Pugs are fantastic little dogs. The American Kennel Club describes this ancient breed as charming, mischievous, and loving.
We have researched 17 different pug mixed breeds. Our review of these cross-breeds can help you decide on the right fit for your home.
You’ll learn about exercise and grooming needs, common health problems, and what personality you can expect.
Let’s dive in and find the right pooch for your life.
Are Pug Mixes Healthier?
There is a commonly held assumption that mixed breeds are healthier than purebreds, based on the belief that a hybrid is healthier.
However, dedicated breeders have been working for decades to decrease the incidence of disease in their beloved breeds.
So are mixed breed dogs healthier? Several large-scale studies have given no clear determination about whether mixed breeds or purebreds are healthier.
One study showed 3.9% of the purebred dogs had a genetic disorder compared to 1.4% of the mixed breed dogs. So yes? Mixed breed dogs are healthier? Well, maybe.
That same study showed 30% of the mixed breed dogs carried a gene for a recessive disease compared to only 18% of the purebreds. Wait, so who is healthier?
A healthy puppy will come from a well-planned pairing of parents who have had appropriate health testing.
There are various tests to screen for common problems, like hip dysplasia.
There are genetic screening tests to see if a potential parent dog has the genes responsible for a disease.
By using any available and relevant tests, breeders give future puppies the best chance at a long, healthy life.
Reputable breeders of purebred dogs have been using health testing to improve the health of their breeds.
Mixed breed breeders can use the same tests to decide which pairings will produce not just adorable puppies but healthy ones.
17 Adorable Pug Mixed Breeds
1. Chihuahua Pug mix
image source: Instagram
Sometimes called a Chug, this adorable mix often combines the petite frame of the Chihuahua and the adorably squishy face of the Pug.
A small breed dog, the Chug can be a great apartment pup and big-city dweller.
Both Chihuahuas and Pugs are prone to knee problems, ensure both parents have had their knees checked by an expert! They are also both at risk for several eye problems.
Mom and Dad should have their eyes looked at by an ophthalmologist before they are bred.
Pugs shed like fiends! Chihuahuas also shed, but their short, close coat means you don’t notice much hair around the house.
Your Chug puppy could inherit either coat, so be prepared for shedding.
Their adorable nature makes up for their gift of hair on your clothes.
Chihuahuas and Pugs both belong to the Companion Group of dogs.
They are friendly and outgoing, so a Chug puppy should be affectionate and cuddly.
They can make awesome therapy dogs as they love to meet new people.
image source: youtube
This mix is between our beloved Pug and either a Pembroke Welsh or Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Also called a Porgi, this mix will have a wide range of sizes.
Corgis range from 25-38 lb, so your Porgi may be more the size of a Pug or could be near 40 lb full grown.
Both varieties of Corgi are high energy herding dogs.
Depending on who your Porgi takes after, you might need to be ready for a dog who needs a lot of exercise.
Corgis shed as much as Pugs, so get ready for tons of hair!
Both Pembrokes and Cardigans are prone to eye issues and hip dysplasia, just like the Pug.
Both parents should have hip x-rays and eye exams before they are bred.
A Porgi could inherit the dwarfism of the Corgi and may be at risk for joint and back problems.
Corgis tend to have a lot to say. A Porgi pup may be talkative! Corgis are very clever dogs who are eager to learn. This mix could create smart, easy to train dogs.
3. Husky Pug mix
image source: Pinterest
How can you not be charmed by a mix that’s known as a Hug? This interesting mix can have a vast size range.
Huskies can be up to 60 lb so a Husky Pug mix could be anywhere from a toy dog right up to a large dog.
We mentioned that Pugs shed, but they have nothing on the double-coated Siberian Husky.
This mix could have a ton of coat, perfect for exploring the great outdoors, but maybe not awesome for your carpet.
The Siberian Husky was bred to pull sleds. This high energy dog will not be content with a stroll around the park.
Your Hug might inherit a Pug level of energy, or you may have your own squishy faced sled dog.
With similar predispositions to eye and hip problems, make sure both parents had their health testing done.
