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Golden Retriever Pug Mix – Everything You Need To Know

The Golden Retriever Pug or the Golden Pug is the cross between the two popular purebreds, Pug and Golden Retriever. Alternatively, a Golden Pug may also result from a cross between two Golden Pugs. As a result, these dogs feature a golden coat and a medium muzzle. They are calm, compliant, lively, and adaptable like their parents, making them a favorable family or companion pet. Additionally, they inherit the Golden Retriever’s vigor and Pug’s loyalty.  

Golden Retriever Pug Mix Pros And Cons

ProsCons
Loyal and adoptable dogsProne to overeating and can quickly gain weight.
Family-friendly and kid-friendlyNeeds a significant amount of exercise and training

Golden Retriever Pug Mix Basic Information

  • Name: Golden Retriever Pug 
  • Height: 10 to 24 inches
  • Weight: 14 to 75 pounds
  • Size: Medium
  • Coat: Flat, short to medium
  • Color: Gold or shades of gold
  • Energy: Medium
  • Activities: Narcotics detection, agility, therapy, and service, walking and sniffing, fetch games, tug games, and free play with mental stimulation toys.
  • Barking Level: Low to medium
  • Shedding Level: Medium to high
  • Hypoallergenic: No
  • Litter Size: 4 to 7 puppies
  • Life Span: 10 to 15 years
  • Another name: Golden Pug

Golden Retriever Vs. Pug: A Comparison  

Features  Golden RetrieverPug
        Image  
Origin  ScotlandChina
Height  Male: 23-24 inches Female: 21.5-22.5 inchesMale: 10-13 inches Female: 10-12 inches 
Weight  55-75 pounds14-18 Pounds 
Size   MediumSmall
Group  Sporting GroupToy Group, Mastiff
Children Compatibility  Medium to highHigh
Family Compatibility  HighHigh
Pets Compatibility  Low to mediumMedium to high
Barking Level  Medium to highLow
Shedding Level  Medium to highMedium
Hypoallergenic  NoNo
Grooming Needs  Medium to highHigh
Overall Health  Low to mediumLow
Energy  Medium to highLow to medium
Exercise Needs  Medium to highLow
Trainability  Medium to highMedium
  Activities  Driving cattle, cart pulling, escorts, police dogs

Walking and sniffing, fetch games, tug games, scent games,
swimming, agility games, trick games, and free play
with mental stimulation toys.
Complication in breeding  MediumHigh
Litter Size  5 to 10 puppies4 to 6 puppies
Lifespan  7 to 12 years13 to 15 years
Other Names  GoldensLo-Sze (China), Mopsi (Finland), Doguillo (Spain),
Mopshonds (Dutch), Mops (Germany), Carlin (France),
Caganlino (Italy), Dutch Bulldog, Dutch Mastiff. 

Golden Retriever Pug Mix Personality

The Golden Retriever Pug or the Golden Pug is a medium-sized dog with a snout longer than a purebred Pug but no longer than a Golden Retriever. They have slightly curved tails with medium-length hair. These dogs may be single or double-coated with a distinct golden color. Since the size of the parent breeds differs profusely, Golden Pugs can range between 14 and 75 pounds. Additionally, they may grow to a minimum of 10 inches and a maximum of 24 inches. 

Golden Pugs are lively, high-spirited, obedient, even-tempered, well-adjusted, and social; hence, they are friendly towards other pets, kids, and family. Additionally, they are suitable for new pet owners and adapt well to apartment life.

Friendliness Overview 

Affection level   High
Family-Friendly   High
Kid-Friendly   High
Pet-Friendly   High
Strangers-Friendly   High

Adaptability Overview  

Good for New Pet Owners   Medium to high
Good for Apartment Living   Medium
Sensitivity Level   Medium
Tolerates being alone   Low
Cold Tolerance   Low to medium
Heat Tolerance   Low to medium

Golden Retriever Pug Mix Temperament

Golden Retriever Pugs inherit a passionate and cordial nature from their parents. These canines are intelligent and always want to please their pet parents. As a result, they are loyal and devoted to their family. Additionally, they have a medium energy level and are alert with strangers, which qualifies them to be good watchdogs.

