There are so many different breeds of dog to choose from that it can be difficult to find the perfect match for you. One breed you probably have come across in your search is the Puggle, a small and adorable breed created by crossing a Pug with a Beagle.
It is easy to fall in love with their cute appearance and loving personality, but there is so much more to the breed than this. You will need to find out as much about them as possible before deciding, as getting any dog is a huge commitment. We are going to help you with this here.
In this article, you can find our ultimate guide to the Puggle breed, which you can read to find out everything you need to know about this dog breed. We are going to look at everything from their appearance to their temperament, their health, and more. This will help you to prepare for life with a Puggle.
Key Facts About The Puggle
Before we get into this article fully, we feel that there are some things that we should draw your attention to first. It is really important to be aware of some key facts about the Puggle breed, which is why we will first tell you about their lifespan, exercise needs, coat type, and monthly costs.
Average Lifespan
On average, the lifespan of a Puggle is between 10 and 15 years, which is a really long time to commit to any dog, so you should ensure that you are ready for such a big commitment before you bring a Puggle into your life.
Minimum Exercise (Per Day)
Puggles are an energetic breed of dog, and they love to run around and play whenever the opportunity presents itself. They will need moderate exercise to burn off all of their energy, and it is recommended that this is split into 2 sizable walks each day.
You should walk your Puggle for at least 15 minutes at a time. Just like their Pug parents, Puggles are prone to obesity, which is another reason why it is so important for them to get the right amount of exercise.
Coat Length
Puggles are known for their short coat that is soft to the touch. Their coats are fine and usually glossy in appearance like a Pug’s. One of the best things about their coats is that they do not require lots of maintenance.
Minimum Cost (Per Month)
If you are good at sticking to a budget and planning out what you spend, you can expect to pay at least $75 a month to care for your Puggle. This cost will cover things like food, insurance, accessories, and more.
Appearance
Due to the fact that there is no official standard for the appearance of the Puggle, their appearance can vary quite a bit. However, you can expect them to have short bodies with stocky and long legs, and their faces are very wrinkled.
As well as this, their faces droop slightly around the eyes and muzzles, and their eyes are always dark but expressive and inquisitive.
Puggles will also usually have a white belly and black markings around their nose, muzzle, and eyes. Their tails should curl upward, and they usually have slightly longer fur on them than the rest of the body.
Size
The Puggle is a medium-sized dog breed.
Puggle Average Height
The majority of Puggles will be between 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder, but there are Toy Puggles that will usually be less than 13 inches tall.
Average Weight
On average, the Puggle weighs between 18 and 30 pounds, but the Toy Puggle typically weighs between 8 and 17 pounds.
Temperament
The Puggle is a sweet and intelligent dog that can easily slot into family life. They can be very playful and cuddly and enjoy spending time with their wonders and families.
They will usually get along with pretty much anyone, including children and other pets. However, they can sometimes display some behavioral issues, like howling, barking, digging, or wandering.
Like all dogs, it is important to socialize your Puggle from a young age properly. You should try to expose them to as many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences as possible while they are still puppies. This will help to ensure that they grow up to be well-rounded dogs, and it should also limit their barking and vocalization.
Apartment Living
As long as they live indoors and get their recommended exercise, these dogs will adapt well to living in an apartment. However, these dogs are known to bark a lot, which can be an issue if you have noise restrictions in your building.
Good for Novice Owners
Puggles are both loving and gentle dogs, which is why they can do well as a companion to almost anyone, including novice owners with little to no previous dog-owning experience.
Sensitivity Level
Puggles are generally not too sensitive, but they can be sensitive to the tone of voice you use. They don’t respond well to being told off in a harsh manner, and they can get really anxious if you scold them.
Tolerates Being Alone
Due to the fact that these dogs thrive on companionship, they do not do well when they are left alone for long periods of time. You should avoid leaving your Puggle alone for more than a few hours at a time. They are very prone to developing separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior in your absence that stems from anxiety.
Tolerates Cold Weather
Puggles are very sensitive to the cold, and they do not tolerate it well. They have short and fine coats that don’t protect them from the cold, and their small bodies make it easier for them to lose heat to the environment.
Tolerates Hot Weather
Puggles also don’t tolerate hot weather very well as they have short noses and smaller air passages. They cannot adequately cool air or release heat when they are in hotter temperatures.You should always take extra care with your Puggle if it is hot outside.
Affectionate With Family
Puggles are known for being exceptionally affectionate towards members of their families. They are loving and loyal companion dogs and often show their affection in many different ways. However, you may find that there are times when they just want to take a peaceful nap on the floor as they do like to have some time to themselves every now and again.
Kid-Friendly
Generally, the Puggle is a sweet-tempered dog that gets along well with children of all ages. However, even though this is the case, it is still really important to properly teach your children how to approach and touch your Puggle dog.
You should also always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any unwanted behavior from either side.
Is a Puggle Dog Friendly?
Puggles are very sociable, and they will usually do well with other dogs and pets, as they are grateful for the company. However, they might chase smaller pets, especially if they inherited their Beagle parents’ hunting instincts.
This is why it is so important to train them properly and expose them to smaller animals when they are puppies, as this can help to minimize this trait.
