Pom and Pug Mix: The Complete Pugese Breed Profile and Care Guide

If you've been searching for a compact companion dog with a big personality, the pom and pug mix — sometimes called the Pugese — probably landed on your radar. This designer cross pairs the bold, fluffy Pomeranian with the squishy-faced charm of the Pug, producing a small dog that tends to form intense bonds with its people. But like all mixed breeds, the pom and pug mix comes with a roll of the genetic dice: you won't know exactly which parent your puppy will favor until they grow into themselves.

This guide breaks down what we know from both parent breeds, what you can reasonably predict, and where surprises tend to pop up. Whether you're evaluating a litter or considering rescue adoption, here's the practical, evidence-based picture.

The Parent Breeds: Pomeranian Meets Pug

Understanding a pom and pug mix starts with understanding the two breeds behind it. These dogs come from very different origins and were shaped by different selection pressures, which is why their offspring can look and behave so differently from one litter to the next.

Parent Breed Comparison: Pomeranian vs. Pug

Trait	Pomeranian	Pug
Origin	Pomerania region (Germany/Poland); descended from larger Spitz-type sled dogs, miniaturized over centuries	Ancient China; bred as companion dogs for Chinese emperors, later popularized in European royal courts
AKC Weight Standard	3–7 lb (1.4–3.2 kg)	14–18 lb (6.4–8.2 kg)
AKC Height	6–7 inches (15–18 cm)	10–13 inches (25–33 cm)
Coat	Double coat; long, straight outer coat with dense undercoat	Short, smooth, single coat
Shedding	Moderate year-round, heavy seasonal blows	Moderate to heavy year-round (surprising for such a short coat)
Skull Shape	Mesocephalic to slightly brachycephalic (wedge-shaped head)	Strongly brachycephalic (flat face, short muzzle)
Typical Lifespan	12–16 years	13–15 years
Energy Level	Moderate; alert and active in short bursts	Low to moderate; playful but prone to overheating
AKC Group	Toy	Toy

The Pomeranian brings Spitz-family traits: alertness, vocal tendencies, independence, and that signature double coat. The Pug contributes brachycephalic anatomy, a sociable and sometimes clingy disposition, and a stockier body structure. Your pom and pug mix will inherit some combination of these characteristics — but the ratio is unpredictable.

How Big Does a Pom and Pug Mix Get?

Size is one of the more predictable aspects of this cross, since both parents are toy breeds. However, the three-to-four-fold weight difference between a Pomeranian and a Pug means there's real room for variation.

Expected Size Range for Pom and Pug Mix Dogs

Measurement	Low End	High End	Most Common Range
Weight (lb / kg)	7 lb / 3.2 kg	18 lb / 8.2 kg	9–14 lb / 4–6.4 kg
Height at Shoulder (in / cm)	7 in / 18 cm	12 in / 30 cm	8–11 in / 20–28 cm
Body Length (nose to tail base)	10 in / 25 cm	16 in / 41 cm	12–14 in / 30–36 cm

Puppies that inherit the Pug's stockier bone structure will trend toward the heavier end, even at the same height as a leaner, Pom-favored sibling. Expect your puppy's adult weight to settle by around 10–12 months of age. A good rule of thumb: double their weight at 16 weeks for a rough adult estimate, though this isn't precise for mixed breeds.

Temperament: What to Expect From a Pom and Pug Mix

Temperament is where the pom and pug mix can really surprise you. Both parent breeds are companion-oriented, but they express that companionship differently.

Best-Case Temperament Scenarios

• The Social Butterfly: Inherits the Pug's outgoing friendliness and the Pom's alertness without excessive barking. Greets visitors warmly, settles easily, and adapts to new environments.
• The Loyal Lap Dog: Bonds deeply with one or two people, follows them room to room, content with moderate exercise and lots of proximity.
• The Playful Entertainer: Gets the Pug's clownish humor and the Pom's feisty energy — performs tricks willingly, plays enthusiastically in short sessions.

