Puggle Breed Information, Traits, & Characteristics

Origin & Purpose

Pugs and beagles were first intentionally bred together in North America in the 1980s, when designer breeds were becoming increasingly popular. 

A possible goal of mixing the pug and beagle was to create a healthier dog with all the much-loved personality traits of the pug. Today, the puggle is considered one of the most popular cross breeds in the United States. 

Beagle

While the exact origin of the beagle isn’t known, it’s likely that the breed descends from dogs that date back to ancient Greece. However, the beagle only really began to gain its distinctive attributes in 16th-century England, where it was further selectively-bred to hunt rabbits and other small prey. 

Beagles are active dogs that belong to the hound breed group. The beagle excels at dog sports, agility, and scent work.

Beagles were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885. Most puggles inherit the beagle’s floppy ears, multi-colored coat, and friendly nature. 

Pug

Pugs are one of the oldest breeds in history and have existed before 400 BC. The breed originates from ancient China, where the dogs were developed to be companions for ruling families and other wealthy individuals. Pugs were later imported to Europe in the 16th century.

Pugs thrive in indoor spaces because they’re small, low energy, and easygoing. The pug enjoys family life and belongs to the toy breed group.

Pugs were officially recognized by the AKC in 1885. Most puggles inherit the pug’s facial features, wrinkled skin, and mischievous personality.

Lifespan 

Puggles have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years when properly cared for. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and frequent grooming can help prevent health problems.

Puggle Appearance

Puggles are compact designer dogs that exhibit a combination of physical traits from their pug and beagle parent breeds. Puggles tend to have the beagle’s floppy ears.

This dog breed grows up to 15 inches tall, has a short coat, and comes in a range of colors.

Height and Weight

Puggles are considered small dogs, with a height at the withers of 10 to 15 inches and a weight of 14 to 30 pounds. Males are larger than females, though the dog’s exact size depends on genetics and age. Lifestyle factors, such as diet and activity level, can also affect a puggle’s weight throughout its life. 

Puggles that take after the beagle typically weigh more than puggles that take after the pug.

Colors

Puggles come in different shades of black, tan, red, white, lemon, and fawn. Puggles can be solid-colored, bi-colored, or tri-colored, with a combination of black, tan, and white being the most common coat type. 

Solid silver fawn is the rarest coat color, though this hue isn’t officially recognized by the AKC. Some puggles have ticked markings.

Coat

Puggles have short, smooth double coats that shed moderately throughout the year, especially during spring. The outer coat consists of coarse, water-resistant hairs, while the undercoat is dense and soft. 

Although the puggle has a short coat, the mix isn’t considered a hypoallergenic breed because it sheds dog hair frequently. 

Facial Features 

Puggles typically have floppy ears and dark markings around their eyes and muzzles. Most dogs inherit the pug’s distinctive facial features, including the large, prominent eyes, skin folds, and underbite. Some puggles gain the beagle’s healthier, longer snout. 

Puggle Personality and Temperament

The puggle temperament is friendly, playful, and easygoing. Because of their nurturing nature, puggles make suitable companions for families with children or other dogs. These mixes are curious and thrive with plenty of mental stimulation.

While loyal and generally eager to please, puggles have a stubborn streak and can be difficult to train. They are also known to be quite mischievous. These dogs need an owner that can be firm, patient, and assertive. 

Puggles are prone to separation anxiety, so they do best with a family that can keep them company throughout the day. Some puggles inherit the beagle’s excitable, energetic nature, while others inherit the pug’s low energy level.  

Barking

Puggles are vocal and frequently bark to gain attention or communicate their needs. Some dogs also inherit the beagle’s howling and baying tendencies. 

Proper training, desensitization sessions, and ensuring the puggle’s needs are met can help lessen barking. Avoid leaving the dog alone for long periods of time. 

Puggle Care

Puggles are moderately difficult to care for because of their proneness to health conditions and stubborn streak. These dogs also require frequent grooming and can’t tolerate being left alone. 

