Frugs – The ULTIMATE Breed Guide to the Frenchie Pug

Welcome to our guide to the Frug.

The Frenchie Pug is a designer breed developed by crossing the Pug and French Bulldog and is also known as a Frug.

The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Frug breed of dog.

You can also help too!

If you can answer any of the questions below, then please add your comments to the box at the bottom of the page or you can email us at sales@dogexperts.info.

We would love to feature your dog and publish any photos or pictures of your Frug you would like to email us.

Are you looking to buy a Frenchie Pug – then see our list of Frug breeders.

Frenchie Pug (Frug) Owner Interview

On the Internet you may have come across the popular Frug, Honeybear. We are fortunate enough to have interviewed Honeybear’s owner to get these insights into owning a Frug… 

Why choose a Frug?

Frenchies and Pugs are two breeds with enormous personality. Put them together and the adorable behavior is doubled.

What type of owners buy a Frenchie Pug?

Frug owners range across many types of people. Frugs are great with all ages, from babies to elderly. They do well in situations from apartments to acerages. Being small they don’t need as much room as large breeds, but love the outdoors and exploring.

Are you glad you chose to buy a Frug and not another breed?

Our family have been Pug lovers and owners for 30 years. Pugs are not only adorable but have great personality. A few years ago when Frenchies began to gain media popularity their cuteness and personality seemed to be equal to that of Pugs. However we were nervous about the health problems they endure. Then a family local to us had a litter of two Frugs and we were in love at first sight of a photo. We feel that mixing the genes keeps Frugs from having the health problems of either breed but gives you the love and personality of both.

How would you describe the Frenchie Pug temperment?

All Frugs are not the same. Ours is very protective and doesn’t like strangers getting close to our daughter. However, she’s not aggressive, only vocal. She’s playful, loving, and cuddly. She likes to nap, yet loves to chase squirrels and play fetch. She’s calm and usually quiet but gets excited to go on trips or out to play.

Are there downsides of owning a Frug that prospective owners should be aware of?

Frugs tend to have some of the stubbornness of Frenchies, so they can be difficult to train. And as typical with both Frenchies and Pugs, Frugs are very susceptible to weather extremes. They don’t do well in extreme heat and should be kept indoors with air conditioning. As well as heat, they do not do well in extreme cold, so it’s goo that they look adorable in little sweaters.

Is the Frug breed suitable for a person or family that are out at work all day?

Our Frug does just fine home alone (as long as she doesn’t have access to a box of tissues… some how she feels they are the enemy and must be destroyed). However be prepared for extreme excitement when you return so make sure you’re able to give some attention.

How is the Frenchie Pug with children?

Our Frug is wonderful with kids. She adores babies and tolerates ear and tail pulling with no issues. She plays well with children of all ages and cuddles when play time is over. She is, however, very intuitive to whether children are animal friendly or not.

How does the Frug get along with other pets?

We already had an adult male cat when we brought our Frug home. She has had no issues with him. He gets upset with her sometime and she just walks away. Other times they play together. She is also good with other family members dogs and she plays, sleeps and shares her food.

Thank you to Honeybear for the interview – if you want to find out more, you can find her here:

https://www.facebook.com/honeybearfrug

https://www.instagram.com/honeybear.frug/

Why Choose a Frenchie Pug (Frug)?

Owner Lynn Herrick says: “I’d say the best things about Frugs are that they are happy, friendly dogs with loads of enthusiasm (and have incredibly expressive faces!).”

Breeder Sue Bello of Deziner Bullz says: “My opinion regarding Frugs is that its a compromise, many couples come to us, the lady wants a Pug and and the man wants a Frenchie, and a Frug is the compromise of the 2 dogs, but many times they have issues with the ears, you are never sure if the ears will remain down or later on stand up like a Frenchies.”

Hi meet Alfie, born 17th March 2019. His mother is a Pug, Father is a French bull dog. We didn’t have an early start together so he was 7.5 months when I got him. Since then our bond has grown, hes brought something into my life I didn’t know I needed…I put it down to Pug love….he’s brimming with it.

I love the nice mix of the two breads, he has the smoothest, silkiest coat, only thick round his neck which needs little grooming although hes brushed every day. He doesn’t shed a lot though does need a bath every 4 weeks, his ears cleaned once a week, face twice a day minimum ensuring under his nose wrinkles are cleaned. This face cleaning routine has taken months for Alfie to allow me enough trust to get the job done but he hates it….. I still persist, I feel like it’s a battle of wills at time as he can be stubborn yet all’s forgotten when he plays you with his ears pinned down sad face.

