Puggle

A Puggle is a type of hybrid dog that comes from crossing a female Beagle with a male Pug. Puggles are said to have originiated in Wisconsin where breeder Wallace Havens experimented with different types of crossbreeds in the 1980’s. Havens is said to have coined the name “Puggle” for this breed of dog and he began to commercially breed them at the start of 2000. An adult puggle tends to be between 15 and 30 pounds and are generally considered to be lap dogs due to their small size and friendly demeanor.

The general appearance of an adult puggle can vary widely, but if you are looking for an ideal Puggle, then it should have an athletic, slightly longer body than a Beagle. These dogs also retain the characteristic appearance of the Pug, with the large eyes, wrinkled forehead and curled tail. These dogs require occassional brushing with a firm brush to keep their coat healthy and a bath only when necessary, but their wrinkles and ears should be cleansed daily. Like their Pug parents, Puggles are not hypoallergenic and typically shed their hair in the Spring.

The Puggle, like its parents, are loving, affectionate, active and even-tempered. They do well when showered with attention and affection and, for this reason, should not be left alone for long periods of time as they can become destructive as a result or bark continuously. An adult puggle, while not hyperactive, can be high energy and will require regular exercise such as walks or play in a fenced-in backyard. These dogs do well with children as well as other dogs and while they are friendly toward strangers, they will bark to announce a visitor.

One key note to be aware of with Puggles, is that since they are highly intelligent dogs, they have a tendency to be stubborn, which can make house breaking or training difficult. These dogs do not respond well to harsh training methods, and the key to positive training is rewards, fairness and patience. An adult puggle does tend to enjoy digging holes and baying like its Beagle parent, so a fenced-in backyard is key for their safety, as Puggles will wander off if they catch an interesting scent. Before making the decision to purchase a Puggle, or any other puppy for that matter, make sure to do enough research to ensure that this is the right dog for you and your family.