The idea of a pug and Labrador cross breed sounds ridiculous to many dog lovers. Yet, there are some breeders out to create this odd hybrid.
The biggest question from many dog lovers is whether this pug lab mix is a good idea.
There is an extreme contrast in the parent dogs that could make breeding problematic. There are also health concerns that could be a problem.
Is this a desirable mix or not?
In this guide to this pug lab cross we will look at the most important pug lab mix info, as well as some common questions.
We will look at the size of the dog, the physical features, the health issues, temperament and other concerns.
We will also look at the best way to get one – should you still want one.
Table of Contents
Few Facts About The Pug Lab Mix
| Other names: | Pugador |
| Weight: | 30 to 50 pounds |
| Height: | 16 to 18 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 15 years |
| Apartment living: | Yes |
| Tolerate being alone: | No, best suited for a family where someone is at home most of the day |
| Suitable for new owners: | No |
| Coat: | Have a thick double coat |
| Coat color: | White, black, brown, tan |
| Level of shedding: | Heavy shedding tendencies |
| Temperament: | Sweet, gentle, kind, stubborn, affectionate, loving, loyal, friendly |
| Exercise needs: | Moderate, should be outside for at least 30 minutes every day |
| Cat friendly: | Yes, early socialization is required |
| Dog friendly: | Yes |
| Kids friendly: | Yes |
| Price: | $800 – $2000 |
What is a pug lab mix called?
The term pug lab mix is common, as this is a clear representation of the breeding.
Yet, there are also many guides, owners and breeders that refer to this as a pugador. This cute name gives the mix its own sense of identity.
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The History of the Lab Pug Mix
Little is known about the history of the Labrador mixed with Pug, so it is important to study both parent breeds to better understand what you’re getting yourself into.
The History of the Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever or Labrador is one of the most popular pet dogs in the US. Almost everyone knows what a Labrador looks like.
The Labrador Retriever breed has its roots in Newfoundland, Canada. The first Labs were developed by crossing St. Johns Waterdogs with other small breeds.
Labs were originally used to pull nets full of fish from the water. At the start of the 19th century, some of these dogs were taken to the UK for duck hunting.
Labradors have also proven to be highly successful as guide dogs. They have also excelled in working roles such as hunting, tracking & detection, and therapy work.
The History of the Pug
The Pug is a very ancient breed that is believed to date as far back as 2,000 years ago.
Chinese emperors loved the unique appearance of the Pug, Shih Tzu and Pekingese breeds. For some time, it was only possible to acquire any of these breeds if you were gifted one by an emperor.
Dutch merchants returned to Holland with Pugs in the 1500’s and once here, they are believed to have become the official mascot of the Royal House of Orange.
Pug are said to have accompanied William and Mary of the Royal House of Orange to the UK, where this little breed became very popular as well.
There are a few immediate questions about the physical features and health of this mix
One is the size difference and breeding issues that come with it. There are major health risks when breeding small and large breeds together.
The best pug and lab mix breeders will understand the correct procedures and look after their dogs.
They will know that the only way to create a healthy litter is via a male pug and female lab, with artificial insemination.
The opposite would be too dangerous for a female pug with the size of the pups. Irresponsible breeders may not know this.
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So how big do pug lab mix get?
We clearly have two very different sized dogs here, so what can we expect with the size of this cross.
Is this a tiny little lab on short legs, an over-sized pug or something in the middle?
The lab pug mix weight is classed as being between 30 and 50 lbs, with a height between 16 and 18 inches tall.
Yet, it is difficult to guess a pug lab mix size. Some may have a leaning more towards the lab mother and end up bigger than that.
Other physical traits to look out for with this labrador pug cross include the short muzzle, stocky build and the possibility of a longer version of the pug’s curling tail.
There are online pictures of lab pug mix puppies that give an impression of the physical features that you can expect.
Some see them as attractive crosses of the two parents. Others feel that this mix makes the attractive gun dog misshapen and ugly.
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There will be some dog lovers that wonder if this might be a positive step.
Some may see this as a chance to breed some positive Labrador genes into the pug to remove some health issues.
There is the hope that a larger muzzle and stronger body might reduce any risk of breathing or joint problems.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. What is actually happening here is that breeders have shrunk the labrador, squashed in its muzzle and given it more health problems to contend with.
The list of risk factors with this pug Labrador mix is pretty long. There are joint issues carried over from the pug dog, as well as the risk of hip dysplasia from the lab.
This means that they need good joint care and owners need to watch out for weight gain. This could put stress on those joints.
There are also risks or eye problems, gastric issues and encephalitis.
Health care is essential with any dog, but there may be some pugador owners that struggle with this breed because of the issues raised here.
This is where an online guide, such as Kingdom of Pet’s The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health, can really help.
This will provide some basic information on food, exercise diet and health care to get you started. This is perfect when dealing with any joint or breathing issues.
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The coat and grooming issues with this dog
Many that are new to this mixed breed will wonder about the possibility of different colored coats.
It all depends whether the pug breeds with a black, chocolate or yellow lab. There are many pictures around of black lab pug mix dogs.
A black lab and black pug are sure to create this color. There is also the chance of a pug yellow lab mix, with a much lighter coat, and pug chocolate lab mix. Some will also retain the fawn look of the pug father.
The problem with this coat is that it has the tendency to shed quite a lot.
Both pugs and Labradors are heavy shedders and this means a lot of time spent brushing these dogs.
