What do you get when you cross an English Bulldog with a Pug? The Pug Bulldog Mix, also called the English Bulldog Pug mix!
This cute crossbreed resembles a bulldog, but is smaller and not as muscular, with similar facial features to a Pug, some people also mistake it for the French Bulldog or the Frenchie Pug.
Sometimes referred to as a miniature bulldog, the english bulldog pug mix is a mix of bulldog and pug. It is affectionate, good with kids and not overly energetic.
The Bulldog Pug mix has become popular among people who would like a smaller version of an English Bulldog, one that would be a better fit in an apartment or small home.
What is the english bulldog pug mix?
To understand the Bulldog Pug mix (or Bullpug or Miniature Bulldog as it’s sometimes called), we must first understand the parent breeds.
Let’s take a look at the English Bulldog first. The English Bulldog was originally bred for bull-baiting, a sport that we now see as incredibly inhumane. After bull baiting was banned the English Bulldog almost became extinct. However, some fanciers of the breed were able to selectively breed Bulldogs into a docile, easy going companion.
Today the English bulldog is the 5th most popular breed in the United states. They are medium sized, but very muscular with a short muzzle, short legs, drooping lips and wide-set eyes.
Pug Dogs were originally bred some 2,000 years ago. They were especially treasured by Chinese royalty and were bred to be a companion dog. They are loving, charming, and a bit mischievous.
Pugs are a small breed that are similar in appearance to the bulldog. They can have a number of different colored coats including the most popular fawn color. There are also black pugs, that are essentially the same as other pugs except for their coat color.
The English Bulldog Pug mix can vary a bit as far as size, coat and temperament are concerned. This is because the pup might take after their Pug parent or their English Bulldog parent.
Pugs usually stand between 10 and 13 inches tall. Bulldogs are a bit taller at 14 to 15 inches. Bulldog Pug mixes are usually between 12-15 inches tall.
Pugs typically weigh around 14 to 18 pounds while Bulldogs weigh as much as 50 pounds. The Bulldog Pug mix can usually weigh 20 to 45 pounds, however, they can be lighter or heavier depending on which parent they take after more.
What Kind Of Coat Does An English Bulldog Pug Mix Have?
A Bulldog Pug mix will typically have a short, glossy, fine coat. Bulldogs have a single coat while most Pugs have a double coat. So, a Bulldog Pug mix could have either a single or a double coat.
When it comes to the color of the coat, it can vary widely. Common colors include white, silver, black, red, brindle, fawn, and all colors can have patches of white. So grooming a English Bulldog Pug Mix can vary from dog to dog.
What Temperament Does the English bulldog Pug mix Have?
Both the English Bulldog and the Pug are considered to be friendly, sociable breeds. As such, the BullPug can have a temperament that is a good mix of both.
The English Bulldog Pug mix is docile, gentle and fairly laid back. They like nothing more than to lie around the house and nap.
They are also considered to be people dogs. They are sensitive and don’t like to be give out to, and are affectionate and generous with their hugs and slobbery licks to your face!
Overall they are a calm breed, and are friendly to strangers, house visitors and other pets.
Is the English Bulldog Pug Mix A good family dog?
The English Bulldog Pug mix will do just fine in an apartment or small home. As long as the home is air-conditioned as they don’t do well in extreme heat, just like English Bulldogs.
They are typically a small to medium sized dog with low energy, which makes them a perfect option for an apartment dweller. They do however still need to be walked daily, and given lots of attention if they are to thrive in any environment.
A miniature Bulldog puppy can make a great family pet
With his gentle and docile nature, the Bulldog Pug mix is typically great with kids. He might not be the type to play with the kids endlessly, but he should be fine getting pets and snuggles from the kids. Early positive experiences with children will help to ensure that he is great with kids.
The BullPug is usually good with other dogs and pets. They have a low prey drive so they are unlikely to chase and torment your cat or other small pets. Socialization will help to ensure that the Bulldog Pug mix gets along well with everyone, including other dogs and pets.
The English Bulldog Pug mix rarely barks, however, he will snore! This means that he won’t make a good watchdog. Plus, you might want to get some earplugs for when he sleeps with you!
While the BullPug typically will not demand a ton of attention he loves to be involved in the family activities. He will thrive best with plenty of attention. A Bulldog Pug mix is happiest when his family is around.
Is the english Bulldog Pug Mix Easy To Train?
