The adorable mixed frug descends from the French bulldog and the pug, two little purebred dogs with loads of personality. Also known as Frenchie pugs, these designer dogs are sweet and easygoing, boasting many of the distinctive desirable traits of the two breeds.
Their fine coats come in cream, black, white, and fawn colorings, with each pup often taking on the unique characteristics of its parents’ appearance and temperament. No one knows how the frug appeared on the scene, but since they first appeared in the early 1990s, they’ve become one of the most sought-after designer dogs.
Their name might be unusual-sounding, but if you can get past that, frugs make much-beloved pets for single owners, families, and retirees alike.
The Best Dog Food
Frugs are small dogs that require the right nutrition to live a happy, healthy life. Your pup will benefit from a diet containing whole-food ingredients, free of artificial ingredients and unwanted byproducts.
While it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian to determine your dog’s individual food needs, most frugs need only 1 to 1.5 cups of dry dog food each day, divided between two meals. These pups can easily overeat and gain weight without proper nutritional supervision, as they are on the smaller side.
Real ingredients designed to support small-dog nutritional needs properly are your best bet to provide your frug the diet that’ll give them the best chance of a long, healthy life.
Frugs are compact dogs loaded with personality.
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Pros And Cons Of Owning a Frug
| Pros: | Cons: |
|---|---|
| Great with kids of all ages These mild-mannered dogs love children and can handle pushy toddlers as easily as older kids. | Can be noisy Frugs’ bark can be meaner than their bite, and these noisy dogs are sure to alert you when there’s a potential intruder. |
| Supremely cute Both French Bulldogs and Pugs are adorable, so it’s no wonder their offspring are just as cute. | Snoring and breathing issues The flat-faced snout can cause breathing issues for frugs, which can lead to more serious health concerns if not monitored. |
| Cost is relatively low maintenance These dogs don’t need much in the way of grooming or exercise. | Requires patient training Frugs can sometimes be stubborn and require a patient hand during training. |
Size and Weight
On average, frug females range from 12 to 13 inches in height, while males grow as tall as 15 inches. These dogs are surprisingly hefty for their size, with females weighing up to 20 pounds and males weighing as much as 23 pounds at maturity.
Common Health Issues
As is typical with designer dogs, frugs are susceptible to the same health concerns that affect their parents. There’s no guarantee that your individual pup won’t face genetic health concerns later on in life.
Common health issues in frugs include breathing problems, glaucoma, hip dysplasia, and cataracts. The best protection against these and other health issues is to source your puppy from a reputable breeder. It’s also essential to regularly schedule checkups with your veterinarian to identify potential health problems early.
Temperament
Frugs thrive on attention and love spending as much time playing and relaxing with their humans as possible. This dog will follow its people around the house and craves cuddle time. While it can be odd to have a dog following you around when you may want privacy, the silly moods of these dogs all but guarantee entertainment.
Frugs are easygoing and curious, happy to play with kids of all ages as long as the children know how to play appropriately with an animal. Frugs usually get along well with other dogs or pets.
How To Take Care of Frug
Frugs require a bit more care than the average mutt, but pay it back in terms of companionship and affection. A tiny bit of grooming and early socialization will keep your pup happy, and despite the breed’s stubbornness, they can learn a host of tricks with proper training.
Maintenance And Grooming
Frug coats are typically short-to-medium length with a soft, silky texture. These dogs have a double coat that can sometimes lead to overheating, which should be closely monitored to prevent or not exacerbate any breeding problems. Brushing weekly or biweekly should keep a frug coat in tip-top shape, and they should only need a bath every few months.
Of note, frugs’ bulging eyes and big ears make them susceptible to infection, so be sure to pay unique attention to those areas during cleanings.
A frug is a crossbreed of a pug and a French bulldog. They are sometimes also referred to as “Frenchie pugs.”
©Bokehboo Studios/Shutterstock.com
Training
Frugs have a reputation for slight stubbornness and think they are the boss if not properly trained. Consistently and calmly training your puppy as early as possible can establish you as leaders of the pack and make future training easier. Reward-based training and positive reinforcement are good choices, yielding effective results that can be repeated across various tricks and commands.
Frugs’ watchful, brave nature also makes them valuable watchdogs. They get along with people quickly, but you can train your pup to alert you to any suspicious activity outside your residence.
Exercise
Frugs thrive on moderate levels of exercise. A daily walk is adequate to keep them in shape and at a healthy weight. Don’t work these pups too hard, as their flat snouts make it hard to access enough oxygen for heavy activity. Instead, indoor toys and playtime will keep them happy in both houses and apartments.
Puppies
As such small dogs, it’s no wonder frugs are tiny puppies. Frug pups are delicate and injure easily, requiring gentle care during handling. Avoid crowded places early in their lives, and gently introduce them to family and larger spaces.
Early socialization and training yield exponentially successful results, ensuring your dog grows into a confident and obedient adult. Without early exposure to lots of new dogs, situations, and people, frugs may become anxious and reactive to others.
Frug And Children
Frugs love to please and thrive off of undivided attention, making them suitable companions for children. However, it’s recommended that adults supervise playtime, as a frug could be hurt or crushed by overly excited kids.
Dogs similar to Frug
The frug is closely related to its parent breeds, the French bulldog and the pug, as well as the fellow short-snouted dog, the Boston terrier.
- French bulldog: These non-sporting pooches are overtly affectionate and sport bulging eyes and giant ears.
- Pug: A compact pooch, pugs share moderate yappiness and compact stature with their frug cousins.
- Boston terrier: The friendly, devoted Boston terrier needs training early on to cultivate obedience and a happy temperament.