Puggles should be exercised daily, fed a nutritious diet, and given lots of attention throughout the day. 

Food Needs

Puggles have insatiable appetites and shouldn’t be overfed. Feed a puggle ¾ cup to 1½ cups of high-quality food per day, with portion size depending on the dog’s activity level, metabolism, and age. Split the kibble into two separate meals to aid digestion.

The food should be dry, specially formulated for a small breed, and contain a lean protein, like turkey. 

Grooming Needs

Puggles should be brushed twice a week, or more often when they blow their coats, to remove excess fur and trapped debris. Skin folds should also be cleaned daily with dog-friendly wipes.

Bathe puggles once a month with a hypoallergenic shampoo to keep their fur and skin in good condition. Other grooming responsibilities include checking the ears for signs of inflammation, brushing the dog’s teeth three to four times a week, and trimming the nails if they clack against the floor. 

Exercise Needs

Puggles are moderately active dogs that require up to an hour of exercise per day in the form of walks or play. Most mixes are laid back and can happily live in apartments, as long as their needs are met. 

A puggle dog with brachycephalic qualities shouldn’t do vigorous exercise, especially in hot weather, because it struggles to breathe and can’t properly regulate its body temperature. The dog also shouldn’t be walked in steep, uneven areas, where it’s likely to overexert itself.

Mental Needs

Puggles are curious, playful dogs that need at least half an hour of mental stimulation per day to stay happy and mentally fit. Good stimulating activities for puggles include hide and seek, puzzle toys, and learning new tricks. 

Common Health Concerns

Puggles are a relatively healthy designer breed, though dogs that inherit more traits from the pug parent are unfortunately prone to several health issues, including:

• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS): A term for a group of conditions caused by physical malformations such as a small skull, compact skeleton, and short muzzle. Most dogs with BOAS experience respiratory difficulties and are prone to overheating. Symptoms include noisy breathing, snoring, snorting, vomiting, nasal discharge, and regurgitation. Treatment involves surgery, weight management, and lifestyle changes, depending on severity

• Eye problems: Puggles often have shallow eye sockets with bulging eyes, which makes them prone to several eye issues, including dry eye, corneal ulcers, and trauma. Eye problems can be prevented with special dog eyewear (doggles), a protective ointment, regular vet checkups, and surgery

• Luxating patella: When the dog’s kneecap dislocates out of its proper position. Symptoms include a hopping gait, lameness, and leg dragging. Treatment involves weight management, exercise restriction, anti-inflammatory medication, and in some cases, surgery

• Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE): An inherited, fatal disease that causes inflammation in the brain. Symptoms include seizures, collapse, disorientation, abnormal behavior, and blindness. There is no known cure for pug dog encephalitis

• Skin problems: Puggles with wrinkles are more prone to skin problems. Sweat and dirt collect in the folds, causing irritation, inflammation, and infection. Symptoms include a foul odor, scratching, red sores, and yellow discharge at the folds. Treatment typically involves cleaning the folds with dog-friendly wipes and topical medication

• Hemivertebrae: A birth defect that causes vertebrae deformation. Symptoms include hind leg weakness, incontinence, muscle deterioration, and back pain. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, and surgery

• Dental Disease: A painful, progressive condition that causes damage to the mouth, gums, and teeth. Symptoms include bad breath, teeth discoloration, gum inflammation, bleeding, and excessive drooling. Treatment involves pain relief, antibiotics, and surgery 

• Legg-Calvé-Perthe Disease: A hereditary condition that affects the hip joint, causing it to deteriorate and collapse. Symptoms include pain, limping, stiffness, and muscle wastage. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory medication, surgery, and physiotherapy 

• Hip dysplasia: When the dog’s hip doesn’t develop properly during puppyhood. Symptoms include weakness, pain, a wobbly gait, and struggling to climb steps. Treatment involves weight control, pain relief, surgery, and exercise restriction

