The Puggle is one of the many designer crossbreeds that has become popular in the US and is slowly growing in popularity around the world. The breeds that make up the Puggle are two fun-loving canines, the Pug and the Beagle. With such adorable parents, the Puggle is bound to inherit some of their good looks and traits.
However, when it comes to Puggle dogs, there are plenty of varieties in size, shape and colours, depending on how they’ve been bred. The Puggle can be a first cross (with one Beagle and one Pug parent), they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Puggles bred together.
| Height: | The usual height of a Puggle varies widely depending on the parents, but it can be up to 40cm. Beagle - 33-40cm. Pug - another breed classified by weight and not height 6.3-8kgs. | |
| Colours: |
The colours of a Puggle vary as well as they’re a mixture of the two parents and their extremely diverse coat colours. Beagle: Tricolour; blue, white and tan; white and tan; badger pied; hare pied; lemon pied; lemon and white; red and white; tan and white; black and white; and white. Pug: Silver, apricot, fawn or black |
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| UK Kennel Club Groups: | Toy (Pug) and Hound (Beagle) |
| Family-friendly: | 3/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 3/5 |
| Easy to train: | 2/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 3/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
| Energy level: | 3/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 5/5 |
| Shedding: | 3/5 |
Like most crossbreeds, the personality of a Puggle depends on the parents and how they have been bred and reared. But both parents are affectionate, cheerful, friendly dogs, traits that the Puggle puppy will no doubt choose from.
The Beagle is a happy, easy-going dog who is full of life and fun to be around. Beagles are good-natured and, as they were bred to be pack animals, will get along with most other dogs. They love children but need to be exposed to cats at an early age in order to develop good relationships with them. However, they may never be safe with strange cats or small furries. The Beagle is a good watchdog, barking at anything unusual, although once the burglar is indoors, the Beagle may prefer a game with him!
The Pug is a charming, good-tempered toy dog who makes a happy, sociable companion as he is friendly with both owners and strangers. He is playful and funny, good with other dogs and animals and, while pocket-sized, still robust enough to cope with family life. These little dogs have big personalities, and this charming, good-tempered, funny dog is beloved old and young alike. He can be calm and quiet, but he can also have his mischievous, clownish moments. A super companion if you can offer him the time he needs. He does not like to be separated from his loved ones for too long.
The personality of a Puggle seems to be more consistent when they are first crosses (F1). As a line is successively bred, they can be either bred back to one of the original breeds (and so strengthen either the Beagle or the Pug personalities) or be bred to another Puggle - in which case there is less predictability in temperament (and in-breeding becomes more of a potential issue).
To understand more about the origin of the breed we need to look at the two breeds that go into the formation of the Puggle.
Country of origin: China
The Pug is an ancient breed whose origins have been lost in the mists of time.
It is however thought that the Pug came from China where it had been known for some time (and may be one of the ancestors of the Pekinese), before accompanying traders to Europe, where they developed largely in the Netherlands. They then travelled to England with William III and Mary II when they came to the English throne in 1688.
The Pug quickly developed fans around the world - especially in the courts of Europe. Queen Victoria was a fan of the breed, keeping 36 of them and indeed breeding and showing them. This passion was passed on to members of her family, including King George V and King Edward VIII.
The Beagle is the smallest of the British pack-hounds and was developed many centuries ago to hunt hare and rabbits. They were developed as ‘foot hounds’, for hunters to follow on foot rather than horse-back, hence their diminutive size when compared to larger pack hounds such as the Foxhound.
Most hounds were owned by nobility and the Beagle was no different. For a while it was known as the ‘Royal Beagle’ but the ability to be able to follow them without a horse, made them become more popular with less regal sportsmen as well. Their cheerful disposition won them many devotees from outside of the sporting field and they moved from the hunting field to the show ring with ease at the end of the 19th century. It is now one of the most popular of the hounds and a much-loved companion dog.
The Puggle can have any combination of the two breeds in their appearance, behaviour, temperament and nose length.
One of the aims of crossbreeds is to dilute or eliminate any inherited health issues that may exist within one or other of the breeds. This dilution or elimination is only likely if only one parent is the carrier of any particular condition, and where this is a first cross (F1). As this can’t always be guaranteed, all parents should be health tested prior to breeding:
The Beagle is a largely healthy dog but there are DNA tests that should be done in this breed.
The Pug might have several health issues. With their flattened face and short nose, they can have breathing problems, as well as issues with their skin, eyes, and teeth. There are several health tests that should be done including Hemivertebrae testing, patella testing, and Pug Dog Encephalitis DNA test.
Information on health tests for both breeds can be found on the Kennel Club’s website or find out more about brachycephalic breeds here.
With such different parents, the exercising needs of a Puggle are difficult to predict. It depends whether this breed turns out to be more Pug or more Beagle! A Pug doesn’t need much exercise and with their flattened face and breathing problems can’t walk very far. A Beagle however will happily walk all day.
The Puggle is a small to medium-sized dog who can live in a flat or a smaller property as long as they have access to the outdoors for toileting and walks. But they will also be happy as a country dog.
Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape, and remember to feed him at least twice daily in accordance with the dog feeding guidelines of his particular food.
Both breeds have short coats that don’t need much grooming, but they will shed. The resulting Puggle will share the same coat characteristics.
Any skin folds need to be kept clean and dry, and eyes should also be wiped daily and kept clean.
The Pug is surprisingly trainable (within their physical limitations) whereas the Beagle is very much a hound and often listens to his nose more than his owner! The Puggle puppy can be anywhere between the two parents when it comes to training preferences.
They should however be taught to walk on a lead and harness. Attempts to teach a reliable recall should definitely be made!
The Puggle can make a great family dog as they love everyone.
