if possible, and see their workplaces as well as the health records of the Frenchie Pug mix parents.
Where to Adopt
Adopting a French Bulldog Pug mix is a great way of saving strayed and abandoned designer dogs. If you opt to adopt, ask workers in your local shelter whether Frugs are available. You can also check from rescue centers.
FAQs
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Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com