Huskies are known for being vocal; you might end up with a Hug puppy who can howl!
The Husky’s startling blue eyes attract many admirers. Some Husky/Pug mixes will inherit this striking feature.
Huskies tend to be more independent, where Pugs crave closeness with their family. A Hug puppy could end up somewhere in between.
4. Pug Poodle mix
image source: Pinterest
There are a lot of mixes with poodles. Their sweet nature makes them an awesome family pet. Their non-shedding coats appeal to people with allergies.
A Pugapoo, or Pug and Poodle mix could be a great addition to your family.
There are three sizes of poodles. Toys are under 10 inches tall, miniature poodles are 10 to 15 inches, and Standard Poodles are over 15 inches.
Depending on which size poodle was a parent, your Pugapoo could be a toy dog or a large dog.
Not every poodle mix will end up with their beautiful curly coat. Some mixes will shed, but all will need regular grooming.
A professional groomer may be best equipped to handle your Pugapoo’s coat.
Toy and mini poodles have the same risks for luxating patella (kneecap dislocation) as a Pug.
They also share the risk of eye diseases and hip dysplasia.
Having all of the recommended tests for each breed done will help ensure your Pugapoo will be healthy.
These sweet, gregarious breeds will likely produce a happy and affectionate puppy.
5. Pug Beagle mix
image source: Instagram
One of the original Pug mixed breeds, the Puggle is a combination of Pug and Beagle.
Coming from similar sized parents, a Puggle’s size should be fairly consistent.
Your Puggle will likely be around 13 inches and 20 lb.
Beagles are scent hounds. They LOVE to follow their nose! Your Puggle may need some work to be trustworthy off-leash.
Both Beagles and Pugs love their food. Watch your Puggle’s waistline to ensure they don’t get pudgy.
Beagles have a predisposition to several genetic disorders.
Your Puggle’s breeder should test the Beagle parent for all the conditions they are at risk for.
Even when mixing breeds, your potential puppy will still be at risk.
Beagles have a similar coat to Pugs; Puggles will definitely shed.
Regular brushing will help keep their coat in good condition and minimize the hair you will see around the house.
Beagles and Pugs are both gentle, sweet dogs. A Puggle should be a great family pet.
6. Boston Terrier Pug mix
image source: Instagram
Buggs, or Boston/Pug mixes will for sure have that adorable squishy face.
As both breeds are brachycephalic (squishy face), watch out for bulging eyes or breathing problems.
With eye and patella risks on both sides, ensuring the parents have had their health testing is critical.
Buggs should have the same charming, clown-like character as the Boston Terrier and the Pug.
Both breeds tend to be great with kids and make lovely family dogs.
Buggs will still need daily exercise and regular brushing, but shedding should be manageable.
A Bugg puppy will likely be happy, outgoing, and affectionate.
7. Bulldog Pug mix
image source: Instagram
Almost guaranteed to have lovable wrinkles, a Bulldog Pug mix is sometimes called a Miniature Bulldog.
As neither dog is a big barker, a Miniature Bulldog is likely to be relatively quiet.
Expected to be around 16 inches high and 30 lb, this moderate-sized dog could be a good family pet in an apartment.
Both breeds shed, so Miniature Bulldogs will as well, but regular brushing will help manage this.
Bulldogs are prone to a variety of health concerns. Like the Pug, their patellas should be checked. They should also have an exam by a cardiologist to check their heart.
They are also prone to a rare concern called Tracheal Hypoplasia. They should have x-rays of their throat to confirm they are healthy.
If you’re not sure a high energy dog will fit into your life, a Miniature Bulldog might be a good choice. They are likely to be moderate to low energy.
8. Pitbull Pug mix
image source: Instagram
The mix of a Pug and Pitbull, called a Pug Pit, can range in size from smaller, like a Pug, to a Pitbull’s size, which could easily be 60 lb.
Pitbulls are super active dogs. A true terrier needs a lot of exercises and mental stimulation.
The Pug may balance this, but a Pug Pit could definitely be a high energy dog.
The Pitbull’s short coat might decrease the shedding in a Pug Pit, but regular brushing will still be essential.
Pitbulls tend to be friendly and confident. The Pug Pit could be an outgoing, affectionate, and happy breed.
9. French Bulldog Pug mix
image source: Instagram
The Frenchie Pug or Frug is one of the most popular Pug mixed breeds.
Likely to inherit the Frenchie’s bat ears and maintain the wrinkled face, this adorable dog will win your heart.
French Bulldogs are at risk for eye diseases, heart problems, elbow, knee, and hip problems, and the same Tracheal Hypoplasia as the Bulldog.
Any potential parent Frenchie should undergo all the recommended testing so their Frenchie/Pug puppies aren’t at risk.
Frenchies and Pugs tend to be good-natured, friendly dogs. Both breeds are affectionate and enjoy attention. A Frug puppy will likely be a great cuddler.
10. Pomeranian Pug mix
image source: Instagram
The Pom-a-Pug has a wide variation in looks as Pomeranians and Pugs are so different.
A Pom-a-Pug might have the double coat of a Pomeranian or the Pug’s smooth coat or a fluffy in between.
The ears might stand up, like the alert Pomeranian, or fold like the pug.
They may have the pointier snout of a Pomeranian, or the squished face of a Pug.
Both the Pomeranian and the Pug are classified as brachycephalic, so both are potentially prone to eye issues and breathing issues.
They are notorious for knee problems, so ensure both parents were cleared before the breeding.
The Pom-a-Pug will be a small dog, as neither the Pom nor the Pug is large.
Both breeds are pretty chill, so a Pom-a-Pug might be a great apartment dog.
Pomeranians can be yappy, your Pom-a-Pug might like to bark.
With two friendly, happy, and affectionate breeds, this mix should be outgoing and cheerful.
11. Pug Dachshund mix
image source: Instagram
The Daug might end up with the dwarfism of a dachshund and be long and low to the ground or maintain the Pug’s leg length.
Dogs with dwarfism are at a much higher risk for back problems. If your Daug puppy takes after their Dachshund parent, don’t let them jump off high surfaces.
The smooth Dachshund coat could improve the Pug shedding. If the Dachshund parent is wire-coated, your Daug may have an adorable wiry look!
Both breeds are prone to being overweight. Watching your Daug’s weight will minimize the risk of back and joint issues.
Dachshunds love the sound of their own voice. They will alert you to any intruder. Or suspicious noise.
Or the neighbor’s cat. Your Daug may inherit this desire to keep you informed about the neighborhood.
These two gregarious and charming breeds have a great chance of creating a wonderfully outgoing puppy.
12. Pug Lab mix
image source: Instagram
With two such radically different dogs, your Pugador could be any size from small to very large.
Likely to be more than 30 lb, this mix could also be closer to 60 or 70 lb. Both super-shedders, a Pugador is guaranteed to decorate your house with fur.
Labs and Pugs have a high risk for hip dysplasia; make sure both parents have been confirmed clear.
Labs can be quite high energy. A Pugador could need substantial exercise to be content.
Both very affectionate breeds, a Pug/Lab mix is likely to produce a friendly and loving dog. Pugadors may be great therapy dogs and wonderful family pets.
13. Boxer Pug mix
image source: Instagram
The Box-a-Pug could be anywhere from a small-medium to a large breed dog.
Depending on the coloring of the Boxer parent, you may have a gorgeous brindle-striped dog.
With two wrinkly-faced parents, Box-a-Pugs will have a winsome and rumpled face.
Boxers are at a high risk for heart problems, so knowing the prospective parent has had a cardiac clearance will be important.
The very tight, short coat of the Boxer may decrease the shedding of the Pug.
A very high energy dog, the Boxer may create a high energy mix. Be prepared for lots of trips to the park with your Box-a-Pug!
With Boxers being known for their clownish nature and Pugs known as charming and mischeivious, a Box-a-Pug is destined to keep you entertained!
