Rat Terrier Pug Mix (Puggat) – Hybrid Dog Breed Info

We will be talking about a hybrid or a mixed dog breed known as Puggat, which is the result of the Rat Terrier and Pug mix. Let’s find out more!

Purebred dogs are the dogs that descend from the same bloodline. In simple terms, they come from grandparents and parents of the same breed. You might also have heard of hybrid dogs. Hybrid dogs are a result of cross-breeding two separate dog breeds.

Therefore, hybrid dogs inherit genes from different mates, unlike pure-breed dogs, making them extra unique. It is not precisely explained when or why dog cross-breeding was started. Nevertheless, nowadays, we find heaps of mixed dog breeds just like pure breed ones. 

Puggat is the cross between Rat Terriers and Pugs. The parent dogs are demanding dog breeds, and as their mixed breed, Puggats get looks and personalities from both parents. Puggat is a small-sized yet strong-built dog.

They look adorable like pugs, also fierce like Rat Terriers. All put together, Puggats have bold personalities. They are active, energetic, and friendly. It doesn’t take much time for a Puggat to get along with you. However, due to Rat Terrier genes, Puggats sometimes could indicate predator behavior, especially towards other animals.

Still, these dogs have a sweet and a gentle side too. So if you train them properly, you can mitigate the stubborn behavior, and they will undoubtedly make great family friends. 

If you ever consider having yourself a fun-loving little dog, Puggat could be an ideal fit for you. However, when you buy a dog, you must do brief research to determine if they are the perfect dog for you and whether you are capable of taking care of them.

This article will provide a comprehensive guide on Rat Terrier and Pug mix.

Fast Facts : Rat Terrier And Pug Mix (Puggat)

Origin of Rat Terrier and Pug mix

Let’s get started with understanding the origin of Puggats. When were these dogs created? To answer this question, we need to look at the origins of the parent breeds of Puggats.

Rat Terrier is a hunting dog breed developed in the early 1900s in the United States. Rat Terriers became popular dogs, significantly among farmers, thanks to their exceptional skills in hunting rats.

Although they were initially bred as hunting dogs, Rat Terriers became demanding family pets over the years.

Suppose we observe the origin of Pugs. This breed comes from China, and its date of origin traces back to 206BC to the era of the Han dynasty. They were bred as luxury dogs and were companions of royalty.

In the 1500s, China began trading Pugs with Europe, eventually making them popular worldwide. Although there is plenty of information regarding the history of Rat Terriers and Pugs, there is limited information regarding the origin of their mixed breed.

This designer breed was probably created in the latter part of the 1900s, and they are currently a well-known hybrid dog breed. 

The appearance of Rat Terrier and Pug mix

Although both Rat Terriers and Pugs are small-sized dogs, their physical traits can be clearly distinguished.

Appearance-wise, their hybrid version often becomes a fair blend of both parents, but sometimes a Puggat could get more physical characteristics from one parent over the other.

Generally speaking, Puggats have an average weight of 12-20 pounds and a height of 11-16 inches. Even though they are small in body size, they have muscular and compact bodies.

Puggats could get short legs like a pug or relatively longer legs like a Rat Terrier. Their faces often tend to get a squared shape which they inherit from Pugs.

They may have flopped or erect ears. Their eyes are pretty big, and they could be brownish or hazel colors.

Puggats usually have a short-length coat that may combine white, black, brown, red, and fawn colors. 

How big do Rat Terrier and Pug mix get?

As mentioned earlier, Rat Terrier and Pug mix is a small dog. Their genes predominantly determine their growth and size.

Typically, a healthy full-grown Puggat weighs around 15 pounds and stands up to 13 inches tall.

These measures could slightly differ by gender and other external factors such as nutrients and physical activities. 

The temperament of Rat Terrier and Pug mix

Puggats can be fun and goofy but also protective and alert. Since Rat Terriers and Pugs have varying temperaments, Puggats become dogs with a blend of those temperaments.

