Australian Shepherd Care Guide: The Cowboy’s Favorite Breed
Breeds / 2024
Puggle: Is This Mischievous Dog Right For You?
The Puggle is a crossbreed between a Beagle and a Pug.
They have the floppy ears and playful personality of a Beagle, but a Pugs funny wrinkly face and affectionate nature.
This pooch is quickly turning into one of the most popular hybrid dogs in the US.
It does not take very much to keep them happy and healthy.
Are you ready to open up your heart to one of these fury little friends? Keep reading to learn more about these special little guys…
Contents and Quick Navigation
- What is a Puggle? (Overview)
- Pug Beagle Mix Pros and Cons
- Puggle Appearance
- 6 Fun Facts About The Beagle Pug Mix
- Puggle Personality and Temperament
- Caring for a Puggle
- How to Train a Puggle
- Quick Breed Summary Table
- Summary
What is a Puggle? (Overview)
A Puggle comes from crossing a Beagle with a Pug.
With no official breed recognition, they are simply classified as a mixed-breed.
These dogs were bred specifically for their appearance and for companionship. They are friendly, playful and make the perfect lap dog. However, they can be quite difficult to train.
A Puggle that is more Beagle will be active, but stubborn. One that is more Pug will crave attention and cuddles, but can be bossy.
They are easy to care for and do not need much beyond the basic needs of most dogs. Training is the most difficult part of Puggle care.
- Overview: Hybrid (Pug/Beagle).
- Purpose: Companionship.
- Weight: 15-30 pounds.
- Size: 8-15 inches.
- Temperament: Friendly, Playful and Affectionate.
Pug Beagle Mix Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ideal companion and family dog.
- Fits in to almost any home.
- Great for families with kids.
- Easy to care for.
- Good for first time owners.
Cons:
- Can be difficult to train.
- Susceptible to genetic issues.
- Beagles known for unpredictable temperaments.
Puggle Appearance
As this breed has no official standard, your pup’s appearance can vary a lot.
However you can expect their body to be short and stocky with long legs.
Their face is wrinkled and droops slightly around the eyes and muzzle. The eyes are always dark, and should be expressive and inquisitive. Pug Beagle Mixes have a white belly and black markings around the nose, muzzle and eyes.
The tail should curl upward, with slightly longer fur than on the rest of the body.
Height and Weight
The breed typically stands up to 15 inches, however Toy Puggles or those with more Pug-like bodies may be only 8-12 inches high.
You can expect males to weigh between 20-30 pounds, and females weigh anywhere from 15-20 pounds.
Colors
Your Puggle’s color will depend on the colors of its parents.
They can be any combination of tan, reddish brown, black and white.
Beagle Puggles are darker colored and have more black markings, while those with more Pug in them are lighter. Their chests and bellies are always white or cream.
Coat
The coat is a short double coat, which offers extra protection against the cold.
Outer coats are short, fine fur, while the inner coat resembles wool or down.
Their coat appears wrinkly around the face and the legs. You won’t need to trim it as it will grow and shed naturally.
6 Fun Facts About The Beagle Pug Mix
- American born and bred, the Puggle’s origins can be traced to the state of Wisconsin.
- They can snore quite loudly when all wrapped up in a deep sleep.
- The breed originated in the 1980s and has experienced a surge in popularity through the early 2000s.
- They are one of the most popular hybrid dogs in the US.
- Other nicknames include Buggle or Peagle.
- They can let out a mighty howl and may even bay at the moon.
Puggle Personality and Temperament
The Puggle is the perfect mix of a playful hound and a lovable lap pet. They love to be pet and cuddled and don’t like to be ignored.
These extremely sociable little guys just love to spend time with their best friends. Their puppy-like playfulness extends well into their adult years.
They are real people pleasers and they are eager to get along. These friendly faces will fit in to any family that showers them with the love and attention.
If you are looking for a yard dog this is not the dog for you – they prefer the comforts of home.
- Their love for games and activities is a credit to their Beagle side. Those with Beagle tendencies can be very active and rambunctious. This also gives them their high hunting instinct, so be careful around cats and smaller dogs.
- Those with Pug tendencies will want to spend more time cuddling than playing. They will happily curl up beside your pillow or on your lap.
Unwanted barking is one of the most common behavior problems for the breed. Without the right training, they will bark at anything and everything.
They will bark and howl for attention if left alone or locked up in another room.
