It’s usually the sweet, innocent face and playful, energetic personality of the Puggle that captures the heart of dog lovers. But Pug owners claim their designer dog is also extremely intelligent.
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What Is Puggle Dog?
The Puggle is a cross between a Pug and a Beagle but whether the Puggle puppy will exhibit more Pug characteristics or more Beagle characteristic is a surprise. As a crossbreed, Puggles do not conform to a breed standard as purebred dogs do.
The Pug Half
The Pug has a flat, wrinkled face, stocky body, and short, soft coat of fawn, silver fawn, apricot fawn, or black distinguished by a black facial mask. As a brachycephalic breed, they can be prone to respiratory problems and heatstroke. Pug eyes are dark and prominent and the short tail lies over the back in a tight curl. They stand 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh 14 to 18 lbs. Pugs are loyal, loving and even-tempered and usually get along well with children and other pets but they can be mischievous. They make a good choice for a lap dog or apartment dog.
The Beagle Half
The Beagle is a scenthound with plenty of energy for exploring trails and smells. Weighing between 20 and 25 lbs, this breed is small as far as hounds go but is sturdily built and has the typical pendulous ears of the hound. Beagles also have a distinctive hound howl or bay. Their short coat may be tri-color, black and tan, red and white, orange and white, or lemon and white, and requires minimal grooming.
The Pug Beagle Blend
Puggles are similar in size to Pugs and Beagles, weighing perhaps 15 to 25 lbs. They may be almost any color or mix of colors. Some may have the black facial mask of the Pug while others may not.
Puggles will likely inherit traits from both parents and can be sweet-tempered, loyal, energetic, and intelligent. Some Puggles howl and others are fairly quiet with only occasional barking. Most Puggles are good with children.
The Puggle dog coat requires brushing and occasional baths to keep skin healthy and shedding to a minimum. Although Puggles will curl up on your lap, they are quite playful and need daily exercise to keep energy levels in control and prevent boredom which can result in destructive behavior. Puggle dog experts recommend the best way to train a Puggle dog who tends to be stubborn is with reward and repetition.
There is concern that crossing the two breeds could create an energetic puppy with the drive to run and trail like the Beagle but without the ability to efficiently pant and cool its body temperature like the brachycephalic Pug.
Puggle dog Temperament
Puggle dogs are very sweet-tempered and playful. They are energetic, intelligent, and affectionate. A Puggle dog is a great companion and will bond with you quickly. Puggle dogs like to be in close contact and will follow you around the house. They are also very curious dogs that love to smell new things and find new places to go to. They have a great sense of smell and will track scents like the Beagle.
Should You Get A Puggle dogs?
The Puggle, a hybrid between a beagle and a pug, has gained the spotlight over the last decade, however, they have been in existence for two decades. Touted as a great pet the Puggle began selling like crazy, prices spiking into the thousands for puppies 8-12 weeks old.
Part of the Puggle’s charm and selling power is its genuine good looks and sweet disposition. They are cuddle bugs with thickset bodies, big round eyes, droopy ears and a tail that wags a mile a minute. They are very easy to fall in love with, but would-be owners should be careful to consider all the Puggle has to offer before they go and purchase one of these wagging tailed beauties.
Because Puggles are a cross between a beagle and a pug (two incredibly different breeds) one must be aware that their new pal could inherit traits from either or both of their breeds. Those could be good or bad traits.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when buying a puppy is how that puppy and its breed traits will fit in with the owners’ lives. Not every dog will be right for its owners and vice versa so serious debate is necessary to ensure another adorable dog will not end up in a shelter.
The Good Things About Puggle Dogs
Puggles often inherit a longer nose than their full-blooded pug cousins, courtesy of their beagle bloodline. Because their snout is longer they seem to bypass some or most of the breathing problems associated with the Pug.
Both the Beagle and Pug are recognized as extremely loyal and loving animals and the Puggle is no different. Their disposition is generally kind and good-natured. Most describe their Puggles as high energy comedians with a great sense of humor. Because of their good nature and their playful personality they make great pets for children who can keep up with them.
The Puggle is a relatively small dog, anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds and works well in an apartment setting as long as regular exercise is made available to them. They are high energy and regular walks are a necessity to rid them of any wild or destructive tendencies.
The Bad Things About Puggle Dog
The Puggle is an intelligent breed; however, they can be stubborn and difficult to train. Most training guides and magazine articles suggest it can take up to 12 months to fully house-train a Puggle. Other breeds get it off the bat within a matter of days. The Puggle is a bit more strong-willed.
Additionally, the Puggle is a rather sensitive dog so yelling or stern training can have a serious and undesirable impact on its behavior. Gentle but firm training with constant reinforcement is probably the best route for these little dogs.
Because the Puggle has Beagle in him it is not uncommon to inherit the very distinctive Beagle howl. It may be cute while they are puppies and first finding their “voice” but can quickly become irritating to the humans around, including neighbors.
Because of this, the Puggle may not be ideal in areas where housing is extremely close or where neighbors could be easily irritated. Again it must be noted that not ALL Puggles will inherit the howl but it is a possibility and owners should be prepared for it.
The beagle is a runner and their body and face are designed specifically for that purpose. Puggles can inherit the Beagles’ athleticism and love of running but their shorter snouts may cause exhaustion issues. Many Puggles can easily tire after rough playing and owners should be aware of the dog’s limitations.
Puggle dogs are NOT hypoallergenic and their short coats shed quite a bit. Daily brushing and wiping them down with a wet towel ensures they are clean and dead hair is removed but they are far from hypoallergenic and would-be owners should seriously consider how that will impact all members of the family the dog will have regular contact with.
Acquiring A Puggle Dog
Breeders have experimented with crossing Pugs and Beagles since the 1980s but these dogs have gained popularity more recently. Puggles are perhaps the most popular crossbreed.
Those interested in a Puggle should be aware that designer breeds have no conformation guidelines and puppy mill breeders may be motivated by the popularity of designer breeds and the profits to be made from sales.
To maximize profits, they sometimes cut corners in housing, food, and health care expenses. Since inbreeding and early neglect can cause health and behavior issues that may not be immediately detectable, it is best to thoroughly investigate the source of your puppy and/or have him checked by a veterinarian.