I have always been fascinated by Pugs due to their charming personalities and their cute, wrinkly look. My friend told me one day that she had acquired a new dog that is a nice mix of the Pug and the Pitbull, and you can bet that I was curious to see what it would look like.
The Pitbull Pug Mix, as I came to find out, is a breed that combines the best qualities of both his parent breed. Through my exploration of this mix, I have broken down everything you need to know about the Pitbull Pug Mix to help you decide if this is the right companion dog for you.
Pug mixes, like the Pug Lab Mix and the Corgi Pug Mix, are designer dogs that have grown in popularity in recent years because of their irresistible looks.
So, without further ado, let us dive into the Pitbull Pug Mix and see how they are different from other Pug mixes.
Table of Contents
Pitbull Pug Mix: Breed overview
Below is a brief description on what to expect from the Pitbull Pug Mix.
| Other Names | Pugbull, Pug Pit, Pit Pug Mix, Pug-a Bull, Pit-a-Pug, Pugbull Terrier Mix, Pittbull Pug Mix |
| Purity | Hybrid |
| Purpose | Companion dog |
| AKC Recognition | No |
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 20 – 50 pounds |
| Height | 14 – 20 inches |
| Coat Colors | Fawn, Gray, Black, Merle, Brindle, Black & White |
| Child Friendliness | Moderate |
| Canine Friendliness | Moderate |
| Training Difficulty | Easy |
| Grooming Upkeep | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Health | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 10 – 15 years |
| Puppy Costs | $500 – $2,500 |
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What is a Pug Pitbull Mix?
A Pitbull Mix with Pug is a cross between a Pug and the American Pitbull Terrier.
They are considered designer dogs that possess the physical and temperamental qualities of each parent in differing percentages depending on which genes are more dominant.
Pug Mix Pitbull: Parent breeds
To predict how a Pug Mixed with Pitbull will turn out, it is useful to look into each parent breed involved in the cross.
The American Pit Bull Terrier, or APBT for short, is a medium-sized, muscular dog with a short, smooth, and glossy coat.
They are characterized for their strength and confidence due to their powerful physique and have earned the reputation of being aggressive.
The American Pitbull Terrier, however, is a very intelligent and affectionate breed that is eager to please its owner and loves to work whose aggressiveness can be tempered through early socialization and training.
The Pug, on the other hand, is one of the most sought-after dog breeds because of its playful and charming qualities.
Their compact stature is characterized by a muscular physique with a round, flat face and wrinkly forehead.
They love the company of their family and show little aggressiveness but can be strong-willed and mischievous making some describe them with the Latin phrase multum in parvo, which means âmuch in little.â
Pitbull history
The American Pit Bull Terrier descended from the bull and terrier dogs that came from the British Isles during the 19th century.
They were originally used in bull and bear baiting, and later as a companion and working dogs that drive livestock and hunt hogs when the practice of blood sport was prohibited.
Through the years, the breed was developed to be larger than the original breed, and in 1898, was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) as the American Pit Bull Terrier.
The American Kennel Club (AKC), however, does not recognize the breed due to its association with dog fighting, but instead recognizes its smaller cousin called the American Staffordshire Terrier.
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Pug history
The Pug originated from ancient China where they were loved by the nobility and prized for their wrinkly face because it resembles the Chinese symbol for good luck.
They were introduced to various European royal courts during the 16th and 17th centuries and earned the reputation as being devoted and affectionate dogs.
The Pug further rose in popularity when Queen Victoria of England showed great interest in its breeding.
Over the years, the Pug has changed its physical appearance developing shorter muzzles and shorter legs compared to its original form.
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Pug vs Pitbull
The main difference between Pug and Pitbull is that Pug is a brachycephalic breed with a flat nose or smushed face while Pitbull has a wide, deep muzzle.
Various Pitbull breeds mixed with Pug
In the United States, Pit Bull is a term that could refer to several dog breeds that descended from bulldog and terrier mixes.
These include the following:
- American Pit Bull Terrier.
- The American Staffordshire Terrier.
- The American Bully.
- The Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
It also include hybrids that share the physical qualities of the Pit Bull, like the Pitbull Pug Mix dog.
Since the Pug is a very popular breed, albeit with lots of respiratory health issues due to their short snouts, they have been crossed with other breeds to increase genetic diversity and also lessen the vulnerability of the pups to develop breathing problems.
Pugs have been crossed with other breeds like the Siberian Husky and the Chihuahua, and also Pit Bull breeds.
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Pugs crossed with Pit Bulls aside from the Pitbull Pug Mix include the American Staffordshire Terrier Pug Mix or the Staffy Bull Pug, and the American Pugabull which is a cross between a Pug and an American Bull Dog.
American Bully Pug Mix
Pug bully dog or Pug Bully Mix is a cross between a Pug and an American Bully. The Pug and Bully Mix can have different sizes and weights since the American Bully comes in the following sizes:
- Standard American Bully.
- Pocket American Bully.
- XL American Bully.
- Classic American Bully.
Bully Pug Mix will have a brachycephalic head due to both its parents having short snouts making them susceptible to breathing problems.
Pug and Bull Terrier Mix
Pug Pitbull Terrier Mix or Pug Bull Terrier Mix is a result of crossing a Pug with any of the different distinct breeds that descended from the bull and terrier hybrids that include the Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, and the Miniature Bull Terrier.
Blue nose Pitbull and Pug Mix
This is a cross between a Pug and a Blue Nose Pitbull which has a purplish-gray coat and nose, and also blue eyes due to a recessive gene that dilutes the black pigment.
The resulting offspring could have a washed-out brown coat color with blue eyes.
Pitbull Mix Pug physical appearance
With the many differences between the Pug and the Pitbull, some may wonder what does a Pug and Pitbull Mix look like?
The appearance of a Pug and Pitbull Mix may vary, but typically they have a muscular and stocky physique, a large head, and a medium-sized snout.
The Pug Pit also has longer torsos than their legs and may inherit the black mask of Pugs with some also having a short snout or a brachycephalic head.
How big does a Pit Pug get?
Pug and Pitbull Mix will get to be bigger than its Pug parent and smaller than a Pit Bull.
Pug Mixed Pitbull size, height, and weight
Pitbulls and Pugs differ greatly in height and weight. Pit Bulls can reach a weight of 30 to 60 pounds while the Pug only weighs 14 to 18 pounds.
The Pitbull Pug mix size is medium and will fall between the two parent breeds with the male being larger than the female.
| Gender | Height | Weight |
| Male | 16 – 20 inches | 30 – 50 pounds |
| Female | 14 – 18 inches | 20 – 40 pounds |
Full grown Pitbull Pug Mix
Pug Mix with Pitbull will reach its full height by its first birthday and will continue to increase its chest size and weight until its 18th month.
A good indicator that a pup is still growing is to check whether they have oversized paws relative to their legs and body.
Pug and Pit Mix coat colors and types
Pit Bull and Pug Mix has a short and smooth, glossy coat. Coat colors can vary from fawn to red and also black, white, and gray.
Black Pug Pitbull Mix
Pitbull Pug Mix black sports a completely black coat or a predominantly black coat with some white markings on their body.
Pug Pitbull Mix black tends to have a single coat, unlike brown-colored Pug Pits which may have a soft inner coat and a short top coat.
Pug Pitbull Mix temperament and personality
Pit and Pug Mix is generally an affectionate and intelligent breed with a bit of stubbornness mixed in.
They also have a moderate prey drive which they get from the Pit Bull but is not overly aggressive and prone to biting.
They love to snuggle and enjoy being lap dogs without having a strong separation anxiety.
Is Pug and Pitbull Mix a good family dog?