If something is unfamiliar to them, they will want to tell you all about it. It takes a lot of patience to teach them when they should and should not bark.
Is The Puggle A Good Family Dog?
The Puggle was specially bred to be one of the very best family dogs around.
They will want to get to know everyone in your household, and make an excellent choice for a child’s first puppy.
Caring for a Puggle
This breed is extremely easy to care for, making them great for first timers.
Children of all ages can learn to care for one, and owners of all skill levels will find them quite easy to manage.
Their diet, hygiene and grooming requirements are not too complex, keep reading to learn more…
Exercise Requirements
Puggles have a moderate activity level.
Walk yours at least twice a day for 15 minutes at a time. A quick romp through their favorite park or a walk around the yard will do. If they spot a bird or a squirrel, their hunting instinct may kick in. For this reason, they should only be walked on their leash.
Like most other dogs, Pug Beagle mixes enjoy games of fetch and catch.
Games of chase, or hide and seek with toys will stimulate their intelligence and hunting instinct.
- Number of Walks Per Day: 2.
- Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 30 Minutes.
Grooming and Shedding
Like most double coated dogs, these guys shed.
Your dog will shed more frequently during the spring and fall, as their summer and winter coats begin growing in.
A weekly brush with a curry comb will do outside of season. During shedding season, you will need to brush them at least three times a week.
When your dogs been digging in the yard, check their facial wrinkles for any trapped dirt. This can cause an infection if it’s not cleaned up.
Their nails should be trimmed every month, and their teeth should be brushed regularly. Dental treats and feeds can help a dog that does not like the toothbrush very much.
Feeding and Diet
These small dogs only need 2 meals of high quality kibble a day.
When buying food from the supermarket, make sure raw ingredients are the first thing listed.
They don’t need wet food, but can be given raw meat in moderation. Their food should have a mix of protein, fat and carbs that allows them to get a little bit of everything. Watch carb intake carefully, as small breeds need less carbs than others.
| Calories Per Day: | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 600 | 1.5 |
Known Health Problems
- Puggles bred for the Pugs flat face may become brachycephalic. This means that their shortened airways can cause severe breathing difficulty.
- Hip dysplasia is a common problem that affects many smaller dog breeds. This painful joint deformity impairs mobility and can lead to arthritis.
- Hypothyroidism is a hormone deficiency inherited from the Beagles side. This condition lowers their metabolism and increases the possibility of obesity.
How Long Does A Puggle Live?
If you keep them happy and healthy, you can expect your Puggle to live for 12-15 years.
How Much Does A Puggle Cost?
The average cost of a Puggle is about $500.
How to Train a Puggle
Before training your Puggle it is important to know that this breed can be stubborn and will attempt to outsmart you – this makes them quite difficult to train.
No matter how frustrating training can be, patience and positive reinforcement is always the key.
Your dog is smart enough to pick up on your attitude and will know if you are upset with them. Never raise your voice, or physically punish your puppy during training. Locking them up in a room for time out is not a good idea either.
Instead praise and reward good behavior. Reward them with cuddles and favorite games much more than you reward them with treats.
Don’t go overboard on training and supplement this with 10-15 minutes of downtime and regular play.
Socialization and obedience training should begin at around 2-3 months old.
Obedience is the most difficult aspect of training this breed. A game of fetch is a great way to stimulate your pups hunting instinct while teaching it how to follow directions.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Size: | 10-15 inches. |
| Weight: | 15-30lb. |
| Lifespan: | 12-15 years/ |
| Coat: | Short double coat. |
| Color: | Tan, brown, white and black. |
| Do They Shed: | Yes. |
| Temperament: | Sociable, playful, affectionate and stubborn. |
| Intelligence: | Very alert and intelligent. |
| Socialization: | Friendly and sociable with humans. |
| Destructive Behavior: | Yes, if left alone they can howl and chew. |
| People Skills: | Gets along with everybody. |
| Good with Children: | Yes. |
| Activity Levels: | Moderate. |
Summary
The Puggle is great for just about anyone looking for a new furry family member. Whether you live on your own or with a big family, these fun little friends have a lot to offer.
If you are adopting your first dog or looking for a puppy, a Puggle may be the perfect start.
They are friendly, funny and always up for a cuddle or a nice long nap on your lap.
This pooch is easy to care for, and easy to please. Consider opening up your home and heart to this wrinkly little face.
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below…