Friendly Toward Strangers
Puggles are friendly and loving towards anyone they come across, including strangers. There are some Puggles that may be more curious than others, but they should get along well with strangers.
Health And Grooming
While it is really important to be aware of the temperament and personality of the Puggle, it is equally as important to find out more about their health and grooming requirements. We will tell you more about this below to help you prepare for a future with a Puggle.
Shedding
Puggles are known for their moderate shedding, but they will shed even more during the changes of the season. Due to this, you will need to ensure that you are brushing them regularly to get rid of any excess fur.
Drooling
Minor drooling is something that is pretty normal for most dog breeds. Although, the Puggle has relatively loose and big lips and a compressed jaw that tends to keep its mouth open when they are engaged in physical activity. For these reasons, minor drooling is completely normal for these dogs, though they should not drool excessively.
Grooming
Just like both of their parents, Puggles will shed, which is why you will need to brush your Puggle weekly to get rid of any excess hair. You will only need to bathe your Puggle if they get dirty or smelly, but you will need to ensure that the folds on their skin and around their muzzle and eyes are free of dirt, debris, and moisture to help to prevent infections.
You will need to check your Puggle’s eyes regularly to ensure that they are both clean and free from any irritation. Some of the signs that this could be the case include redness or discharge. Two other important grooming needs will include dental hygiene and nail care. You will need to brush your Puggle’s teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to remove any tartar buildup and bacteria. Although, daily brushing is best.
You will also need to trim your dog’s nails once or twice a month. If you can hear their nails clicking on the floor, then it is likely that they are too long. Short nails will help to keep the feet in good condition.
General Health
Generally speaking, there are some issues that Puggles will experience due to the fact that they have flat noses, and this is something that is quite common. However, some other health conditions are at a higher risk of developing, and it is really important to be aware of them.
Common Health Problems
Some of the more common health problems that Puggles are at a higher risk for include:
- Stenotic Nares
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Patellar Luxation
- Epilepsy
- Cherry Eye
If you are seriously considering getting a Puggle, you will need to research the health conditions that can affect both the Pug and the Beagle. Both of the parents should have health clearanced from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, patellas (knees), and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that the eyes are normal.
As some health problems will not appear until a dog reaches full maturity, health clearances will not be issued to dogs that are younger than 2 years old. You should look for a breeder that does not breed their dogs until they are at least this age.
Being aware of any potential health problems and the symptoms of them will help you to catch any health conditions early on, which is really important for treatment. However, lots of Puggles will live healthy and happy lives without any health problems.
Potential For Weight Gain
Again, just like both of their parent breeds, Puggles will enjoy their meals and are prone to obesity and gaining too much weight.You can help to keep your Puggle in good shape by correctly measuring and portioning their food, and feeding them twice a day, instead of leaving food out all day.
If you are not sure if your Puggle is overweight, then you should give them the eye test and the hands-on test. The first thing that you need to do is to look down at your dog. You should be able to see their waist.
Now, place your hands on their back with your thumbs along the spine and your fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs without having to press too hard. If you can’t, then it is likely that your dog needs less food and more exercise.
Trainability Of A Puggle
While it is possible to train a Puggle, it may be more difficult than some other dog breeds. However, they do respond best to positive reinforcement in their training, especially if this involves food rewards.
Easy To Train
These dogs can be quite difficult to train at times, and this is mostly due to the fact that they are very stubborn. They won’t do anything they don’t want to do, and this can present challenges when it comes to their training.
Intelligence
These dogs are moderately intelligent, which makes it easier for them to understand new commands and learn new training.
Potential to Bite
While Puggles don’t generally bite as they are not aggressive dogs, nipping is common for over-excited Puggle puppies. This type of behavior you will need to ensure does not follow them into adulthood, as it can turn into a nasty habit.
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
These dogs are highly likely to bark and howl more than other dogs. One of the main reasons for their barking is that they have seen something that they are unfamiliar with. Although, they can also bark because they want attention or when they have been left alone for too long.
History Of The Puggle
The Puggle is the result of an accidental cross-breeding between a Pug and a Beagle. It is thought that this probably took place sometime in the 1990s. Over time, the Puggle breed has become very popular, mostly due to its sweet nature and adorable looks.
There are not currently any breed clubs for the Puggle, and there are currently no efforts to try and make them a recognizable breed. However, they are still relatively new in comparison to many other breeds, so it is possible that this will change in the future.
Most Puggles result from first-generation breedings between Beagles and Pugs, but there have been a few breedings of Puggles to Puggles.
Costs
Unfortunately, Puggle puppies are quite expensive, and they can cost anywhere between $800 and $1800 on average. You might be able to find puppies for cheaper, but the likelihood is that the breeder is not as reputable.
Fun Facts About The Puggle
- Breeding for a Puggle doesn’t always create a Puggle
- The mother of the Puggle is almost always a Beagle
- Puggles are a new breed that hasn’t been around for very long
- Puggles can be really expensive
- These dogs will shed quite a lot
- The hunting instincts of Puggles means that they don’t always get along with cats
- Puggles offer suffer from hereditary breathing problems
