Updated August 26, 2019
With the Pug becoming so popular, more breeders are starting to create experimental mixes of pugs also known as designer dogs. This happens when a Pug is bred with a different dog breed. Today, we’re taking a look at the Pug Pitbull Mix. I’ve done all the research to help you find out if it’s the right dog for you.
What Is A Pug Pitbull Mix?
The Pit Pug mix is a cross between the Pug and the American Pit Bull Terrier. The Pug Pit is not a purebred dog and is considered a designer dog.
While I’ve personally never owned a Pug Pitbull, I did raise a Pug for 16 years. That’s why I wanted to share everything I’ve learned about the Pitbull cross Pug. My hope is to help you find out everything you need to know about this breed. Read this article if you’re looking for the most popular Pug crossbreeds.
Then you can decide if it’s the right dog for you or not. Be sure to check out this article to find out everything you need to know about the Pug and Pitbull parent dogs.
Half Pug Half Pitbull Info
Breeders cross breed these dogs and the result is half Pug and half Pug. They do this because it is a way to combine the traits of both dogs. Plus, many people are always willing to pay higher prices for these types of dogs.
Other Names Of The Half Pug Half Pitbull
Pug hybrids usually have names that are associated with both parents. The Pitbull mix with a Pug has become popular and this particular breed mix are known by several popular names such as:
- Pugbull Terrier
- Pugabul
- Pit-a-Pug
- Pit Pug
- Pug-A-Bull
- Pugbull
Health Problems of The Pug and Pitbull
Every dog regardless of the breed has its own health issues. The parent Pug is a brachycephalic breed, therefore, you can expect certain health issues.
The parent Pitbull, even though it is a strong muscular dog, with good skeletal formation, faces its own serious health concerns. Some of the most common being; cataracts, heart disease, hip dysplasia, diabetes, and other health problems.
What This Means for The Pitbull Pug
Unfortunately, this means that the Pug Pit may have to deal with some health problems. Let’s take a look at some of the common health problems you’ll face as the parent of a Pug Pit dog.
Serious Health Issues
Not every dog will face these problems, but as a prospective Pugbull owner, it’s always nice to know what you can expect.
- Mange
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Pug Encephalitis
Minor Health Issues
- Corneal Cancer
- Allergies (both food and skin)
- Patellar Luxation
- Eye Problems (common eye problems due to aging)
- Pug Dog Encephalitis
- Thyroid Problems
Before buying a Pugbull from any breeder, it’s important to make sure they have had proper health screenings to ensure that you’re getting a healthy puppy.
Appearance Of The Pitbull Cross Pug
When crossbreeding any dog, it can be challenging to know what to expect. The appearance of your dog will vary greatly depending on which parent breed is more dominant.
Pitbull Pug puppies will vary in appearance, but this is what you should expect.
Pitbull Pug Mix Colors
This breed can come in several different colors. Unfortunately, the exact coloring of your Pitbull Pug mix will depend on the gene pool of the two dogs.
However, these dogs can be found in the following variety of colors:
- Blue
- Black
- Red
- Brown
- Grey
- Black and White
- Brindle
As I mentioned, the exact coloring will vary from pup to pup, depending on which parent genes are most dominant.
Height and Weight
This hybrid breed will be taller than the Pug parent and you can expect a full-grown Pugbull to be around 14-15 inches tall.
They will weigh slightly more than a Pug, and less than a Pitbull. You can expect them to be around 25 to 30 pounds.
The Pug Pit puppies have short legs, which make their legs shorter relative to their body.
Average Life Expectancy of The Bull Pug Mix
The average life expectancy of a Pug Pit is about 10 to 13 years, which is around the same as both parent breeds.
Your new pet can exceed the average life expectancy with proper diet, health, and regular exercise. We’ll discuss more about feeding your Pug Bull Terrier the right food, below.
Trainability
These designer dogs may not be good for a novice. They will challenge you during their training. It’s not unusual for the half Pug and half Pit to acquire some of the stubbornness qualities of the Pug.
You will find training easier if you use positive reinforcement training. This means that you use treats and praise them whenever they perform a command you give them.
You may also want to consider taking your Pitbull puppy to doggy daycare, and obedience classes to ensure they become a well-behaved member of the family.
Start training and socializing this breed as early as possible. Once they are trained you can take them to dog parks so they can play with other dogs.
