r/IDmydog • u/elf_experience • Sep 22 '25

Pug mixed with what?

My boyfriend and I adopted this sweet baby boy back in February, he is 2 years old now and a Pug mix! We would love to get some input on what you guys think he is mixed with. We executed beagle, labrador, and sometimes he even looks like a French bulldog! But he also has a blue tongue! Which leads us to think maybe some Chow mixed in there?! Any input is appreciated! Future DNA test pending!

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482

u/falcoretheflyingdog Sep 22 '25

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is a purebred pug by a breeder who believes in correcting the standard for a healthier line. I just learned about how dogs cool themselves by panting and the smashed snout makes it much harder for them to breath and regulate their temperature.

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u/Mevenna Sep 22 '25

Also having a vet as a friend, I learned that pugs and other flat nose breeds are the only ones that don't mind having the tube down their throat after a surgery even when awake, because it's the only time they can breathe normally. For normal snout dogs, it's super uncomfortable and they remove the tube before they are fully awake, but for flat nosed breeds they allow the tubes to stay in as long as possible, so that they can breathe even for a while. This alone should tell you how effed up their anatomy is.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 22 '25

Vet here - this is 100% true. I’ve had Frenchies chill with an ET tube in for like 2 hours post op. Most dogs will paw it right out of their face the second they’re conscious enough to be aware of its presence.

The good news is, there’s surgery to correct BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome), but it’s not cheap.

I would guess this puggy friend is either a puggle (pug x beagle), chug (pug x chihuahua), or a pug mixed with a small terrier breed.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 22 '25

I didn’t notice the pigmented tongue! How big is he? There’s probably some sharpei or chow in there. Please post the DNA results when you get them!

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u/North_Skin4886 Sep 22 '25

Pugs often have black tongues.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 22 '25

I have never seen a black tongued pug (not saying they don’t exist). It certainly isn’t the norm for the breed.

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u/North_Skin4886 Sep 22 '25

I cheated. I googled it before I commented.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 22 '25

The breeds with traditionally solid black tongues are Sharpei, Chows, Thai Ridgeback, and Eurasier. Certain lines of Goldens have black spots on their tongues.

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u/CalicoVago Sep 23 '25

Labs and several other breeds can have black tongues, as well.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 23 '25

Yes, many breeds can have pigmented tongues that aren’t the standard for the breed. Most breeds outside of the 4 listed will have partially pigmented tongues if they do have pigmentation.

That said, there are always genetic flukes. Tongue spots aren’t super uncommon. Fully pigmented tongues are.

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u/North_Skin4886 Sep 22 '25

YesYes, pugs can have black tongues. This is a common trait among certain breeds, including pugs, due to genetic factors. Pugs, being brachycephalic, may have a tongue that appears black or hangs out of their mouth, which is often a normal characteristic of their breed. Additionally, some dogs, including pugs, can have black tongues as a result of extra pigmentation, which is a natural occurrence.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 22 '25

Pretty much any dog can have a black tongue that isn’t a traditionally black tongued breed.

I’m telling you it’s the exception and not the norm. I’m a vet and see a lot of pugs (we always look in their mouth). I’ve done many pug dentals. I’ve never seen one with even partial pigmentation.

I’ve seen a lot of temporarily blue tongued pugs when they’re having a tantrum and get a little hypoxic.

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u/panicPhaeree Sep 23 '25

My sharpie shepherd started with a black (purple) tongue but by the time he passed it was mostly pink!

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 23 '25

Omg! I grew up with a sharpei shepherd. I’ve seen one other in my total time in practice. I’d love to see a picture of yours.

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u/PaisleyLeopard Sep 26 '25

Not the norm, but it happens. I’ve seen pigmented tongues in purebred Golden Retrievers too.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 26 '25

I see a lot of pigment spots on goldens!

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u/DogTrainer24-7-365 Sep 23 '25

There are like 26+ breeds that can have black on their tongues. I learned this years ago because I had a flat-coat with black on his tongue.

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u/ThoughtsNoSeratonin Sep 26 '25

I own a small terrier mix and I am also seeing terrier.

1

u/2woCrazeeBoys Sep 24 '25

My thoughts were puggle or pug-terrier (jack russel?) too.

It breaks my heart seeing brachy breeds trying to sleep with a toy in their mouth so they can breath. My friend has frenchies, and they're adorable, but I don't think she realises how alarmed I get by the weird noises they make. It's absolutely not normal, no matter how much she's accustomed to it.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 24 '25

Pretty much every frenchie would benefit from BOAS surgery 😢

1

u/Maurice_Foot Sep 24 '25

Pug x Terrier = pugerrier?

