French Bulldog Pug Mix: Frug Breed Information & Overview

The French Bulldog and Pug create a seriously cute mix, who is more commonly known as the Frug. While his name sounds a bit grumpy, he is anything but! He is a spunky little dude who is full of cheekiness, affection and love for life. He hates to be left alone, and while he is very adaptable to most family homes there are a few things that you need to be aware of before you invite this little chap into your life.

While the way this pup acts will largely depend on which parent breed he takes after, there are definitely some breed commonalities that will show up in your Frug that you’ll want to be aware of.  These pups make incredible companions and are becoming a very popular designer dog breed because of how cuddly & mellow they are.

So, whether you are here because you have heard about the new canine sensation, or you’re here because you need to do a bit more research about him before you commit, here in this article you will find everything that you need to know about the Frug.

Parent Breeds

Even though the Frug’s parents are quite similar to one another, it is still important to learn a little more about their history and what they were originally bred for. Not only will this help you to understand what the Frug’s needs are, you’ll also know exactly what to expect from him. For more information on both of his parents check out our article on the Frenchie vs the Pug.

French Bulldog

In 2020, the American Kennel Club (AKC) have ranked the French Bulldog as the 4th most popular dog breed in America. He is described as adaptable, playful and smart, and he is popular among city dwellers because he is quite an easy pooch to look after. However, if you live in an appointment with noise restrictions you may want to consider your choice of pooch as he is a talkative dude, and if you don’t believe us check out Walter’s Instagram page.

His forefathers originated from England in the mid-19th Century, and he was the mascot for the lacemakers. When the lacemakers moved to France, he became a popular hit with the fancy French ladies, where they bred him with other dogs, believed to be the Pug, to create the French Bulldog that we know today. He was created to be a companion dog, and he still fulfills this role today. 

Pug

The AKC have ranked the Pug as  the 28th most popular breed in America, and he is described as charming, mischievous and loving. The Pug is also loved by city dwellers as he is relatively easy to care for. However, he is more energetic and curious than the Frenchy. To see his mischievousness, head over to Doug the Pug’s Instagram page, where almost 4 million other people follow him too!

The Pug, unlike the Frenchy, is an ancient dog breed, who was a firm favorite of the Chinese Dynasty dating back almost 2,000 years. A group, or gathering, of Pugs is called a grumble, but again, they are anything but grumbly. He is a cheerful chap who also has a zest for life, and he craves his human’s companionship.  The Pug is an extremely popular parent breed for other designer dogs, like the Puggle.

Frug Mix

Not much is known about the exact origins of the Frug, but both of his parents were bred for companionship, so you are guaranteed to have one of the best canine buddies around. His other characteristics will be dependent on which parent he takes after most, or he might even be an equal blend, and here in this guide we will run you through what you can typically expect from the Frug.

Temperament

The Frug is guaranteed to be a sociable canine who loves to be the center of attention, just like both of his parents. Being the soul of the party also means that he hates not to be involved, so don’t be tempted to leave the Frug for long periods of time as he will become very anxious, which can lead to behavioral issues. While he is small, he has been known to cause a lot of destruction when left to his own anxious devices, so if you cannot spend a lot of time with him then you should seek a more independent breed.

This sociability, however, comes with utmost loyalty, so if it is a canine shadow that you are seeking then look no further than the Frug. He will always be by your side, whatever the weather, and you’ll find that he will be pleasantly protective of his family. Despite his Brachycephalic syndrome, as the saying goes, he has a good set of lungs on him, which means that he is quite the barky pup and will alert his owners to intruders, which is exactly how he saved a Dutch Prince once upon a time, so you can also expect a fantastic little watchdog too.

His energy levels are likely to fall somewhere in the middle of his two parents, being more energetic than your average Frenchie, but a little more relaxed than the Pug. This means that you’re in for some fun and games and he will love a good romp in the backyard. When he is not playing or seeking mischief, you will probably find him on the sofa enjoying a solid snooze. Snoring and snuffling is something that you need to be prepared for though, as his flat face means that he has more difficulty breathing compared to other dogs, and rarely will you have a silent night with a Frug around.

Size & Appearance

Typically, the Frug will inherit a perfectly blended face of both of his parents, with the wrinkled face of the Pug and the large bat ears of the Frenchy, giving him a sweet and cheeky face. He will have a short curly tail, and little paws to boot. With a wide smile and large round eyes, you can expect him to melt the hearts of everyone that he meets.

He is a small sized pooch who weighs between 14 and 28 pounds, and he will measure somewhere between 10 and 13 inches in height. He will be stockier than the Pug, but less compact and square compared to a standard Frenchy.

Coat & Colors

The coat of the Frug will be short to medium in length that will be soft to the touch. His double coat will keep him warm, and sometimes too warm given the health concerns associated with his flat face, also known as Brachycephalic syndrome which we will discuss later, but do not be tempted to shave him.

The color of his coat will also be dependent on which parent he takes after, but he has the choices of fawn, black, brindle, white, cream, fawn brindle or a mixture of them. On rare occasions you may come across a pink Frug, and while an unscrupulous breeder might describe this as a rare and sought after color, this is in fact albinism which carries serious health problems, so do not work with a breeder who offers or describes this ‘color’.

Exercise & Living Conditions

Being a small pooch means that he is suited to both homes and apartments of any size, the only thing that he asks regarding his living conditions is that he is not left alone for too long. He will likely need mental stimulation throughout the day too, so be sure to provide him with plenty of brain games.

