Original Article: https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/american-pugabull

The American Pugabull is a relatively new designer dog that is a cross between the American Bulldog and Pug. It’s a unique combination developed in the United States from the American Bulldog and the Pug. The former started as an all-purpose farm dog, whereas the latter sat on the laps of royalty.

Breed Overview

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No major hybrid registries recognize the American Pugabull. These pups are the product of breed enthusiasts looking to bring the desirable traits of the parent breeds together. The American Bulldog is a handsome animal with a stocky, muscular build. Meanwhile, the Pug sits at the opposite end of the spectrum as a small pooch that is a sometimes mischievous but sweet pet.

The American Pugabull seems like an unlikely match. We can describe the American Bulldog as a landrace developed locally from European breeding stock that probably included animals used for bull-baiting. The Pug’s story is clearer, with a close bond with people who encouraged them to be lap dogs. However, issues exist with this specific hybrid that you should know upfront.

American Pugabull Characteristics

American Pugabull Puppies

Finding an American Pugabull puppy will likely be challenging. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the American Bulldog as a breed. This dog is part of the organization’s Foundation Stock Service (FSS) and is on its way to formal recognition as part of the Working Group. That means enthusiasts are still developing the breed to a specific standard. This can affect the availability of parents for this hybrid.

The Pug is a cherished pet, ranking 36th on the AKC popular breed list.¹ However, like the American Bulldog, this dog is a brachycephalic animal, referring to their large heads and short muzzles. That makes them prone to health issues, which we’ll discuss later. It also raises ethical concerns about the responsible breeding of two brachycephalic dogs. That can undoubtedly affect availability.

Therefore, we suggest discussing getting an American Pugabull puppy with your vet. Understanding your commitment is imperative before bringing home a pet. You must consider the financial end. An American Pugabull puppy probably won’t run anything near a purebred pup with a pedigree. Nevertheless, dogs cost money, and they’re a big responsibility for over a decade of your life.

Puppies also need time and attention for training and socialization. Luckily, both parent breeds are relatively easy to train. However, you must be consistent with the lessons. An American Pugabull requires regular veterinary care, with annual exams and updated vaccinations and tests. Going into pet ownership with both eyes open to the rewards and challenges is critical.

American Pugabull Breed Origin & History

Like many designer breeds, the history of the American Pugabull is unclear. Hybrid registries exist, but they don’t have the same oversight for consistency and conformation to breed standards as organizations like the AKC. It’s worth noting that the American Bulldog was only just accepted to the FSS in November 2019.

The Pug’s story goes back over 2,000 years. This dog was living the good life in China before the Dutch brought the dog to Europe in the 17th century. Thankfully, this pooch certainly made an impression, finding their way to the royal courts of France and England. The breed joined the ranks of AKC in 1885. The rest, as they say, is history. Many enthusiasts have looked to the Pug as inspiration for other designer dogs, such as the Puggle.

Temperament & Intelligence of the American Pugabull 🧠

The American Bulldog’s work required problem-solving skills and intelligence. They bring these traits to the American Pugabull. It also makes this dog easy to train. The Pug has an engaging and endearing personality that you can’t help but love. However, understanding the science behind hybrids like the American Pugabull is essential. Puppies aren’t necessarily a 50-50 mix of the parents.

You may find much variation within a litter, depending on the traits they inherited. The environment plays a significant role in shaping the animal’s temperament. That’s why we stress the importance of proper and early training and socialization.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Both parent breeds make good playmates for children. The American Pugabull is fairly energetic and can keep up with the kids. Nonetheless, we recommend supervising playtime and instructing your family on how to treat and handle their pet. This breed has a moderate tendency for nippiness that you must curb while the animal is young.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

The American Pugabull is relatively friendly with other dogs, particularly if introduced to others as a puppy. We suggest keeping your pet with canines of similar size. The American Bulldog in your pet has a keen prey drive because of the breed’s historical use, so a fleeing cat or rabbit may trigger this instinct.

Things to Know When Owning an American Pugabull

Unwanted behavior is a fact of life when it comes to any dog. Some breeds have traits, instincts, or sensitivities that you may find undesirable. The American Pugabull is no exception. Knowing this information is imperative to making an informed choice. After all, the downside is getting a dog that isn’t a fit for your lifestyle or household, risking relinquishment.