The Bulldog Pug mix may not be the easiest dog in the world to train. The English Bulldog was originally bred for bull baiting. This task required him to think on his feet and take care of himself as people did not help the dogs with bull baiting tasks or otherwise direct the dogs on what to do.
As such, Bulldogs are often labeled as stubborn. However, it is in their genes for them to simply not see the need to work with humans. In their past they never worked closely with humans, so why start now?
The English Bulldog has a reputation as being difficult to train
On the other hand, Pugs are usually pretty easy to train. Being bred as companion dogs, they take delight in pleasing their humans. Pugs can be sensitive in training and feelings can be hurt easily with harsh corrections. They are also sometimes prone to get bored with training.
A Bulldog Pug mix could turn out like either of his parents when it comes to how easy he is to train. However, I’d always recommend that the best training method to use is positive reinforcement training. This will help him to understand what you do want him to do, rather than punishing him for bad behavior. It’s also a good idea to keep things interesting for him by having short fun training sessions, especially if he’s still a puppy.
It goes without saying that you should never use a choke chain, prong collar, or even a regular collar for training a BullPug. These training “tools” can do damage to your dog’s many skin folds or, worse, damage his thyroid. Eventhough he may pull a bit more, its better to have your BullPug on a leash attached to a harness, and not a collar.
Even though this breed is very gentle and docile, socialization is still an important aspect of his training. You will want to expose him to as many positive experiences with people, dogs, other animals, and environments as possible. Socialization starts when the puppy is young while still at the breeders home and should continue for the life of the dog.
The English Bulldog Pug mix requires little exercise, with a 30-minute walk being all he needs. However, be careful when walking a BullPug. Their short nose makes it harder for them to breathe and harder for them to efficiently cool themselves. When walking in the summer, walk them early in the morning when it is cool. Always bring cool water for him on a walk as well. It can even be helpful to bring a spray bottle so you can squirt his body to help keep him cooler.
This breed also does not do very well in cold weather. Be sure to provide him with a sweater when it is cold out. Walk him at the warmest part of the day in the winter.
The BullPug will also requires mental stimulation, often above and beyond what his short walk will provide. However, he may not have much physical energy left. This is where things like treat-dispensing puzzle toys, stuffed Kongs, or a nice chew will come in handy. All of these things provide mental stimulation without too much physical work, plus, they can all be done in an air conditioned apartment!
Is the English Bulldog Pug Mix Hypoallergenic?
The English Bulldog Pug mix is not considered hypoallergenic, the coat of the BullPug is more like that of a Pug he may be a very heavy shedder.
This shedding of hair, along with skin dander is likely to set off the allergies of any dog allergic person. The Bullpug also tends to drool a lot and dog saliva can be an allergen for some people, so it might not be the best choice of breed for people with pet allergies.
What Health Problems Can An English Bulldog Pug Mix Have?
Contrary to what a lot of people will tell you about mixed and designer dogs, they are not necessarily healthier than a purebred dog. Indeed a BullPug may suffer any of the genetic health issues of both parent breeds.
The English Bulldog Pug mix can be prone to any of the following conditions:
Eye problems, PDE (Pug Dog Encephalitis), epilepsy, nerve degeneration, Hemi-vertebrae, Legg-Perthes, patellar luxation, reverse sneezing, hip dysplasia, skin problems, yeast infection, allergies, cardiovascular disease, sensitive skin, and cancer.
In fact, the Bulldog has the highest incidents of cancer, when compared to any other breed.
Before you get this breed, research all of the possible health problems look at symptoms, treatments, and, most of all, prevention. If you can prevent the problem with supplements, herbs, lifestyle, or food you should strive to do so. You could also look into how much the treatments would cost should your dog develop a health problem. Ask yourself if you could afford that?
In addition, the breed, because of his short nose, is likely to have breathing issues and low tolerance to hot or humid weather.
Always provide your BullPug with a cool spot to lay, shade, and cool water. If you see that your BullPugs tongue is loling out more than normal and has a bluish cast, immediately soak him in cool water. You can provide him with ice too.
What’s The Best Food For BullPugs And How Much Should You Feed Them?
The English Bulldog Pug can be prone to obesity, so diet and the amount you feed your dog is of the utmost importance. The diet you choose can also be a very effective preventative medicine.
There are several different types of food you can feed your BullPug. These foods could include kibble, canned, freeze-dried, home-cooked, and raw. Feed your BullPug according to the manufacturer’s directions. The main thing you want to keep in mind when choosing a food is that it should be low or no carb and high in animal protein.
