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Pugmatian (Dalmatian & Pug Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Dalmatian_Pug

Height: 13 – 15 inches
Weight: 20 – 25 pounds
Lifespan: 10 – 13 years
Colors: Black, white, brown, fawn, gray, silver, brindle, sable
Suitable for: Family environments, apartments, and houses
Temperament: Affectionate, loyal, smart, curious, fun-loving, occasionally stubborn, prone to separation anxiety

The Pugmatian is an adorable small to medium-sized designer dog that is affectionate, fun-loving, and adoring of their human family members. Since one of their parents is a Pug and the other is a Dalmatian, you never know what a Pugmatian may look like until they grow into an adult. However, these mixed breed dogs typically look like Pugs in the face and have spotted bodies like Dalmatians. The Dalmatian is full of energy, while the Pug is much more laidback and would happily spend all day on someone’s lap inside the house.

The Pugmatian is usually somewhere in the middle of their parent’s energy levels. They like to play, and they need regular walks throughout the week, but otherwise, they’ll be happy hanging out around the house with their family members. They shouldn’t be left alone often or for too long at any given time, or they’ll likely develop separation anxiety, which can make life hard on owners who must go to work every day. If someone is generally around the house at any given time, these dogs should do well in family settings of all types.

Their curiosity and stubbornness can get the Pugmatian in trouble from time to time, but regular training and exercise usually make it easier for owners to manage these issues. They aren’t a popular mixed breed, but they do shine as lovable, happy, family-oriented pooches that everyone should have the opportunity to get to know.

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Pugmatian Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Pugmatians aren’t widely bred, so they are not readily available on the market. Pugmatian puppies can look like other mixes, like Boxmatians, so it is important to verify what breed each parent is (see them in person for yourself, if possible!) before deciding whether to adopt a puppy.

It’s also a good idea to tour the breeder facility to make sure that the puppies are safe, healthy, and properly cared for overall. Dirty facilities that don’t seem to exercise their dogs or let them out of their kennels for socialization and stimulation likely don’t put the dogs’ health first, which could cause problems for you as an owner of one of their dogs.

Pugmatian puppies usually have cute, squinty faces that will melt the hearts of any humans looking at them. As they grow, their appearance and personalities tend to change. Once adults, these dogs settle into their looks and behavioral tendencies.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Pugmatian

1. They’re Great Watchdogs

This mixed breed isn’t aggressive and won’t do a good job of guarding your house, but they will let you know if someone is approaching your home so you can act accordingly.


2. They Can Be Noisy

Although the Pugmatian enjoys lounging around indoors, they also like to look through the windows and bark at passersby, whether at people, bikes, or other animals.


3. They’re Good on the Agility Course

Smaller in size doesn’t mean that these dogs are slow or clumsy. They are quite quick and agile, making them a great competitor on the agility course.

Parent Breeds of the Pugmatian
Image by: Jumpstory

Temperament & Intelligence of the Pugmatian 🧠

Every Pugmatian has its own unique personality, but they all share a few of the same traits due to their shared lineage. These dogs tend to display a balanced mix of the active nature of the Dalmatian and the laidback attitude of the Pug. This designer breed is playful but not overly active, so a short walk and playtime indoors are all they typically need to stay happy and healthy as they age.

These dogs are sociable and love pleasing their family members. They’ll happily greet other dogs and strange humans if no threat is perceived. However, they don’t like being teased, so they could get nippy when young children tug their ears or tails or chase them around the house or yard. Therefore, they should be supervised around kids who aren’t used to sending time around dogs.

