A Puggle is a cross between a Beagle and a Pug.
The mix breed has proven hugely popular with pet owners thanks to their affectionate nature, goofy personalities and compact size.
If you’re looking for a companion pet and you live in a city, a Puggle could be perfect fit.
While the Beagle and the Pug are recognised breed by the American Kennel Club, the Puggle hasn’t been granted status by the AKC.
The first Puggle is thought to have emerged in the United States in the 1980s before the hybrid became more popular worldwide.
At the time of writing, the Puggle is a member of the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America and International Designer Canine Registry.
In this article, we’ll hear from Jennifer and Sophie (@pugglesophie) to get an insight into life with a Puggle and hear some of her Puggle pros and cons.
Sophie the Puggle (Photo: pugglesophie / Instagram)
Puggle Pros
Affectionate
Puggle (Adobe Stock)
Puggles are typically loving dogs who will enjoy spending time with their human companions. They like to have company and get involved in family life. While the Beagle would be a more active dog breed than a Pug, a Puggle will relish the chance to have a cuddle on the sofa.
Jennifer went on to share that Puggles can be very sensitive to the mood of their owners.
Puggles are very loving and affectionate, and they love to snuggle. They like to be close to their humans and are sensitive to mood…[and] will try to cheer you up if they sense you are upset. They are wonderful companions!
Funny
If you’ve encountered the Puggle cross breed before this article, there’s a good chance it could be on social media where a member of this mix is acting a little goofy. Puggles are guaranteed to make you laugh with their goofy personalities, playful antics and day-to-day lust for life. Some Puggles may be quite vocal, which is hardly a surprise considering their part Beagle!
Jennifer described Puggles as “total clown” and shared some of the antics of Sophie.
Puggles are total clowns! They will make you laugh every day. They have goofy, playful personalities and do amusing things like howl, army crawl, and bury themselves under blankets.
Family friendly
So you’ve got a young family and you’re unsure of what breed or mix could be a good fit for a home with energetic, hyper children. The Puggle could be a contender seeing as they’re usually a loving breed that are gentle and patient with children. They’ve got relatively high energy levels thanks to their Beagle parent so should be able to go toe-to-toe with children in the garden.
Jennifer has experience with a Puggle and children in the same home and shared her experience with regards to educating her children on how to interact with Sophie.
My Puggle has been very patient and loving towards my two young children. However, it is important to note that we have taught both kids from the time they were infants how to use a gentle touch and interact with the dog appropriately. Any inappropriate behavior was immediately addressed and corrected. Kids do not know any better; it is the dog owner’s responsibility to teach them how to properly interact with any animals in the home.
Food motivated
For dog lovers familar with Beagles and Pugs, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that Puggles inherit a love of food from both breeds. Indeed, Puggles tend to be highly food motivated, which can help pet owners when it comes to training. As someone who owns both a food motivated dog and a dog who couldn’t care less about tasty treats, it can be a vastly different training experience.
Jennifer underlined the Puggle’s food motivation.
A Puggle’s obsession with food helps with the training process, because they are motivated to work for snacks.
Compact but sturdy
As we mentioned at the start of the article, Puggles are the perfect mix for dog lovers who want a small dog. This combination can do well in an apartment or city setting provided they get sufficient exercise and mental stimulation each day. They’re highly portable thanks to their small size so you should be able to take them on the road.
Jennifer described the Puggle as a “compact but sturdy” dog.
Puggles are small enough to easily go with you places and you can pick them up and carry them if need be – but they are also strong and solid.
Puggle Cons
Prone to obesity
Puggle (Adobe Stock)
Obesity is a crisis facing dogs around the world. Over 60% of dogs in the UK are obese! The Puggle can be susceptible to weight problems so it’s something owners will need to keep a close eye on. Personally, I prefer to feed my dogs balanced and complete meals that have been tailored to meet their need. The food is pre-portioned so I can’t overfeed my dogs. This could be something for Puggle owners to consider.
Jennifer underlined the importance of being mindful about your Puggle’s weight.
Puggles LOVE food and can become overweight quickly and easily. You have to be very mindful about what and how much you feed them so they stay healthy.
Food-obsessed
Continuing with the food theme, a Puggle’s food obsession can be a good thing when it comes to training but a bad thing when it comes to their health. Some Puggles can have a scavenger’s mentality.
Jennifer shared some examples based upon her experience with Sophie.
Food-obsessed which includes eating things that are NOT food. Our Puggle has eaten rocks, and once I caught her trying to eat a metal screw. She also loves the little plastic pieces that attach a price tag to a piece of clothing. They don’t really discriminate what they put in their mouths, so you have to always have a watchful eye, lest they consume something that could be dangerous or life-threatening.
Anxious
Pugs are sometimes stereotyped as being an anxious breed with a tendency to struggle with separation anxiety. While companion dogs aren’t necessarily predisposed to separation anxiety, they can struggle with this chronic canine condition just like any other breed or mix. Some Puggles may suffer with separation anxiety.
Jennifer shared that Sophie does struggle with separation anxiety.
Many puggles suffer from anxiety. Ours had terrible separation anxiety as a puppy; it has gotten much better but she does still freak out sometimes when we leave the house. She also pants, cries and paces during thunderstorms. She barks at EVERYTHING. At times she has required medication to treat the anxiety.
Health conditions
While mixed breeds are typically considered healthier than purebred dogs, they can still struggle with some health problems. Jennifer shared some of the health issues that could affect Puggles:
Because Puggles are a brachycephalic breed, they are more likely to experience breathing and sinus problems. They are more likely to experience luxating patellas and other mobility conditions than some other breeds. Their face wrinkles also require additional attention and need to be cleaned frequently.
Highly excitable
Puggles can be quite energetic and excitable so you’ll need to think of ways to channel their energy in a positive way. You may want to have some mental stimulation games planned. This can channel their hyperactivity in a way that won’t be destructive. As someone who owns a hyper dog, I find scent work and brain games can be a good outlet.
Jennifer emphasised the importance of training where Puggles are concerned.
Puggles have a LOT of energy and need to be in a home where they have the space and freedom to run around. Without proper training, they will jump on people, bark at everything, chew on things (our puggle used to be a sock thief!)
Commonly Asked Puggle Questions
Do Puggles make good pets?
Puggle (Adobe Stock)
You just need to be prepared to work hard with them on training and setting boundaries, otherwise they will take advantage of you. You also need to have a home/yard that is spacious enough for them to run around and get their energy out, and/or be prepared to walk them often.
Are Puggles healthier than Pugs?
They do not seem to be prone to as many health problems as pugs, but because they are part pug (and that “part” can be any percentage, so some puggles are more pug than others), they do experience some of the same health challenges as pugs.
Do Puggles have separation anxiety?
Our Puggle has separation anxiety, and I know of many other puggles who do as well.
How do you calm down a Puggle?
You don’t!! You have to accept them for who they are. Training and consistency of routine does help, but the breed is highly energetic by nature, so if you’re looking for a calm, laid-back dog, this might not be the breed for you.
Are Puggles smart?
Ours is not…but I’m sure that many are!!
What is a lifespan of a Puggle?
I would say it’s around 12-13 years, depending on their health. Regular check ups and maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle can certainly help them live longer and experience greater quality of life.
