When you combine a French Bulldog and a Pug, doggy genetics provide you with the Frug. He is an uncanny carbon copy of his parent breeds, from his flat-faced features to his clownish personality.
In this article, we will share important details about this designer breed that can help dog lovers make an informed decision if they are the right pawrents for a French Bulldog cross Pug Dog.
The History of the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog
Countless mixed-breed dogs have unknown points of origin, including the Frug. The lack of documentation about his breeding process leaves room for theories.
Accidental mating between the French Bulldog and Pug has probably happened since the inception of both breeds. However, it is posited that the intentional crossing of these two dogs started sometime around 20 to 30 years ago in America.
The precise origins of the French Bulldog cross Pug dog are at a dead end, unless dedicated breeders take the time to record this vital information.
For now, let us have a short glimpse into the history of his parent breeds to learn more about what this designer dog is like.
French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs first served as lapdogs of the lacemakers of Nottingham, England. After the downfall of the Industrial Revolution, these dogs emigrated with their owners to France.
From there, French Bulldogs gained popularity amongst Parisians of all walks of life, such as cafe owners, butchers, and even streetwalkers.
Even after many years since the development of the breed, the Frenchie is greatly favoured by many dog enthusiasts.
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Pugs
Pugs were bred to be companion dogs of ancient Chinese royalty. Eventually, these small dogs made their way to other parts of Asia such as Korea and Japan, where they were also highly valued. There were also many records of Pugs in European royal courts.
Pugs never fell out of popularity. Today, they remain one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
Since the French Bulldog and Pug dog breeds have existed for many years, they are officially acknowledged by major kennel clubs,, including the UK Kennel Club.
Unfortunately, the Frug is not yet afforded the same recognition as he is a relatively new breed with inconsistent traits.
However, he can be registered with other dog organisations like the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, Inc., International Designer Canine Registry, and Designer Breed Registry.
The Appearance of the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog
Being a newly developed mixed-breed dog, Frugs will have varying physical characteristics. It is common for them to look quite similar to either one or both of their parents.French Bulldog Cross Pug puppies have small, compact bodies with strong legs. Their tails can be short and curly like the Pugs or short and stumpy akin to the Frenchie.
The wrinkled faces of Frugs have a squished look to them since both of their parents are brachycephalic or flat-faced dogs. They possess large dark eyes and a short black muzzles with undershot bites.
Frug puppies commonly have erect, bat ears much like the French Bulldog. However, some of them may take after the Pug, which has semi-folded ears.
Their short coats have a fine, smooth texture and have a wide range of colours and patterns such as cream, black, fawn, brindle, and white. A few Frugs may inherit the iconic Pug mask on their faces.
The Size of the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog
The French Bulldog Cross Pug dog will display the same small stature as his parents.
Male Frugs stand approximately 11 to 12 inches (28 to 30 centimetres) tall and weigh between 18 and 23 pounds (8 to 10 kilos).
Female Frugs are usually slightly smaller in size, measuring around 11 to 12 inches (28 to 30 centimetres) and weighing about 15 to 20 pounds (7 to 9 kilos).
The compact size of French Bulldog Cross Pug Dogs allows them to easily habituate in large and small houses. They are great companion pets for apartment dwellers living in less spacious homes provided that their exercise needs are met.
The Grooming Needs of the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog
The short and straight coats of French Bulldog Cross Pug dogs are not prone to matting and tangles. However, this does not call for skipping brushing altogether. Their hair must be brushed once a week to reduce the amount of shed fur lying around your home.
Keep in mind that Frugs might inherit the sensitive skin of their parents. So make sure to use brushes with soft bristles. Run this grooming tool gently through the coats to avoid breaking skin and damaging hair.
Bathing should only be done once or twice a month unless the French Bulldog Cross Pug dog gets extremely dirty. On the other hand, wiping their body and facial folds clean must be carried out once a day.
It is crucial for pet owners to completely dry the wrinkles of Frugs after bath or daily skin fold cleaning. Otherwise, the moisture hastens the proliferation of harmful bacteria, which can result in health problems like bacterial infections.
The French Bulldog Cross Pug dog with upright ears can have monthly ear cleaning.
On the other hand, Frugs with semi-folded ears need cleaning once a week since the anatomy of their ears allows for easier accumulation of dirt, debris, and bacteria.
Dental issues are highly prevalent in small and brachycephalic dog breeds like the Frug. The tiny facial structure of these designer dogs hinders normal teeth formation, which leads to misalignment and dental crowding.
For this reason, daily toothbrushing is essential in preventing excessive tartar and plaque buildup in their teeth.
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The Temperament of the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog
The Frug comes from a lineage of dogs purposely bred for companionship. Thus, he easily gravitates towards seeking affection and bonding with his owners.Whilst these are endearing traits to have, they make him prone to separation anxiety. To prevent this behavioural issue from manifesting, get him used to being alone for small amounts of time at an early age.
The French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog will display a friendly and clownish personality like his parent breeds. Regardless, he should receive proper socialisation from puppyhood until he matures to keep him from learning unwanted behaviours like aggression.
A playful and humorous dog, the Frug makes a wonderful furry friend for children. However, as he is a small canine, his interactions with them should be closely monitored to ensure that children will handle him with gentleness and care.
French Bulldog Pug Mix is a great canine companion for other dogs when introduced properly in the household. We recommend pairing him with a dog his size to reduce the risks of injuries whenever they tussle during playtime.
