The white Pug is rare, but it does exist due to crossbreeding. Hopefully, you realize that this breed comes in different colors which include silver/grey, brindle, apricot, black and fawn. So what do you need to know about the white breed and how does it differ from the albino version?
The White Pug is a Pug, however, it is not a traditional standard color. These dogs get their color from selective breeding, which has been known to cause controversy. Some people say that these dogs don’t qualify as Pugs because they are crossbred with other dog breeds.
But whether these cute pups are a result of genetic mutation from mixed breeding, they are still adorable. That’s why we’re going to take a closer look at both the white and albino version.
What Is A White Pug?
Some people believe that the white Pug was bred from a paler and paler fawn Pugs, which gives off the snowy color. Read this article to find out what the standard colors of the Pug are.
These dogs are NOT purebred and while they are cute, they can present their own unique health issues.
What Makes Them So Special?
Crossbreeds, Hybrids or designer dogs as they are referred to have become extremely popular because they are cute and not many people have them.
There are dogs that are bred because they are fashionable, adorable and would finish off a set of different colors. The white Pug is an example of the latter.
Breeders continue to crossbreed because there will always be buyers.
Marshmellow The White Pug
People really didn’t take notice to white Pugs, until they saw Marshmallow the White Pug. You can see from the image below, he is adorable and that’s why so many people fell in love with him.
Marshmallow the white pug – Image Source
He became an Internet sensation with his own social media accounts and YouTube channel. All this attention made people wanting their own little Marshmallow of their own.
How Much Do White Pug Puppies Cost?
Even though these dogs are not purebred Pugs, you can still find breeders charging $300 – $2000 for these puppies online. Breeders tend to charge more for designer dogs.
According to NextDayPets, the median price of a Pug is $1,022.50.
In my opinion, that’s a lot of money to buy for a dog that is not bred with two Pugs.
Your dog can inherit the genetic problems of the other dog, which can lead to more health problems later on down the road.
There are big differences and that’s why I wanted to talk about them in this article, in case you’re deciding which one you are considering getting as a pet. Let’s take a closer look at this breed and then we’ll talk about the rare albino version and how they differ.
A Look At An All White Pug
After doing my due diligence and reading up on this breed, you can expect them to act and behave like the standard variations. Let’s take a look at what you can expect if you do decide to get a Pug.
Gross Generalizations That Tend to Be True:
- Females are pushier and will get in your face more than males.
- Males tend to be more laid back and easy going than females
Of course, there are exceptions to the generalizations above. Every dog has its own unique personality.
Temperament
This breed is strong-willed and can have a stubborn streak. They are not aggressive and are eager to please their owners.
They can easily be trained with a lot of patience, dedication and the use of treats for motivation. This breed is suitable for families with children, cats or other dogs.
Pugs crave the attention of their owners and are known as velcro dogs. Once they build trust with you, they’ll follow you around the house and become your shadow.
This is often an easy-going dog that tends to be lazy if you let them. Overall, their main goal in life is to please their owners and get lots of belly rubs.
Behavior
They are mostly calm that don’t mind spending their days sleeping. It is a low energy breed that will take effort on your part to ensure they get enough exercise.
They’ve been referred to as the “clown dog” because of their silliness and playful bursts of energy. They love to eat and are prone to being overweight.
With some training and dedication, you can teach proper obedience. They are vocal dogs which include snorting, barking, snoring, and other noises.
Some of these noises are due to them being a part of the brachycephalic dog breeds. Meaning they have a relatively broad and short skull.
Personality Traits
This is an intelligent and playful breed, but also known for their affection. If left alone for long periods of time, they can be mischievous.
They love people, kids, babies, cats, and other pets, which makes them the perfect family breed.
Pugs want to be a part of their owner’s life, which includes watching TV on their lap and sharing a spot with them on their bed.
They have tons of unique personalities that make them the perfect dog, but the biggest two are their love for food and sleep.
Health
Due to them being a brachycephalic breed, they are prone to several health issues, I’ve covered them in this post. After some due diligence, I couldn’t find whether or not the white Pugs have more health-related problems than the standard variation.
Of course, there are no real health or behavioral benefit to trying to create white Pug pups. Bad experiences come about from over breeding and increasingly poor breeding standards to meet the high consumer demand.