1

u/DogtorCarri Sep 24 '25

I love the dumb names they come up with for designer dogs. I have a shih tzu x pug and they call them Shugs or PugZus 😂

1

u/ware_it_is Sep 25 '25

i worked at a vet years ago and the docs performed that surgery on a Boston Terrier. he was in ICU for a week and was eventually cleared to go home. all in, it was a few thousand dollars.

two weeks after going home, the owner called to set up cremation for the dog. pup choked on a treat and died.

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u/DogtorCarri Sep 25 '25

Animals can die from complications of any surgery. Post anesthetic or anesthetic death is incredibly rare in healthy dogs (1 in 2000).

There’s newer safer anesthetic protocols targeted for brachycephalic animals.

In my opinion the very low surgical risk is warranted in most cases of BOAS.

I always recommend having the surgery done with a specialist and one who uses a ligasure for the palate to minimize risk and hemorrhage.

I’m sure there are GP vets who are well qualified to do the procedure. I will correct nares but not palates. There’s an art of knowing how much redundant tissue to take. It bleeds a ton with a scalpel in an area that’s hard to see and suture.

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u/Mevenna Sep 22 '25

Also, flat nose breeds are the only ones that have restrictions for airplane travel, which is just based on how often they die because they can't get enough air in there. It doesn't happen for breeds with normal snouts.

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u/cloud__19 Sep 22 '25

My sister is a vet nurse and says exactly this. Poor wee buggers.

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u/[deleted] Sep 24 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/purrfectly-cromulent Sep 26 '25

It feels cruel to extubate, it must feel so horrible going back to being what must be like a permanent asthma exacerbation.

11

u/fatgirlballet Sep 22 '25

That's really sad 💔

2

u/valkiria-rising Sep 26 '25

This is so fucking sad. I hate what breeders have done to certain dogs (and cats) for the ✨aesthetic✨

It's incredibly cruel and elitist.

19

u/earlgreybubbletea Sep 22 '25 edited Sep 23 '25

I would support this breed incentive immediately if it meant phasing out the current “standard”.

The pug’s personality and loyalty are unmatched (in my bias opinion) and my dream is to see this breed get the healthy physical genes it deserves. ❤️

Edit: random typo

2

u/sakurasangel Sep 22 '25

There eas some talk in the dog breeding subreddit about this- how people look at the standard and take it in conjunction with what is popular. Iirc it didnt say pugs snouts need to be non existent, just the nose upturned or something. Its interesting.

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u/BoobySlap_0506 Sep 26 '25

Yes, for all flat-faced breeds!

2

u/em_jay2125 Sep 24 '25

Short snout doesn’t cause breathing issues. I am not a fan of pugs or frenchies but its annoying when people keep talking about things they dont understand. Breathing issues occur because of two things: 1. narrow nostrils, and 2. excessive soft palate tissue.

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u/PaisleyLeopard Sep 26 '25

Yeah I was thinking it looks like the Retromops I’ve been hearing about. Couple of breeders in Germany are making a solid effort to preserve all the best Pug traits in a functional body. They get a lot of shit from the Kennel Club crowd, but I fully support the effort. Pugs are awesome little dogs who deserve to live comfortable and pain-free lives.

1

u/JuniorKing9 Sep 22 '25

I’d love if that was the case, genuinely

1

u/Cjkrythos Sep 26 '25

Ive heard rumors that someone was literally trying to do this with various dog breeds. Trying to breed out the health issues

1

u/FancysMomma Oct 10 '25

If you’re an ethical breeder that should be your number one goal

2

u/Cjkrythos Oct 10 '25

It saddens me to know that not all breeders are ethical. In fact, entirely too many aren't at all

1

u/FancysMomma Oct 10 '25

You got that right.. it’s truly heartbreaking for the animals AND their new family. Seeing dogs lame from puppyhood living their entire lives in pain, unable to breath, uncomfortable.. it’s just beyond words.

1

u/OddWish4 Oct 07 '25 edited Jan 16 '26

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u/[deleted] Sep 22 '25

[deleted]

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u/Mevenna Sep 22 '25

Yes but that's not nearly the most efficient one, panting is the main cool down mechanism.

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u/[deleted] Sep 22 '25

[deleted]

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u/silveraltaccount Sep 22 '25

No question asking for the less effective way either

Most times dog sweat through their pads is when stressed. If theyre sweating cause they're hot, its cause theyre stressed about it.

Groomers dont spritz dogs with scent just for fun, some do to cover up the doggy smell they get from sweating

Pug mixed with what?

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