The Puggle is one of the world’s trending breeds these days. What is a Puggle dog or puppy? Whether you are a dog owner or a breeder, this Puggle breed profile will help you through your quest to understand everything about this designer dog that comes from a Pug and a Beagle.
A Puggle is a designer dog that is a mix of both purebred dogs, a Pug, and a Beagle. This crossbreed has become more popular since its early 2000s recognition. However, this is not a new breed after all. 1980 was the first time of the Puggle crossbreed in the USA.
Breeders and dog lovers want to have a designer dog that has its originally distinctive look, that will be a perfect companion dog because of its cool temperament. These made Puggle breeding a popular trend in crossbreeding then and in the future. This puggle breed profile will help you out in everything you need to know about this amazing dog.
History
| Year of Origin | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Place of Origin | United States |
Knowing more about the Puggle’s history and origin will help you understand the nature of Puggles, their distinctive appearance, and other related factors.
Wallace Havens bred the first Puggle in the 1980s. He then registered the Puggle at the American Canine Hybrid Club. However, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other major kennel clubs do not consider Puggle in their registry of breeds, since it is a crossbreed.
As a designer dog, it has no long history of origin. Its commercial availability started in the early 2000s and is rapidly increasing making it the number one designer dog in market demand. The purpose of creating the Puggle breed is to produce a dog that has a closer physical trait to Pug yet is not prone to the respiratory problems which Pug is prone to. The general characteristic of a Puggle is a combination of an affectionate and good companion Pug and active and curious Beagle.
Popularity
Puggle popularity hits the global arena as one of the world’s top designer dogs. Though an AKC popularity ranking is not applicable here, this crossbreed has been gaining a lot of fans around the globe.
Due to this increasing popularity, the owner of a popular dog breeding site said to Seattle Times, sometime in 2006, after disposing of numbers of puggles in his shop that day that he can still sell 50 puggles if they are available in that same day and it increased its price during that days due to high demands. The President of the American Canine Hybrid Club said that he thought the puggle’s popularity would only last for three to four years, but it continues growing.
Puggles With Celebrities
Puggle became increasingly one of the most popular crossbreeds in the US. It makes good companies with celebrities and is recognized as an ideal crossbreed or designer breed.
Puggles hit the news many times during its first commercial availability in the early 2000s and even up to these days. They even made some popular TV shows to feature them, dubbed as the US’ new hot dog, talking about the various reasons why people love this crossbreed very much. Another way to gauge the breed’s popularity is to get to know famous celebrities who own one or even more of this huggable breed.
These famous personalities include Uma Thurman, Penelope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kelly Osbourne, Julianne Moore, James Gandolfini, and Sylvester Stallone. The list is almost endless here as more iconic personalities are planning to get a puggle of their own.
Appearance
| Size | small |
|---|---|
| Male Height | 20–38 cm / 8–15 in |
| Male Weight | 6–13 kg / 13–29 lbs |
| Female Height | 17–35 cm / 7–14 in |
| Female Weight | 0–0 kg / 0–0 lbs |
As they are crossbred, Puggles’ looks can vary a lot. But you can expect them to have a thickset body, short legs, underbite, and a Beagle tail with a Pug curl. Its coat is smooth, straight, and short-haired. They have wrinkled face that droops around the eyes and muzzle slightly. Expect their eyes to be dark, expressive, and inquisitive. As a result of the Pug and Beagle combination, they must have black markings around the muzzle, nose, and eyes.
Head Shape
The head of the Puggle varies in size and shape. Some have large, full head, and some have small, thin head. Its forehead has deep wrinkles.
Ears
A Puggle has a pair of long floppy ears though sizes may vary.
Nose
The Puggles’ noses are longer than that of the Pug but shorter than Beagle. They usually are black and nostrils are large.
Body Shape
The mature Puggles usually weigh 6.8 to 14 kilograms. They are relatively small but with long bodies that are thick and stocky.
Legs and Gait
Puggles have short legs. They have well-muscled and straight front legs and so are the back legs, too. However, they are well-bent stifles.
Tails
Puggles’ tails are long and thick at the base, slowly diminishing to the tip. It has longer fur than other parts of the body. Tail lengths may be similar to the Beagle’s and have curls upward like the Pug.
