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.
Table of Contents
Golden Retriever Pug Mix Pros And Cons
Pros
Cons
Loyal and adoptable dogs
Prone to overeating and can quickly gain weight.
Family-friendly and kid-friendly
Needs 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.
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 Train
Medium 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 Needs
High
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.
