What Breeds Are a Puggle?
- A puggle's physical traits are not as easy to categorize as those of a purebred dog, and the appearance of any puggle is influenced by what its parents looked like. Often, and characteristic of its pug genes, this designer dog has a tan or fawn colored coat and wears a wrinkled black mask that covers its muzzle and surrounds its eyes. Its body may be thick like a pug's but have the length of a beagle's, as well as the longer muzzle and floppy ears of that breed. The puggle's short haired coat is smooth and straight, its legs are often short and its beagle-length tail is topped off with a pug curl. Considered a medium-small breed, a puggle's mature height is between 10 and 15 inches at the shoulders and its weight between 15 and 30 lbs.
- Adaptable to whatever is happening in their environment, puggles can spring from being a snoozing lap dog to an energetic play pal in a matter of seconds. Family-oriented puggles keep watch for strange sights and sounds and will alert (possibly with a howl) you if anything seems amiss. In keeping with their beagle instincts to hunt, puggles have a keen interest in smells and often go into tracking mode. Eager to please, these intelligent dogs are reasonably easy to train, though they might display a stubborn streak and resist cooperating if sessions run too long or get boring. They respond readily to motivation and want to be included in family life and activities as much as possible.
- While the pug in a puggle might be happy snuggling the day away, the beagle in him requires regular exercise and a recommended daily walk of 30 to 40 minutes. His wrinkles need cleaning with a damp cloth every few days to remove dirt and slobber, and his teeth (including the endearing under bite common with this breed) need to be brushed just as often. Despite their short coats, these guys are shedders, but weekly brushing helps control pet hair. Weekly ear checks and cleaning are also advised and nails should be trimmed once a month. Puggles are not hypoallergenic.
- Observe puggles for genetic diseases and conditions that could affect pugs and beagles. Special health concerns include skin infections, back problems, dislocated kneecaps, epilepsy, lameness, cherry eye, respiratory issues and Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), which is inflammation of the brain. They are susceptible to overheating and need shade and water close by when playing outside. Too much activity and excitement may bring on a struggle to catch their breath. Their life expectancy is 10 to 15 years with the average being closer to 15 years.