Coat and Colors
| Coat Length | short, medium, long |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | brown, tan, yellow |
The colors of most Puggles are fawn, while others may be black or tan, or white with markings like that of a Beagle. Very common to Puggles are their black masks like that of a Pug, and their coats are smooth, shiny, and short.
Temperament
Once you acquire a puppy Puggle, you will never know at first which characteristic would dominate, if it’s from a howler Beagle or a house resident Pug. But generally, Puggles are naturally playful. They are smart and energetic. Unless trained, they are loud dogs. They are not aggressive, too. As far as getting along with people, children, and even other pets, Puggles score excellent. They are somewhat affectionate, lovable, and require your attention. This puggle breed profile describes them as “sweet.”
Since they originate from disobedient Beagle and Pug, you would have a stubborn dog. However, with patience and persistence, this dog can be trained. This crossbreed requires frequent playtime, outings, and running. A Puggle may display both of the parents’ temperaments while others may show a Pug or a Beagle’s dominance. This is the reason why you may have a non-cooperative, hard-to-train, lazy, and proud puppy/dog.
You should not let them manipulate you when they seem to want food very often. It is one of their attitudes that sometimes makes them a little bossy.
With Strangers
Puggles are alert that they immediately bark to strangers’ sudden appearance but their being friendly and sociable dominates the latter. They immediately turn to be very hospitable, much more with friendly guests who appreciate their presence. But their first barks can alert their owner of that approaching stranger. However, they should not serve as a watchdog as they can’t really be.
With Other Pets
Puggles are usually friendly to people. While most owners struggle to make their pets get along well with other pets, Puggles are also friendly to their fellow dogs. They also get along well with cats. As they are always playful by nature, they may chase smaller animals for fun.
Intelligence and Trainability
Most breeders score an average for Puggle’s intelligence and so for trainability. But because Puggle is a mix between a stubborn Pug and Beagle, a Puggle can be stubborn, too. Thus, this is the main reason why training of such a designer dog can be challenging. The critical factor for successful Puggle dog training is to start from a very young age. While others may seem intelligent and highly trainable, most of them may appear lazy, difficult to train, and even proud.
Aside from patience successful Puggle dog training also requires positive reinforcement, early socialization with other dogs, and persistence. Keeping your training sessions short yet sweet work for these playful designer dogs. You may also incorporate active play, praise, and other positive gestures to help them listen to you and obey you as part of a successful training process.
| Service Dog | 1/5 |
|---|---|
| Therapy Dog | 1/5 |
| Guard Dog | 1/5 |
| Working Dog | 1/5 |
| Search And Rescue Dog | 1/5 |
| Herding Dog | 1/5 |
| Sledding Dog | 1/5 |
| Farm Dog | 1/5 |
| Hunting Dog | 1/5 |
| Military Dog | 1/5 |
| Police Dog | 1/5 |
| Detection Dog | 1/5 |
| Bio Detection Dog | 1/5 |
| Appartment Living | 5/5 |
|---|---|
| Novice Owners | 4/5 |
| Sensitivity | 3/5 |
| Being Alone | 3/5 |
| Cold Weather | 3/5 |
| Hot Weather | 3/5 |
| Territorial | 2/5 |
| Aggressiveness | 5/5 |
| Affectionate | 3/5 |
| Kid Friendliness | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendliness | 5/5 |
| Cat Friendliness | 3/5 |
| Stranger Friendliness | 4/5 |
| Cost To Keep | 3/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 1/5 |
| Coat Shedding | 4/5 |
| Drooling | 1/5 |
| Stinkiness | 1/5 |
| Hypoallergenic | 1/5 |
| Trainability | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 2/5 |
| Prey Drive | 1/5 |
| Loudness | 3/5 |
| Mouthiness | 3/5 |
| Growling | 2/5 |
| Howling | 2/5 |
| Wonderlust | 4/5 |
| Weight Gain | 5/5 |
| Energy Level | 3/5 |
| Activity Level | 3/5 |
| Playfulness | 4/5 |
| Social Needs | 5/5 |
Health
| Life Expectancy | 10–15 years |
|---|
Puggles have an average life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. Puggles are generally boasting good health. However, the following health issues can occur within the Puggle breed:
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease – is the disintegration of the hip joint and bone and joint inflammation. It involves voluntary degeneration of the head on the femur bone, located in the hind leg of dogs. Its first sign is limping, usually during 4 to 6 months of age. Many researchers suggest that it has something to do with the blood supply to the femur bone’s head, but generally, the cause is not yet known, and so is prevention. The surgical removal of the leg bone’s head is the best treatment it can get.
