BREED SPOTLIGHT
Breed Spotlight: Puggle
Puggle: Quick Stats
LIFESPAN:
10 – 15 years
WEIGHT:
15 – 30 lbs
HEIGHT:
7 – 15 inches
DO I SHED?
Yes
Personality:
Outgoing, stubborn, goofy, and affectionate
Common Health Problems:
Congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Puggle: How Do I Look?
Developed in the 1980s, the puggle is a mix between a pug and a beagle with the intention of getting the best of both worlds: a smushed faced dog with a small-to-medium frame who enjoys exercising.
How big do puggles get? It depends on the sex of the dog, but they’re usually between 15 to 30 pounds and 7 to 15 inches tall. These adorable mutts typically have a longer snout than a pug, the high energy of a beagle, and all the loyalty of both breeds.
Every puggle looks different. You may get a dog who leans more toward the pug side of the family or the beagle side. What you can count on is that most puggles will have a medium snout, brown coloring, and floppy ears.³ Regardless, you can bet you’ll have a unique pup with a big personality.
Coat Type and Colors
There aren’t any official colors for the breed, but you should be able to find a puggle in the following colors:3,4
- Black
- Fawn
- Red
- White
- Gold/Yellow
Drooling Level
Puggles are not heavy droolers. If your pup is drooling excessively, it may be due to a gum infection, so make sure to keep an eye on their gum health.
Ears
Puggles usually inherit their beagle parents’ floppy ears, but the size of their ears varies from dog to dog. Take the time during grooming sessions to inspect their ears for debris, mites, and signs of infection. Keeping their ears clean will save you time and money.
Shedding and Grooming
You may be wondering, “Are puggles hypoallergenic?” Unfortunately, they’re not. Puggles do shed a moderate amount. Their coats are short, have medium density, and need to be brushed at least once a week to get rid of dead fur.Take this time to clean the skin folds around their face and trim their nails. They don’t need to be bathed everyday, but you should spot clean their face and keep it dry to avoid atopic dermatitis.
Puggle: Personality Traits
What My Adoption Bio Would Say:
My parents gave me a lovely blend of charm, beauty, and attitude. I may not be the perfect marathon runner, but I promise to play fetch until you’re ready to go inside. Whatever you want to do, just let me stay by your side.
Behavior
Puggles tend to have more energy than their pug parent, preferring to play rather than lounge. The puggle temperament can be described as affectionate, sweet, and loving to their families and strangers alike. However, some puggles inherit their beagle parent’s stubbornness. Special care is needed to socialize and exercise puggles to avoid negative behavior like howling or chasing.
Exercise Needs
Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise or more to keep these pups healthy.3,4 If you want your puggle to play freely in the backyard, they will need a fence that extends at least 6 inches underground. Puggles tend to dig and burrow so it’s best to prepare for their escape artistry.
Are Puggles Good with Other Pets?
Puggles, like beagles, tend to enjoy the company of other dogs. That said, be sure to socialize your pets early so you can avoid pet warfare in your home.
Trainability
Puggles, like beagles and most active dogs, require patience and positive reinforcement. These dogs aim to please their humans but they can be preoccupied with a single object, like a squirrel or ball. Take the time to join a training course to learn ways to train your new companion to listen to you instead of running off.
Are Puggles Good with Kids?
Puggles enjoy the company of children and make great family pets. That said, it’s important to teach small children how to gently interact with puggles so they can avoid accidentally hurting them.
Barking Level
Like beagles, puggles are very vocal dogs who howl and bark often. Keeping your dog exercised and engaged is the best way to curb this behavior.
Puggle Fun Facts
New to the dog scene, there is a reason these little characters are popular. Here are some quick facts about puggles:
- Puggles are all-American. The breed was introduced in the 1980s by breeder Wallace Havens in the state of Wisconsin.⁵
- Jake Gyllenhaal – known for his roles in Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – was spotted with a puggle named Boo Radley in 2005, which helped popularize the breed.³,⁶
- Puggles are great in urban environments and city homes for folks who don’t want a frilly “purse” dog.
Puggle Health Problems
Puggles may experience a variety of health issues, including 3,4:
- Congenital heart diseases: These are inherited heart disorders, including valve malformation.
- Hypothyroidism: This is an abnormality in the thyroid that reduces a dog’s metabolism.⁷
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: This is the breakdown of the head of the femur that meets the hip, which can lead to lameness. ⁸
- Obesity
- Corneal Ulcer
- Intervertebral Disc Disease: This is the degeneration of the discs (cushions) between the spine, causing pain and pinched nerves.⁹
- Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: This is a cluster of issues associated with dogs with short snouts, like pugs.¹⁰
Protect your Pets
Even the healthiest of pups can come with unexpected vet costs. Pet insurance can help keep your dog and your bank account happy.
How Pet Insurance Can Help Your Puggle
Typically, mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier than purebred dogs, but that doesn’t mean puggles are immune from sickness. Puggles can inherit a host of diseases including heart defects and hypothyroidism which require ongoing veterinary care. Since the puggle lifespan is typically over 10 years, a dog insurance policy may assist families keep their pups healthy by covering the cost of this care, potentially saving them thousands of dollars.²
Obesity in Dogs
Puggles are smaller, companion animals that are ideal for folks living in small spaces. But this can lead to couch potato puppies, resulting in an obese dog. Obesity can lead to a litany of issues including arthritis and high blood pressure. Sometimes, obesity in puggles is caused by hypothyroidism, but ultimately a well-managed diet keeps a dog healthy.
Unsure if pet insurance can help your puggle? Check out our guide on how pet insurance works and you can get coverage before health concerns become preexisting conditions.