Challenging Temperament Scenarios

• The Velcro Barker: Combines the Pom's vocal alert tendencies with the Pug's separation anxiety predisposition. Barks at every sound, struggles when left alone, may develop nuisance barking habits.
• The Stubborn Independent: Inherits the Pom's Spitz-family independence and the Pug's "what's in it for me?" attitude. Training requires patience and high-value rewards.
• The Fearful Watcher: Without early socialization, some individuals default to wariness — barking and retreating from strangers, new dogs, or unfamiliar environments.

The key factor is socialization during the 3–14 week critical period. Puppies exposed positively to diverse people, surfaces, sounds, and other animals during this window tend to be more resilient and adaptable regardless of which parent's temperament they lean toward. Use positive reinforcement methods exclusively — treat rewards, praise, and play. Force-free training builds confidence; aversive methods deepen fear responses.

Coat Types, Shedding, and the Hypoallergenic Question

Let's address this directly: the pom and pug mix is not hypoallergenic. Neither parent breed is hypoallergenic. The Pomeranian has a double coat that sheds seasonally, and the Pug — despite its short hair — is a notoriously heavy shedder year-round. Your mix will shed, and the only question is what kind of coat they'll shed from.

Coat Possibilities in Pom and Pug Mix Dogs

Coat Type	Inherited From	Appearance	Shedding Level	Grooming Frequency
Short and smooth	Pug-dominant	Flat, sleek coat close to body; may have slight wave	Moderate to heavy year-round	Weekly brushing with rubber curry brush
Medium-length with undercoat	Pom-dominant or blend	Fluffy, stand-off coat with visible undercoat; longer fur around neck and tail	Moderate daily, heavy during seasonal sheds (spring/fall)	Brushing 3–5 times per week; daily during shed seasons
Short with longer furnishings	Mixed expression	Short body coat but longer fur on ears, tail, and legs ("feathering")	Moderate year-round	Brushing 2–3 times per week; regular attention to feathered areas to prevent mats

If allergies are a concern in your household, this is not the right mix for you. No dog is truly hypoallergenic (allergens come from dander, saliva, and skin proteins, not just fur), but breeds like Poodles or Schnauzers produce fewer of the specific proteins that trigger most human allergic reactions. The Pugese does not have this advantage.

Grooming Essentials

Regardless of coat type, plan for:

• Nail trims: Every 2–4 weeks. Small dogs often don't wear nails down naturally on soft indoor surfaces.
• Dental care: Daily tooth brushing with enzymatic dog toothpaste. Both Pomeranians and Pugs are predisposed to dental disease, and this mix inherits that risk from both sides. By age 3, an estimated 80% of small-breed dogs show signs of periodontal disease according to the AVMA.
• Facial fold cleaning (if Pug-faced): If your mix inherits any degree of facial wrinkling, clean the folds 2–3 times per week with a damp cloth or veterinary-recommended wipe to prevent yeast and bacterial infections.
• Ear checks: Weekly. Pom-favored dogs with erect or semi-erect ears have better airflow; Pug-favored dogs with drop ears need more vigilance for moisture and debris buildup.

Health Considerations: What Both Parent Breeds Pass Down

It's time to address the hybrid vigor myth. You may see breeders claim that mixed breeds are automatically healthier than purebreds due to "hybrid vigor." The reality is more nuanced. While outcrossing can reduce the risk of recessive genetic conditions that are concentrated within a single breed's gene pool, a crossbreed can still inherit any condition that affects either parent breed. The pom and pug mix draws from two breeds that each carry significant health risks.

Conditions Inherited Primarily From the Pug Side

• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS): If your mix inherits the Pug's shortened skull, they may develop stenotic nares (narrowed nostrils), elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccles. Symptoms include snoring, snorting, exercise intolerance, heat sensitivity, and in severe cases, respiratory distress. BOAS affects an estimated 50–60% of brachycephalic dogs according to studies referenced in the Merck Veterinary Manual.
• Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE): A fatal inflammatory brain disease with genetic links specific to Pugs. While the genetic markers are Pug-specific, F1 crosses carry one copy of Pug DNA and the risk, while reduced, is not zero.
• Hip dysplasia: Present in approximately 7–8% of Pugs screened by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Less common in Pomeranians but possible.