When a dog eats carbohydrates that causes his pancreas to release insulin. The insulin then tells the cells to open up and store the carbohydrates as fat. So, limiting carbohydrates is very important for reducing the chances that your dog will become obese. Limiting carb is also great preventative medicine, as carbs can cause a lot of inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to all major diseases.
You will want to seek out treats and chews that live up to that same standard of low-no carb and high in meat. Options may include dehydrated or freeze-dried treats that only contain meat. Even some boiled or baked meat can be a great option for a treat!
It is often said that carrots, berries, apples, and bananas are great snacks for your dog. However, these treats are very high carbs and could cause weight gain in your BullPug. You can feed them these things on very rare occasions if you want to or just opt for meat treats.
Again feeding high-meat food and treats is going to be way better for your dog than high-carb treats. Be aware, read the package. If the item has legumes, grains, potatoes, sweet potatoes or any other high carb ingredient don’t buy it. There are lots of foods and treats that claim to be good for dog, but if they are high carb, they will make your English Bulldog Pug mix gain weight.
Where Can You Get A BullPug And How Much Do They Cost?
You can find an English Bulldog Pug mix from a variety of places such as shelters, breeders and rescues.
Prices can range from $500 to $2500 or more. However, some places are much better than others to buy a puppy, especially the BullPug.
Poorly bred BullPugs are more prone to developing a myriad of health problems because they are bred with profit and not health in mind.
This is why I recommend getting your English Bulldog Pug mix puppy from a breeder. But not just any breeder. You want a breeder that is passionate about producing healthy puppies with a good temperament. It’s a good idea to ask lots of questions when talking to a prospective breeder. Especially asking about health. If a breeder claims that their puppies are super healthy and never get sick, don’t get a puppy from them.
I would never recommend that you buy any puppy from a pet store or puppy mill. These poor creatures are bred for profit and nothing more. It is highly likely that their lives will be plagued by poor health and possibly a poor temperament.
Your other option, and my personal recommendation is to rescue an English Bulldog Pug mix. You could do this through a rescue group or at your local shelter. Many rescue groups for purebred dogs will also rescue dogs that are mixed with their breed. You can check out the Pug rescue in your state or you could contact a Bulldog rescue in your state and ask if they have any BullPugs.
Remember when adopting a rescue dog that he may come with baggage. Perhaps the previous owners were not successful in house training him, they didn’t have the money for his many medical expenses, or he has a temperament problem.
This is not to scare you out of getting a rescue, it is simply a reminder that the dog was given up for a reason. If you have the extra time and money to dedicate to a rescue then go for it! You will have a happy and fulfilling relationship.
Summary – English Bulldog Pug Breed
The BullPug is a mixture of an English Bulldog and a Pug.
Generally, they are docile, even-tempered and affectionate. They can be 20-45 pounds and 12-15 inches tall. They may have a single or double coat.
The English Bulldog Pug mix is great with kids, other dogs, and other pets. This is especially true if they are well socialized early in life. They make gentle and affectionate playmates, though perhaps not overly enthusiastic about chasing or fetching.
This breed can be a bit of a challenge to train. Be sure to use positive reinforcement for the best results. Due to the breed’s propensity for breathing problems they should only ever have their leash attached to a harness, never a collar.
An English Bulldog Pug mix is perfectly content to lay on the couch all day. However, it is important to take them on a daily 30-minute walk. Be sure to bring along cool water and never walk your BullPug when it is super hot and/or humid. The breed also needs mental stimulation so puzzle toys or stuffed Kongs are great ideas.
Grooming an English Bulldog Pug mix is quite easy. A weekly-daily brushing is all he will need. However, you will have to keep an eye on his face folds. You will need to clean the facial folds when needed and be sure to keep them dry. Otherwise they may be a breeding ground for bacteria.
The BullPug has the potential to get many health problems. Joint problems, eye problems, breathing problems, and skin problems to name a few. This is why getting your pup from a good breeder and implementing prevention strategies is so important.
One of the best preventative measures you can take is to feed your English Bulldog Pug mix well. This means feeding a low-no carb diet that is high in animal protein. Even the smushed-faced BullPug is a carnivore and he will do best if he is fed like one.
Finding a BullPug can be tricky. You could opt for a rescue or find yourself a good breeder that is breeding for health, temperament, and not profit! When you find your English Bulldog Pug mix, treat him well and he will be an affectionate and loving companion for all his life.
