French Bulldog Pug Mix: Frug Breed Information & Overview

The French Bulldog and Pug create a seriously cute mix, which 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 their cuddly and mellow nature. Join me and meet the one-of-a-kind Frenchie Pug mix.

Parent Breeds

Even though the Frug’s parents are quite similar, it is still important to learn a little more about each parent’s breed history and what they were originally bred for. Not only will this help you understand the Frug’s needs, but 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 2022, the American Kennel Club (AKC) ranked the French Bulldog as the 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 apartment with noise restrictions, you may want to consider your choice of pooch as he is a talkative one.

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. 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. You may see this breed referred to commonly as the Frenchy or Frenchie.

French Bulldogs are very popular designer dog breeds due to their unique look and lovable personalities.

Pug

The AKC ranked the Pug as the 35th most popular breed in America in 2022. 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.

Unlike the Frenchie, the Pug is an ancient dog breed that was a firm favorite of the Chinese Dynasty for almost 2,000 years. A group or gathering of Pugs is called a grumble, but again, they are anything but grumbly. The Pug is a cheerful chap with a zest for life and craves human 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, though he is listed in the International Designer Canine Registry. 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 depend on which parent he takes after most, or he might even be an equal blend.

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. 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. 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. 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. This means that he is quite the barky pup and will alert his owners to intruders. This bold bark is exactly how he saved a Dutch Prince once upon a time, so you can also expect a fantastic little watchdog.

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. He loves a good romp in the backyard. You will probably find him on the sofa enjoying a solid snooze when he is not playing or seeking mischief. Snoring and snuffling are things that you need to be prepared for, though, as his flat face means that he has more difficulty breathing compared to other dogs. You will rarely have a silent night with a Frug around.

Size & Appearance

Typically, the Frug will inherit the perfectly blended faces of both of his parents. The wrinkled face of the Pug and the large bat ears of the Frenchy give 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 weighing between 14 and 28 pounds and measuring 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 Frug’s coat will be short to medium in length and soft to the touch. His double coat will keep him warm, sometimes too warm, given the health concerns associated with his flat face, also known as Brachycephalic syndrome. However, do not be tempted to shave him.

The color of his coat will depend on which parent he takes after. The Frenchie Pug mix 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. While an unscrupulous breeder might describe this as a rare and sought-after color, this is, in fact, albinism, which carries serious health problems. Do not work with a breeder who offers or describes this “color.”

Exercise & Living Conditions

Being a small pooch, the Frenchie Pug is suited to 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. Frenchies are prone to separation anxiety, so keep this in mind with your Frug mix. He needs mental stimulation throughout the day, so be sure to provide him with plenty of brain games.

Because of his energy and love for playtime, he needs between 20 and 40 minutes of exercise every day. His low exercise requirements appeal to many owners. Because of his flat face, he often experiences breathing difficulties during exercise. You always 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, can withstand playtime, and are generally more tolerant. He is 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.

Training

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

If you cannot train him to obey the basic commands, you may want to enroll him in puppy obedience classes to instill discipline into his routine. Otherwise, he might turn into a naughty pooch who rarely listens. You may also want to consider online training courses, which may be more flexible than in-person. Because of his anxious nature, it’s best to crate-train him 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. Mixed-breed dogs are often healthier than their parents. However, Frenchie Pugs are at risk from health issues that affect both parent breeds. You should be aware of the following:

Skin Allergies: Both parent breeds suffer from sensitive skin. There is a chance that he will suffer from 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. He might be susceptible to various eye diseases, such as corneal ulcers, proptosis, progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, dry eye, and general eye injuries from catching his eyes.

Ear infections: If he inherits the larger ears of the Frenchie, 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 from heat regulation. The condition may cause your pooch a lot of discomfort. If it is serious, it often requires surgery. French Bulldogs are at higher risk than any other breed for narrow nostrils and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).

Due to the high risk of health issues related to brachycephalic breeds, you may want to consider pet insurance when your Frug pup is young. The French Bulldog is known for its high risk of health concerns, so keep this in mind for any breed mixed with it.

Nutrition

The Frug will consume anywhere between 1 and 1 ½ cups of food every day, depending on his energy levels. If he does suffer from sensitive skin, you might want to talk to your vet about feeding him grain-free food. You can also consider food formulated specifically for Pugs or small dogs. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian for tailored dietary advice.

Be sure to keep all foods and treats out of paw’s reach. Both of his parents are known to be scavengers. 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. 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 only need to bathe him once every two or three months.

The only things that may keep you occupied when it comes to his grooming routine are 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. Because the French Bulldog is usually the mother, they require artificial insemination because of their physiology. As such, the process is much more expensive and requires breeder expertise.

As Family Pets

1. The Frug is full of character and loves to be the soul of the party.
2. The French Bulldog Pug mix puppies love to chew, so make sure they have teething toys.
3. You can expect a canine shadow with this Velcro pooch.
4. He is very sociable, and because of that, he hates to be left alone.
5. Both of his parents are companionship dogs.
6. Their loyalty and talkative nature make them great little watchdogs.
7. The Frug has good manners as long as he gets early socialization.
8. This mix does very well with other household pets and young children.
9. His coat does not need much brushing, but his wrinkles, ears, and eyes will need extra attention.
10. His flat face means that you need to be ready for snoring.
11. You should also monitor him during hotter months when exercising as he struggles to regulate his heat.
12. 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 meet the breeder and their pups before you commit and ask to see all of their health certificates, too.

Rescue & Shelters

If you are thinking about rescuing a Frug, you should head out to a few of your local rescue centers. However, being a super popular pup, there aren’t going to be hundreds of him around, so it may take a bit of time to find him. You can also check with your veterinarian about local rescue groups.

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

Other Mixed Breeds To Consider

If you love Frenchies and Pugs but are sure the Frug is right for you, there are plenty of other adorable mixed breeds to consider. Perhaps the Siberian Husky Pug mix or the Chug (Chihuahua Pug mix) will suit you better. You can also consider a Pugapoo or Matipug.

Why Trust Love Your Dog?

Emma is a dog owner with over 20 years of real-life experience. She has also worked as a professional dog walker and sitter for many years, taking care of countless dog breeds with different needs, including Pugs and Poodles. Emma dedicates countless hours researching the latest pet care, health, food, and training developments to keep her two best buddies and other doggy clients as happy and healthy as possible. She works alongside a professional and experienced team to bring the best, most accurate, and up-to-date information to our readers.