Puggle

Temperament:

Lively, Self-willed, Intelligent
Size: Small
Height: 20-38 cm
Weight: 7-14 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Coat: Shorthair
Colors: Black, Black-brown, Beige, Gray

The puggle is not an officially recognized dog breed, but a cross between two breeds. The small dogs are bred as companion dogs and are very popular. As the original breeds of beagle and pug are very different, there are many variations of the puggle.

Puggle
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Characteristics

For some years now, the dog breeds pug and beagle have been selectively crossed. The puppies are called puggle and combine the characteristics of both breeds. In addition to the crossing of purebred dogs, the puggle is also backcrossed.

The puggle is usually a small dog, but size and weight can vary greatly. If you have a puggle puppy, it will probably be about the same size as its parents. As the characteristics of the parents can be inherited differently, the appearance will also vary.

The head clearly resembles the head of the parent animal with pug genes. However, most have a longer snout than a puggle and can therefore breathe relatively well. This is a reason for many people to keep a puggle.

Since pugs and beagles come in different colors, there are also different puggle colors. Relatively many have the black mask typical of the pug and a brown to gray coat. Like its parents, the puggle is always short-haired.

When crossing the breeds, emphasis was placed on a friendly nature. Many are good family dogs that enjoy spending time with their humans. Breeders expect the crossbreed to produce a playful dog that barks little and has little hunting instinct. By selecting the parents, the breeder can influence the character of the puppies somewhat.

However, the puppies will always have different character traits. In some cases, the character will develop more towards one of the parents.

If you want to breed a puggle, you should be aware of this. Find out about the beagle and the puggle beforehand so that you can train your dog well.

The beagle is a hunting dog that pursues game in a pack. Beagles kept as companion dogs also have a pronounced hunting instinct. A special feature of the beagle is its good nose, which it uses to track down animals. The beagle's hunting instinct can be a great challenge for the owner, as the dog wants to be kept busy in a species-appropriate manner. Of course, the beagle can also pass this tendency on to the puggle. If you decide to get a puggle puppy, you should consider the issue of hunting instinct.

The pug has been a companion dog for thousands of years. In contrast to the sporty beagle, it is more leisurely. Most pugs do not have a hunting instinct. The short muzzle is rather unsuitable for nose work and can lead to health problems. The pug is characterized by its affectionate nature, which is appreciated by many people. Unfortunately, intensive breeding has led to a problematic physique from which many pugs suffer.

Many pugs combine the characteristics of both breeds and balance out the character traits. However, the contrasting characteristics of the breeds can also lead to problems. The beagle's willingness to work and industriousness are in contrast to the pug's leisureliness. Crossbreeds therefore do not always have an uncomplicated character. Nevertheless, the puggle is generally considered to be easy to handle and friendly.

Most puggles are agile and relatively persistent companion dogs that are happy to accompany you everywhere. Depending on how strong their hunting instinct is, they can also run free. The puggle needs basic training and must be kept well occupied. Otherwise, dogs with a lot of beagle activity will quickly become bored and start rummaging around on their own.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Health & Care

The puggle has a short, soft coat that requires little grooming. You can pamper your puggle regularly with a soft brush. Most dogs like this massage.

You should check your dog's teeth from time to time. Small dogs are more likely to have dental problems, which can be prevented by regular chewing and brushing. You can give your puggle dried animal products to chew on. Such snacks maintain the teeth and are healthier than chewy treats.

Both the pug and the beagle have specific health problems that can be transferred to the puggle. However, as with any pet, diseases can always occur that need to be treated. Crossbreeding is therefore no protection against hereditary diseases, which must always be expected. Depending on the characteristics of the genes, the puggle is a robust and agile companion.

Suitable accessories

You don't need any special accessories for your puggle. As with any dog, you will need a collar or harness and a lead for walks and training. During puppyhood, you can put a soft harness on your puggle. However, you should train your dog to walk on a lead right from the start. Especially because of the pug's breathing problems, the dog should not pull on the lead.

You need a short lead for everyday life. A tow lead is ideal for practicing the recall. This is particularly important as the beagle is a passionate hunter.

Your dog also needs a food bowl that you can clean easily. There are special food bowls that prevent gobbling. They are particularly suitable for greedy dogs. Always provide your dog with a large water bowl.

Like any dog, a puggle needs exercise and activity. This includes playing with him. Which toys you need for your puggle can vary. If your puggle has very dominant beagle genes, you can keep him happy with hunting toys. The puggle is playful, but rather calm. If your puggle reacts strongly to squeaky toys, you should not always provide them. For dogs with a strong hunting instinct, a rope may be more suitable than a squeaky toy.

Provide your puggle with a comfortable place to sleep. There is a large selection of dog beds for small dogs. You will find out over time which bed your dog likes. Most dogs love baskets or cushions that offer them warmth and protection.

Your puggle must be well secured in the car. A harness and a car seat belt or a suitable transport box will prevent your dog from jumping around in the car. In the event of an accident, the harness not only protects your dog, but also you.

You will also need tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb or rubber curry comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.

 

Puggle history

Origin & History

The puggle is one of many crosses between two dog breeds. The first puggles were bred in America. The breeder Wallace Havens not only mixed beagles and pugs, but also deliberately crossed other breeds. In contrast to the other crosses Wallace experimented with, the puggle is quite common.

In Europe, the puggle is not a recognized breed. In the USA, however, there are already some clubs that recognize the puggle as an independent breed. However, there is no uniform breed standard that describes the puggle and its character.

The different puggles differ in their parents. An animal from the so-called F1 generation has parents from the pug and beagle breeds. The breeder decides whether the animals are purebred and come from a recognized breeding line. As the puggle is not a recognized breed, the parent animals do not have to have a health certificate or a pedigree. The breeder is responsible for selecting the parent animals and can provide information about their origin and health.

Some puggles come from backcrosses. This means that a puggle of the F1 generation is crossed with a pug or beagle. A puggle of the F2 generation probably has more characteristics of the dominant breed.

A beagle bitch is usually used for breeding. The reason for this is that pug bitches often have problems caring for puppies due to their short muzzle.