Pug Maltese Mix Full Grown: Size, Weight, Temperament and Care (2026)
A Pug Maltese mix full grown usually weighs about 7 to 15 pounds and stands roughly 8 to 12 inches tall, landing between a tiny Maltese and a sturdier Pug. Most reach adult size by about 9 to 12 months. Expect an affectionate lap dog that needs gentle daily exercise, regular grooming and careful attention to breathing in hot weather.
Because this cross isn't a recognized breed, every puppy is a little different. This guide explains what each parent brings, how big the mix gets and when it stops growing, plus coat, temperament, health, lifespan and US costs.
Watch the breathing. If your dog inherits the Pug's short muzzle, loud breathing, gagging or collapsing after play are not normal. Keep your dog cool and see a veterinarian right away for any breathing trouble.
Key takeaways
- A Pug Maltese mix full grown often weighs about 7 to 15 pounds.
- Most reach adult size by around 9 to 12 months.
- Coat can be short and shedding like a Pug or long and low-shedding like a Maltese.
- Short-muzzled pups can overheat and struggle to breathe, so use a harness and avoid heat.
- Both parent breeds commonly live into their teens, often about 12 to 15 years.
In this guide
Pug Maltese Mix Full Grown: The Short Answer
The Pug Maltese mix, sometimes nicknamed a "Mug" or "Pugtese," is a small designer cross. Like other Pug mix and Maltese mix dogs, its adult size, coat and face shape depend on which parent each puppy takes after, so treat the figures below as estimates rather than guarantees.
| Trait | Full-grown Pug Maltese mix (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Weight | About 7–15 lb |
| Height | About 8–12 inches at the shoulder |
| Adult size reached | Around 9–12 months |
| Lifespan | Often 12–15 years |
| Coat | Short and dense, long and silky, or in between |
| Exercise | About 20 minutes a day plus play; gentle in heat |
| Best for | Apartments and families with gentle older kids |
Meet the Parents: Pug and Maltese
Looking at each parent is the best way to predict how a Pug Maltese mix puppy will turn out.
The Pug
Hill's lists Pugs at 14 to 18 pounds and about 10 to 12 inches tall, with a 12- to 15-year lifespan. They're sturdy, playful companions with a short, dense double coat that sheds. Their short muzzle causes snoring and poor tolerance of hot, humid weather.
The Maltese
The Maltese is a toy breed. WebMD says Maltese stand about 7 to 9 inches tall and average under 7 pounds, with a 12- to 15-year lifespan. Their long, white single coat sheds very little but needs daily brushing to prevent mats.
Pug Maltese Mix Full Grown Size and Weight
Because the Pug weighs roughly two to three times as much as a Maltese, the size range for this cross is wide. A Pug Maltese mix full grown usually ends up somewhere in the middle, and males are often slightly larger than females.
| Trait | Maltese | Pug | Pug Maltese mix (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Under 7 lb | 14–18 lb | About 7–15 lb |
| Height | 7–9 in | 10–12 in | About 8–12 in |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 12–15 years | About 12–15 years |
| Build | Toy-sized and delicate | Compact and sturdy | Small; varies by parent |
Parent figures: WebMD (Maltese) and Hill's Pet Nutrition (Pug). Mix ranges are estimates, since crossbred puppies vary.
When does a Pug Maltese mix stop growing?
Small dogs grow fast and finish early. PetMD says toy breeds usually stop growing at around 8 to 12 months and small breeds at 9 to 12 months. Since this mix falls on the border between toy and small, most dogs reach their adult height before their first birthday and may fill out slightly after that.
| Age | Approximate stage |
|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | Puppy goes home; rapid growth begins |
| 3–6 months | Fastest growth; adult teeth come in |
| 6–9 months | Growth slows; adult proportions show |
| 9–12 months | Most reach full height |
| 12+ months | May fill out a little in chest and muscle |
Approximate stages based on typical small-breed growth; individual puppies vary.
