Puggle

The Puggle is a hybrid dog that is the result of crossing a Beagle with a Pug. They are a very popular breed that is quite cute, energetic and loving. They can have a very sweet-temper, and can be social, playful and intelligent. They are a wonderful small companion and possess many of the great traits that make the Pug and Beagle such wonderful canines.

They have a very curious nature and find various scents intriguing; they will follow their nose whenever they pick up an interesting smell. Puggles are truly a wonderful pet who are happy to please and are eager to be loved.

Puggles were first bred in the 1980’s in the U.S. State of Wisconsin, and are the result of crossing a purebred Pug with a purebred Beagle. Puggle breeder, Wallace Havens is credited as the person who coined the word "Puggle", and is also the first to register his dog with the American Canine Hybrid Club. The breed did not receive widespread popularity until 20 years later, when it became a favorite pet among many U.S. families across the nation. Today, the Puggle is recognized as the most popular hybrid dog.

General Appearance - Puggles are a crossbreed, and because of this fact, their physical appearance is difficult to generalize compared to that of purebred dogs, especially since they don’t have a breed standard. Though Puggles generally look alike, the appearance of these dogs is dependant on their parents. That being said, many of these pooches often have the fawn colored coat and wrinkled black masks that are characteristic of Pug’s but a body length, longer muzzle and floppy ears similar to the Beagle. It is not uncommon for this designer dog to also have a thickset body, underbite, short legs, and a Beagle-length tail with a Pug curl.

The Puggle coat is smooth, straight and short haired. It is available in a wide variety of colors, but fawn or tan with a black mask covering the muzzle and around the eyes is the most common. That said, fawn Puggles can have a varying degree of black coloring on their face, some feature full masks, while others have very small amounts. In addition to fawn, some dogs are born solid black, white, tri-colored or may have multi-colored coats.

Typical Temperament - Puggles are sweet tempered lap dogs, and yet are very playful creatures. They are energetic, affectionate and bright. They bond quickly with their owners and family, and are excellent companions. They are very social animals and require plenty of attention. and want to be involved in as much activity with their pack as possible.

They are friendly toward strangers, other dogs, household pets and children. Puggles have a keen sense of smell, like a Beagle, finding many smells very interesting, and will be inclined to track scents. They like to use their voice and will alert their owners to strange sounds and people, making them a good watchdog. Overall, they are a happy-go-lucky dog with a very friendly disposition.

Grooming - The Puggle coat is easy to care for and only requires a weekly brushing. It is important to brush him at least once a week, as this will help with the removal of excess hair and assist in controlling his overall shedding. This breed does shed their hair regularly. The coat only needs to be bathed when necessary.

Their facial wrinkles should be cleaned every few days with a damp cloth to make sure any trapped dirt is removed to prevent infections from occurring. Discharge should be wiped carefully from their eyes with a tepid wash cloth. Nails must be clipped on a monthly basis, ears should be checked and cleaned weekly, and teeth brushed every few days to help keep teeth and gums healthy.

Exercise - While he is a happy lap dog, not unlike the Pug, Puggles also have natural hunting instincts like Beagles. Since this is the case, they do have plenty of energy and need a certain amount of daily exercise to be happy. It is recommended that this breed receives a minimum of one long daily walk (approximately 30 - 40 minutes), in addition to other activities, that may include fetch, the freedom to run about a safe yard, and so on.

Note: Puggles are sensitive to extreme hot and cold temperatures. Furthermore, due to their shortened muzzle, they can have difficulty catching their breath if they are overly excited or exercised too much. When outside in warmer temperatures, they should be provided with a shaded area for rest, as well as water, as they can overheat and tire quickly when active.

Approximate Food Cost - Based on the health, activity level, weight, and other aspects of the Puggle’s life, a veterinarian will typically recommend that he or she consume between 1 ¼ to 1 2/3 cups of quality dry dog food every day. Depending on the brand and where the food is purchased, this should cost an average of $15 to $20 per month.

Puggles are a relatively healthy breed, but owners need to be aware that this dog is prone to any genetic illness that may affect their parents, and are also at risk for any disease that affects the Pug or Beagle breeds. Health concerns a Puggle may face include, cherry eye, entropion, skin infections, slipped stifles (dislocated kneecaps), back problems, epilepsy, lameness, respiratory issues, and Pug Dog Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) to name a few. This breed is also prone to overheating and is intolerant of extreme temperatures.

Common Illnesses include: eye problems, Pug Dog Encephalitis, lameness respiratory issues, skin infections.

Living conditions - This breed can happily live in an apartment and will do fine without a yard. They are active indoors and love to lie in the laps of their owners. Nevertheless, they still need a long daily walk and the occasional space where they can romp around in to release energy, have fun and to feed their natural instincts.

Training - Puggles are relatively easy to train. They are intelligent and are motivated by praise and treats. They respond well to firm, yet gentle training and will learn quickly if they are taught with persistence, consistency and repetition. They can be obstinate if the training sessions are boring, so they need to be interesting and short for best results. They need a reliable and solid leader, early socialization, and obedience training to develop a wonderful and healthy temperament.

Common Problems - Some issues that owners will experience with this particular canine is that they are difficult to housetrain. Patience, a consistent routine, repetition, praise and reward are key to making this training a success as quickly as possible. Crate training will also be helpful. Puggles are highly sensitive to temperatures and can overheat quickly. This can be a problem as this breed has Beagle instincts and likes to be active. Make sure he is never over-exercised and is provided with a cool spot to rest, as well as plenty of water. Some Puggles will howl, making a baying sound that is Beagle-like if they are excited. Finally, this dog is prone to separation anxiety.

Puggles are fantastic designer dogs that are very popular among dog lovers. They are incredibly social and are fabulous company for adults, children, seniors and other household pets. They are lively and have a joyful disposition that makes them easy to love. He is content with just about any living quarters and is happiest when in the company of those he loves. The Puggle is a beautiful crossbreed and a companion unlike any other.

Related posts:

PugDog Breed InformationBreed Specific Dog Training MenuPuggle Training - How To Do a Basic Sit-StayHow To Train A Puggle

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