Yes, the Pit Bull Mixed with Pug can be a good addition to your family. They enjoy human company and are very playful with kids.
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They can get along well with other pets they grew up with, as well as, other animals as long as they were trained and socialized early.
Pug Pits generally have calm behavior and would only resort to barking or growling when they perceive some kind of threat.
Pitbull Pug ideal living conditions
Pitbull and Pug can adapt to any type of dwelling including apartment living. They are medium-sized dogs with a moderate prey drive, so a home with a strong fence may be necessary to prevent them from jumping over.
If your town or county does not allow physical fences, don’t fret! A great alternative would be to install a wireless dog fence which will also keep your K9 companions safe and sound.
They are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so they should not be left chained up outside your home.
If your furry friends enjoy being outdoors, it’s a good idea to get an electronic dog door which will allow them to head outside whenever they want during the day and come back into the house whenever they’re ready.
What’s great about the automatic doggy door is that it is programmable and you can set curfew hours. This way, your little pups can enjoy some outdoor fun during the day while staying safe indoors at night.
Best of all, you’ll no longer need to open or close the door for your pups every time they need to head outside or come back into the house.
Pit Bull Pug training
Pitbull Pug puppies should be trained and socialized early in order to have a well-rounded personality.
Pitbull Pug dog has a mixture of the protective nature of the Pitbull and the calm and quiet demeanor of the Pug.
Pug Pits also inherit the stubborn nature of both their parents, so it is important to establish yourself as the alpha to make them learn and obey your commands adequately.
They love to please their owners and would be greatly motivated to be trained when positive reinforcements are utilized.
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Pug Pit Bull exercise requirement
Pitbull Mixed with a Pug requires around an hour of daily exercise that can be split into 2 sessions per day.
Pug Pitbull Mix puppies with shorter snouts may need even less exercise in order to prevent any breathing difficulties.
Pug Pit Mix grooming and cleaning
A Pug Mixed with a Pitbull is not a high-maintenance dog due to their short coats, but you have to take care of their other hygienic needs, especially their skin folds, in order to keep them free from any skin diseases.
Brushing
Even though they have short hairs, Pug Pits still shed moderately throughout the year. They should be brushed every 1 to 3 days with a slicker brush and more during their shedding season.
During the shedding season, the FURminator de-shedding tool is one tool that is very effective in keeping their coat clean and free from loose hairs.
Another is to use a 2-in-1 brush that has stainless steel pins on one side and soft bristles on the other. The soft bristles help in distributing natural oils throughout the body and the steel pins are useful in collecting loose hairs.
Bathing
Pug Pits can be bathed every 3 to 4 weeks or when their coat is starting to smell. Use mild dog shampoo products that have natural ingredients like aloe and oatmeal to soothe their skin and prevent skin irritations.
Bathing them too often is not recommended since this can dry their skin and cause the hair to fall off.
The wrinkling on their face should also be cleaned regularly. Use canine facial wipes or a soft, damp cloth to wipe away any debris that could cause bacteria to proliferate.
Teeth Brushing
Oral care is one of the most important grooming requirements your Pug Pit needs. Studies have shown that having healthy gums and teeth can prolong a dogâs life.
When brushing your pup’s teeth, use an enzymatic toothpaste for dogs that can lessen the formation of plaque and tartar.
Never use toothpaste meant for humans for some may contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs such as xylitol.
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Nail Trimming
Pitbull Pug Mix puppy can start nail trimming around 6 weeks old. You can trim it every week even if it is a tiny trim.
Getting them used to nail trimming during puppyhood will lessen their anxiety around this activity.
You can use a professional nail clipper or a dog nail grinder depending on your comfort.
It is important to trim their nails regularly to prevent pain and injuries on their foot.
Ear Care
Clean your Pug Pitâs inner ear canal every month or so to prevent any dirt or wax accumulation.
This would prevent infections due to constant scratching and discomfort.