Curious and adventurous, Pugmatians enjoy road trips, camping trips, and short hikes with their family members. They don’t mind living in a multi-pet household, and they prefer to spend time with company rather than by themselves. In fact, these dogs can develop separation anxiety if they are left alone too often. A happy household for these dogs would entail someone generally always being around them.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

This mixed breed loves nothing more than to be a part of a human family. They thrive off the attention they get and love to please their family members with tricks and obedience. They’ll spend all day playing with kids as long as they don’t get teased. Teasing can lead to defensive and erratic behavior that could put both the dog and the child in danger. Kids should always be taught how to handle this breed before being allowed to spend time alone with them. They will also take any opportunity that they get to snuggle up next to a human who’s relaxing, sleeping, or watching a movie.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Pugmatians enjoy meeting new dogs, whether at home or while out and about. They’re typically never aggressive unless they are taught to be, making it easy to take them out for a day at the dog park. They’ll happily share their home with other dogs and can enjoy their time without humans around if other animals are nearby. They can even get along with cats and other small animals if they are allowed to meet them and start socializing while they are still puppies.

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Things to Know When Owning a Pugmatian

Are you still unsure whether the Pugmatian is the right fit for your family? The following information will give you a better idea of what it would take to be a good parent to this beautiful hybrid dog.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Pugmatians have a large amount of energy, but they aren’t highly active like their Dalmatian parents are. Therefore, they don’t need to eat more than about 1.5 cups of dry commercial dog food each day. The food should be split into two different meals to ensure that they don’t overeat and develop gastrointestinal discomfort after meals.

Their food should consist of high-quality protein, such as real chicken, beef, bison, or turkey. Look for a food that features real fruits and vegetables rather than supplemental nutrition. You should also make sure that the food is free of artificial ingredients to ensure proper nutrition.

Exercise 🐕

Although these dogs aren’t highly active, they need outdoor exercise daily. Without it, they are prone to becoming overweight, bored, destructive, and lethargic as time goes on. A walk around the block or through an apartment community would suffice. They can get exercise indoors with the help of things like stairs treats or even a treadmill. Outdoor time in a fenced yard wouldn’t hurt, but it isn’t necessary if they get to walk with a family member regularly.

Training 🦮

Luckily, Pugmatians are smart, so they can pick up training quickly. However, they are a bit stubborn and can sometimes try to challenge the trainer or protest out of boredom. Training should be varied and done in short sessions to keep the attention of this mixed breed. It should also be ongoing throughout their life to ensure that they maintain the skills and tricks they learn as time goes on.

Training can be done at home one-on-one, but opting for community obedience classes has the benefits of focused skill development and the opportunity to socialize with other dogs.

Grooming ✂️

These dogs have short hair that is easy to maintain with a weekly brushing or combing session. They don’t shed much in the winter, but they do shed heavily when the weather warms up. Spring and summer months may require more frequent brushing to keep shedding in the house to a minimum. Their ears are prone to infection, so they should be checked regularly for pinkness and dirt. Dirty ears can be gently cleaned with a damp cloth or cotton ball. Nails should be clipped once a month or so to minimize the risk of cracks and chips.

Health Conditions ❤️

While the Pugmatian is considered generally healthy, there are several health conditions that this mixed breed is susceptible to.

Minor Conditions
  • Sicca
  • Entropion
  • Skin-fold dermatitis
  • Keratoconjunctivitis
  • Exposure keratopathy syndrome
Serious Conditions
  • Brachycephalic syndrome
  • Urolithiasis
  • Deafness

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Male vs Female

Many owners report slight differences between male and female Pugmatians, but most differences tend to be in the way of their personality. Boys seem to be easier to housetrain than girls, but aside from that, both sexes tend to display similar temperaments. When it comes to personality, some owners think that females are more outgoing than males, while others feel that their males are more stubborn. Overall, any differences that one may notice between the sexes are typically subtle and inconsequential.

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Final Thoughts

The Pugmatian is a sturdy little mixed breed that loves the company of humans and other dogs. They’re lively and playful, yet they don’t require hours of exercise every day to thrive. These dogs are curious but well behaved. They can be a little stubborn, but their obedience training will keep them in line. They may require constant attention, but their affection and loyalty are well worth the trade-off. What is your favorite characteristic of the Pugmatian? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.


Featured Image: Left: Dalmatian (source: Rebecca Schönbrodt-Rühl, Pixabay), Right: Pug (source: RitaE, Pixabay)

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