A Puggle is an excellent combination of adorable, friendly, and bundles of cuteness. This small dog gets along with other animals and enjoys people’s company, making it a famous companion dog.
The Puggle is a crossbreed of the Pug and the Beagle, passing on their undeniable good looks and fantastic personality. Their love for people and other dogs makes them a popular preferred option for a family pet.
If you have been thinking of getting a Puggle, read on to learn more about the dog’s traits and needs to help determine if it is your ideal pet.
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Breed/Mix Size | Small to Medium; typically weighs between 10 to 30 pounds and stands at 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Coat type and Colors | Short, smooth, and dense coat; can come in a variety of colors such as fawn, black, tan, and white, or any combination thereof |
| Temperament | Friendly, outgoing, and social; affectionate towards their owners and strangers alike; may have a stubborn streak, but are generally easy-going and adaptable |
| Exercise Requirements | Moderate exercise needs; daily walks and playtime in a fenced yard or a dog park are usually enough to keep them happy and healthy |
| Grooming Needs | Low maintenance; occasional brushing and bathing as needed, and regular nail trimming and teeth brushing |
| Training | Intelligent and eager to please, but can be stubborn at times; consistent and positive reinforcement training methods are recommended |
| Hypoallergenic | Not hypoallergenic; they shed moderately, so may not be suitable for people with allergies |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
| Best Suited for | Ideal for families with children, singles, and seniors; adaptable to apartment living as long as their exercise needs are met; great companion for those who enjoy an active lifestyle |
Overview of the Puggle
A Pug is a little dog with a happy-go-lucky attitude that thrives and is happy when spending a lot of time with its owner. They have a thick, stocky, solid appearance which is not common with most toy dogs.
Not only is the Beagle happy-go-lucky as well, it is also a sturdy, muscular little dog that is excellent for hunting. It is a popular hound dog with physical traits that make it look like a miniature Foxhound.
With every crossbreed, the intention is to get a mix of both worlds from the parents. The same applies to the Puggle. In addition to its parent’s traits, the Puggle inherits its stocky physical appearance from its muscular, built, sturdy parents.
Puggle Origins and History
As a designer dog, the Puggle has a recorded history, with its origins being traced back to a Wisconsin breeder known as Wallace Havens in the 1980s. Wallace is believed to have been the first person to have intentionally started the breeding of Puggles.
Pug History
Across all quarters, it has been accepted that the Pug originated from China, where they were bred to provide companionship for the wealthy and affluent as far back as 700 B.C. They are amongst three other short-nosed breed dogs whose origin can also be traced to China.
These dogs were the Pekingese, the Lion dog, and the Lo – sze. Some people believe the Lo – sze was the ancient Pug, also known as “Foo-Dog.” There has been evidence suggesting the Pug’s existence in Tibet and Japan.
Pugs kept by royals enjoyed a life of luxury, enjoying the finest food and accommodations and being guarded by soldiers to ensure their safety. Anyone found trying to harm the royal Pugs was punished with death.
When the Chinese began trading with European traders in the 1500s, the traders grew a liking and affection for the Pugs. They brought the dogs back to Europe with them. From that point onwards, the Pug’s popularity grew across Europe.
After the civil war, the Pugs were introduced to America and, after that, recognized by the AKC in 1855. The interest and popularity of the breed saw a significant reduction by the turn of the century.
A few breeders stayed dedicated and kept on breeding the Pugs. This dedication saw their rise in population and reappearance in the American scene, which led to the creation of the Pug Dog Club of America in 1931, which was recognized by AKC the same year.
Beagle History
The Beagle was brought into England in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. They are believed to be descendants of an Ancient Greek dog with a similar structure and purpose that came to England in the 5th century.
Later, in the 8th century, a scent hound called St.Hubert Hound was used to create another breed known as the Talbot Hound. Due to its loud bark, white coat, and lack of running speed, the Talbot was not ideal for hunting, which was its intended purpose.
When the Talbot hound got to England, it was bred with the Greyhound to increase its running speed. After its creation, it was known as the Sothern Hound, the Beagle’s ancestor.
