Are you looking for a new addition to your family, a little furry friend to follow you around faithfully, a loyal companion who will love nothing better than to curl up on your lap and snore softly?
Then the Puggle is the dog for you. However, you may wonder, do Puggles bark a lot?
A Puggle is a cross-breed. They are a cross between a Beagle and a Pug.
They have the same long, soft, floppy ears that Beagles have, and the sweet little squishy face of a Pug.
A Puggle usually has fairly long legs, but a short, stocky body.
They have soft, wrinkly skin, and dark, droopy eyes.
Their coloring is usually mottled, with variations of brown and white, tan and white, and sometimes white with black patches.
Puggles have a playful and cheeky personality.
They are very affectionate and loving and adore lots of attention from their humans.
For this reason, they are one of the most popular cross-breed dogs and it has become almost trendy to own one.
They were initially bred by breeders who wanted to produce a dog that would be perfect for companionship, but would not have all of the problems that both Beagles and Pugs sometimes display.
Are Puggles indoor or outdoor dogs?
Because Puggles are so affectionate and love being around people, they are better off being indoors.
If you have a garden or a yard, they should be allowed in and out freely, as long as the space is enclosed safely and they can’t get out into the street.
If you live in an apartment, your Puggle will need to be taken out for walks at least two or three times a day.
It is important for them to get sufficient exercise, because if they spend too much time just lazing about the house they can become fat.
This is extremely unhealthy and can even be dangerous.
Do Puggles bark a lot?
If a Puggle is left alone indoors for an extended period, he may start yapping loudly.
This is not really very different to any other breed of dog, but incessant barking is often a major problem with Puggles.
Beagles have a tendency not only to bark, but even to howl, and your Puggle may inherit that tendency.
Pugs, on the other hand, are more docile and quiet, so it is possible that your Puggle could lean more in that direction.
It depends very much on the strength of the genetic mix in your Puggle, and is impossible to predict.
Can you train a Puggle not to bark a lot?
Puggles are not always easy to train, but it can certainly be done.
It takes a lot of love and patience, but if you use positive reinforcement methods, it is possible to train your Puggle to be calmer and more quiet.
Once you have instilled good habits, and your Puggle knows what to expect from you, he will be less likely to bark and disturb you and your neighbors.
What else should you know about caring for a Puggle?
If you are planning on getting a Puggle as a pet, here are some more things to consider.
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Grooming
Even though they have short coats, they do still shed, and need to be brushed weekly.
They don’t require much attention when it comes to grooming, but do need to be bathed regularly.
If their nails get too long it can make it harder for them to walk and run around, so it’s a good idea to have them clipped from time to time.
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Food
It is important to ensure that your Puggle eats a balanced diet of healthy food.
They have a tendency to gain weight easily, so it is better for them to eat a diet of fresh food that is not bulked up with high-calorie ingredients that have very little or no nutritional value.
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Water
Your little pooch must always remain well-hydrated.
Water constitutes about
40% – 50 % of an average dog’s body make-up.
Your Puggle needs to have a bowl of fresh, clean, cool water available constantly.
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Vaccinations
Be sure to take your Puggle to the vet regularly for a general check-up, and remember to keep up-to-date with all vaccinations.
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Identification Chip
On your very first visit to the vet, have him insert a microchip with your contact details, in case your Puggle wanders off and gets lost.
With all of this new-found information, you are ready to be a proud owner of a content and happy Puggle.