What Is a Puggle Dog?

If you're looking for a "designer dog," look no further than the puggle. This dog is not a breed of its own, but a mix of two breeds, in this case, a pug and beagle. Like other mixed breeds, a puggle can inherit traits from both of its parent breeds, so in order to understand your puggle you will need to research both pugs and beagles, though there are some traits that many puggles have in common. Before you adopt a puggle, research its history, temperament and traits to ensure that it is a good fit for you and your family.

  1. Puggle History

    • Puggles were being bred as early as the 1980s, but they did not begin to grow in popularity in the United States until the early 2000s, according to Puggle.org. A true puggle has one pug parent and one beagle parent. Second generation puggles are occasionally bred, but most reputable breeders create puggles from purebred parents.

    Appearance

    • Most puggle puppies inherit a mixture of physical traits from their parents. They can be 15 to 30 pounds in size. Their coats are short and straight and they can inherit the colors of either parent. Some puggles are tan or fawn with a black mask. Others are black or white, and some are tricolor. Puggles have the longer snouts of their beagle parents, eliminating the breathing and health problems that short-snouted pugs experience. Many puggles also inherit the long, floppy ears of their beagle parents.

    Temperament

    • In general, puggles love to be around people and will stay close to their owners' sides. Expect your puggle to be an affectionate and loving companion. They are playful and curious, bubbling with extra energy. Like their beagle parents, they often use their sensitive noses to track new smells. Puggles are social dogs that get along well with children, strangers, other dogs and other pets. They enjoy walks and playtime and need daily exercise to burn off their extra energy.

    Puggle Behavior and Training

    • Like their beagle parents, some pugs tend to howl, and others bark for attention, when they are excited or when they are lonely. Puggles should not be left alone for long periods of time, as they can suffer from separation anxiety or loneliness. They need companionship and exercise. An intelligent dog, a puggle is eager to please and easy to train. They can be stubborn, however, so training should be consistent and reinforced with day-to-day rules and boundaries. Use positive reinforcement techniques, rewarding your puggle for desired behaviors and avoid harsh punishments. Negative training methods can cause anxiety or fear, which will make training more difficult and can lead to behavior problems such as aggression. Puggles are an affectionate breed that responds well to treats, praise and attention.