Frug Dog Breed Profile (French Bulldog & Pug Mix) – Top Dog Tips

June 26, 2023 Kar-Bay-Inc

Nope, it’s not a typo error.

This French Bulldog and Pug mix is literally called the Frug.

And you read that right—this French Bulldog Pug cross is another designer breed that’s slowly taking over the canine scene.

But because of their parent genes, Frenchie Pugs are also known to inherit breathing difficulties due to their short snouts.

Unfortunately, according to the vets from VCA Animal Hospitals:

…the increased effort associated with breathing can put increased strain on the heart.

As heartbreaking as it sounds, this condition in Frug dogs is common until they get older.

Luckily, we included preventive measures to help your Frug dogs manage their breathing and give them ease. (More on that in a bit)

So, without further ado, let’s get to know this adorable mixed breed pooch.

Frug Dog Breed Profile: A Quick Glance

What Kind of a Dog is a Frug?

A Frug is a French Bulldog and Pug mix dog breed that goes by the nickname — Frenchie Pug.

It is a small dog breed known to be a low-shedder and usually hates the hot weather.

For more Frug fast facts, here’s a quick summary below:

Weight	15 to 30 pounds
Height	13 to 15 inches
Lifespan	12 to 15 years
Coat Length	Short to medium
Texture & Density	Soft, silky, sparse to normal double coat
Color	Fawn, black, brindle, white, cream
Pattern	Solid or mixed
Suitable for	Moderate cold or hot temperatures
Suitable Owner Profile	Singles or couples, seniors, and families with children and other pets; living in a house or apartment, with or without a backyard
Dog Breed Group	Mixed

Are Frug dogs rare?

Frug dogs are considered to be rare canine breeds because of their parent’s difficulty mating.

And as of this writing, this French Bulldog and Pug mix dog is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

While the rarity of Frenchie Pug dogs may seem opposite to their popular parent breeds, you don’t normally see them everywhere.

And unfortunately, some dog owners even found their Frug dogs at rescue shelters.

Physical Traits of the French Bulldog Pug Mix Dog

One prominent physical feature you can see in the Frug dog is its wrinkly face, curled tail, and compact build.

Well, there’s no wonder—both parent breeds share this facial feature.

But hybrid dogs like the Frenchie Pug can look different from the rest of the litter.

No two Frugs are exactly alike.

Because in crossbreeding, one gene can be more dominant than the other.

However, Frug dogs usually have flat faces, which they inherit from both parent breeds.

You can also notice the Frug’s ears to be more erect and bat-like, similar to the French Bulldog.

And, of course, who doesn’t melt at that wide smile and bulging large eyes?

Living Conditions and Lifestyle of a Frenchie Pug

What it’s like living with a French Bulldog and Pug mix at home?

Well, both parent breeds have moderate energy levels and exercise requirements.

And unlike most canine breeds, Frug dogs don’t need lots of hardcore exercise routines.

If you have a pet-proof space and backyard, Frenchie Pugs can also enjoy simple physical and mind-stimulating games, too.

And fortunately, this French Bulldog and Pug mix dog is suitable for apartment living due to their small size, low physical needs, and moderate barking tendencies.

Can Frug Dogs Be Left Alone?

Frug dogs shouldn’t be left alone for long periods.

Due to their (very) affectionate nature and strong attachment to their owners, leaving them alone at home can trigger aggressive or destructive tendencies.

So if you’re working or running daily errands, be sure to have a familiar face dog-sit your Frenchie Pugs at home.

The French Bulldog Pug Mix Personality

With the French Bulldog and Pug’s affectionate gene, there’s no question why Frug dogs will tail you anywhere you go.

Such cute furry fans, aren’t they?

That and a whole lot of positive things and a few negative traits to watch out for—here’s a side-by-side summary of a Frenchie Pug’s characteristics:

Positive Traits You’ll Love	Negative Traits to Watch Out For
Easygoing	Becomes very anxious when left alone
Intelligent	Quite stubborn sometimes
Playful, likes to be the center of attention	Very challenging to train
Friendly towards kids, other dogs, and pets	Prone to breathing problems

With proper and early exposure to training and socialization, Frug dogs make great home companions for you and your family.

Are Frenchie Pug dogs great family pets?

Frug or Frenchie Pug dogs are great family pets because of their affectionate and loyal nature. They’re great watchdogs, too.

However, be sure to physically and mentally stimulate your French Bulldog and Pug mix dogs to help them burn energy.

Are Frug dogs great pets for kids?

Frug dogs are great pets for kids—not only as a loving companion but a protective watchdog, too.

And same with most dogs, early training and socialization are a must for this French Bulldog and Pug mix dog to develop a friendly temperament towards kids.

So, bear this in mind and be sure to supervise your kids, especially other visitors at home that are unfamiliar with your dogs.

Are French Bulldog Pug Mix dogs great around other pets?

Frugs or French Bulldog Pug mix dogs are great around other pets and animals, especially if early training and socialization are provided.

And with adequate and suitable living conditions, Frug dogs are one of the friendliest pets you can have.

Do Frug dogs bark a lot?

Frug dogs tend to have above-moderate barking tendencies due to their protective nature, especially in times of threat and danger.

And taking from their parent’s roots, Frenchie Pugs can be noisy pals at home, especially at a young age.

But with proper physical and mental stimulation—plus training—Frug dogs can live a day being quiet.

Are Frug dogs hard to train?

Frug dogs are very difficult to train due to their stubborn nature.

While training a French Bulldog and Pug mix dog can be a breeze for experienced owners, Frugs require lots of patience for newbie pup parents.

So, training your Frenchie Pugs at home needs constant routine and patience.

The French Bulldog Pug Mix: Grooming, Diet, and Health

Grooming a Frug Dog

The Frug dog is known for their short to medium coat and low-shedding nature.

But regular brushing is still a must to get rid of excess hair, keeping them neat and tidy.

Tip: Train your Frenchie Pugs to have brushing sessions done outside the house.

Doing this doesn’t only help you tidy up your sofa, but it’s also safer for people with dander allergies.

The French Bulldog Pug Cross Breed Diet

As a general rule of thumb, feeding your dogs needs to be proportionate to their size.

So for your Frenchie Pug dogs at home, be sure not to overfeed them to avoid obesity-related illnesses.

The better if you seek your vet’s advice on what type of diet your Frugs need.

Your vets will balance their daily food requirements to the following criteria:

Weight
Energy level
Medical history

Also, be sure to slow down on giving your beloved furballs some treats.

For a healthier approach, you can give fruit and veggie treats to your Frug dogs occasionally.

The Health of a Frug Dog

The Frug dog can live a long, healthy life with a proper diet and adequate living conditions.

But since hybrid dogs can inherit their parent’s genetic illnesses, it’s best to take note of the following conditions for your awareness:

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Also known as CHD, canine hip dysplasia is a bone disorder in dogs, particularly in the ball and socket joint in the hip.

CHD is a common health issue in small-breed dogs like Frenchie Pugs, which is commonly caused by the following factors:

Lack of exercise
Improper nutrition
Bone formation process

If you suspect CHD in your Frenchie Pug dogs, then watch out for the following symptoms:

Limping
Weakness
Hind leg pain
Difficulty moving

Meanwhile, veterinary experts make continuous efforts to look for treatments for CHD.

But, the following are known to relieve joint pain in dogs with CHD according to a study:

Fish oil
Green-lipped mussels
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan supplements

Note: Numerous studies confirm that maintaining a healthy body weight helps prevent or delay hip dysplasia in dogs.

Entropion

Notice a redness in your Frug’s eyes?

Your Frenchie Pugs might be suffering from entropion.

This is a condition in dogs where eyelids grow inwardly or lashes and hair rub against the cornea in their eyes.

And this condition is often caused by different factors, such as the following:

Eye infection
Eyelid scarring
Nerve damage
Specific dog breeds
Excessive weight loss

For specific canine breeds, entropion can occur in both small and large dogs, even in sporting groups, too.

To further evaluate if your Frenchie Pug dogs are suffering from this condition, take note of the following symptoms:

Eye redness
Excess tears
Sensitive to light
Constant blinking
Rubbing the eyes or face
Eye discharge in the outer corner

If your Frug puppies take 5 weeks of age (or longer) without opening their eyes, vets suggest having them examined immediately.

And in most cases, surgery is needed for pups with entropion if they reach 6 months of age.

To prevent this condition in your dogs, it’s best to check your Frenchie Pug puppies for any abnormal eye skin development at birth.

Breathing Difficulties

Brachycephalic syndrome is common in specific dog breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs, which have shortened heads.

This explains why these canine breeds’ facial structures look pushed in.

It obstructs their airways, making it more difficult to breathe than the normal dog.

That being said, you’ll notice the following breathing conditions in your Frenchie Pugs:

Loud breathing
Difficulty eating
Labored breathing
Poor heat tolerance
Gagging when swallowing
Difficulty coping with exercise

Note: Obesity worsens your Frenchie Pug dog’s breathing condition.

To prevent your Frug’s breathing difficulty from worsening, one preventive measure is to regulate their diet.

A vet-approved weight loss or control diet will help you get started.

Also, take note of the following preventions:

Avoid getting them stressed
Stick to moderate exercises
Avoid too much heat exposure

In severe cases, surgery is recommended by vets.

The Frug Dog: A Glimpse of the Past

Considered to be a new mixed breed, there’s not much information about the Frenchie Pug dog’s history.

But according to some breeders, this French Bulldog and Pug mix was bred 20 or 30 years ago.

It’s also believed that the Frenchie Pug dog was first bred in America, although no breeders have taken the credit by far.

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at the Frenchie Pug’s parent breed history below:

French Bulldog and Pug Mix: Brief History of the Frug Parent Breeds

Details	French Bulldog	Pug
Origin	England	Ancient China
Year	Mid-19th century	400 B.C.
Bred as	A companion dog, ratter dog	A companion dog
Significant deets	Known as the mascot for the lacemakers in England before moving to France, where the breed became popular with the French population	Pugs were companion dogs for the Tibetan Buddhist monks and the Chinese emperors and their families

Similarities and Differences Between a French Bulldog and Pug Dog

Characteristics	French Bulldog	Pug
Energy Level	Above moderate	Above moderate
Activity Requirement	Above moderate	Moderate
Drooling	No	No
Shedding	Low	Above Moderate
Cold Tolerance	Above Moderate	Above Moderate
Heat Tolerance	Moderate	Moderate
Affection Towards Owner	Affectionate	Affectionate
Temperament with Kids	Very Friendly	Very Friendly
Friendliness to Strangers	Very Friendly	Very Friendly
Compatibility with Other Dogs	Moderate	Above Moderate
Compatibility with Other Pets	Moderate	Above Moderate
Trainability	Moderate	Above Moderate
Noisiness	Moderate	Moderate

Frug Dog Breed Profile: FAQs

What does a frug dog look like?

The Frug dog has a wrinkly face, curled tail, and compact build.

With their French Bulldog and Pug parents, Frug dogs have flat faces and noses that are pushed in.

Are frugs healthier than pugs?

In mixed dog breeds like the Frugs, there’s no guarantee that they’re healthier than Pugs or any canine breeds.

It’s whether Frugs will inherit common or genetic illnesses from French Bulldogs and Pugs or not.

However, with a proper diet and adequate living conditions, both canine breeds can live healthy, long life.

Are Frug dogs expensive?

Frug dogs are expensive, with prices ranging between $1,000 to $2,000, especially from reputable breeders.

This French Bulldog and Pug mix is one of the most expensive designer breeds in the market, and they’re also considered rare.

Can Frug dogs swim?

Frug dogs can swim, but they’re not good swimmers compared to other canine breeds.

This is because of their short and pushed-in snouts that make breathing more challenging than the average dog.

Do Frug dogs have breathing problems?

Frug dogs have breathing problems or commonly known as brachycephalic syndrome, where their airways are structured differently than the average canine.

Are frugs good dogs?

Frug dogs are generally good dogs and are very friendly towards children and strangers.

But as a general rule of thumb, early training and socialization are a must to help them develop a friendly temperament.

Besides that, Frenchie Pugs are also great guard dogs due to their protective and loyal nature.

Frug Breed Profile: Before You Go…

Getting to know the Frug dog is another addition for pup owners who often find identifying a French Bulldog and a Pug a bit confusing.

They’re like twins, after all!

Without the erect ears, it’s pretty tricky to tell which is which, right?

Anyhow, this French Bulldog and Pug mix is yet another cute pooch on our list.

And despite them having bred 20 or 30 years ago, Frenchie Pugs are still considered to be rare canine breeds.

So, if you currently have one, let us know in the comments below!

Before you go, you might want to get to know other mixed dog breeds.

In that case, feel free to check out the following blogs.

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