Pugalier Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

7-9 kg

Height

30-33 cm

Lifespan

11-14 years

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About the Pugalier

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Pugalier is one of the designer dogs that has been around for some time and whilst it might be an acquired taste when it comes to their appearance, this dog breed has got a lot of love to give to its owners.

A hybrid mix combining two loveable breeds, the Pugalier has a fairly short history but its parent breeds certainly have a lot of history that’s worth delving into. The Pugalier is an affectionate and fun-loving pooch that most dog owners will love having in their family, especially as they’re small dog breeds.

Are you looking for a Pugalier? Here are some tidbits worth knowing so that you can make the best decision when purchasing or adopting this dog breed.

What is the history & origin of the Pugalier?

The Pugalier dates back to around the 1980s to the 1990s when a lot of cross-breeding of pure-breds was popular. As a result, it has helped reduce a lot of health problems that come with purebreds and of course, to appeal to those with dog allergies that need non-shedding options.

As a breed, the dog type was developed to help offer a slightly longer nose for the Pug, a problem that most Pugs have when it comes to respiratory issues.

Whilst the Pugalier only dates back so much, the pug was a favoured dog for the Chinese emperors who needed a good lapdog. The pug dates back to around the 5th century and was also a loving pet to Buddhist monks too.

It featured in the 16th century within European courts until the 19th century when it started to gain popularity in North America. The Cavalier King Charles spaniels were again, a breed that has a lot of history. Being a particular favourite for King Charles I and King Charles II of England in the 1600s, both breeds have been popular.

Thus the Pug Cavalier King Charles dogs were born and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, as well as the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry, recognize the breed today.

Over time, the pug was crossed with a Japanese Chin to develop its shorter body and flattened face. However, there were rumours later down the line of cross-breeding with other pooches to help develop the Pugalier we all know and love today.

What is a Pugalier breed?

As a crossbreed, the Pug Cavalier King Charles can’t join the American Kennel Club, despite its two parents being members.

The Pugalier is a mix of a Pug and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. As far as small dogs go, this one’s perfect for its size and has a slightly squished face but get the Cavalier’s longer nose and ears.

Whilst beauty might not be its number one appeal, they certainly have a charming personality and a temperament that suits most.

Who is a Pugalier best for?

The Pugalier is a friendly and affectionate breed that gets along best with other pets and children. They’re curious and active, meaning they’ll make great family pets for those who are looking for a new addition to their family.

They are fairly intelligent and therefore easier to train, making them highly effective for those who may be novices when owning a dog or they’re first-time owners.

Pugalier Grooming & Shedding

With short hair, you may think that this dog is easy to manage when it comes to its grooming. However, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel side of the dog means they may have a heavier shedding situation or the double-coat that the parent Pug breed has.

To keep the hair from going everywhere, you’ll want to brush your dog at least 2 to 3 times a week to collect the loose hair. Any longer coats need a good amount of daily brushing to avoid mats.

The dog may also have the facial folds that a Pug has, which means daily cleaning after meals is a must! The same goes for the ears, which tend to collect bacteria if not cleaned out regularly.

Do Pugaliers bark a lot?

Pugaliers have a strong tendency to bark and so for some, it might not be the right breed if you don’t particularly enjoy the sound.

Whilst they do have a higher chance of barking regularly, this can be something that is curbed for the most part, especially if there’s a lot of training given. However, this is something that takes time and isn’t going to fully dampen the urge for the dog to bark.

What is the average weight & height of a Pugalier dog?

The weight and size of this designer dog will vary due to coming from two small breed dogs which can result in the dog learning from one parent gene to the other. As such, a Pugalier will likely weigh anywhere between 7 to 9 kilos and stand at around 30-33 cm in height.

Are Pugaliers easy to train?

Training is important as it can help the pug and cavalier king mix to become a people-pleasing, fun-loving dog. They’re great dogs for picking up commands easily and with a consistent and patient approach to training, they’ll become easily socialised and ready to interact with the world around them.

Give them plenty of exercises where you can and one to two short walks a day should be more than enough to satisfy their needs.

How do Pugaliers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

For temperament and personality, you can’t get any better than the Pugalier. Despite being a designer dog and having some preconceived ideas of the breed that aren’t always so accurate, the Pugalier is a friendly dog that loves attention from its humans.

The Pugalier gets on with all family members and any guests or other pets that are in the home. Whilst care should be taken to its training, a Pugalier temperament is laid-back and calm should it be given enough attention!

Does the Pugalier have any common health issues?

With this Cavalier King Charles spaniel crossbreed, they don’t tend to have a huge amount of health issues that some of its parents can tend to endure. With that said, the Pugalier can be more susceptible to some health issues such as cataracts, which are the loss of vision and skin infections due to their facial folds and not being cleaned regularly.

Joint issues can sometimes be problematic, having inherited it likely from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

What is the lifespan of a Pugalier?

The Pugalier is a healthier dog due to its mixing and as such, with the right diet and exercise plan, this breed can live between the ages of 11 and 14.

How much does a Pugalier need to be fed?

As a small dog, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel cross does not need a huge amount of food. Despite its energy-filled paws, it’s one that simply needs a balance of high protein foods along with the nutritious veggies that you can get packed into both wet and dog food nowadays.

Give your dog around two to three smaller meals throughout the day to avoid them getting bloated or overfed.

How much can you expect to pay for a Pugalier in Australia?

As a designer pup, the Pugalier tends to match with a more expensive price tag than most. For some Pugaliers, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,500 to $2,500. It’s important that like any breed, you’re looking for a suitable breeder that meets the standards.

For rescues and shelters, they may be far and few in between when having Pugaliers, but it’s always worth exploring.

Pugalier FAQs

Do Pugaliers get along with cats?

A Pugalier will often be like their parent breeds, they love all dogs and cats for that matter. If you’re getting them socialized at a dog park, then they’re likely to meet dogs of all shapes and sizes. That will help if you have cats in the home and due to their size, they often find themselves naturally gravitating to the felines of the household.

Is a Pugalier ideal for a first-time dog owner?

As a friendly and loyal breed, the Pugalier makes an excellent first choice for any potential dog owners or those who have a novice amount of experience with dogs. They’re also great for those who are elderly or have a family with children.

Are Pugaliers hypoallergenic dogs?

As Pugaliers come with either a short double coat or a thick, heavy-shedding coat, the Pug and Cavalier King Charles spaniel mixed breed aren’t hypoallergenic.

Do Pugaliers suffer from separation anxiety?

Pugaliers are companion dogs for the most part and as such, first-time dog owners who want to get out most of the time from the home may not do so well with this breed. They are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long.