Frug

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 1900s, 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.

While the pug originated in China, the frug likely first appeared in the United States in the early 1900s, when its parents’ breed popularity was surging, and Americans were importing pugs en masse.

The Best Dog Food For Frug

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 1.5 to 2 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. As such, we at A-Z Animals recommend Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food. This recipe contains plenty of minerals and vitamins to keep your pup’s coat gleaming, with a simple enough formula to accommodate even the most sensitive stomachs. 

Pros And Cons Of Owning a Frug

Frug 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 30 pounds at maturity. 

Frug 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.

Frug 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 not to cause or 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.

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 owners 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 make 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 happy temperaments.

Popular Names for Frug

Popular names for Frug dogs include:

• Lucy
• Luna
• Stella
• Luna
• Sophie
• Winston
• Murphy
• Louie
• Sunny

Up Next

• French bulldog
• Mastiff
• Boston terrier