There are two things to know about the American Pugabull. First, they are sensitive animals that don’t respond well to punishment or harsh words. So, positive reinforcement is the best approach for building trust with your pet. The other concern is them being left alone. Too much time by themselves can set the stage for separation anxiety and destructive behavior. This comes from their history of being a companion animal and always having close contact with their families.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Diet is one area where you may find disparate recommendations because of the mix. The Pug is a medium-sized dog with an ideal weight of under 20 pounds. The American Bulldog is a large breed, with males weighing up to 100 pounds. Your pet’s diet depends on which parent breed is dominant and influences the animal’s size.

Ideally, you should feed a puppy food for their life stage and size. A reasonable compromise is a product labeled “all life stages.” You should feed your pet three to four times daily until they reach adulthood. You can cut back to twice daily. Your guide for choosing the right food comes from the nutritional standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Puppies should get a diet of at least 22.5% protein and 8.5% fat. You’ll find this information in the product’s Guaranteed Analysis, and many manufacturers exceed these recommendations.

Exercise 🐕

The American Pugabull is an energetic dog that will benefit from exercise and mental stimulation. This dog has a moderate tendency for weight gain that daily walks and playtime can help combat. Daily activity can also prevent fearfulness by introducing your pet to novel experiences. That includes meeting new people and dogs. Thus, taking your pooch to new places can provide valuable enrichment.

Training 🎾

You should begin training and socialization early. It will hone your pet’s canine manners and make them a better pet overall. We mentioned using positive reinforcement. It works best with praise and treats used as training aids. We recommend restricting treats to this use to give them the optimal impact. Your dog will soon learn to associate them with desirable behaviors, making training sessions easier for you.

Grooming ✂️

Both parent breeds have smooth, short coats. Your American Pugabull will likely be more than one color instead of just one. Weekly brushing with a curry brush or hound glove will remove hair and keep it from getting all over your furniture and clothes. You don’t need to bathe this dog often. Using a scented wipe occasionally can keep your pooch looking and smelling their best.

Differences in shedding exist between the two parent breeds. The American Bulldog doesn’t shed much, but the Pug does. Fortunately, a genetic test exists to identify those who may shed more than others. We suggest checking with the seller or your vet for more information.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Health is a significant concern on two fronts. First, concern exists for the mother and puppies born to a female Pug. That puts all the animals’ lives in jeopardy because of a potentially risky pregnancy and delivery. We strongly urge you to get an American Pugabull born to a female American Bulldog in first-generation crosses. Beware of sellers who won’t let you see the mother.

The other worry rests with breeding two brachycephalic dogs. It increases the risk of several well-documented hereditary and congenital issues, including brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), heat stroke, exercise intolerance, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal issues.

Male vs. Female

Size can be an issue with the American Bulldog. The differences between the sexes are significant, with males ranging between 75 and 100 pounds and females coming in between 60 and 80 pounds. It can be a dealbreaker for many prospective pet owners. Viewing the parents and littermates can give you a reasonable expectation of size, but it’s not a guarantee of what you’ll get.

3 Little-Known Facts About the American Pugabull

1. Josephine Had a Pug Named Fortune

The story says that Fortune didn’t get along with Josephine’s husband, Napoleon. It began on the couple’s wedding night when the petulant pooch attacked the emperor.

2. Several Famous Artists Have Painted the Pug

The breed’s cute face undoubtedly endeared the dog to many famous painters, including William Hogarth, Charles Burton Barber, and Charles van den Eycken.

3. The United Kennel Club (UKC) Recognized the American Bulldog in 1999

Part of the challenge of formal recognition is the various lines. The UKC noted the two lines that eventually became the modern-day American Bulldog: the Scott and Johnson types. The differences arose from the jobs each dog performed. Today’s American Bulldog, however, is an all-purpose farm dog.

Does the American Pugabull Make a Good Pet?

The American Pugabull can make a good pet in the right household. Researching your purchase is essential because of the health and size issues we’ve discussed. We recommend only getting a pet from a seller who conducts pre-breeding health screenings, including one for BOAS, which is now available. Health problems not only affect the animal’s quality of life but also impact you and your family.

Size is also a wild card for the American Pugabull. If it could be a potential problem, we recommend researching another dog. It’s a far better and more humane choice to get a pup that’s a good fit than relinquishing a pet because things predictably didn’t work out for you.

Conclusion

The American Pugabull is one of many so-called designer dogs available with the aim of bringing desirable traits together. After all, enthusiasts used selective breeding to develop modern-day breeds. This hybrid pooch has a lot going for it. However, these dogs also pose challenges. We suggest discussing your choice with your vet and sticking with a seller who is transparent about their practices.

Featured Image Credit: (L) Josh Namdar, Shutterstock | (R) Daz Stock, Shutterstock

Source: Dogster