Golden Retriever Pug Mix Training

Due to their intelligence, the Golden Retriever Pugs are easy to train. However, their shorter attention span calls for training sessions with intermittent breaks. These dogs are naturally sensitive; hence, they must be praised for their excellent work. Additionally, a positive training approach will always impact them. Engaging them through exercises eases their training process. You may enroll them at a dog’s daycare or introduce them to other people and pups to improve their socializing skills.    

Trainability Overview

Easy to TrainMedium to high
Intelligence Medium
Prey Drive Medium
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite Medium to high
Tendency to Bark or Howl Low to medium
Wanderlust Ability Low to medium
Attention/Social NeedsHigh

Golden Retriever Pug Mix Exercise Needs

The Golden Pug will have medium to high energy levels. Hence, it is vital to keep them active to avoid destructive behavior. For this purpose, you can take them on extremely long walks and hikes. However, they also shouldn’t strain much because of their genes from Pugs. 

Exercise Needs Overview

Energy Level                                      Medium to high
Exercise Needs                                 Medium to high
Playfulness                                        High
Intensity      Low to medium

Golden Retriever Pug Mix Grooming

The Golden Retriever Pug sheds moderately. Being flat-coated and of medium length, these pugs may be double or single-coated depending on the influence of the parental gene. However, they don’t have to be bathed much to avoid the risk of their skin drying out. Other grooming habits such as nail clipping, brushing teeth, and ear cleaning should be done regularly.

Grooming Needs Overview

Amount of Shedding                        High
Tendency to Drool      Low to medium
Tendency to Snore      Medium to high
Easy to Groom      Medium to high

Golden Retriever Pug Health

A Golden Pug is prone to developing minimum health risks while cross-breeding a Pug and a Golden Retriever. This is because the Golden Pug will have an extended life span of up to 15 years at a maximum. Still, there are some health concerns they may face due to parental genes.

Health Overview

Basic Health     Low
Weight Gain Possibilities     High
Size     Low to medium

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a heritable condition that occurs when the thigh bones don’t fit aptly into the pelvic socket of the hip joint. 

Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia 

  • Injuries 
  • Excessive weight gain 
  • Wrong exercises 

Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia

This condition can exist with or without symptoms, and some notable signs may be present on one or both rear legs. They include:  

  • Pain  
  • Lameness 

Treatment

X-ray screening for hip dysplasia, medication, and hip replacement through surgeries may also be preferred. This condition, if ignored, can be life-threatening.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

As the nostrils are short, they often experience breathing difficulty. Although all Pugs suffer from breathing difficulties, some pugs are more affected than others and show various symptoms such as:

  • Loud breathing and snoring
  • Intolerance to exercise or heat.
  • Collapse
  • Gagging
  • Regurgitation
  • Vomiting

Treatment: Surgery is the only option available.

Allergies

Golden Pugs are prone to allergies and may develop them from environmental irritants or food. 

Symptoms of an allergy include:

  • Itchiness
  • Hives
  • Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
  • Red, inflamed skin
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy ears
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Itchy, runny eyes
  • Constant licking
  • Frequent paw licking
  • Frequently rubbing their faces.

Obesity

Golden Pugs are prone to obesity as they are obsessive eaters. They inherit this character from both their parents. 

Symptoms of obesity in dogs

  • Lethargic and inactive
  • Incapable of movement

Epilepsy

This condition is a brain disorder prevalent in both parents. It causes periodic seizures and convulsions that require a vet’s intervention to confirm its severity. 

Pug Dog Encephalitis

Pug encephalitis is an inherited autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and death of the brain tissues. 

Symptoms of Pug dog encephalitis

  • Seizures
  • Collapse
  • Circling
  • Appearing lost or disoriented 
  • Behavior changes
  • Weakness, stumbling
  • Blindness
  • Abnormal gait
  • Coma

Treatment: Unfortunately, this disorder has no cure, leading to death.

Canine cancer

Golden Pug’s parents are prone to develop canine cancer.

Symptoms of canine cancer

  • Lumps and bumps underneath a dog’s skin
  • Abnormal odors emanating from the mouth, ears, or any other part of the body
  • Abnormal discharge from the eyes, mouth, ears, or rectum
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Non-healing wounds or sores
  • Sudden and irreversible weight loss
  • Changes in appetite
  • Coughing or difficulty in breathing
  • Lethargy or depression
  • Changes in bathroom habits
  • Evidence of pain

Golden Retriever Pug Diet And Nutrition

Since Golden Pugs are prone to hip Dysplasia, their diet must include the recommended levels of fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin. These ingredients strengthen your pet’s bones. Additionally, a diet rich in beta-carotene helps in improving your pet’s eyesight. In general, an excellent diet for your canine is a raw food diet. Avoid overfeeding your pet to prevent obesity.   