- Respiratory Problems – This is a common issue in pugs with squished faces. They may go through excessive panting, wheezing, and snoring. There are some precautionary measures, yet no cure for this. Limit your dog’s time outside during humid or hot weather. Prevent obesity and replace the neck collar with a body harness.
- Hypothyroidism – This is due to thyroid hormone deficiency. This causes a lack of energy, mental dullness, obesity, and infertility. The best treatment for this health problem is daily medication for the rest of your pet’s life.
- Hip Dysplasia – This inheritable health problem may cause limping and pain in your pet’s rear legs. The thigh bone does not fit well with the hip joint. Reduce your dog’s pain by limiting the amount of food you give and put some carpet runners on any slick floor.
- Epilepsy – This causes seizures in your pet. The disease is commonly manageable. However, there is no cure for it. Giving him daily medication as part of health maintenance helps minimize your Puggle’s suffering.
- Patellar Luxation – This knee problem is common to smaller dogs. This occurs when the knee cap, tibia, and femur are not in the proper lineup. This causes a limp or lameness in the legs. There is no medication to cure this disease. Performing surgery will do the trick.
- Cherry Eye – This happens when the gland in the nictitating membrane bulges out. It appears as a reddened mass in the eye’s inner corner. Surgery is the only way to solve this problem.
Care
Brushing the hair of Puggles requires only once a week since their coat is easy to care for. Puggles have plenty of energy that they need 30 to 40 minutes daily walk. They also need to fetch and run freely in the yard. Puggles do not need a lot of care, which is why they are ideal for senior companions.
However, it should be noted that these dogs are sensitive to extreme cold and hot temperatures. They must also avoid over-excitement and over-exercise, as exposure to these can cause shortness of breath. They need shaded areas outside during hot summer and other similar conditions.
Feeding
| Daily Food Consumption | 170–170 grams |
|---|
Puggles are food lovers. They are not picky, so owners must stick to schedules of feedings and low-calorie foods. Puggles should get high-quality dry food suitable for their age, size, and activity. Avoid feeding them dog foods with corn, wheat, or other ingredients Puggles might be sensitive.
To ensure a balanced diet, give them dog food brands containing meat, fruits, and vegetables. Prefer human-grade pet foods when possible. Two or three times a meal a day is ideal to avoid being overweight and have a bowl of fresh water available. But during the first few months, puppies should take four meals daily, gradually decreasing as they grow older. A Puggle enters its adulthood as it reaches one year, it can eat adult foods during this age.
Grooming
Puggles shed moderately but they still need not a lot of grooming. During the shedding season, Puggles need brushing several times so as to remove the loose coat. However, if they are not shedding that much, brushing once a week will already suffice. Puggles need to take a bath once every month.
Exercising
Puggles exercise depending on which they take most of their traits. If from Pugs, they need lesser exercise. If from Beagles, more exercise is preferrable. Most Puggles take ideal exercise for one hour, and they should walk with you two times daily. They need a shaded area when outside in the heat.
Ownership
People who know and understand every inch of the Puggle’s characteristics are ideal to own one. Ownership of these cute puppies would be in vain if they go to people who have less knowledge about them.
Prices
| Registered | $800–1800 |
|---|---|
| Unregistered | $300–1800 |
The price of commercial Puggles may vary from each state and from every breeder. If you are considering buying a Puggle or you breeder wanting to sell Puggles at a reasonable price, it is important to consider price range and the registered or unregistered prices.
The registered price for a Puggle ranges from $800 to $4,800. On the other hand, the unregistered price ranges from $300 to $1,800. However, if you are on a budget and want to own a Puggle at a fair price, it is reasonable to have it from $300 to $600.
Sometimes, male dogs are pricier; sometimes, it is the other way around.
Buying
When buying a Puggle, buyers should consider the tips in this comprehensive Puggle breed profile.
The environment of the breeder
Be sensitive to anything in the area that can cause harm to the puppies. Clean areas are always a good factor. You should also see if the premise is not suffering from overpopulation of dogs; that is also another point to consider.