In the 1700s, the Southern Hound was crossed with the Norther Country Beagle (also known as the Nothern Hound) and the Foxhound to create a perfect hunting dog.
The breeding attempt continued from 1830 to 1902, eventually leading to the Beagle club’s formation in 1890. The Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles was formed the following year.
After some Beagles were imported from England, the AKC accepted and registered them in 1885. Over the years, the dog’s popularity escalated, making it more than just a hunting dog but turning it into an ideal family pet.
Puggle Physical Characteristics
A Puggle comes in a small package containing a balance of its parent’s characteristics and traits. The dog gets a longer nose from the Beagle and the Pug, the wrinkles that make it resemble a Mastiff.
Size and Weight
The Puggle’s size can range from small to medium, with a weight of around 10 to 30 pounds and a height between 13 to 15 inches. Toy Puggles weighing much less and smaller are also there.
Coat Type and Color Variations
A Puggle’s coat is short that is silky, smooth, and double-coated. The coat color heavily depends on the parents, with the more common variations being red, black, and lemon, with a possibility of white or black marks appearing on the face around the eyes.
Puggle Temperament
Puggles are affectionate balls of energy that love playing and cuddling in equal measure. While most puppies have a great balance of temperaments from their parents, some might lean toward more cuddling or wandering and running after prey and digging, depending on which parent’s genes are more robust.
Typical to its nature as a dog, it will bark at strangers but are likely to do nothing else due to its easy-going and social nature. They might be excellent watchdogs to a certain degree and alert you of anything suspicious, but they are not ideal guard dogs.
It is a loving dog that loves attention and spending time with its family and owners. Despite its high level and liking for activity, the Puggle will gladly hop on your lap for cuddling sessions. In addition to all the great traits, the Puggle also inherits a stubborn streak and barking and howling.
Compatibility with Children and Other Pets
With its good looks, fun-loving and good-natured attitude, the Puggle is loved and adored by children and gets along well with other pets like cats. However, due to its small size, care should be taken when it’s around much smaller children who can’t control their actions.
Care and Maintenance
Like any other dog, a Puggle needs care and maintenance, though it’s on the much lower side for this particular breed. Care usually revolves around the coat, eyes, ears, fold on the skin, and nails.
Grooming and Shedding
Despite having a short coat, its double-coated means that the Puggle sheds a lot, making it not a hypoallergenic dog. To get rid of excess fur, you should brush once a week, which should be increased during the shedding season to several times.
You should keep a keen eye and take care of the folds and wrinkles on the face and forehead, ensuring the areas are clean and have no debris preventing skin problems. After washing the dog or if it gets into contact with water, dry the folds well and thoroughly.
As small dogs are prone to dental problems, take care of your Puggle’s teeth by brushing daily and regularly chewing dried treats. Pay close attention to the ears and eyes, keep them clean, and trim the nails.
Exercise Requirements
Puggles are active, playful dogs that should regularly exercise daily. The dog gets easily bored if it doesn’t get enough exercise, and when bored, it will howl and bark. Activities of around 30 minutes can be a brisk walk, or a ball game is sufficient.
When taking the dog outside, keep the Puggle on a leash as they get easily distracted and might wander off. Check the temperature and ensure it’s not too hot out, as the dog is heat sensitive and would be better off playing and exercising indoors.
Training your Puggle and Socialization
Puggle training should be started early when the dog is still young. To overcome the dog’s stubbornness, you must be patient, consistent, and firm. Shorter sessions that incorporate playtime have been proven to be successful.
As with other hybrids, Puggles do well with positive reinforcement instead of negative reinforcement. You can make the training more productive by giving the dog treats, which works exceptionally well as the Puggle is food oriented.
Potty Training
Puggles need to have a schedule where they are taken outside (to one specific spot) for frequent potty breaks. Because of their small bladders, Puggles are prone to accidents within the house; when this happens, resist the urge to punish the dog.
Apply and use positive reinforcement and treats when the dog “goes” outside or alerts you to the need for a potty break. You can also incorporate crate training to help with potty training.