Rat Terriers are intensely energetic dogs, whereas Pugs are somewhat less energetic, but both dog breeds are playful, making Puggats generally active dogs.

They are also very affectionate and cuddly dogs who love spending time with humans. Sometimes Puggats can be stubborn and mischievous.

To overcome this, training them from the youngest age is mandatory. Early socialization helps them a lot to reduce their fussy behavior and get along well with other people and animals. 

How long do Rat Terrier and Pug mix dogs live?

Puggats usually enjoy a reasonably long life span as a hybrid dog breed. Rat Terriers are considered a dog breed with the longest life expectancy ranges of 14-18 years.

On the other hand, Pugs have an approximate life span of 11-15 years. Therefore the average lifespan of a healthy Rat Terrier and Pug mix would be around 12-14 years. 

How much do Rat Terrier and Pug mix puppies cost?

The average price of Rat Terriers runs around 500-1500 US Dollars and of Pug puppies 1500-2000 US Dollars. Hence if you need to buy a Puggat, you have to spare around 800-1500 US Dollars.

Keep in your mind that this is not a fixed price range. There could be instances where you may find Puggats for higher and meager prices.

However, when buying a hybrid dog, it is always better to get puppies from original bloodlines. So make sure to get them through a reputed and certified breeder. If you need a good quality Puggat, you will likely spend 800 US Dollars or above. 

Maintenance tips for Rat Terrier and Pug mix

Maintenance is one of the major concerns that dog owners have. Before making conclusions, educate yourself with the facts.

If you have a fair knowledge of the breed, maintaining them will not be as intricate as you think.

Below you can find some essential tips that will help you understand the general maintenance and care of a Puggat. Read through carefully. 

• Stick to a grooming schedule

The grooming schedules of dogs significantly vary depending on their breed. Puggats are low-maintenance dogs; therefore, you do not have to put much effort into their maintenance.

But you cannot simply ignore their grooming needs because they are low-maintenance dogs. To ensure that your Puggat looks nice and clean, you must stick to a grooming routine.

Puggats do not need frequent baths, but brushing is required at least once a week. It is recommended to use a slicker brush which will easily help remove the excess and dead hair.

You should also brush their teeth and trim their nails as needed.

• Feed them quality food

Food plays a mandatory role when determining the well-being of any dog, including Puggats. An adult Puggat would require 1 to 2 cups of dog food daily.

Giving them quality dog food is essential as it contains sufficient amounts of proteins, vitamins, calcium, and minerals.

You can eventually add selected meats, vegetables, and fruits to their meals to enhance the quality and variety. 

• Make them exercise 

Puggats may be small-sized dogs, but they need ample exercise. Rat Terriers are energetic and playful by nature, but Pugs are not highly active, so the energy levels of Puggats could vary with their genes.

You have to start training them during the pup stage unless, in some cases, you might find it a little hard to make them engage in physical activities.

A grown-up Puggat requires 45 minutes of daily exercise. Providing them with enough exercise benefits both their physical and mental health. 

• Check on their general health

You do not need to be a professional to have a rough understanding of your dog’s health. You can spot health complexities at the earliest stages if you are attentive enough to their general health.

Puggats may inherit health concerns from both sides of their parents, for instance, allergies, entropion, hip dysplasia, dry eye, and ear infections.

Occasional checkups are recommended to ensure that your dog is in good health. 

Final thoughts about the Puggat breed

If you read up to this point, now you may have a fair understanding of the Rat Terrier and Pug mix. Puggats are little dogs with a quirky and fun side to them and also a loyal and caring side.

If you need a dog to fill your house with joy, Puggats will undoubtedly do it for you. They are natural cuddlers and great human companions. Puggats can be a little stubborn at certain times; still, they are well trainable.

These dogs are also ideal for someone living in a less spacious home and looking for low-maintenance dogs. On an endnote, there are plenty of reasons for you to love Puggats. 

Thank you for reading this post. Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about your favorite dog breed.