What is a Puggle?

Puggles are the #1 designer dog. You get a Puggle when you mate a purebred male pug with a purebred female beagle. Puggles are the most popular and sought after hybrid, crossbreed dog. Even the late, tough-guy James Gandolfini of "The Sopranos" had to have a Puggle. "The puggles are the most in demand. And they're just the cutest little dogs," said Garry Garner, president of the American Canine Hybrid Club, which registers and recognizes more than 200 hybrid dog breeds.

Puggle History:

The Puggle originates in the 80's when US breeders started experimenting in creating new dog crosses based on personality and appearance, which led to the creation of the term, "designer dog".

Puggle Temprement:

You will find Puggles to be extremely sweet, curious and very playful. They are one of the most social dogs you can have. They are great with children, adults of all ages, and other animals. Puggles have even been referred to as Nanny Dogs because of the way they are with children. Puggles are very affectionate and bond very quickly with their owners and their families. Your puggle will love to be in close contact with you and will loyally follow you around the house. They will be very excited and happy when you return home from going out. Puggles are extremely curious and have inherited a great sense of smell from the beagles in their bloodline. This can get them in trouble when they are off leash because they tend to follow their nose where ever it may lead them and could easily get lost. Never leave them out of your sight while off leash. Puggles have loads of energy love exercise. They love to go for walks, to go to the dogpark and make friends with other dogs, and they go crazy for doggie toys. Puggles are extremely intelligent and easy to train. Puggles are incredibly food motivated. They aim to please and will do most anything to please you. Housebreaking is very easy by using crate training.

Taking Care Of Your Puggle:

First and foremost, regular visits to the veternarian for check ups, immunizations, and spaying and neutering your Puggle are the most important care you can give to your Puggle. Weekly brushing should help to keep shedding in check. Bathing is only recommended once a month so that their skin will not become dry and itchy from over-bathing. Teeth brushing is very important to avoid plaque build up. Puggles need to release stored up energy and a daily walk would be very beneficial. A fenced in area for a good romp or a trips to the dog park would be good for their physical and mental health and well being. The daily release of stored up energy will help to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. Because of their shortened snout, be very careful with your Puggle in hot weather. Be sure to be careful in cold weather as well. On very hot or very cold days, you Puggle will be just as happy to have play time with you indoors with their favorite doggy toys. Puggles like to drink plenty of water and should be fed a good quality dog food. Ask your vet for recommendations on food. Do not stray from your vet's recommendations as Puggles Love to eat and can easily become overweight. 

Puggle Health:

Puggles are generally a healthy breed because they are a mixed breed with a bigger gene pool. Since they are bred from Beagles and Pugs, Puggles may inherit health problems from either breed. Pugs can be known to be brachycephallic, and have resipiratory difficulties due to their smooshed faces. Puggles with longer snouts, are at less risk of developing these problems. There is one common, non-life threatening respiratory problem that Puggles suffer from and that is reverse sneezing, also called backwards sneezing. It is characterized by rapid and repeated forced inhalation through the nose, accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds. Though it may be distressing to the animal, it is not known to be harmful. Most dogs are completely normal before and after episodes. In addition, most dogs will have repeat episodes of reverse sneezing throughout their lives.Both Pugs and Beagles can suffer from cherry eye, epilepsy, and hip displasia so regular verterinary care is essential. Puggles can also suffer from food and enironmental allergies which may lead to a special diet. Once again, regular trips to the vet are essential.

Life Expectancy:

Puggles can be expected to live 10-15 years. The average life span is in fact closer to 15 years.

Puggle Colors:

The most common colors are Fawn (tan) with a black mask and a black nose. The black mask can also have varying degrees from a full black mask to small areas of black. You can also find Puggles in a variety of colors. Some puggles are born all white, all black, or tri-colored black, white and tan. Second generation puggles also have the same varied colored coats. 

Puggle Coat:

Puggle coats are straight, short, and smooth. This coat is very low maintenance and only requires minimal grooming. However, due to moderate shedding, weekly brushing to remove the loose hair is recommended.

Puggle Size:

Puggles range from 15-30 pounds as adults. They are 10-15 high measured at the shoulders. Puggles are considered to be lap dogs because of their size and their temprament. Their head size can vary from relatively large and full to thin and small. Very often, the male Puggles, compared to female Puggles, are more muscular in their build and are slightly larger.

Puggle Sounds:

Puggles may howl. Puggles do bark. One facinating and unique fact is that Puggles are the only dogs who can bark and howl at the same time. They also make an astounding variety of other sounds, as if they are trying to talk to you.

Puggle Training:

Puggles are extremely intelligent and are food/treat motivated. This makes them extremely easy to train. They will quickly learn to sit, stay, leave it, drop it, lay down, give paws, fetch, and to come when called. A great activity for and your Puggle would be Agility Training. For housebreaking, crate training is recommended.

Adoption Is The Best Option

There is a high demand for Puggles. Unfortunately, a number of Puggles find themselves in animal shelters or rescues because their owners are unable to keep them for various reasons. Some owners simply cannot afford to keep their beloved pet. I created this website to encourage Puggle adoption, instead of paying the hundreds of dollars that pet stores and breeders charge, and to encourage animal adoption in general. There are so many pets in shelters today that the numbers are staggering.

A shelter or rescue should be the first place you look for a new pet. When you adopt your pet from a shelter or rescue, you are saving a life.

The majority of dogs at animal shelters and rescues are adult, mixed breed dogs. You can also find some puppies and pure breed dogs. There are Animal Rescue Organizations that specialize in specific breeds.

Adopting a new pet is a life time commitment. It is not a decision that anyone should take lightly. If you are looking for a new pet, there are alot of things to consider.

For more on Rescue and Adoption: read this.

Where Can I Find A Puggle To Adopt?

Puggles can be found at animal shelters and rescue organizations all over the country.

Start by visiting your local Animal Shelter. Visit local Animal Rescue Orgainzations. If you don't find a Puggle right away, don't give up.

You can find Puggles at Pug Rescues and perhaps even at Beagle rescues since the Puggle is a Pug/Beagle mix.

Petfinder.com is an amazing wesite. It is "The Place" for pet adoption. Petfinder is the number one website for adoptable pets. Search over 350000 adoptable pets from nearly 14000 adoption groups.

I highly recommend using the Petfinder search below . It is the best widget to search for any type of pet. To find a Puggle you have to enter Pug for the breed.