Puginese Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

3-8 kg

Height

15-35 cm

Lifespan

12-14 years

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About the Puginese

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Puginese is an adorable hybrid dog that is devoted to its owner and loves nothing more than snuggling up on the couch. They’re a small breed with a playful yet laidback personality, and they don’t require much exercise except for a few laps around the yard.

They do have a stubborn streak, and it can take them a while to get used to training, but they make a loving companion for anyone with a bit of patience and a lot of love to give.

In our detailed guide, we’ve given you the key tips and information you need to get acquainted with this adorable little dog.

What is the history & origin of the Puginese?

As with most other mixed-breed dogs, the exact origins of the Puginese are not known. They may have existed in the wild for some time through accidental cross-breeding, but it wasn’t until the 2000s that breeders intentionally began to breed Puginese puppies.

The best way to learn about the origins of a hybrid breed is to examine the history of its parent breeds, which in this case are two purebred dogs, the Pug and the Pekingese.

Pugs have a regal history and were the favourite pets of Chinese Emperors as far back as 200 B.C. They remained in China until Dutch traders started to bring them back home in the 16th century, and they soon became popular in Europe and the United States.

Pugs have been recognised by the American Kennel Club since 1885 and are one of the most popular breeds in the world.

The Pekingese also originated in China and is also known as a ‘Lion Dog’ as legend has it that the breed was created when Buddha shrank a lion down to the size of a dog.

Pekingese dogs were discovered by British soldiers in the 19th century whilst storming the Emperor’s palaces and were then given as a gift to Queen Victoria.

In the 1890s, they made their way to America and, in 1906, were recognised by the American Kennel Club.

What is a Puginese breed?

Like with most hybrid dog breeds, the appearance of a Puginese puppy can be very hard to predict. Even puppies from the same litter can look very different to each other.

What you can be sure of is that they’ll be small, cute and will have inherited the short muzzle of the Pug. This gives them an adorable, flat face and is one of the reasons that people love them.

The colours of their coats also vary widely from pup to pup and could be grey, brown, cream, brindle or black. Or, they could even be a combination of these colours.

Although the Puginese is not recognised by the AKC, it is recognised by the International Designer Canine Registry, the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Dog Registry of America.

Who is a Puginese best for?

Puginese are not very active dogs and require little exercise. This means they’re well-suited to people who live a fairly sedentary lifestyle and are looking for a furry companion rather than a hiking buddy. A daily run around a backyard or dog park should be enough for your Puginese.

Due to their small size and low energy levels, they adapt well to living in apartments and other small environments.

The Puginese can also make a good family pet but prefers to be around adults or older children, as they can quickly grow tired when having to play with young kids. If you have other pets or other dogs at home, this breed will tend to get along with them, but they do prefer to be the only pet in the household.

Puginese Grooming & Shedding

As with their appearance, the type of coat a Puginese will have is hard to predict. They could inherit a long coat from their Pekinese parent or a shorter coat from their Pug parent. They could even have a mixture of the two!

Either way, their coat will shed, and they’ll need to be brushed at least once a week to keep their coat from becoming tangled or matted. This will also reduce the amount of hair they leave around the home.

One trait they’re guaranteed to have is facial folds, and you’ll need to clean these out regularly to prevent them from developing any infections. You should avoid bathing them unless they’re very dirty as their sensitive skin doesn’t take well to frequent baths.

Do Puginese bark a lot?

The Puginese is not a very vocal breed and doesn’t tend to bark much. However, they can be a little wary around strangers and may bark to alert the owners of their presence. Due to this, these little dogs can actually make quite good guard dogs, but persistent barking shouldn’t be an issue.

What is the average weight & height of a Puginese?

Puginese are small dogs, and they typically weigh between 3kg to 8kg, and their height is usually between 15cm to 35cm.

Are Puginese easy to train?

The Puginese breed can have a tendency to be wary of strangers and other dogs, so early socialisation is vital. You should start exposing them to new people, places and other pets when they’re still a puppy so that they feel comfortable in different situations and around other animals.

They may be cute, but the Puginese is not the most intelligent of dogs, and it can take a while for them to learn new things and adapt to obedience training. This means that you’ll need to have lots of patience with them, but they will get there in the end!

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

Puginese are happy and playful dogs who love making their owners happy. They have a laid-back attitude and make excellent companion animals, and are most content when they’re snuggled up on the couch with their owner.

They don’t have a huge amount of energy, but they enjoy playing games and do require some mental stimulation. Despite being laid back, they do get easily frightened by loud noises, so they are best suited to calm and quiet environments.

Does the Puginese have any common health issues?

Puginese are generally healthy, but like all other mixed-breed dogs, they are prone to certain genetic health problems that are common in their parent breeds, such as:

Hip Dysplasia – a condition where the dog’s hip joint doesn’t form properly, meaning that it doesn’t fit snugly into the hip socket. This can lead to pain and limping, and eventually arthritis.
Intervertebral Disk Disease – the most common degenerative spinal disease in dogs that can cause a number of mobility issues and can be quite painful.
Luxating Patella – this is where the dog’s kneecap consistently moves out of its location. It can cause pain, limping and skipping.
Breathing Problems – this is a common issue in this breed as their compact skulls make their soft palate or nostrils too small, which obstructs the airflow.

What is the lifespan of a Puginese?

The average life expectancy for a Puginese is 12 to 14 years which is quite long for such a small dog!

How much does a Puginese need to be fed?

As Puginese are so small and have low activity levels, they have a high risk of weight gain and obesity. You should feed them with high-quality dry food and avoid giving them too many treats.

It’s best to consult your vet to formulate an ideal diet plan so that you can make sure your little pooch stays at a healthy weight.

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

As Puginese puppies vary so much depending on if they’re more like a Pug or a Pekinese, the price range is also pretty wide, and you should expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000 for a puppy.

You should always buy a puppy from a reputable breeder as they will perform health checks on the parents to reduce the risk of them developing serious health problems later in life.

Puginese FAQs

Do Puginese dogs like to cuddle?

The Puginese is a very cuddly dog that loves snuggling on the couch with its owner. Its low energy levels and laid-back personality make it the perfect choice for someone looking for an ideal cuddle buddy.

Is a Puginese dog a good fit for a first-time dog owner?

The Puginese is a great dog for first-time owners as they’re very easy to care for and don’t need much exercise. They can be a little bit stubborn and take slowly to training, but with a bit of patience and a lot of love, they could be your perfect introduction to the canine world.

Are Puginese dogs hypoallergenic?

Puginese are not considered to be hypoallergenic as their coat sheds moderately, and they will leave dander around the house. This means that they’re not suitable pets for people who suffer from dog allergies.