The Differences Between A White and Albino Pug
Maybe you’ve heard the terms Albino or Albinism tossed around in Pug communities? Yup, there is a Pug that looks white but is actually albino and there is a difference in the breed.
The albino Pug has been mistaken for a white and silver fawn Pug. I’ll share some tips to help you tell the difference between them so you can be sure you’re getting the right one for your family.
True albino Pugs will have pink noses and pink skin around their eyes, otherwise, they are just white coated. Take a look at the image below to see what one looks like.
Albino Pug – Image Source Pinterest
It’s easy for a new pet owner to get confused and think they are getting a white one, when in fact, they are getting an albino, which comes with tons of health issues.
We’ll take a look at the related health issues, but first, let’s take a look at what causes albinism.
What Is Albinism?
Albinism presents as pink irises in rodents and rabbits, which make it easy to detect. It doesn’t happen that way with canines, according to Dr. Stephanie Pumphrey.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell if a dog is a true albino without running some genetic testing. However, if the dog has a pink nose, blue eyes, and pink around the eyes, I wouldn’t buy it.
What Causes Albinism?
This condition is caused by a lack of melanin in the body of an organism. It is a rare congenital disorder that is triggered by the activation of recessive genes. This condition is manifested when an organism lacks the functional melanin-producing cells in the body.
What Is Melanin?
It is the milieu of pigments that give color to the iris, skin, and organisms hair. When Pugs are affected by this disorder, they usually lack pigments in their skin, irises, and skin.
This condition makes the albino Pug appear completely white with the pinkish nose and pink color around the eyes. An albino dog’s eyes may retain some minor pigmentation, but you’ll notice that the color is pale or translucent in nature.
It’s an unusual condition for Pugs and it can be difficult to tell if they are white or actually albino.
Does Albinism Post Extra Risks to Your Pug’s Health?
By now, you know that the Pug is prone to certain health conditions. When you have an albino Pug that is lacking melanin, they are susceptible to more issues.
Sensitive to Light
Since they lack pigmentation in their eyes, they will be more sensitive to light. You won’t be able to spend a lot of time outdoors with them if the sun is out at it’s hottest.
You’ll need to take them for walks in the early morning or afternoon hours. I highly recommend the Puppia RiteFit Harness, because of the adjustable straps that make it so comfortable for your Pug.
You’ll even notice that they will be photo-phobic, especially, if you are using a flash.
They’ll do best when the light is minimal because it will be easier on their eyes.
UV Generated Skin Cancers
The lack of melanin removes an extremely important natural sun-block for the Pug’s system. This makes them susceptible to sunburns, skin cancers including melanoma, and other UV generated skin cancers.
Related: Pug Skin Problems
Their skin is prone to fungal infections, including ringworm also known as dermatophytes. Symptoms include red raised rings on your pup’s body. If your dog has this symptom, it is contagious and can be passed on to humans.
These dogs are also prone to dandruff which is caused by several different types of fungal manifestations.
They Require Extra Care
If you do get an albino Pug, you’ll want to make sure that you get pug pet insurance. They require different care guidelines than standard Pug.
The best thing you can do is keep them out of direct sunlight. You may even consider protecting their coat with sunscreen or put on some dog clothes to give them extra protection.
Should You Get A White Pug Dog?
I know that it’s cool to get a designer dog that stands out and draws attention when you’re at the dog park. Just know that this isn’t considered a purebred Pug and can come with their own issues.
If you do get one make sure that you do your due diligence. You won’t be able to enter your dog as a showcase dog, but there’s no dispute that they are loyal loving dogs that can bring your family lots of happiness.
Related Questions
Do White Pugs Shed? This breed will still shed and has the same double layer coat as the standard variation. These dog brushes will help you control the shedding problem.
Can White Pugs Be KC Registered? According to sources online, this breed can still be KC registered, they just won’t be able to grow up and show dogs.
Do White Pugs Exist? These dogs are known as designer dogs and while they are rare, they do exist.
Further Reading & References
Melvin Pena – The Difference Between Albino Dogs and White Dogs
John Plichter – Albino Dogs: Interesting Facts You Should Know
Anna Burke – Ringworm in Dogs – Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention