Pugapoo

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-14 years
The Pugapoo is a hybrid breed, which consists of a mix of Poodle and Pug. Since this is a hybrid dog, there is a chance that health conditions can become prevalent from either side of the gene pool.

Some of the known major health concerns associated with the Pugapoo include patellar luxation, Addison’s Disease, Cushing’s Disease, vaccination sensitivities, and hip dysplasia.

Patellar luxation is the medical term for a knee dislocation in your Pugapoo. This occurs when the kneecap slips out of place, and it can cause pain for your pup. The condition is often more notably seen in female dogs than males.

Addison’s Disease is another condition that affects the Pugapoo and is also referred to as hypoadrenocorticism. This disease occurs when the adrenal gland does not excrete enough corticosteroid into the body. The corticosteroid is needed to help the body maintain regular function.

Cushing’s Disease is often characterized by an increase of cortisone in the body, which is due to a tumor within the pituitary gland. The tumor is often benign, but the symptoms caused from it can include a bulging abdomen, increased thirst, hair loss, increased appetite, and weakness.

Vaccination sensitivities are not uncommon in Pugapoo’s. You may notice that after a vaccine, your pup is swollen or sore at the injection site. Sometimes, more serious reactions can occur such as anaphylaxis.

Lastly, his dysplasia can occur, which is when the hip joint is deformed or does not fit into the socket correctly. This condition can make it painful for your pup to get up and down from a resting position.

The Pugapoo’s life span is 12 to 14 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Pugapoo is considered a designer breed dog and as with other designer breeds, its exact origin is unknown. Since this is a cross breed, it is important that both sides of the gene pool are also considered when it comes to temperament and train-ability. There is no guarantee that a puppy will be bred to have genes from only one of the parents, let alone the good ones.

In general, a Pugapoo is considered a playful, enthusiastic, and loving dog. This breed is great with children and has a high tolerance for them. In fact, the Pugapoo is known to play with kids and have a fun and pleasant attitude around them without pushing his or her limits.

The Pugapoo is easy to train and loves to please his or her owner. Those who own this breed often say that they are a joy to have around since they listen and respond well to commands.

This breed is not a watchdog and will often greet people who come into your home with a wag of the tail and maybe a lick or two. If your pup receives more of the poodle genes, he or she will bark quite a bit, but this can be controlled with proper training.

The Pugapoo is considered affectionate and will curl up on the couch with you and soak up all the love that you have to give. While this breed does not need a lot of room to run around, he or she is quite energetic inside.

It is important to understand that the Pugapoo loves being around humans and is not a dog to leave alone at home while you are away all day, as this breed can develop separation anxiety.

The Pugapoo trains quite quickly and is considered intelligent. This breed likes to please his or her owner, which means he or she will listen and respond to commands. While you may want your pup to train quickly, the Pugapoo does not respond to harsh methods of training. Positive reinforcement and lots of love will go a long way with your Pugapoo.

Socialization is important with your Pugapoo as it will help him or her adapt to other animals and strengthen his or her relationship with you and others in your home.

Grooming

The Pugapoo needs a considerable amount of grooming whether she has the coat of a pug or poodle. If your Pugapoo has the poodle coat, he or she will need to head to the groomers once a month to have his or her coat tamed and controlled.

No matter the coat your pup has, you will need to brush it out every day to prevent tangles, especially if the hair is curly. Your pup may shed a lot too, so be prepared.

Bathing your Pugapoo only needs to be done when he or she needs it or starts to smell. You should clip his or her toenails once per month or more frequently depending on how quickly they grow out.

Diet

It is important to feed your Pugapoo a healthy diet made up of quality food. The food you purchase for your pup should have wholesome ingredients in it such as chicken, red meat, vegetables, corn, and rice.

Your Pugapoo should receive one to two cups of food, twice per day. You can give your pup wet food occasionally, but it should not be relied on as the only food source, as it can lead to tooth decay, dental problems, and obesity.

If you are unsure of the right food for your Pugapoo, talk to your veterinarian to find out what brand he or she recommends.
 

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Pugapoo Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Pugapoo

Cost

A Pugapoo will cost you anywhere between $100 and $800 for a puppy depending on the sex of the puppy and the breeder you choose to work with. It is not uncommon for a female puppy to cost more.

The price of your Pugapoo does not guarantee his or her health and in no way means that the puppy comes without any health problems. Make sure that you work with a trusted breeder to ensure the best puppy.

In addition to the cost of the puppy, you should factor in anywhere between $300 and $600 annually for your puppy’s vet checkup and vaccines.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. A Pugapoo is a great family pet and is easy to train. This breed does excellent with children, but you have to make sure you keep up with his or her demanding grooming needs. This breed ranks a 3.

 

Pug

Poodle

Bichon Frise

Miniature Schnauzer