Because of his energy and love for playtime he will need anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes of exercise every day, and it is his low exercise requirements that appeal to many owners. Because of his flat face he often experiences breathing difficulties during exercise, so you need to monitor him during the warmer seasons.

Despite being a toy dog he is great with young children, generally because they are much heavier than the smaller toy dogs, and can withstand playtime and are generally more tolerant, so he makes a great option for those young families seeking a small pooch. As long as he is socialized well as a pup he also gets along well with other dogs and animals, so he would also slot himself perfectly into a multi-pet household.

Training

The Frug is a stubborn little creature who is not the easiest to train, so if you are a first-time dog owner or you are seeking a super obedient pup then, unfortunately, the Frug is probably not the one for you. If you think that you are up to the challenge of taming this little beast then you need to ensure that he is socialized well as a pup so that he grows into a well-mannered adult and gets along with all dogs, other animals and unknown humans.

If you find that you cannot train him to obey the basic commands, then it might be wise to enroll him into puppy obedience classes to instill discipline into his routine, otherwise he might turn into a naughty pooch who rarely listens.  Because of his anxious nature, it’s best to crate train as well, so you’ll want a smaller dog crate during training periods.

Health

The Frug is a relatively healthy dog who enjoys a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, but being a mixed pooch he is at risk from health concerns that affect both of his parents, so you should be aware of the following:

Skin Allergies – both of his parents suffer with sensitive skin, and there is a chance that he will suffer with specific skin issues such as demodectic mange, yeast infections, and cheyletiella dermatitis.

Eye Diseases – this is particularly true if he inherits the bulging eyes of his Pug parent, and he might be susceptible to a range of eye diseases such as corneal ulcers, proptosis, progressive retinal atrophy, entropion and dry eye, as well as general eye injuries from catching his eyes.

Ear infections: if he inherits the larger ears of the Frenchy, he will be more prone to ear infections simply because they will capture a lot more dirt, so be sure to clean them more often.  

Brachycephalic Syndrome: this affects flat-faced and short-nosed dogs who have trouble breathing and suffer with heat regulation. Not only can this cause a lot of discomfort for your pooch, but it often requires surgery if serious.

Nutrition

The Frug will consume anywhere between 1 and 1 ½ cups of food every day, dependent on his energy levels. If he does suffer with sensitive skin then you might want to consider feeding him a grain-free food that’s made specifically for Pugs or small dogs.  Many dog owners and Veterinarians comment that this is the best diet for those canines who suffer with sensitive skin, but be sure to consult with your Veterinarian for tailored dietary advice.

Be sure to keep all foods and treats out of paws reach because both of his parents are known to be scavengers, so the Frug is usually double the trouble when it comes to getting the munchies.

Grooming

The Frug is a relatively easy pooch to look after when it comes to his grooming routine, and a brush once or twice a week will be enough to keep his coat looking and feeling healthy. Because his coat is easy to care for, you’ll find that you will only need to bathe him once every 2 or 3 months too.

The only things that may keep you occupied when it comes to his grooming routine is dependent on whether he has skin wrinkles, big ears and bulging eyes. If he does, then you will have to pay special attention to those areas to keep infections and odors at bay.

Puppies

A Frug puppy typically costs anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000, which is much more expensive than the average designer pup. This is because they are increasing in demand, and because the French Bulldog is usually the mother, they require artificial insemination because of their physiology, and as such the process is much more expensive and requires breeder expertise.

As Family Pets

• The Frug is full of character and loves to be the soul of the party.
• The French Bulldog Pug mix puppies love to chew, so make sure they have toys to meet that need.
• You can expect a canine shadow with this Velcro pooch.
• He is very sociable, and because of that he hates to be left alone.
• He should be placed with a family that will not leave him alone for long periods.
• Both of his parents are companionship dogs.
• Their loyalty and talkative nature makes them great little watch dogs.
• The Frug is a well-mannered pooch, as long as he is socialized early.
• This mix does very well with other household pets and young children.
• His coat does not need a lot of brushing, but his wrinkles, ears and eyes will need extra attention.
• His flat face means that you need to be prepared for snoring.
• You should also monitor him during hotter months when exercising as he struggles to regulate his heat.
• He is also stubborn, so he needs a patient owner who will be consistent with his training. 

Finding a Frug Breeder

Frugs are quickly becoming popular, so it is important to find a reputable Frug breeder rather than a puppy mill. Start by looking online and be sure to conduct your own research and look for independent reviews from other customers. It is super important to you meet the breeder and their pups before you commit and ask to see all of their health certificates too. Be sure to check out social media groups such as Frenchie Pug Lovers, as these will offer a lot of advice about this special dude. 

Rescue & Shelters

If you are thinking about rescuing a Frug then you should head out to a few of your local rescue centers, but being a super popular pup there aren’t going to be hundreds of him about, so it may take a bit of time to find him.

If you struggle to find a Frug in your local center, then be sure to check out the French Bulldog Rescue Network website, or the Pug Dog Club of America website, and here you can find information on dedicated breed centers who also shelter mixed breeds too.

Final Thoughts

This designer toy dog is not concerned with his small stature, because his big personality makes up for it tenfold. He loves his human family, playing games and snoozing, and everything else in between. He lives life to the fullest, and just as long as you don’t leave him alone for too long his happy personality is infectious. His flat face and associated health problems are inevitable, but as long as you are aware of them and monitor them accordingly he will live a long and smiley life.