Obedience Training
Positive training sessions work best with a Puggle during obedience training if you throw in a few treats and praise, even better, as Puggles are people pleasers and will want to make you happy.
In obedience training and classes, the key lies in getting the Puggle attentive and following commands. Negative reinforcement or punishment-based training should be avoided entirely, no matter how frustrating the training sessions become.
Behavioral Issues and Solutions
The most common behavioral issues you will encounter with a Puggle are barking and howling, which will constantly happen if the dog is left alone. Another problem is digging. All these issues are quickly resolved with continuous training starting at an early age.
One other reason that can make your dog bark and howl is boredom. To deal with this, find activities that will physically excite and stimulate the dog’s mind mentally.
Advanced Training
If you are looking for more training methods for your Puggle, crate training would be a great addition to your other training sessions. Remember that the dog will not take an immediate liking to the method, but it will benefit you and your puppy.
Once your Puggle picks up on and accepts the training, it will feel more relaxed due to the sense of safety and security it gets from the crate.
Feeding and Nutrition
You must ensure your Puggle gets a balanced diet to meet the dog’s nutritional needs and be happy and healthy. High-quality dry foods are recommended that have been formulated to suit your dog’s unique needs.
Alternatively, you can cook meals for your dog or provide them with a raw diet. Even though a popular option nowadays, it’s highly recommended that you get a veterinarian nutritionist’s recommendation concerning your dog’s diet.
Due to their voracious appetite, a trait they pick from their parents, you should not leave your Puggles to feed themselves as they have no control over how much they should eat; otherwise, they will become obese. A schedule where you provide the dog with smaller controlled options is ideal.
Puggle Health Conditions and Care
Being a hybrid does not guarantee a Puggle protection from hereditary health issues, but the dog is generally healthy, with a life expectancy of 10-15 years. That aside, as with any other pet, the dog will get sick and need the proper preventative care and treatment to get better.
Some common health issues the Puggle is predisposed to are patellar luxation, epilepsy, and cherry eye. Due to their shorter noses, the dog might have to deal with a respiratory issue known as “stenotic snares,” which can be fatal.
Vaccinations and Preventive Care
You should take your Puggle for regular vet visits, which helps with the timely detection and treatment of any health issues. Like other dogs, Puggles need to be on a predetermined vaccination schedule that you should keep up with to keep common conditions at bay.
Puggle Breeders and Adoption
A breeder’s primary intention when crossing any dogs is to get the best traits from each of the parents and pass them on to the hybrid. When breeders cross the Pug and Beagle, the preferred outcome is to get a playful dog that does not bark a lot and cares little for hunting.
How to Choose a Reputable Breeder
When choosing a breeder, you want to focus on those keen on good breeding practices. Several Puggle breeders, like Cute Puggle and Greenfield Puppies, can be found online. Doing enough research and due diligence on any breeder is always advisable.
Puppy Selection and Preparation Process
Here’s a great YouTube video on fun facts you need to know about Puggles:
After you have identified your preferred breeder, it comes down to selecting a puppy determined by the dog’s temperament and also paying attention to the physical appearance. Schedule visits with the breeder to give you a chance to observe the puppies and how they behave to determine the one you’d want to go home with.
How to Adopt from Shelters and Rescue Organizations
If you prefer adopting to buying a Puggle, an online search will bring you several organizations within your area that rehome the hybrid. After the adoption process, make sure you take your dog to a vet for a proper evaluation and the right blood work to rule out any health issues and have any conditions treated.
How Much Does a Puggle Cost?
The initial cost of a Puggle from a reputable breeder ranges from $400 – $2000. The price you pay depends on the breeder, the dog’s age, health, and appearance. Other factors contributing to the price are the color and the superiority of the pedigree.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an adorable cute designer dog that is fun-loving and enjoys cuddles as a pet for yourself or your family, then getting a Puggle is a good idea. The dog will bring tons of joy and enthusiasm into your home, which you can reciprocate by matching the dog’s energy levels.