The reputation of the breeder
Most good breeders are:
- not willing to sell their breeds in the pet shops;
- they keep the litter mostly inside the house;
- only Puggles or Pugs or Beagles are their breeds;
- they update you about everything that took place on the puppy or puppies that you will buy;
- showing you both the parents of the puppy and how many are the puppies are also their responsibility;
- they refer you to past adoptive parents so you can ask them what happened to their purchased dogs;
- giving up puppies younger than eight weeks are not their attitude;
- the breeder should have the pedigree papers;
- they sell through a properly-written contract; and,
- as a good breeder, they should have registration.
Guarantees from the breeder
Before doing a purchase from a Puggle breeder, make sure to ask a health guarantee approved by a Veterinarian. This is a different thing to look for in a good breeder. They would offer a health guarantee, including first shots and physical. Of course, there should be a written health guarantee as well as vet papers.
These are the helpful tips that would guide you in purchasing your own Puggle from a breeder. Ensure you do not buy your dog from a dog farm or puppy mill. This is the most important thing to do. Avoid them as far as you can. Remember that you are buying a long-time companion and that having the good one is always worth it.
Breeding
| Litter Size | 3–7 puppies |
|---|
Breeding puggles is an exciting task. It is quite important to remember that it should always be a female Beagle and a male Pug, not the female Beagle and the male Pug because it is dangerous. It often resulted in the death of both the mother and the puppies.
While second-generation breeding (F2) or breeding Puggles from Puggle parents is possible, experts discouraged it. The result is usually unpredictable, unlike that of first-generation breeding. Puggles’ typical litter size ranges from three to seven. They seldom undergo a caesarian section while giving birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most important questions that every Puggle enthusiast wants to know for curiosity sake.
On average, male Puggles stand 15 to 16 inches tall and as heavy as 25 to 35 pounds, while females stand 14 to 15 inches tall and 20 to 25 pounds. The Beagle is larger than the Pug, meaning only the Beagle can be the mother. This combination does not exactly determine the size of the full-grown Puggle.
Puppy Puggles must not start training at the breeder’s premises before eight weeks. The best time to train Puppy Puggles is from eight to twelve weeks. This is usually when they are already in their buyer’s care.
Training them early during the breeder’s care would ease them with the schedules. And when they go to their buyers and restart training, they will feel strange with the new training methods and schedules.
Puggles can live in an apartment setting as long as they walk with you outside or at the park daily. They love people, so they will always feel comfortable with the presence of some new people living next door. As long as they are always socialized, they have no problem living in the apartment.
Puggles, like any other dogs, can learn how to swim. They enjoy swimming when introduced at a very young age. However, some of them may be afraid of water at first. They might try dipping their toes, but after which, they may run. But as they grow older and learn that bathing could cool down a hot day will make them comfortable with the water.
Puggles tend to reach their full size anywhere from 8 to 18 months. It can also take two years in some cases. This wide disparity is caused by the cross-breeding of both breeds, making it hard to predict accurately and consistently.
Although Puggles have a short coat, you may think they do not shed a lot. However, based on their parents’ shedding habit, you can expect that they shed from moderate to intense. They intensely shed during spring and fall. Unlike other dogs, Puggles’ sheds are not difficult to remove. They don’t stick to fibers of fabric as they are short. You can use a lint roller to remove these hairs easily.
You can determine how much your Puggle may give based on how much Pug and Beagle shed. Pugs shed quite a lot, mostly during spring and fall. Beagles shed throughout the year but are more intense during spring.
First, you might list the characteristics you love most to match this to the puppies you see from the pet shop display or the breeders. Or you can ask for some pictures to select the most you like.
Like any other Puggles’ physical appearance, their color will be the same as their parents. They can have combinations of tan, black and white, or reddish-brown. If the Beagle’s color dominates, expect them to have more black markings and darker colors. However, if the Pug’s color will prevail, expect lighter color and their bellies and chests are white and cream.
There are some kennel clubs and organizations that recognize and let you register your Puggle:
* Designer Breed Registry
* American Canine Hybrid Club
* International Designer Canine Registry
* Dog Registry of America, Inc.
Just like any other dog, Puggles chew at a young age. This puppy phase is just unavoidable. But you should not be disturbed by that; it is fine and normal. That is their natural way to relieve the pain caused by the incoming teeth.
The best thing you should do is to give them an old cloth or sock and tie it in a knot. They love this more than other things to bite off and can make them satisfied.