Most owners see their Pug Maltese mix full grown, at least in height, by the first birthday. To estimate adult size, ask the breeder for both parents' weights, or ask your vet to track your puppy's growth. If your dog is a rescue with unknown parents, a dog DNA test kit can estimate the breed mix.
Appearance and Coat
A Pug Maltese mix full grown often has a rounded head, dark eyes and a muzzle that may be short like a Pug's or slightly longer. Coat colors may include white, cream, fawn or apricot, sometimes with a darker mask. Coats fall into three broad types:
- Pug-like: short, dense and smooth. Hill's notes Pugs shed from their dense coat, so expect hair on furniture.
- Maltese-like: long and silky. WebMD says Maltese have a single coat that sheds very little, but it tangles easily.
- In between: a medium, slightly wavy coat that needs brushing a few times a week.
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. If allergies are a concern, spend time with the puppy's parents before you commit. For black-coated Pug crosses, see our guide to the black Pug full grown.
Temperament of a Full-Grown Pug Maltese Mix
Expect a people-focused companion. Hill's describes the Maltese as gentle, affectionate, intelligent, responsive and trusting, and notes that it barks readily at unfamiliar noises. Pugs are known as cheerful, playful lap dogs. A Pug Maltese mix full grown usually blends these traits.
- Affectionate: often follows family members around and loves laps.
- Alert: may bark at doorbells and new sounds, a Maltese trait.
- Sensitive to being alone: WebMD says Maltese can develop separation anxiety if left alone too long.
- Kids: best with gentle, older children; WebMD notes Maltese can be snippy with small kids.
Training tip: keep sessions short and use small treats, counting them in the daily calorie budget. Hill's notes that Maltese can be difficult to housebreak, so a consistent potty schedule and crate training help.
Health and Lifespan
Both parents are long-lived for their size, so a healthy Pug Maltese mix full grown can often reach 12 to 15 years. How long do Pugs live? Hill's says 12 to 15 years, and WebMD gives a full grown Maltese a similar 12 to 15 years. Still, the mix can inherit health issues from either side.
| Health concern | From which parent | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Brachycephalic airway problems | Pug | Use a harness, avoid heat, keep lean |
| Eye injuries | Pug | Check eyes daily; see a vet for squinting or redness |
| Obesity | Pug | Measure meals and limit treats |
| Dental disease | Maltese | Brush teeth daily; schedule vet cleanings |
| Tear staining | Maltese | Wipe around the eyes daily |
Breathing and heat
If your dog has a short muzzle, learn the signs of brachycephalic airway syndrome. The Animal Medical Center lists noisy breathing, gagging, exercise intolerance and blue gums among the warning signs, and notes that affected dogs overheat easily. Keep your dog at a healthy weight, use a harness instead of a collar, and skip exercise in hot, humid weather.
Example scenario (illustrative)
Tasha in Raleigh adopted a 10-month-old Pug Maltese mix weighing 11 pounds. He snored loudly and tired fast on summer walks, so she switched him to a padded harness, moved walks to early morning and asked her vet about his breathing. With a measured diet and daily tooth brushing, he stayed at a lean 12 pounds as an adult.
Caring for a Pug Maltese Mix Full Grown: Exercise, Grooming and Food
Day-to-day care is simple but consistent. Hill's suggests about 20 minutes of exercise a day for both Pugs and Maltese, so two short walks plus indoor play is usually enough.
- Exercise: short walks and play sessions; avoid midday heat if your dog has a flat face.
- Grooming: brush daily for a long coat or a few times a week for a short one. Wipe facial folds and around the eyes.
- Teeth: WebMD recommends daily brushing for Maltese, which suits the mix too.
- Food: feed a small-breed diet in measured portions. Pugs have a strong tendency to gain weight.
For stain-prone white coats, our guide on how to clean tear stains on white dogs has step-by-step tips.
Daily care checklist
- Two short walks on a harness, avoiding heat.
- Measured meals; count treats in the daily total.
- Brush the coat and wipe the face and eye area.
- Brush teeth.
- Check breathing, eyes and skin for anything unusual.
How Much Does a Pug Maltese Mix Cost?