Conditions Inherited Primarily From the Pomeranian Side

• Patellar luxation: The kneecap slips out of position. Very common in toy breeds. The OFA reports Pomeranians among the breeds with highest prevalence (approximately 7–10% of screened dogs).
• Tracheal collapse: Weakening of the cartilage rings in the windpipe, causing a honking cough. Strongly associated with toy and miniature breeds. Risk increases if the dog inherits a smaller trachea from the Pom side while carrying Pug-influenced weight.
• Alopecia X (Black Skin Disease): A coat and skin condition seen primarily in Spitz-family breeds. Causes symmetrical hair loss and darkened skin. Not life-threatening but cosmetically significant and difficult to treat.

Conditions Both Breeds Share

• Dental and periodontal disease: Both breeds have crowded teeth in small jaws, accelerating plaque buildup and tooth loss.
• Obesity: Pugs are genetically predisposed to overeating; Pomeranians in a smaller body have less caloric buffer. An overweight Pugese stresses joints, airway, and heart.
• Eye conditions: Both breeds are susceptible to dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), corneal ulcers (especially in prominent-eyed individuals), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

For any health concerns, always consult your veterinarian. They can perform breed-appropriate screening tests including patellar evaluations, cardiac exams, ophthalmologist evaluations, and — if your dog has a brachycephalic face — a BOAS functional assessment. Ask your vet about whether a DNA screening panel is appropriate for your individual dog.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Get a Pom and Pug Mix?

This mix isn't the right fit for every household. Here's a practical breakdown based on lifestyle factors:

Ideal Homes

• Apartment or condo dwellers: The Pugese's small size and moderate exercise needs (30–45 minutes of activity per day, split into two or three sessions) suit smaller living spaces well.
• Work-from-home or retired individuals: These dogs thrive on companionship and do poorly with 8+ hours of daily isolation.
• Families with older children (8+): The small, sometimes fragile build of a pom and pug mix makes them a poor match for toddlers who may accidentally drop, squeeze, or step on them.
• First-time owners willing to invest in training: The mix can be trainable with patience and positive reinforcement, but inconsistency will amplify the stubborn streak both parent breeds carry.

Homes That Should Consider a Different Breed

• Allergy-sensitive households: This mix sheds and produces typical levels of canine allergens.
• Homes in very hot climates without reliable air conditioning: If your mix inherits brachycephalic features, heatstroke risk is serious. Outdoor time in temperatures above 80°F (27°C) must be limited and monitored.
• Families wanting a quiet dog: The Pomeranian's vocal tendencies are dominant in many Pugese individuals. If you live in a building with noise-sensitive neighbors, prepare for potential barking challenges.
• Owners seeking a hiking or endurance companion: Even Pom-dominant individuals max out at moderate activity levels, and Pug-dominant ones overheat quickly. This is not an athletic breed mix.

Cost, Availability, and Finding a Pom and Pug Mix

The pom and pug mix is not among the most heavily marketed designer breeds (unlike the Cavapoo or Goldendoodle), which means availability is more scattered and pricing varies widely.

Cost Breakdown: Pom and Pug Mix (2026 Estimates)

Acquisition Method	Price Range	What's Typically Included
Responsible breeder (health-tested parents)	$800–$2,500	Health clearances on both parents (OFA patella, OFA cardiac, ophthalmologist exam), first vaccinations, deworming, microchip, spay/neuter contract, take-back clause
Casual/backyard breeder	$300–$800	Often nothing beyond the puppy itself; no health testing, no contracts, no support
Rescue or shelter adoption	$50–$400	Spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, basic veterinary assessment

First-year care costs beyond acquisition typically run $1,500–$3,000, including:

• Initial veterinary exam and puppy vaccination series (DHPP, rabies, bordetella): $200–$500
• Spay or neuter: $300–$800 (varies by clinic and region)
• High-quality small-breed kibble (AAFCO complete and balanced, e.g., Royal Canin X-Small or Hill's Science Diet Small Paws): $200–$400/year
• Preventive medications (heartworm, flea/tick — e.g., Simparica Trio or Interceptor Plus): $200–$400/year
• Grooming supplies or professional grooming visits: $100–$600/year depending on coat type
• Pet insurance (recommended for brachycephalic-influenced mixes): $30–$60/month

For finding a responsible breeder, look for OFA health testing documentation on both parent dogs (searchable at ofa.org), willingness to let you visit the breeding premises, a written contract with a return policy, and puppies raised in a home environment with early neurological stimulation. The AKC's responsible breeder guidelines apply equally to mixed-breed breeders who prioritize health.

For rescue adoption, check Petfinder, local Pug and Pomeranian breed-specific rescues (which sometimes take in mixes), and your municipal shelter. Adult Pugese dogs occasionally appear when owners underestimate the grooming needs or barking tendencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What two breeds make up the pom and pug mix?

The pom and pug mix is a cross between a purebred Pomeranian and a purebred Pug. Both are AKC-recognized Toy Group breeds. The resulting mix is sometimes called a Pugese, Pug-a-Pom, or Pom-Pug, though no kennel club officially recognizes these designer crosses as a distinct breed.

How big will my pom and pug mix get?

Most adults fall between 9–14 lb (4–6.4 kg) and 8–11 inches (20–28 cm) at the shoulder. However, individuals can range from as small as 7 lb (3.2 kg) to as large as 18 lb (8.2 kg) depending on which parent's size genes they inherit. Ask the breeder for the exact weights of both parent dogs for the best prediction.

What will the temperament of a pom and pug mix be like?

Expect an affectionate, people-oriented dog that forms strong bonds. The Pug side tends to contribute sociability and playfulness; the Pomeranian side contributes alertness and independence. Early socialization (starting at 8 weeks) and consistent positive-reinforcement training are the strongest predictors of a well-adjusted adult. Without these, barking, fearfulness, or separation anxiety can develop.

Is the pom and pug mix hypoallergenic or low-shedding?

No. Neither the Pomeranian nor the Pug is a low-shedding breed, and their mix is not hypoallergenic. Pug-influenced coats shed moderately to heavily year-round; Pom-influenced double coats shed moderately with intense seasonal shedding periods. If you have dog allergies, consider a Poodle mix or spend extended time with the specific puppy before committing.

What health issues might a pom and pug mix inherit?

The most significant risks include brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) if the dog inherits a flat face, patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), tracheal collapse, dental disease, obesity, and various eye conditions including corneal ulcers and dry eye. Responsible breeders screen parent dogs through OFA patella, cardiac, and ophthalmologist evaluations to reduce — but not eliminate — these risks. Always consult your veterinarian for breed-appropriate health screening.

How much does a pom and pug mix cost?

From a responsible breeder who health-tests both parents, expect to pay $800–$2,500 in 2026. Rescue adoption fees typically range from $50–$400. First-year veterinary care, food, preventives, and supplies add another $1,500–$3,000. Be cautious of breeders offering puppies below $500 — this often signals no health testing, poor breeding conditions, or both.

Do pom and pug mixes get along with other pets?

Generally yes, especially when raised alongside other animals from puppyhood. The Pug's sociable nature usually translates well to multi-pet households. However, the Pomeranian's prey drive (a Spitz-family trait) can make some individuals chase cats or small animals. Supervised introductions and gradual desensitization work well for most Pugese dogs.

How long do pom and pug mixes live?

Both parent breeds have lifespans in the 12–16 year range, and most Pugese dogs fall within this span. Dogs that inherit the Pug's brachycephalic anatomy may face quality-of-life challenges in later years related to breathing. Maintaining a lean body condition score (BCS of 4–5 out of 9) throughout life is one of the most impactful things you can do to maximize longevity.