He one of the kids when my grandsons call round. He toddlers about with them right in the thick of it all, happy as a pig in….you know!! His soft, loving nature is commendable and I can’t wait for all the memories we will make together so he ticks all the boxes. I wanted a companion dog, manageable in size, kind temperament and fun loving. I knew that Pugs and frenchies are great family pets so what better mix. I love my frenchie pug.

Kind regards
Lorraine and Alfie

What in your opinion are the best things about the Frug breed?

Why do you think the Frug is special?

What are your favourite things about the Frug?

What advice might you give to people thinking about whether they should buy a Frug over other breeds?

History & Origins

What are the history and origins of the Frug?

About The Frenchie Pug Breed

What colors of Frug are most popular?

What does the Frug look like?

What are the pros/cons of the Frug breed?

What can a new owner expect in terms of differences between the Frug and other breeds?

Do they attract a lot of interest and curiosity from the public?

What type of typical personality does the Frug have?

Is it possible to describe a fairly typical Frug?

What is the breed standard/description for the Frug?

Were there particular colors people preferred and that maybe you focused on?

Is the Frug breed of dog suitable for first-time dog owners?

Some breeds can be described as greedy and prone to weight issues, would this apply to the Frug?

What are the key differences when compared to other breeds?

Some owners seek a breed suitable for barking and offering a guard dog role – how does the Frug match up to that role?

Are there myths about the Frug – in other words do new potential owners come to you with misconceptions about this breed?

We asked a number of breeders in the UK and America what essential advice they would give to new owners of Frug puppies and this is what they said:

What types of questions do you get once owners get their Frug home?

Can you tell us something most owners would not know – tips, secrets etc from your years of experience?

What is the typical temperament of a Frug, so people know what to expect from their new pet?

When fully grown how much on average does a Frug weigh?

When the Frug is full grown in size what is the maximum height and length expected to be?

Is the Frug ever crossed or mixed with other breeds of dog?

Does the Frug smell or drool a lot?

Do you have a Frug growth chart?

What breed group does the Frug come under?

What type of coat do they have?

Can they swim?

What does the movement of the tail show, does it mean they are trying to ‘talk to us’ or give us some message?

Suitability

Are there some types of people that you can suggest the Frug is not suitable for, perhaps families?

Do you think the Frug is suitable for families with young children?

Is it better to buy one Frug or two?

Should prospective new owners be aware of any differences between males and females?

Would the Frenchie Pug be suitable as a guard dog?

Rick Brant owner of Frankie the Frug says “Yep very attentive dog. They’ll let ya know if something is up.”

Can I leave my Frug during the day while I go to work?

Lifespan

What is the expected average lifespan of the Frug?

In terms of life expectancy, how long on average would the Frug breed live to?

Food & Diet Advice for Your Frenchie Pug

Do you have any special feeding routines or diet?

Clare Harvey Devonshire owner of the lovely Boo says “Healthy Paws – meat and rice dairy free, hypo allergenic, gluten free etc! Also Wainwrights, store own brand but does all the same as above with higher level of protein! Boo is 6 months this month and so far no allergies or problems on this food! We reward when training with carrots and peas, as a healthy treat!”

Kenya Smith says “My frug (Braxton) has been eating NutriSource but we are in the process of switching him to a grain free food. We are trying Nulo Freestyle. He’s now seven months.”

Linda Shiells: “I feed my 16 week Frug Orijen puppy and he loves it.”

How to handle the Frug puppy to start off – how much food, what type, how often?

What feeding routines and types of food/supplements do you recommend?

What to buy in terms of equipment? Bowls etc

Do owners need to consider supplements for their Frug?

How about for older dogs?

Buying – How Much Do Frenchie Pugs Cost?

How much did your Frug cost to buy?

Can you offer advice to people looking to buy a Frug and how much should they spend?

What advice would you offer new Frug owners?

What types of people are buying the Frug and why?

Where can I buy Frug rescue dogs or find a Frug for adoption? Please note that buying or searching for a ‘cheap’ Frug can be false economy as they may have health issues that cost you far more in the long-term – always buy from a good and responsible breeder!

How much do Frug puppies for sale cost on average?

Do I need public liability insurance or a license?

Puppy

How would you describe the Frug puppy to potential new owners?

What types of owners are best suited to owning a Frug?

What colors and sizes are most popular?

Are there things new owners do that perhaps frustrate you?

What can people expect when they become a new owner?

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Frug?

As a Frug breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Are there specific times of the year that you breed?

Choosing a puppy from a litter, what advice could you offer potential new owners in terms of selecting ‘the one’?