This is a moderate energy dog and isn’t the right fit for someone who is looking for a canine couch potato. They will enjoy daily walks, runs, and even long hikes.
Without proper exercise, they can build up aggression and cause mischief.
Nutrition Requirements Of The Half Pug Half Pitbull
This breed consumes more food than a normal Pug. The recommended daily amount is 1.5 cups of high-quality dry dog food. You’ll want to set them on a feeding schedule and feed them at least twice per day.
Make sure you pay attention to their weight as, like the Pug, they are prone to easy weight gain.
I used to feed Mindy my black Pug one cup of dry food at breakfast and dinner. (yes, she only ate twice per day)
Exercise Requirements
This dog requires more activity than the Pug. If not properly exercised, they will get into mischief and can have a tendency to gain weight.
If your Pug has inherited the short Pug’s nose, you’ll want to avoid exercising your pooch in the hot weather, as they can overheat easily.
This won’t make a great pet for a couch potato. Some dogs are known to have higher energy levels, so be ready to take your dog hiking, long walks, or just playing in the backyard.
Socialization
It is recommended that you start socializing your Pug Pit as early as possible. If the pooch has inherited most of its genes from the Pug side, they will be extremely friendly with both people and other animals.
Animals that inherit most of its genes from the Pitbull parent, may show signs of aggression towards people and other animals.
Either way, with the right training and socialization, this hybrid dog can make a great pet. Both the Pug and Pitbull parents love to please their owners, so make sure you constantly praise them.
Breed Loyalty
Both parents are extremely loyal, which means that you’ll have a friend for life when you buy or adopt a Pug cross Pitbull pup.
If the pup takes after the Pug, you may end up with a large lap dog that follows you around everywhere.
Grooming Tips For Pugbulls
Perfect for people who are looking for low maintenance dogs that don’t require a ton of grooming. The Pugbull has short, straight hair that should be brushed with a good grooming brush at least once a week.
The Pitbull and Pug mix doesn’t shed as much as a purebred Pug. Read this article to find out how much a Pug sheds. The Pit Pug will need an occasional bath, but not often otherwise it will dry out their skin.
Like the Pug, this breed will need to have their nails trimmed every 2-3 weeks. The golden rule when it comes to dog’s nails is you should trim your nails when you can hear them clicking on the floor.
Bathing
The Pitbull Pug mix will be short and smooth like both parents. Unlike the Pug, this dog will be a moderate shedder, which means that they will shed primarily in the spring.
Like all dogs, they will require regular bathing and brushing to maintain the natural oils in their fur. This will keep their coat healthy and shiny.
These dog shampoos will work best, especially, if your PugBull has sensitive skin or is prone to allergies.
Ear Cleaning
Proper hygiene consists of cleaning your dogs’ ears on a regular basis, to avoid infections and other illnesses. You should check their ears at least once every 1-2 weeks.
The PugPit will have floppy ears so, you’ll want to flip their ear flaps over to make sure no dirt, debris, or black waxy buildup is caught inside the ear canal.
There are several ear cleaners available on the market you can use to help you get their ears nice and cleaned.
Nail Clipping
You’ll want to invest in a good pair of Guillotine Grooming Scissors to help you keep their nails nice and trimmed.
The rule of thumb is to clip your dog’s nails when they are clicking on your home’s flooring or once every 2-3 weeks.
Teeth Cleaning
Every dog regardless of the breed will need their teeth brushed at least 2-3 times per week to prevent cavities, bad breath, or other illnesses.
In between regular oral hygiene, I’d recommend giving them some greenies or canine dental treats to help combat bad breath.
You’ll also want to invest in a doggie toothbrush to help you maintain good oral hygiene.
Pug Pitbull Mix Temperament
The cross-breeding of these dogs usually results in a sweet, affectionate dog that is fearless and ready to explore his surroundings. The Pitbull and Pug mix breed are known to be highly intelligent and very gentle.
This canine is extremely social, but the Pug stubbornness can kick in. It’s important to let them know that you are the “alpha” in the relationship, otherwise, they will take over.
It instills the quality of the Pug of loving his family, however, it acquires the protective instincts of the Pitbull. This dog may not get along well with strangers, if not socialized properly.
Living Conditions
This dog will adapt to any living condition, whether it’s a house with a fenced-in yard, apartment, condo or etc.