It is also important to trim your dog’s nails each month. Overgrown nails are likely to crack or split, leading to pain or discomfort.
Also, make sure to brush your dog’s teeth regularly to prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Dogs with clean and healthy mouths live happier and longer lives.
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What about the pug lab mix temperament?
This is where things start to get a little more positive with this pug lab mix dog.
The personalities are generally very appealing.
Both parent dogs are loving and friendly with a good heart. They are happy to be around kids and make great additions to the family.
Therefore, this hybrid offspring should also be a great addition to the home. They will love to play and be loyal to their family pack.
The only potential issue here comes with separation anxiety. There is a chance that this mix might become so attached to their family that they hate to be left alone for long periods of time.
Ideally, they should be with a family where someone is at home most of the day.
Behavior with children and other pets
The Lab Pug Mix is a friendly and cheerful dog who gets along well with kids and other household pets.
Inheriting their intelligence from the Labrador parent side and affection from their Pug parents, the Lab Pug Mix is a great choice if you have kids or other pets at home.
Training pug and lab mix puppies
All puppies need a strong training regimen from an early age.
Here the focus has to be on that separation anxiety, as well as general obedience and housetraining.
These dogs should be pretty eager to please and quick to learn with that mix of genes. This means that they shouldn’t be too hard to train.
Beware of using food-based rewards though, as lab mixes can gain weight and overeat a little too easily.
If your Lab Pug Mix inherits most of his traits from the Pug, he will tend to be a couch potato. Since this is a brachycephalic dog, you will also need to use a harness rather than a leash during training.
Any owner that has any trouble with these lab and pug mix training needs of these dogs should turn to Doggy Dan the Online Dog Trainer.
Doggy Dan is a respected dog trainer with experience with all kinds or issues and breeds. His simple step-by-step guide is an accessible approach for all kinds of dog owners. You can work on issues at your own pace, in your own home.
Exercise Requirements
The Lab Pug is considered a fairly active dog, so a short walk each day will be a great way to meet his exercise needs.
These pups don’t do well if subjected to strenuous activities, so you should provide you pup with plenty of interactive dog toys indoors and also give him enough room to play and run around in a fenced-in yard.
It is important to keep in mind that Lab and Pug mixes are generally sensitive to extreme weather, so it is important to monitor your pet’s temperature, particularly if it’s a very hot day.
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Feeding and Diet
You also need to closely monitor your pup’s food intake. The Pugador dog is prone to obesity, particularly if he has the small stature of a Pug.
Feed your Lab Pug Mix a maximum of 2.5 cups of high quality dog food per day.
Do not give him treats too often, as these can increase the risk of obesity. Treats should not exceed 10% of your pup’s daily diet.
Monitoring your Pug and Lab Mix dog’s diet is particularly important if inherits his Pug parent’s genes and can’t withstand intense physical activities.
Owners should also provide their dogs with probiotic and fish oil supplements to help keep their skin healthy. Also, giving your dog fresh water is vital to keeping them hydrated.
Lab Pug Mix Life Expectancy
How long does a Pug Lab Mix live? Well, the average lifespan of a Lab Pug Mix is around 10 to 15 years. Their life expectancy will vary from one dog to another, depending on the nutrition, care and attention they receive.
Both parent breeds have different dietary and nutritional requirements, so make sure to consult with your vet to ensure you are giving him a proper diet.
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Finding a pugador puppy for sale
As mentioned above, there is a clear need to find a responsible, experienced breeder with these sorts of extreme cross breeds.
The problem is that this is such an odd, rare mix that this could be tricky.
There may not be many breeders in your local area with any experience in breeding these dogs.
This either means a long trip to find one, or looking at litters from questionable breeders. Avoid those with inexperience, especially if you can’t meet the litter or parents before buying.
Also remember that the rarity of the cross, and the work involved in creating it, can lead to a high price tag. There are cheaper, more accessible Labrador crosses out there.
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How Much Does A Lab Pug Mix Cost?
The Pug Lab Mix price is around $800 to $2000, depending on the breeder’s reputation and location as well as the age of the puppy.
Before getting a puppy from a breeder, make sure to use your due diligence. You don’t want to get your new dog from a puppy mill, no matter the price.
Why not look at adoption rather than finding a pug lab mix for sale?
Pug and Labrador mix adoption is a great way for people to find a pug lab mix full grown in need of a second chance.
There could be many reasons why these adult dogs are in shelter – often through no fault of their own.
Some people may have given them up because the cute pups didn’t grow into cute little adults. Others will have struggled with the separation anxiety issues or healthcare costs.
This adoption process helps you to save a life and cut costs. Just be aware that you may need a little more patience on training if they were poorly trained as pups.
In case you have decided to adopt a dog, please fill free to check these websites:
Is this pugador dog a good idea or not?
There are some clear pros and cons with this dog. Unfortunately, there are more cons than pros.
Some breeders will have high standards and safe precautions when breeding their pug and lab mix puppies. Others could put their dogs at risk.
This is off-putting from the start. The end result can be a loving dog with fewer health issues than the pug parent.
However, there are many that will see this as an ugly Labrador with more health problems than its pure-bred mother.
There are many people that question why breeders would want to do this to a Labrador, as there are few clear benefits.
It is difficult to argue against this point, especially if poor breeding standards create these misshapen, unhealthy litters.
There are better lab and pug mixes out there. Still, those that are keen on this pug lab mix could see the upside and enjoy their companionship.
If you are still keen, try a shelter before finding a breeder.