You can check the outer ear canal and inner flaps weekly if there is any foul smell or moisture.
Use ear wipes or a damp cloth to clear any debris in the outer canal.
For the inner canal, apply some drops of an ear solution and massage the ears gently at the base to move the liquid around then wipe it with a cotton ball.
Eye Care
Pug Pits have loose skin around their face. This should be cleaned and wiped regularly, especially those around the eyes, to prevent any moisture from accumulating.
Bacteria can easily grow beneath the folds and can cause infection.
The eyes should also be checked for any redness or discharge that could be a sign of irritation.
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| Grooming Needs | Grooming Frequency |
| Brushing | 1 – 3x per weekly |
| Bathing | 1x per month |
| Teeth Brushing | 3x per weekly |
| Nail Trimming | As needed |
| Ear Cleaning | Check weekly |
| Eye Cleaning | Check weekly |
Is a Pitbull Pug Mix hypoallergenic?
No, a Pitbull Mixed with Pug is not hypoallergenic, meaning, some sensitive people can suffer from inflammation in their nasal passages after getting exposed to a dogâs dander and saliva.
The common signs of allergic reactions from a Pitbull Pug Mix are nasal congestion, sneezing, and eczema.
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If you or anyone in your family is sensitive to pet hair, dander, or saliva, it will be helpful to get an air purifier with HEPA filter.
Placing HEPA air purifier throughout your home can help eliminate the dust, pollen, mold, doggy fur and dander, and dust mites from the air.
This can help solve most of your breathing issues around the home if you’re sensitive to allergies or suffer from allergies.
We recommend getting an air purifier that also has a UV light filter which can help remove germs and odor in your home.
Do Pitbull Pug Mix shed?
Yes, a Pug and a Pitbull Mix sheds but the severity of shedding depends on which parent gene is more dominant.
The short-haired Pug parent can either be single-coated or double-coated and regardless of coat type, Pugs shed almost all year round.
On the one hand, Pitbulls only shed minimally all throughout the year but the shedding increases at the onset of summer and winter.
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That said, a Pug and a Pitbull Mix will definitely shed year-round but itâs just a question of how severe it will be.
If you would like to keep the effects of shedding to a minimum, grooming regularly and using a vacuum cleaner can help. It’s best to use a vacuum cleaner that is durable and heavy-duty and can easily vacuum between hardwood floors and carpet.
Pit Bull Pug Mix food and diet
A Pug Mixed with a Pitbull is an active breed that requires a balanced diet to meet all its nutritional requirements.
Pitbull and Pug Mix puppies have different requirements from adult dogs. Puppies need a higher level of caloric intake because they are actively playing and growing.
High-quality puppy food that you can buy online or from grocery shelves contains more protein and calories for proper growth and development.
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Additionally, high-quality dog food contains the right amount of essential vitamins and minerals including fatty omega acids.
Puppies can be fed an average of 1 cup of high-quality dog food each day. Itâs best to divide this into 3 servings. Adult dogs may be given 1 ½ cups of dog food divided into 2 servings each day.
Can you give doggie treats? Absolutely yes! But do not spoil your dog too much because it may lead to obesity.
Aside from the commercially-available dog treats, you can share with your Fido some fresh ingredients in your pantry like carrots, bananas, and apples.
Pitbull and Pug Mix health issues
While a Pug Pitbull Mix breed is a robust breed, this does not mean that he cannot inherit some of the health issues of his parents.
This is why genetic testing for early detection of gene-related diseases is important which is done through a dog DNA test kit at home.
Many canine owners trust the Embark dog DNA test because it can help detect the pup’s specific breed and health issues.
This test will enable diagnosis of the health issues even before the initial symptoms appear.
The results of the dog DNA test kit are accurate and reliable. Knowing your dogâs health problems would enable you and your dogâs healthcare provider to make decisions about the health of your Pitbull and Pug Mix dog.
