Frug

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
fast facts

About Frug

Weight
15-30 lb
Lifespan
12-15 years
Best Suited For
Singles, seniors, and families with children and other pets, living in a house or apartment, with or without a yard
Temperament
Smart, social, stubborn, playful, inquisitive
Comparable Breeds
French Bulldog, Pug
Group
Not applicable
Height
13-15 inches

Frug Basics

Pug-mixed designer dog breeds are definitely a rarity, as this breed is often difficult to mate with other dogs, mostly due to its size and physiognomy. Still, as soon as the chance appeared, professional breeders did not hesitate. A unique crossbreed was soon developed, and quickly became adored across the world. Let’s meet these unique doggos! Also known as the Frenchie Pug, the Frug is a little dog who has a big personality. Sure, the name may sound a little unappealing, but personality is what counts, right (don’t worry, these little guys are pretty cute too)? These designer dogs make lovely pets for families of all shapes and sizes: from singles and retirees to families with older children. With adorable looks and sweet, easy-going temperament, the Frug is definitely a dream come true for many prospective pet owners! There aren’t many downsides to the Frug, as long as you can get past that name.


In terms of appearance, the Frug often has a wrinkly face, curled tail, and compact build. However, these are hybrids- which means that their appearance will vary greatly and there’s no set standard about desirable looks or behavior. Every hybrid puppy is slightly different, depending on which genes from their parental breeds prove to be dominant. Some consider that to be a selling point (there will never be another Frug quite like yours!), while others think the lack of uniformity in hybrids is a hindrance. It’s all a matter of taste amongst dog owners.


A mixed breed dog, the Frug is the offspring of two purebreds: the Pug and the French Bulldog. Both of his parents are extremely popular breeds, so it’s safe to assume the same future awaits their crossbreed puppies. Want to know if this designer dog is the right match for your family? There’s only one way to find out. Keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. All is about to be revealed.


Also known as the Frenchie Pug, the Frug is a little dog who has a big personality.


Origin

There’s not much we know about the creation of the majority of individual designer dog breeds. Some of the older or more prominent hybrids do have well-documented histories, but the rest don’t have the same luck. There’s simply not much information out there, despite the rapid rise in popularity of hybrids. The reason for this is that hybrids have always been around. In fact, there have surely been many Frenchie and Pug mixes throughout history, they just happened by accident (aka puppy love). The difference between these mixes and designer dogs is that the later were bred intentionally, with the goal of developing a new and improved breed.


Unfortunately, no specific breeder took the credit for being the first to deliberately cross a Pug with a French Bulldog. This fact leaves us to draw conclusions from what we know about designer dogs in general. It’s highly likely that the Frug came to be somewhere in the United States, and sometime in the last 20 to 30 years. The most probable reason for the mixing of the two breeds was to create a perfect little lapdog with the popular wrinkly-face look. Other than that, we sadly can’t be certain where these adorable little pups came from. However, we certainly can and should be grateful that Frugs exist anyways.


Pedigree

The Frug is a cross between a purebred French Bulldog and Pug. This is a first generation mix, which means that the mom and dad were of two different breeds that were crossed to produce a new hybrid. The F1 designer dogs are very unpredictable, as you can never know which parent’s genes will be more dominant. Sometimes, the puppies will look more like a Frenchie, while other times it will be the Pug that they favor in appearance. In some rare cases, the puppy may even be a perfect combination of both parental breeds. It’s impossible to predict, even amongst puppies born to the same litter.


This “surprise factor” is only a part of the appeal of designer dogs, as it allows the dogs inside one breed to still be unique-looking. No two Frugs are alike! On top of all that, some breeders claim that first generation mixes are also the healthiest ones. Further crossbreeding (between Frugs and eitehr French Bulldog or Pug) can sometimes lead to the re-emergence of breed-specific issues that are rare for first generation dogs. So first generations hybrids tend to be the most preferable option.


However, not all people think that unpredictability is something to aim for. For instance, the American Kennel Club and other major canine organizations don’t recognize designer dogs in part for the lack of standardized looks. As a result, Frug puppies don’t come with their own official pedigree papers. The best you can ask for is to see the pedigree papers for one or both of their purebred parents, as an assurance to the quality of their line. In addition, you should always ask for a health guarantee from your breeder. Sadly, there are many disreputable breeders out there who engage in unsafe practices, which leads to dogs with serious and unavoidable health problems. So, pay special attention to the pedigree of your breeder before committing to bringing home a designer dogs. The bad breeders out there don’t deserve your business and should not be encouraged.


