10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Pugapoo

The Pugapoo is two great dogs rolled into one. Half Poodle and half Pug, it’s a fabulous pet for anyone looking to combine the small size of the Pug with the intelligence of the Poodle. Although Pugapoos vary considerably in appearance, temperament, and size, most are friendly, fun-loving, and extremely family orientated. If you’re looking for a small, adorable addition to your family, here’s what you need to know about the Pugapoo.

1. Their origins are a mystery

As petguide.com writes, hybrid dogs have existed naturally for many years, so it’s likely the first crossing of a Pug and a Poodle happened long ago. As to when, no one’s quite sure. No one’s even that clear on when breeders began to deliberately breed the dog as part of an official program, or which ones were instrumental in creating the first Pugapoo litter. The only thing we do know, in fact, is that they’re here now, and judging by their popularity, they aren’t going anywhere soon.

2. They’re a mix of two ancient breeds

Although not very much is known about the origins of the Pugapoo, what we do know is that it’s a cross between the Pug and the Poodle, two well-established breeds with a history that dates back centuries. The Poodle was developed in Germany in the 15th century as a water dog. With its high intelligence, affectionate nature, and dashing good looks, it soon became a hit with the French nobility. Since then, its popularity has continued unabated, and it now ranks as one of the world’s most popular pets. The Pug started life as a lapdog for the Chinese royal family before emerging in Europe in the 16th century as a popular companion pet.

3. No two Pugapoos look the same

As a crossbreed, there’s no standard ideal of what the Pugapoo should look like. Pups from the same litter can look vastly different, depending on whether they take after the Poodle side of the family or the Pug side. Not only can their size, color and coat vary dramatically, but their activity needs, temperament and even health risks can as well. As there’s no way of knowing in advance what traits a puppy will inherit from its parents, each litter is an unknown quantity.

4. They can weigh up to 30 lbs

While there’s very little consistency among Pugapoos (they might have a short coat like a Pug or a curly one like a Poodle, they can come in pretty much any color of the rainbow, and their tail can either be tightly curled or high and fluffy), there’s one thing no Pugapoo will ever be: big. Although their weight and height can vary, they’ll never weigh much more than around 30 lbs or measure over 15 inches at the shoulder. Some Pugapoos can be even smaller – if you see one at around 10lbs and 8 inches tall, don’t be surprised.

5. They’re great with kids

Both Poodles and Pugs are both known for being extremely family-friendly. Their offspring is no different. The Pugapoo is great with small kids, and will love nothing more than being included in the family’s activities. Due to their people-orientated ways, this isn’t the kind of dog you can expect to leave alone for long stretches of the day – if you try, they’re likely to get miserable, bored, and more than a little anxious.

6. They’re as active as you need them to be

Some dogs will need 1 to 2 hours of daily activity regardless of whether it’s snowing or sunny. They’re also going to need it whether you’re in the mood for a walk or not. Fortunately, the Pugapoo is a little more flexible. Sure, they’ll be happy to spend the afternoon at the dog park, but if you’d rather snuggle up on the sofa with them, that’s just fine too. Providing they get enough structured activity a day to keep them fit and healthy, they’ll be satisfied. If, on the other hand, you’d rather give them as much exercise as possible, they’re excellent candidates for agility, obedience, and rally training.

7. They have a stubborn streak

Poodles are incredibly smart and by and large, very obedient. Pugs are a little more challenging. If a Pugapoo takes after the Pug side of the family, they’ll need plenty of time to pick up new things. If they don’t see the benefit of learning what you’re trying to teach them, there’s a good chance they’ll take even longer – cute they may be, but as vetstreet.com writes, Pugapoos are also incredibly stubborn when they want to be. To keep their dominant side in check, you’ll need to invest in plenty of early training, using treats, play, and praise to encourage the best out of them.

8. They’re not always suitable for allergy sufferers

Poodles are known for being hypoallergenic. Pugs aren’t. As the happydogsite.com comments, unfortunately for people with allergies, there’s no guarantee of whether a Pugapoo will inherit the Poodles coat or the Pugs.

9. They’re at risk of breathing problems

Like most crossbreeds, the Pugapoo isn’t as vulnerable to certain health conditions as its pedigree parents. That doesn’t, however, guarantee them a clean bill of health. If they take after the Pug, they may experience eye and breathing problems, allergies, and thyroid and hormonal disorders. If they take after the Poodle, they may be susceptible to hip dysplasia, luxating patella, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, epilepsy, skin problems, eye problems, Von Willebrand’s disease, and Cushing’s disease. To minimize the risk of any issues, always ask where possible to see the medical records of both parents. If you’re buying from a breeder, it’s also worth asking to see where the dogs are kept to ensure it’s a safe, healthy environment.

10. Their grooming needs vary

Until you know for sure whether your Pugapoo has inherited the short, dense coat of the Pug or the luxurious bouffant of the Poodle, you’ll never be sure about how much grooming they’ll need. If they take after the Poodle, they’ll need plenty of brushing, combing, trimming, and pampering at the saloon. If they take after the Pug, their coat will pretty much look after itself.

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