Golden Retriever Pug Living Condition

Golden Retriever Pugs have medium coats, so they need protection against cold weather conditions. For this reason, you may have to keep them covered with jackets or sweaters while walking during the colder months. Similarly, they may find it challenging to adjust to hot weather. Additionally, these dogs are prone to separation anxiety; hence they shouldn’t be left alone for long.   

Adding a Golden Retriever Pug To your Family

Things To Remember Before Breeding a Golden Retriever Pug

Naturally, breeding a Pug and a Golden Retriever is challenging due to the vast differences in size. As a result, the female Golden Retrievers have to be artificially inseminated from the sperms of a male Pug. Since this process can only be carried out in a laboratory, Golden Pugs are costlier. 

Crossing a Pug and a Golden Retriever can have a terrifying effect on the offspring. In addition, mixed breeding may pass on the parents’ health issues to their puppies. So, when crossing a Pug and a Golden Retriever, check their lineage and health records from a responsible breeder to avoid ending up with a weak hybrid pet.

Cost of a Golden Retriever Pug

On average, a Golden Pug puppy costs around $500 to $1000. The cost entirely depends on the sex of the puppy you chose, the breeder’s location, and the show record of the parent dogs. 

Check for the puppy’s parents’ health clearances before buying. Also, it is suggested to visit the breeder’s place to view the puppy’s parents and estimate how your dog may look.

Other Pug Mixes

Other Golden Retriever Mixes 

  • Border Collie Golden Retriever mix
  • Siberian Husky Golden Retriever mix 
  • Cocker Spaniel Golden Retriever mix
  • Bernese Mountain Dog Golden Retriever mix
  • Yorkshire Terrier Golden Retriever mix
  • Basset Hound Golden Retriever mix
  • Irish Setter Golden Retriever mix
  • Jack Russell Terrier Golden Retriever mix 
  • German Shepherd Golden Retriever mix
  • Poodle Golden Retriever mix 
  • Old English Sheepdog Golden Retriever mix
  • Rottweiler Golden Retriever mix 
  • Vizsla Golden Retriever mix
  • Labrador Retriever Golden Retriever mix 
  • Beagle Golden Retriever mix 
  • Belgian Malinois Golden Retriever mix 
  • Boxer Golden Retriever mix
  • Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix 
  • Chow Golden Retriever mix
  • Corgi Golden Retriever mix 
  • Dachshund Golden Retriever mix 
  • Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix
  • Doberman Golden Retriever mix
  • Great Dane Golden Retriever mix
  • Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever mix 
  • Saint Bernard Golden Retriever mix 
  • Samoyed Golden Retriever mix 
  • Pitbull Golden Retriever mix 
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Golden Retriever mix 
  • Afghan Hound Golden Retriever mix
  • Alaskan Malamute Golden Retriever mix 
  • Bullmastiff Golden Retriever mix 
  • English Pointer Golden Retriever mix 
  • Akita Golden Retriever mix 
  • Weimaraner Golden Retriever mix 
  • Lhasa Apso Golden Retriever mix 
  • Airedale Terrier Golden Retriever mix
  • Shar-Pei Golden Retriever mix 
  • Shetland Sheepdog Golden Retriever mix
  • Newfoundland Golden Retriever mix 
  • Scottish Terrier Golden Retriever mix 
  • Springer Spaniel Golden Retriever mix 
  • English Mastiff Golden Retriever mix 
  • English Bulldog Golden Retriever mix 
  • American Bulldog Golden Retriever mix 
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever mix 
  • Catahoula Leopard Dog Golden Retriever mix 
  • Shih Tzu Golden Retriever mix 
  • Blue Heeler Golden Retriever mix
  • Pug Golden Retriever mix 
  • Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever mix 
  • Greyhound Golden Retriever mix 
  • Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix 
  • Maltese Golden Retriever mix 
  • Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix 
  • Anatolian Shepherd Golden Retriever mix
  • Schnauzer Golden Retriever mix

Golden Retriever Pug Videos

Jeff Shurtleff and his Pug golden retriever mix are ready for Hollywood.

Jeff Shurtleff and Hutch Half pug, half golden retriever

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