Food / Diet

For every dog, no matter their breed or size, diet presents the very core of their wellbeing. In many ways, diet is directly responsible for the overall health of a doggo. So, of course, you should not neglect their needs and always provide them with the food of the best quality. To give your dog the nutrition that his body needs to thrive, stick with purchasing only the highest quality dog food brands available. These will contain whole, natural ingredients rather than artificial ingredients and byproducts that are undesirable.


You can feed your Frug anywhere from 1½ to 2 cups of a high quality dry dog food each day, but split this amount up into at least two meals. If you are planning on also giving your dog some canned canine food, you should reduce the amount of dry food accordingly to prevent your pet from overeating and gaining too much weight.


If you are ever worried about either establishing or altering your dog’s diet, then it’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian first. All dogs are different after all and each one has its own individual needs. While feeding guides offered by pet food manufacturers and pet blogs are useful guidelines, theu should never be treated as gospel. Only your vet is qualified to identify the specific dietary needs of your personal pup. So, always take advantage of their expertise before making any major changes to what you put in your dog’s bowl at feeding time.


The Frug is a cross between a purebred French Bulldog and Pug.


Training

No dog owner should ever avoid and overlook training. Without it, doggos can be a bit of a chaos to handle – they become unruly, willful, stubborn, and perhaps even aggressive. And training adult doggos is notoriously challenging. So don’t underestimate the importance of early dog training. Training a Frug can be a little challenging, as these dogs have a tendency to show stubbornness. If you start training your puppy as soon as possible (never let those early impressionable puppy days go to waste when it comes to training), you can achieve better results by establishing yourself as the pack leader and using positive techniques, like treats and praise, to encourage obedience. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training are really the only acceptable forms of training. Anything less is closer to abuse than training and will never yield the right results in your dog.


These brave and smart canines can be trained to be your watchdog as well. They are tiny, sure, but they have a lot of spirit and a tendency to bark at strangers and show a lot of courage. This can make them good in the watchdog role. While these dogs can get along great with a variety of people, you can train your pet to let you know if there is any suspicious activity going on outside your home.


Also, because this breed enjoys amusing its owners, you can certainly teach your Frenchie Pug a lot of fun and entertaining tricks. The key to success in training will be to remain calm and consistent, while keeping the sessions engaging for your dog. As long as your Frug is entertained and engaged, you’ll be amazed by what they can learn. These are proper little goofs when they want to be funny, and can even pick up some tricks all on their own. It’s just one of the many aspects of the lovely Frug’s character. 


Weight

When considering adopting a dog into your family, you can’t overlook their size and weight. It can be the deciding factor for many things. A small-sized breed, the Frug weighs between 15 and 30 pounds. Their small size makes them suitable for a variety of living environments, from small apartments to big houses. Of course, being cooped up all day won’t do them any good no matter the size of the space, so keep that in mind when getting a Frug. Considering their small size, Frugs will have a lot of spare energy and their activity levels will be high throughout the day. Ideally, you would have a fenced backyard where your pet could play and run around safely during the day, but it’s not a prerequisite – if you provide playtime and walks in the park, they’ll do just fine in an apartment.


Temperament / Behavior

Frugs look for attention, so they like spending as much time around their human family as possible. You will likely see your dog following you around the house, looking for ways to make you happy and waiting for you to interact with him. This can be both delightful and annoying depending on your mood, but at least you’ll never be bored with a Frug around. They simply won’t allow it (unless they are asleep of course, then all bets are off).


These easygoing, curious, and playful pooches will get along well with kids of all ages (provided of course that the children in question know how to handle animals with care). Plus, if you have other pets or other dogs, the Frenchie Pug will get along with them too (yes, even cats).


Common Health Problems

Like all other hybrid dog breeds, the Frug might inherit some of the health problems that commonly affect its parent breeds. It is important to note, though, that hybrid dogs can be surprisingly hardy and healthy, and there really is no guarantee that your dog will inherit any health problems from its parents. Plus, there is no way to predict what an individual dog’s health will be in the long run, so the best that you can do is simply be aware of the health concerns that are possible in Frenchie Pugs.


