Have you ever wanted a pet that’s loving and charming like a Pug but friendly and curious like a Beagle? Then look no further and get a Puggle dog mix between these breeds. But before you welcome it into your home, here’s what you need to know about this crossbreed:
- What Does a Puggle Look Like?
- Breed Temperament
- Health Issues
- Nutrition
- Grooming Tips
- Buying a Puggle Dog
Meet the Designer Dog Called Puggle
What do you get when you cross a charming and even-tempered Pug with an energetic and merry Beagle?
Puggle Is a Mixture of Beagle and Pug
What is a Puggle? It’s a mix of a Pug and a Beagle. Its representatives are designer dogs because they were intentionally crossbred. To avoid health complications, the puppies always have a Beagle mother and a Pug father.
The First Puggle Was Bred in the 1990s
Wallace Havens created the Beagle Pug mix because he liked crossbreeds. The breed was officially introduced in the 1990s, and it soon became very popular. Now, you can also find litters that originated from two Puggles.
These dogs have cute looks and affectionate personalities that make them popular worldwide. Many celebrities are proud owners of a Puggle, including Uma Thurman and Julianne Moore.
What Does a Puggle Dog Look Like?
Depending on their genetics, some Puggles look more like a Pug and others like a Beagle.
Wrinkled Face and Floppy Ears
Half-Pug half-Beagle dogs inherit the wrinkled face of their Pug parent. In contrast, their floppy ears, long tails, and long muzzle are all thanks to their Beagle roots. Due to these features, people sometimes mistake them for miniature Mastiffs.
Smooth and Short Double Coat
Puggles have two coat layers. While their undercoat is dense and quite short, their top coat is a bit longer, smooth, and nice to the touch. But the downside to it is that your Puggle dog will shed a lot.
The crossbreed colors vary. You can find tan, red-brown, and fawn Puggles. There are even darker ones with black marks and lighter ones in white or cream colors.
Sweet and Compact
Puggles’ size is relatively small. They’re up to 15 inches high. Toy Puggles are even shorter — between 8–12 inches. That makes them compact and great pets for an apartment.
The Puggle weight varies between 15–30 pounds. They’re prone to obesity, so you should be careful with the amount and quality of food you give to them.
Temperament — Active, Smart, and Social, Just Like Their Parents
Like us, Puggle personalities depend on the genes they inherit. Some can be more similar to their Pug parent, while others to the Beagle one. Still, all Puggles share common characteristics.
Little Balls of Energy
Like their Beagle parents, Puggles are very energetic. You shouldn’t be surprised if they run around the apartment a lot. Also, you should take them out for walks at least half an hour a day. They’re excellent buddies for long walks but not so much for jogging. As Puggles enjoy the outdoors, we recommend you bring a portable dog water bottle with you to help them stay hydrated.
Smart Yet Stubborn
Puggles are brilliant dogs, but they can be quite stubborn, too. That’s why they’re not among the most trainable breeds. You need to be patient with them to make progress. Also, they’re very curious, so you shouldn’t leave any precious objects within their reach.
Loyal Companions and Family Members
Are puggles good dogs? Yes, they can be your new four-legged besties. They’re amiable, affectionate, and social dogs that will quickly become a part of your family. Plus, they love to cuddle.
Puggles are good with kids and other dogs, too. They’ll notice and warn you if a stranger is approaching your home. But because of their gentle personalities, they’re not good guard dogs.
Easily Adaptable Yet Prone to Separation Anxiety
Many refer to Puggles as “shadows” because they follow their owners all the time. They’re easily adaptable and can live in a house or apartment.
Puggles are sociable, which is why you shouldn’t leave them alone for too long. Otherwise, they can develop anxiety or depression. One of the interesting Puggle facts is that they don’t bark a lot but howl instead, especially if they get lonely.
Positive Reinforcement Training Is a Must
Puggles are quite stubborn, so you need to prepare plenty of treats if you want to train them. The Beagle Pug mix is a food lover, so it’s always ready to perform for a tasty snack.
Agility training is among the recommended exercises for dogs of this breed. Also, you can make these sessions fun and interesting with some puppy toys. Your training approach should be consistent. If you’re willing to spend your time and patience with this dog, your efforts will be rewarded.
Generally Healthy, Except for a Few Hereditary Issues
Puggles are quite healthy, but like other breeds, they inherit some of their parents’ issues.
One downside to their health is the Puggle snoring. They can do that very loudly and even keep you awake at night. If there’s a change in their snoring, that could be a cause for concern, so make sure you discuss it with a vet.
The Puggle dog life expectancy is between 10 and 13 years.
Most Common Puggle Health Issues
Puggles’ health problems are often related to their bones. Some of the most common issues you should keep an eye on are:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Stenotic Nares
- Hypothyroidism
- Cherry Eye
- Epilepsy
- Patellar Luxation
The good news is that you can keep these issues at bay if you feed your Puggle with high-quality food, give it the proper exercise it needs, and, most importantly, pay regular visits to the vet. Also, you can add joint vitamins for dogs to their diet for prevention.
Good Nutrition Every Day Keeps Your Puggle’s Obesity Away
Puggles would eat whatever you give them, and oftentimes more. A well-balanced diet is a must since they’re prone to obesity. So how much should a Puggle weigh to be healthy? You can measure your dog at home following these steps:
- Standing above your Puggle, check if it has a defined waist.
- Feel the dog’s spine with your fingers. The fat covering shouldn’t be too thin or too thick.
- Feel its ribs. You should feel each one with some fat covering.
Two of the best options for Puggles include dry dog food and cooked meals. And if you want to be 100% sure that the food you choose is suitable for your pet, you can consult a vet or dog nutritionist.
Grooming — Buckle Up, Puggles Shed a Lot
Similar to their ancestors, Puggle shedding is at a high level. So if you want to have a clean house without much fur flying around, you need to brush your Puggle weekly. That way, you’ll remove the dead hair and minimize shedding as much as you can.
It’s equally crucial to take care of your Puggle’s wrinkles if it has any. That’s the perfect place where bacteria and dirt gather and thrive. You need to clean the body and face wrinkles at least once a week to avoid infections and health problems.
Ear care for dogs is another essential part of the grooming routine. You can clean your dog’s ears once in a while. It’s an easy process to follow. For more information and advice, contact your vet.
Buying a Puggle Dog
Before getting one of these cuties, you should know that the Puggle dog price is high — between $800 and $2000.
The best place to get a Puggle is an animal shelter or rescue center. Although these dogs are quite popular, there are still owners who abandon them. We recommend you check your local shelter before turning to Puggle dog breeders. Also, you can search social media for pups, but be aware of the many existing pet scams.
To Get or Not to Get a Puggle?
Lovable, loyal, playful, and extremely cute — that’s how we’d describe Puggles. Even though they shed a lot and can snore a bit noisily, they make excellent companions. You’ll hardly get bored with your Puggle around. They’ll be happy to join you for walks and cuddles. Plus, you can count on them to warn you of any uninvited guests. If you groom it regularly, feed it moderately, train it, and simply love it, a Puggle dog will be your most trusted companion.