1. Hip Dysplasia
A genetic disease, hip dysplasia occurs during the growing phase of puppies.
During this phase, the head of the femur and the pelvis socket should grow in unison, which is not the case for dogs suffering from hip dysplasia.
Watch out for reluctance to climb the stairs and pain in the hind legs as these are the initial signs.
2. Encephalitis
This is caused by an inflammation in the brain and in some cases, the spinal cord as well.
The symptoms are fever and facial paralysis.
3. Epilepsy
Canine epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures. The underlying reason is still not yet identified but genetics may play a huge role in why some dogs are more prone to this disease.
4. Allergies
The Pug parent is prone to skin allergies that can be caused by food or environmental factors.
Severe itching and heavy ear discharge are 2 of the symptoms.
5. Hypothyroidism
This endocrine disorder is caused either by shrinkage or the inflammation of the thyroid gland.
If you see your Pug Pitbull Mix breed shedding excessively which leads to the thinning of fur, itâs best to have its thyroid gland checked.
6. Ichthyosis
Quite common among Pitbulls, this is a genetic disorder that causes skin problems.
The affected dog will demonstrate rough and greasy skin plus a hardening of the paw pads.
7. Diabetes
This is an incurable disease that is caused by the bodyâs lack of insulin production. Excessive thirst and increased urination are usually the initial signs.
Pitbull Pug Mix lifespan
The life expectancy of a Pug Pitbull Mix is from 10 to 15 years.
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Pug Pitbull Mix breeder
A Pugs Mixed with Pitbull is not a rare designer dog breed but we cannot guarantee you that finding Pug and Pitbull Mix puppies is going to be a walk in the park.
This is because many breeders would rather produce purebred than mixed dogs.
Always be on your toes when dealing with breeders.
So, how do you know if you are being scammed or not?
Here are some guidelines for you:
- Responsible breeders will not hesitate to invite you over to their breeding areas.
- Responsible breeders will have medical records to prove the good health of the parents and the Pug and Pitbull Mix puppies.
- Responsible breeders are knowledgeable about the breed.
Pitbull Pug Mix puppies
What are the things you need to prepare for before bringing home a Pug Pit Mix puppy?
First is to look for a veterinarian with whom you are comfortable asking questions about various issues in raising a dog.
Second, get some chew toys because by the time you bring home your Pug Pitbull Mix puppy, its milk teeth will fall off in a few weeksâ time and its permanent teeth will erupt.
This means swollen and painful gums which can be relieved by chew toys.
Then, it’s best to place potty training pads down because you should expect your Pug Pit Mix puppy to pee and poop inside your home.
Take note that he/she is still in the process of learning how to use the âbathroomâ outside, so expect accidents to happen during the first few weeks.
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Lastly, puppy-proof your home. Cover wires, cables, and anything that can cause electrocution.
Cover trash cans because puppies are curious creatures so they will explore and may eat anything they find interesting inside the trash can.
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Pit Pug price
The average cost of buying a Pig Pit Mix puppy from a breeder can be between $500 and $2,500.
The price range varies because of different factors like gender, size of the litter, and the breederâs name.
If you want to get the puppy or adult dog at a lower price range, weâve shared with you some adoption sites that you can find later in the article.
Now, next to purchasing your dog, there are expenses you need to deal with, some of these are one time-expenses while some are the essentials that you need to include in your monthly budget.
| Types of Expenses | Average Price | Find it here: |
| Food & Treats | $80 – $120 | Puppy and dog food |
| Feeding Bowls | $15 – $30 | Doggy bowls |
| Collar & Leash | $20 – $50 | Dog collar |
| Doggie Bed | $50 – $150 | Doggy beds |
| Crate | $70 – $250 | Dog Crate |
| Grooming Tools | $40 – $70 | Grooming Supplies |
| Toys | $10 – $30 | Dog toys |
| Initial Veterinary Exam | $100 – $250 | |
| Veterinary Expenses (vaccinations & deworming) | $100 – $250 | |
| Microchipping | $45 – $55 | |
| Neuter/Spay | $40 – $500 | |
| Dog Licensing | $10 – $20 | |
| Total | $580 – $1,775 |
Pitbull Pug Mix for adoption
As mentioned early on, youâd be able to adopt a Pitbull Pug Mix at a lower cost in adoption centers. Here are 2 places where you may find the mixed puppy of your dream:
Love Pit Rescue (thelovepitrescue.org) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Dallas, Texas. The adoption fees are $350 for puppies and $200 to $300 for adults.