Keep an eye out for conditions that include glaucoma, allergies, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, breathing difficulties, entropion, and cataracts. As always, make sure to maintain regularly scheduled check ups with your vet (especially as your pup ages into his senior years) to ensure that any potential health issues are identified and treated as early as possible.


Life Expectancy

Frugs have an average life expectancy from 12 to 15 years. For such a small and relatively new dog breed, this is a remarkable lifespan. If we consider the fact that 15 years is the high end of the spectrum for most dog breeds, Frugs thus have it great! With their funky character and small size, and with their solid health, Frugs can make great four legged friends for a string of years. Of course, for your pet to actually reach that 15 years of age, you will need to offer plenty of good care. This includes a balanced and healthy diet, plenty of exercise, affection, mental stimulation, and regular vet visits. Without these, that 15 year lifespan will be just hard to reach.


Coat


We all know that every doggo has its own trademark – their coat. Shaggy or smooth, single or multi-colored, long or short, it is wonderful in all of its forms. Of course, it also gives a dog the beauty and elegance it needs. As such, a dog’s coat will have to be maintained at all times. The Frug is a breed with a relatively short and smooth coat, and as such, it won’t shed a lot. Still, it goes a long way to adopt a regular weekly routine of grooming and brushing, in order to maintain your pet’s tidiness and hygiene, and to keep loose hair at a minimum. You can do some light brushing as often as several times per week. You also shouldn’t neglect bathing, either, but don’t overdo it as bathing your Frug too frequently can irritate their sensitive skin. Of course, you can always take your pet to the professional dog grooming salon, where they will do some head-to-toe professional grooming.


Either way, you should never neglect your pet’s hygiene, as it is one of the cornerstones of their health. And besides, who likes a stinky pooch? That’s right – no one. 


Exercise Requirements

The Frug is considered a moderately active canine, so a leisurely walk every day will be a great way to keep your dog active and at a healthy weight. These dogs don’t do well when exercised excessively, so you can simply provide your pet with toys indoors, as well as some time to run around in an enclosed backyard or at the dog park.


Frugs will be more active when they are puppies. As adults, they will develop a calmer disposition, and they will enjoy relaxing. Regular activity indoors and outside, whether you live in a house or an apartment, will keep your dog stimulated both mentally and physically, and that will keep him happy, especially since he thrives on interaction. Of course, all this extra activity in their puppy years will require your utmost attention. If you let your guard down for even a moment, a super energetic Frug puppy can quickly get into all sorts of trouble. Especially when they get the so-called “zoomies”.That’s why your supervision is crucial at all times!


Of course, as such an active and small breed, Frugs are the masters of spending all those pesky calories. This makes them lean and strong – if their diet is balanced. However, if you neglect their needs for exercise and a complete diet, Frugs can be vulnerable to obesity. It’s not rare to see an obese and chubby Frenchie or a Pug, and these traits transfer over to their crossbreed, the Frug. Keep that in mind and keep your pet active.


Frugs look for attention, so they like spending as much time around their human family as possible.


Recognized Clubs

The Frug is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is a hybrid breed. However, this breed has recognition from the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).


Puppies

Frugs are small dogs as adults, so they will be tiny as puppies. These dogs are delicate and can get hurt easily, so handle them with care and teach your kids to do the same. These are fragile animals that need to be treated with a soft touch. Take good care of the environment they are in while they are just tiny puppies. Avoid crowded places and parties with a lot of children. As they are endlessly cute at this age, every kid will want to snuggle them, pick them up, and cuddle to no end. And that avalanche of rough child attention can end up traumatizing or even injure a little puppy.


Once you get your Frenchie Pug home, start training and socializing him as soon as possible. This will ensure that he will grow up to be an obedient and confident adult who gets along well with a variety of people and animals. Dogs that are not properly socialized as puppies can develop fear, anxiety, and aggression as they get older. This is never good, and will require a lot of work to remedy. That’s why it is crucial to introduce a puppy to new friendly dogs, new people, and children. With plenty of socialization, you can expect your pet to develop properly and grow up into a friendly and sociable dog.


Don’t overlook the importance of early training and socialization. Puppies are eager to soak up all the information and instructions that you provide, and you should definitely use that to your advantage. Give them good examples, establish important ground rules, and begin that basic obedience training. You would be surprised at how quick they learn! In no time you will set the foundations of a healthy, smart, and well-behaved adult doggo. 


Photo credit: The Donotron/Flickr

Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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