The Exercise Requirements of the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog
The French Bulldog Cross Pug dog is a moderately active designer breed. He does not need extensive exercise, but a minimal amount of workout to keep him physically and mentally stimulated will do. About 30 to 40 minutes of daily activity is enough. The Frug requires variations in his exercise regimen. Daily walks can get boring quickly for him if you do not mix in other activities. So sprinkle short playtime sessions such as fetch, hide-and-seek, and obstacle course.
Invest in dog toys like flirt poles, snuffle mats, and treat dispensers since they help make exercise more enjoyable for the French Bulldog Cross Pug dog.
Note that brachycephalic dogs are extremely prone to heat exhaustion and exercise intolerance. Opt for indoor exercises on hot days and avoid going overboard when playing with the Frug.
Always monitor him for signs of overexercise such as excessive panting, hypersalivation, vomiting, and incoordination. Immediately stop the activity and let him rest if he exhibits these symptoms.
The Training Needs of the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dogs
French Bulldog Cross Pug Dogs will have their fair share of bullheadedness in training like their parents. Fortunately, they are highly food-motivated dogs, so rewarding their hard work with treats will boost their desire to participate.
Just make sure to use food rewards the right way. Avoid using them as bribes or else the Frug will develop the bad habit of heeding your commands only when offered with food.
Pawrents will inevitably experience hardships during dog training. Do not unleash your frustration on your canine companion even if he has made many mistakes.
Shouting and hurting him will not hasten his progress, but slow it down instead. Grace the Frug with consistent, patient, and firm leadership to achieve successful results.
The Health Problems of the French Bulldog Cross Pug
Crossing purebred dogs is believed to produce offspring with hybrid vigour. This refers to the improved health of mixed-breed puppies due to their genetic diversity. However, this is not always true. Both the French Bulldog and Pugs are often seen in the list of unhealthiest dog breeds. Mating the two of them increases the chances of giving birth to puppies that are predisposed to congenital issues, such as:
1. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
BOAS refers to a group of respiratory structure abnormalities that cause breathing difficulties in flat-faced dogs like the French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog.
This health condition can be managed through exercise restriction, weight management, and reducing heat exposure. If the deformities are severe, the veterinarian may suggest surgical correction to improve the Frug’s quality of life.
2. Atopic Dermatitis
This skin problem characterised by persistent itching and inflamed skin. The occurrence of atopic dermatitis in French Bulldog Cross Pug Dogs signifies an underlying health issue.
There are many possible triggers of this symptom such as skin allergies, flea or mite infestations, exposure to irritating substances, and bacterial and fungal infections.
The treatment of atopic dermatitis will depend on its root cause. Thus, Frugs affected by this skin issue need to be thoroughly tested to find the underlying disease.
3. Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation happens when the knee cap of a dog becomes dislocated. Severe cases of this orthopaedic disease can lead to gradual lameness and irreversible arthritis.
A combination of treatment methods can help hinder the development of patellar luxation in French Bulldog Cross Pug Dogs.
These include pain medications, joint supplements, and physical therapy. The worst forms of patellar luxation will be treated through surgery.
Due to the nature of the Frug’s lineage, breeding these designer dogs should be done with extreme care. Health-tested dogs with the least likelihood of developing hereditary illnesses must be the optimum choice for breeding stock.
Dog lovers who intend to bring home a Frug puppy need to source their ideal pet from a reputable breeder. Be sure to ask for proof that the puppy as well as his parents are health tested.
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FAQs About the French Bulldog Cross Pug
1. Will My French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog’s Ears Stand Up?
Many Frugs take after their French Bulldog parent when it comes to ear type. Your pet has a high chance of being born with his ear standing up.
If they are floppy, double-check his diet and ensure that it provides him with enough calcium. This mineral is essential to build strong upright ear cartilage.
Usually, it will take around 4 to 6 weeks for the cartilage on the base of the ears to start firming up. So try inspecting your French Bulldog Cross Pug puppy for this sign from time to time.
If his ears remain floppy at the age of 6 months, they are unlikely to stand up.
2. Do French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog Have Tails?
French Bulldog Cross Pug Dogs have tails. However, sometimes they can be hard to spot, especially if Frugs inherited the short straight tails of Frenchies.
3. Are French Bulldog Cross Pugs Good Dogs?
French Bulldog Cross Pugs are good dogs with a high affinity towards humans because of their lapdog lineage. With early and proper training and socialisation, they can quickly get along well with people and pets outside their family.
Remember that Frugs were bred to provide companionship. They do not do well when left alone for long periods. Training can help reduce their propensity to separation anxiety but not completely remove it.
Spending plenty of quality time with French Bulldog Cross Pugs is a must. They are a better fit for a household of people who can take turns keeping him company.
4. What Is the Lifespan of a French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog?
The lifespan of a French Bulldog Cross Pug Dog is between 10 and 12 years. Some Frugs may even live up to 15 years and beyond.
Many variables are involved when it comes to the life expectancy of dogs. Several of them are things beyond your control, which is why predicting your pet’s lifespan cannot be precisely done.
The best you can do is pour all of your efforts into keeping your furry pal happy and healthy. This way he will have a higher chance of living longer with you.
Summary
Crossing the popular French Bulldog with the equally famous Pug gives birth to the Frug’s existence. He has a unique combination of traits from his parent breeds. The Frug is a small, loving, and sociable lapdog with moderate energy levels. Despite his seemingly low-maintenance appearance, his predisposition to breed-specific ailments entails meticulous vet care, grooming routine, and exercise regimen.
Welcoming this designer dog into your home comes with additional financial responsibility. Thus, we advise considering availing of pet insurance to help cut the costs of future vet bills.