14. German Shepherd Pug mix
image source: Instagram
A German Shepherd/Pug mix, or Shug, is likely to be a medium to large dog with significant coat.
The ears may stand up, like the Shepherd, or fold, like the Pug, or something inbetween!
The Shug will likely have a mask of dark color on their face as both breeds carry a masking gene.
The substance of the German Shepherd will create a stockier, solid dog in this mix.
Shepherds are a high energy working breed. Your Shug may be a very active dog.
German Shepherds are bred to be working and guard dogs. They are naturally wary of strangers and can be aggressive with other dogs.
The sweet nature of the Pug may counteract some of these instincts, but your Shug will need a lot of socialization and training.
Although loyal and devoted to their families, a German Shepherd is not the ideal dog for everyone. It can be hard to tell in a pug mixed puppy what breed characteristics will be dominant.
15. Shar-pei Pug mix
A Shar-pei Pug mix is known as an Ora Pei. This beautiful mix is likely to be in between the size of the Shar-pei and the Pug, resulting in a dog around 25 lb.
Ora Pei will undoubtedly have a wrinkled face, inheriting it from both of their parents.
Shar-pei are often described as stubborn and challenging to train. Not the easiest dog for a first-time dog owner, the Ora Pei may be clever but demanding.
Like the Pug, Shar-pei is known for hip and knee problems. A healthy Ora Pei will come from two parents who have had all the recommended breed testing.
The wrinkles of a Shar-pei may contribute to a wrinkly Ora Pei. Pay special attention to your Ora Pei’s skin to ensure it is healthy.
The Pug’s outgoing nature may be diminished by the Shar-pei’s inherent wariness of strangers. The Ora Pei may need more time to warm up to new people.
16. Great Dane Pug mix
It would be hard to find a more considerable size disparity than between the Great Dane and the Pug.
If the two are being bred the Great Dane must be the mother.
Having a Pug as the mom would put her at serious risk as the resulting puppies would be way too large for her to safely carry to term.
With two such different breeds, a Great Dane/Pug mix could be a smaller dog, or nearly as big as the Dane.
The tail could be curled like a Pug, straight like the Great Dane, or somewhere in the middle.
Great Danes can be an anxious breed. A Great Dane/Pug mix may be nervous or more confident, depending on which parent they take after.
17. Pug Yorkie mix
A Yorkshire Terrier and a Pug create a puppy who’s name is nearly as cute as themself, the Pugshire.
Both parents are toy breeds, so the resulting Pugshire will be a small, portable pooch. The longer wire coat of the Yorkie may create an adorable fuzzy-haired mix.
Yorkies are notorious for patella issues. Both parents will need their knees examined and cleared before breeding so that your Pugshire can run around comfortably.
Also known for having a big voice in a little body, your Pugshire might be yappy.
The Yorkshire Terrier and the Pug were bred for human companionship.
The Pugshire should be a very happy, charming, and friendly dog.
Small enough to thrive in an apartment and energetic enough to join you on adventures.
Where to Buy Pug Mixed Puppies?
When you decide which Pug Mixed breed will best suit your life, see if there is:
- a rescue or shelter nearby
- search the breeder ( eg: search on Petfinder)
If you can’t find the mix you are looking for in rescue, you can start searching for breeders who may be breeding this mix.
Some tips:
1. It is best to be able to see the breeder’s dogs in person. This is the most reliable way to ensure they are healthy and well cared for.
2. Never buy a puppy from a pet store or a broker or intermediary. These puppies will often originate from high volume “puppy mill” situations. Dogs living in these situations are languishing without proper veterinary care, attention, or exercise.
3. Puppies from puppy mills are likely to be unhealthy and unsocialized. They will be at a higher risk for long-term health and behavior problems.
4. Beware online ads, disreputable people will go to great extents to make it appear that a puppy has been raised with love by a family.
Finding The Right Pug Mixed Breed
Pugs are charming and lovable. A pug mixed puppy might be the right fit for your life.
Whatever mix you decide on, your new Pug mixed breed is sure to bring you years of joy.
Check out our other articles for more great info on Pugs and pet care.