There's no official price list for this cross. As a guide, Rover's 2026 survey puts shelter adoption fees at $50 to $500 and breeder prices at $675 to $4,440 for dogs in general. Small breeds tend to cost less to keep: Rover says small-breed adults can cost up to 63% less per year than large-to-giant breeds.
Look for a breeder who health-checks both parents and lets you meet them, or check rescues for small mixed-breed dogs. Learn more about one parent in our Maltese price and lifespan guide.
Pug Maltese Mix Full Grown: FAQs
How big is a Pug Maltese mix full grown?
Most land between their parents. Maltese usually weigh under 7 pounds and Pugs about 14 to 18 pounds, so a full-grown Pug Maltese mix often weighs roughly 7 to 15 pounds and stands about 8 to 12 inches tall. Individual dogs vary.
When is a Pug Maltese mix full grown?
Usually by about 9 to 12 months. PetMD says toy breeds typically stop growing at 8 to 12 months and small breeds at 9 to 12 months, though some dogs fill out a little more after their first birthday.
How long do Pug Maltese mixes live?
Both parents are long-lived for their size. Hill's lists 12 to 15 years for Pugs and 12 to 14 years for Maltese, and WebMD gives 12 to 15 years for Maltese, so a healthy mix may live about 12 to 15 years.
Do Pug Maltese mixes shed?
It depends on the coat. Pugs shed from a dense double coat, while Maltese have a single coat that sheds very little. A mix may shed lightly to moderately, and no dog is completely allergy-free.
Is a Pug Maltese mix good with kids?
Often, with supervision. Both parents are affectionate, but WebMD notes that Maltese can be snippy with small children, and tiny dogs can be hurt by rough play. Teach kids to handle the dog gently.
What is a Pug Maltese mix called?
It isn't a recognized breed, so there's no official name. Owners and breeders sometimes call it a "Mug" or a "Pugtese."
Does a Pug Maltese mix have breathing problems?
It can if it inherits the Pug's short muzzle. Watch for loud breathing, snoring, gagging or tiring quickly, keep the dog cool and lean, use a harness instead of a collar, and see a vet promptly for any breathing trouble.
Final Verdict: Pug Maltese Mix Full Grown
A Pug Maltese mix full grown is a small, affectionate companion that usually weighs about 7 to 15 pounds and reaches adult size by around 9 to 12 months. It suits apartments and gentle households, needs only modest daily exercise, and may live 12 to 15 years. Plan for regular grooming and tooth brushing, keep the dog lean, and take extra care with heat and breathing if your pup inherits the Pug's short muzzle.
Your next steps
- Ask the breeder or shelter for the parents' weights and health records.
- Buy a well-fitted harness and a small-breed food before your puppy comes home.
- Compare another Pug cross in our Chihuahua Pug mix guide, or explore more designer dog breeds.
Share your Pug Maltese mix photos with our Facebook community.
About the author — Written and reviewed by the Pets Store Home Editorial Team: pet owners and animal lovers who check every guide against trusted US veterinary sources. This article is general information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always talk to your veterinarian about your own dog's health.
How we checked this guide: Pug and Maltese size, lifespan, coat, exercise and temperament come from Hill's Pet Nutrition and WebMD (reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM, 2024). Growth timelines come from PetMD (reviewed by Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, 2025). Breathing guidance comes from the Animal Medical Center in New York, and costs from Rover's 2026 survey. Mix sizes are estimates. We review this article every 12 months, or sooner if guidance changes.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Sources
- Hill's Pet Nutrition, Pug breed guide (accessed October 2026)
- Hill's Pet Nutrition, Maltese breed guide (accessed October 2026)
- WebMD, What to Know About Maltese (reviewed June 2024) (accessed October 2026)
- PetMD, When Do Dogs Stop Growing? (May 2025) (accessed October 2026)
- Animal Medical Center, Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Dogs (accessed October 2026)
- Rover, Cost of Owning a Dog (2026) (accessed October 2026)
[…] Which foreign pets are legal in Washington State? […]