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Puggles are one of the most sought-after designer breed dogs in the world today. With a small stature, high intelligence and active, happy-go-lucky lifestyle, they are also one of the friendliest breeds. Everything you need to know about owning a Puggle is here.
A Puggle is a designer breed dog that has swept the nation and stolen our hearts. It the small dog right for you, your home or situation though?
A designer breed is a name given to cross breed dogs by the media in the early 2000’s. There are three main and two sub-set categories for designer dogs. They are dependent (and independent from mixed breed dogs) on the fact that there are only two bloodlines in the dog breed. The sets are :
Confused yet? As long as the dog is a breeding result from two different purebreds, it is a designer dog. Any successful breeding within that design will fall in this F-range.
What is a Puggle?
A Puggle is created when a male Pug breeds with a female Beagle. This is the only way to get a Puggle, as the smaller Pug female would have major complications giving birth to the larger Beagle puppies. While not impossible it is frowned upon to try, as death can occur to the babies and the mother if attempted.
Puggles tend to have the appearance of a beagle in the head and face and the body of a Pug. Though, as with all breeding, it will vary from puppy to puppy and litter to litter.
On average, Puggles will mature at the height of 10 to 15 inches and weigh no more than 10 to 30 pounds. The females tend to weigh more than the males, though this isn’t a certainty.
Puggles are considered small breed dogs based on their average height and weight. They are also very active, lively and loving. They tend to be overly friendly and appreciate being noticed and loved on with pats, treats and, of course, belly rubs.
Because Puggles are small dogs, they don’t need a lot of room to run and play. While they do enjoy a yard or trips to the dog park, they can get sufficient exercise daily in an apartment or small house. This makes them perfect breeds for small families, those living in apartments or even senior citizens and single persons.
Puggles are thought to be the most accepted and owned designer dog in the world. The first Puggle was born in 1980, and the breed has skyrocketed to the top of the demand list since. Peaking in 2005, when it seemed everyone had to have the Pug and Beagle mix.
Because it is a crossbreed, the Puggles of the world are not accepted by the American Kennel Association. However, they are accepted in almost every other canine association, mainly due to the popularity, breeding standards and longevity of the breed’s existence.
Puggles get their appetite from their Pug fathers. Just like a Pug, Puggles are known to eat until full and then eat again. They can easily become overweight, so proper nutrition (and serving sizes) is important.
From their Beagle mothers, Puggles get the chase instinct and therefore need to be monitored closely when going for walks or exercising in the yard or park. They are known to run off and chase animals, cars and even people. Though they don’t generally attack, they are most likely chasing to get extra cuddles and head petting.
If you plan to bring this adorable pup home, you should expect a highly energetic dog that loves attention. They will bark a lot, especially when left alone (even if you just went to the kitchen to refill your juice.). They can suffer from separation anxiety and will quickly jump on your lap and demand cuddles.
They also have a higher than average chance of having some medical conditions such as hip dysplasia, hyperthyroidism and the very serious Stenotic nares (a disorder that can cause breathing problems and even death due to pinched or narrow nostrils.).
As serious as all of that sounds, Puggles are generally regarded as a healthy breed, and most medical conditions of that type are uncommon, though not unheard of.
Before Bringing the Puggle Home
You need to make sure that you and your family, as well as your home, are ready for the new addition. This starts long before the puppy is brought home for the first time from the breeder.
The first thing you should do is get your home ready for the new puppy. Puggles are very active and highly curious by nature. Anything they can get their little nose or paws into, they will.
You should get everyone in the house in the habit of closing the toilet lids, shutting doors to areas where the dog shouldn’t have access to and making sure shoes, power cords, phone chargers and the like are always picked up and put away.
You will also need to decide who is in charge of the daily care of the puppy. This will include feeding and watering, playing, grooming, and care for the puppy overall. This can be a single person, or everyone can have their own job.
Just make sure the rules and expectations are clear before the puppy arrives to help the transition and to keep the new addition as comfortable as possible.
You should also have everything at home and ready to go that the dog will need. This includes the food and food dishes, a place in the home that is specifically for the dog. The dog’s “spot” can be a kennel or a pile of blankets or a pillow.
Whatever it is the puppy will need a safe and quiet place where she can go when she is tired, stressed or scared.
You will also need a collar, leash, treats and a pre-home visit with the vet. During this visit, you can talk to the veterinarian about the new addition that is soon to join, schedule an appointment to have the puppy checked, vaccinated and medical history gone over.
Once the puppy is home, these things will be more difficult to acquire and having everything ready will ease the process.
Once the Puggle is Home
The day you bring your new puppy home will be an exciting day, for sure. However, it can also be an overwhelming day for the pup. The more hands and new faces that try to get their pets in and voices heard will be a bit scary.
You should introduce family members slowly over the first day. Let the dog get used to the new surroundings and make sure to point out where she can find her food, water, and safe place.
Allow the puppy to run around and learn her new surroundings. If there are other animals already in the house, it is better to let them meet naturally and in a more drawn out timeline. You should never force the animals to get together or become friends. This will take time and that time frame is not up to you.
Because Puggles are curious and intelligent, training should begin right away. If you are training at home, it should start on day one. If you are taking the puppy to a trainer (or having a trainer come to the puppy), it should start as soon as possible. While the breed will learn commands and right from wrong fairly easily, it doesn’t mean she will follow the rules.
Patience, understanding and a firm standard will be crucial the first few weeks. Once everything settles down, and the dog is a true member of the house and family, things will ease and get better.
Housebreaking might be one of the toughest to get through, though. Both parent breeds are stubborn in this area, and while they do love to run and play outside, they seem to disobey the potty training lessons more often than not.
The best method is through reward training. Either with treats or overly generous belly rubs.
In Conclusion
Puggles are one of the most popular and longest bred designer dogs in the world. Starting in the 1980s, the breed has continuously grown in popularity and standards. Bringing a new pup home can be a stressful time for all involved. Though with patience, love, and understanding it won’t be long before everyone is back to normal.