How long does it take to housetrain/potty train a Frug?

When can you take them out in public and how do you handle them around other dogs?

Will they run off – when is it safe to let them off the lead?

We invite you to email us your Frug’s pictures, in particular we are looking for photos showing Frug puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks old as well as early pictures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 months old to a year old.

Do they have any nicknames or does the Frenchie Pug have popular names?

If my Frug is pregnant what might the litter size be?

Could the Frug be dangerous around young children?

Problem Behaviors

How do you deal with a problem barker – any tips and advice to new owners?

How do you prevent a Frug biting?

How do you prevent a Frug chewing?

How do you stop a Frug jumping up?

Does the Frug have an issue with excessive digging?

Why does my Frug keep growling and barking?

Is there a reason my Frug dog is often scratching excessively?

Do they suffer from separation anxiety and how can I prevent this?

Exercise

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what can you say about the Frug and their exercise needs and do you have any tips or advice for new Frug owners?

As a breeder of the Frug, do you prefer a collar or harness?

As an expert of the Frug breed do you prefer a standard leash or retractable?

Can you offer any dog walking tips for Frug owners?

Playtime & Tricks

What games and toys can you recommend for the Frug?

Are there toys you suggest avoiding?

How intelligent is the Frug compared to other dog breeds?

How much can they understand?

Frenchie Pug Grooming

Do you have any special grooming routines or tips and advice for new Dachshund owners?

How much time is involved?

What accessories are required to be purchased for grooming a Frug?

Any advice/tips you can give concerning maintenance of nails?

How much do Frug shed and how do I maintain their hair and how often?

How can I prevent or cure ear infections?

Do you have any tips for eye care?

Is the Frug a hypoallergenic breed?

Bathing

Any advice/tips you can give concerning cleaning and bathing your Frug?

Can you offer new Frug owners advice concerning fleas and maybe products you use in treatment and prevention?

Showing

What advice and tips could you offer to owners who might wish to follow your path in showing the Frug?

What started your interest in showing the Frug?

If a new owner perhaps wanted to meet other owners or find out more – perhaps they have an interest in joining a local club or maybe they wonder how they can start showing their Frug – where would they begin?

Can you offer any advice to others who may be wondering if they can also start showing?

How would an owner know they have a show-quality Frug and how would they start off?

Can you give away any of your secrets?!

Is showing very expensive and why do you think people like to do it?

What do judges look for in a winner?

Breeding Frenchie Pugs

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with Frugs?

What official organisations are there for the new Frug owner and what benefits or services do they provide?

In buying a Frug, can you offer advice and tips to new owners?

How did you go from being an owner to getting into breeding?

Do you think the breed’s popularity has increased, decreased or remains the same?

How did you progress to becoming a breeder and why focus on breeding the Frug out of all the breeds you could have chosen?

What do you think makes the Frug special to you?

Are there things that you see owners doing that frustrate you?

As a breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Training

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what is it like to train a Frug and do you have any tips or advice for new Frug owners?

How should new owners approach bringing a new Frug home, any advice and tips you can give?

Should I allow my Frug to sleep in my bed or elsewhere in the house?

Do you recommend crate training and how long does this take?

Should my Frug sleep in a kennel or crate?

Health

Health is always a major concern when buying a dog, do you have any advice for new Frug owners to be aware of in particular?

Are there any health-related tips you can give to owners?

What sort of health issues should owners be on the lookout for?

What is the recommended schedule for vaccinations for your Frug?

Can you offer any advice on how to treat and prevent worms?

What type of health issues can a Frug have and how do you deal with preventing these?

Why does my Frug have diarrhea?

Do they suffer from itchy and sensitive skin and if so why?

Why is my Frug vomiting and do I go to the vets?

When should I take my Frug for vaccinations and which ones do they need and how often?

How often will my Frenchie Pug be in heat?

Should I consider getting my Frug spayed or neutered and when and how much does this cost and what are the benefits?

My Frug is limping, what should I do and should I go to a veterinarian surgeon?

Do they suffer from allergies?

Why is my Frug not eating?

How much does it cost to insure my Frug?

What healthcare issues or diseases might be excluded from companies that provide Frug dog health insurance?

Old Age

What age would you class as an ‘older or senior’ Frenchie Pug?

Do you notice any changes in their behaviour?

What changes in food and diet would you suggest making for an older Frug?

Do you feed any supplements to an older Frug – or anything else which helps them as they age?

Are there any health issues particular to a senior Frug dog?

Do you have any advice for owners of an older/senior Frug or tips you can pass on?

Here is a really nice video showing a number of cute Frug puppies!