You may also want to check the webpage of New York Bully Crew (nybullycrew.org).
Places to find Pug Pitbull Mix puppies for sale
We have a list of 3 breeders who may have available Pugbull puppies for sale. These breeders can also give you links to breeders who are crossbreeding Pugs with Pitbulls.
Anderson Pitbulls (andersonpitbulls.com) located in California is a possible place to find Pugbull puppies.
If youâre based in Australia, you can go to Platinum Bullies (americanbulliesaustralia.com.au) to find Pitbulls with the best bloodlines.
Sharp Pugs (midwestpugs.com) in Illinois produces genetically tested and Pugs with unique colorations. You may want to ask for referrals for Pugbull puppies for sale.
Finding a healthy Pitbull Pug Mix for sale
Some of you may be more inclined in taking care of adults than puppies. These 3 breeders may have some retired dogs that they want loving families like yours to take in for a reasonable fee.
Big Gemini Kennels (biggeminikennels.com/adults-for-sale.php) have adult dogs for sale.
Blue Nose Pitbulls (bluenosepitbullpups.com) has been in the business of producing top-quality Pitbulls for over 8 years and it is home to Pitbulls with exotic colors.
Sheffield Pugs (sheffieldpug.com) was given an AKC Breeder of Merit because of the breederâs dedication to producing healthy and well-tempered Pug puppies.
Pug Pitbull Mixes
Youâd be surprised but yes, it is possible to cross a Pug Pitbull Mix with another purebred like a Boxer.
Of course, it will be pretty hard to predict the exact physical traits and the temperament of these mixed dogs, but we can more or less guess based on the characteristics of the parents.
Puggle Pitbull Mix
What do you get if you crossbreed a Pitbull with a Pug and Beagle Mix? You get an active Pug Beagle Pitbull Mix dog.
A Puggle Pit Mix is best cared for by a seasoned dog owner because it has stubborn streaks and can get really actively playful which may be too much to handle by a newbie dog owner.
Pitbull Boxer Pug Mix
This is a mix of 2 brachycephalic dog breeds namely a Pug and a Boxer and then mixed with a Pitbull. Chances are high that this dog may also have a flat face and a shortened nostril. Thus, exercise it with caution to avoid getting dehydrated.
Chihuahua Pug Pitbull Mix
Pitbull Pug Chihuahua Mix is a small to medium-sized dog that can be feisty yet sweet. It is also possible that a Pug Chihuahua Pitbull Mix is an energetic dog that can get destructive if not given its much-needed physical stimulation.Â
Pug Mix Pitbull: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Loyal | Not hypoallergenic |
| Good watchdog | Moderate shedder |
| Intelligent | Needs human or canine companionship to avoid separation anxiety |
| Requires less time for grooming | Can get destructive if left alone for long hours |
| Generally quiet | Tends to be stubborn |
| Good family pet | May not blend well with other pets unless socialized early on |
Is the Pitbull Pug Mix right for me?
If you can commit at least 30 minutes to an hour to exercise with a Pitbull Pug Mix, yes, this is a good canine buddy for you.
And, for as long as you are firm and consistent in your training program, this dog is a great dog for the whole family.
Related Questions
A British Bull and a Terrier are the 2 dogs that make a Pitbull.
The price of a a Pug Pit is between a price range of $500 and $2,500.
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With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