Health complications on the beagle side include: 

• Cherry eye: When the third eyelid’s tear gland prolapses and sticks out. The main symptom is a prominent, red swelling at the corner of the eye. Treatment involves eye drops, surgery, and pain relief

• Epilepsy: A brain disorder that causes seizures in dogs. Symptoms include muscle spasms, twitching, incontinence, disorientation, and foaming at the mouth. Treatment involves anticonvulsants and minimizing potential triggers

• Ear infection: When the dog’s ear has a harmful buildup of yeast or bacteria. Symptoms include inflammation, scabs, a foul odor emanating from the ear, loss of balance, scratching, and head shaking. Treatment typically involves a medicated ear drop and anti-inflammatory medication

• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD): A degenerative disease that affects the spine. Symptoms include mobility issues, pain, excessive panting, and a hunched back. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory medication, surgery, and rest

• Hypothyroidism: A condition that affects how the thyroid gland functions. Symptoms include weight gain, skin problems, and lethargy. Treatment involves thyroid hormone replacement

Puggles also have an insatiable appetite and can put on weight quickly. Obesity can cause several health issues, including arthritis, breathing problems, and diabetes. 

Ensure puggle breeders can provide the parent’s health clearances and proof of vaccinations, among other necessary medical treatment.

Puggle Training

While intelligent and loyal, puggles are relatively difficult to train, especially for first-time owners. Puggles have a stubborn streak and like to do things at their own pace. These dogs are also curious and get easily distracted by their surroundings. 

Use a firm, patient, and consistent training approach with plenty of treats for the best results. Never resort to punishments because puggles can become stressed, anxious, or aggressive. 

Training can begin as soon as your new puggle puppy has settled into its home. Useful basic obedience commands include ‘sit,’ ‘down,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘come.’ You should also begin housebreaking, crate training, name training, and socialization as early as possible. 

Puggle Price

The puggle is a relatively expensive dog to look after because it’s prone to health conditions that can be costly to treat. 

How Much Is a Puggle?

A puggle dog typically costs between $400 and $2,000 depending on age, health, and appearance. Puggles with good lineage and rare coloration cost the most. 

Adopting an adult puggle from a rescue group is cheaper than buying a puppy directly from a reputable breeder. Adoption typically incurs a fee between $250 and $500. 

How Much Does it Cost to Own a Puggle?

A puggle is expensive to look after because the dog is prone to health conditions and requires frequent vet checkups.

Expect to spend between $100 and $250 per month on a puggle’s care, with this amount covering expenses such as food, grooming supplies, toys, healthcare, and treats. Dog walkers, training classes, and puppysitters are other expenses to consider. 

The first year of care is more expensive because of initial costs like bedding, puppy vaccinations, and neutering or spaying. Some puggles also require surgery to treat brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. 

Is a Puggle Right for You?

Both the beagle and pug are curious, friendly, and loyal, so it’s no surprise that puggles make excellent companion dogs. However, the mix is expensive to look after and isn’t suitable for first time owners because of its stubbornness. 

Puggles are Suitable for:

Puggles are playful, gentle, and nurturing, all traits that make them excellent companions for families with children or other animals. These dogs particularly thrive with an experienced owner who can dedicate time to the dog’s training and care. 

Puggles are suitable for people who can spend time with a dog throughout the day and afford regular vet checkups. This mixed breed dog does well in small apartments, as long as the puggle is taken on walks daily. 

Puggles are NOT Suitable for:

Puggles often experience separation anxiety, so these dogs aren’t suitable for people who work long hours. People who can’t train their dog regularly and exercise the dog for at least 30 minutes per day should also avoid this mixed breed.

Puggles are prone to health issues and need an owner who is willing to accommodate their lifestyle around these potential ailments. For example, most puggles can’t tolerate heat and shouldn’t be taken out on long walks during summer.

Because puggles are vocal, these dogs aren’t ideal for people who dislike noise or live in thin-walled apartments.