As long as you take the time to play with them and show them attention, they will be fine in any living condition.
Kids and Other Dogs
The Pug-a-Bull inherits may great qualities from both parents and this makes it a loving affectionate dog that is great with children.
Unfortunately, it may not be suitable with other pets, especially, if it gets more of its genes from the Pitbull parent.
Suitability
As I mentioned this dog will be extremely loyal, affectionate and loving. It will do best when they get a lot of human attention.
Health Risks
The Pit Pug, unfortunately, can face several problems due to its crossbreeding.
Every dog is prone to develop genetic health issues, but some breeds more than others. Before buying a Pitbull Pug puppy, you’ll want to find a reputable breeder in your area.
Find a reputable breeder that will be open and honest about the puppies health issues. Don’t be afraid to ask for tests, paperwork or other required documentation to ease your mind before buying.
How to Find Reputable Pug Pit Breeders
If you’ve read this far, then you’re probably ready to find a reputable breeder that is both trustworthy and reputable.
The best way to get started is to contact your local rescue center where you live. They may be able to locate a Pitbull Pug mix.
Search online sites such as Craigslist and ask around. It’s going to take time to find the right breeder. Whatever you do, avoid buying a puppy from a puppy mill.
Not all designer dogs are bred 50% purebred to 50% purebred, so do your due diligence.
Recognized Clubs
Unfortunately, the American Kennel Club and The Kennel Club do not recognize these hybrid designer dog breeds.
The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) is known to recognize crossbreeds that are bred from their purebred ancestry.
You may still be able to register your pooch, especially, since there are newer kennel clubs that specialize in crossbreed dogs.
I’d recommend checking out the Dog Registry of America, Inc which is also known as the DRA.
How Much Do Pug Pitbull Mix Puppies Cost?
The costs of dog breeds will vary depending on where you buy the pup. A Pubbull’s price will vary based on a range of different factors, including the size of the dog, purity of the parents,
The cost of a Pug will vary around $350 – $2000. A Pitbull can cost around $1200. This means that a Pugbull can cost anywhere between $700 to $1200 or more.
If you’re serious about getting one of these dogs, start searching online using websites like Petfinder to help you find the best deals.
A Look At The Pug Pitbull Mix Puppies
Getting a new puppy is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Before you purchase any puppy, it’s important to find out everything you can about the breed.
All dogs are completely different when they are younger. However, as they grow, they may turn into something totally different than you expected. Here are some important things to consider when shopping for a Pit Bull Mix Puppy.
Pug Mixed With Pitbull Pictures
What Does A Pug and Pitbull Mix Look Like? This is a question that a lot of people ask when they find out that a Pug is crossbred with a Pitbull.
Well, now that you know some of the characteristics of Pugs and Pitbulls. Let’s take a look at some pictures of mixed Pitbulls. I found these pictures on Pinterest and Instagram.
Check out Why the Pitbull Pug Mix is The Perfect Dog for Pitbull and Pug Lovers – Image Source
Hopefully, these Pitbull Pug Mix pictures will help see that this is a medium-sized dog that resembles both breeds.
How Big Does A Pitbull Pug Mix Get?
A half Pug and half Pitbull will weight about 30 pounds at most once they reach full maturity. They usually stand around one foot tall, which isn’t much of a variation from the height of a purebred Pug.
Check out this video of a black Pitbull Pug mix dog. You’ll see how cute they are and how mischievous they can be.
Bottom Line
This crossbreed takes some of it’s best qualities from both of their parent breeds and combines them into a medium-sized dog that can be raised to be caring and affectionate.
Hopefully, this article and references below will help you understand everything you need to know about the Pitbull Pug crossbreed. Before you buy a Pitbull Pug puppy or any puppy it’s important to do your due diligence.
This dog is different than a purebred Pug, so make sure you understand if it’s the right dog for you. Take note of the dog’s health concerns, this can be the difference between paying a fortune in vet bills or not in the future.
Related Articles to Pug CrossBreed Mixes
References and Further Reading
Love A Bull – The History of Pit Bulls
VCA – Genetics Basics – Coat Color Genetics in Dogs
Vin – Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Science Direct – Breed Differences In Canine Aggression
Purebred vs Mutt – Most Common Objections to Mixed Canine Breeds