Pugalier Breed Guide

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 purebreds 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 lap dog. 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.

Who are Pugalier dogs 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.

How much grooming does a Pugalier need?

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 Pugalier bark much?

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.

Do Pugalier bite?

By around six to eight months old is when Pugaliers should stop teething and when their adult teeth should have come through fully.

This dog is prone to biting if you don't train them properly and it's important to not let them gain the dominant hand when it comes to nipping their owners. Make sure they're well socialised from an early age to help make sure that they don't bite anyone, including guests and other dogs.

What is the temperament & personality of a Pugalier?

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!

What is the weight & size of a Pugalier?

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.

How much training does a Pugalier need?

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.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Pugalier?

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 should you feed a Pugalier?

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.

What is the price of 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.