What makes a puggle breed

May have black mask around eyes. Overall Grooming Needs : Low. Puggles are good-natured, friendly companions who get along well with children and make for excellent family pets. Puggle puppies are typically the offspring of a male pug and a female beagle , although some breeders breed multigenerational puggles together as well. Because puggles are technically mixed-breed dogs and not a breed in their own right, there is no established breed standard, but puggle puppies generally take on characteristics of both of their parent breeds.

Adult puggles typically have the size and shape of a beagle, with a barrel-shaped torso, floppy ears, a long tapered tail and longer legs than that of a pug. Their pug heritage usually shows up in their wrinkled faces and shortened, although not flattened, noses. This combination causes puggles to bear a close resemblance to the much larger mastiff , earning them the nickname "miniature mastiff. Puggles are double-coated, with a short, dense undercoat and a smooth outer coat.

Their coloring can include any color you'd find on a pug or beagle, including black, white, tan and red. Their coats can either be a solid color or parti-colored with white.

Like some pugs, puggles may feature a darkened mask around the eyes. One goal of crossing the pug and the beagle was to create a laid-back dog that would be more content to stick close to home than your typical beagle, says Top Dog Tips. However, while some puggles possess a healthy balance of both of their parents' temperaments, others take after one parent more strongly than the other. It can be hard to predict where they'll fall on the spectrum.

Some puggles may behave more like pugs — content to spend much of their time cuddling on the couch, while others might exhibit more hound-like traits such as digging, howling and wandering off in search of prey, says Dogtime. In general, you can count on puggles to inherit personality traits that are common to both of their parent breeds, including a charming, fun-loving attitude and a sweet and loving disposition.

Puggles tend to be friendly and sociable, and get along well with children and other pets, making them a great candidate for a family pet. However, they also inherit a stubborn streak from both parents which, despite high intelligence, can make them difficult to train.

They need a lot of socialization from a young age and a firm, patient hand to overcome their willfulness. Puggles are generally energetic and active dogs. They need about 30 minutes a day of exercise, which they can get by going on walks or energetic play around the house. As intelligent as they are, they may get bored easily, which can lead to behaviors like digging, chewing or excessive barking and howling if they don't get enough physical and mental stimulation.

They love the company of people, but can do okay on their own as long as they get plenty of exercise and have enrichment toys to keep them entertained. Although they enjoy going on walks and playing outside in short bursts, it's best if puggles are indoor dogs. The Puggle's size, color, coat type, temperament, activity level and health risks will vary depending on what traits of the two breeds an individual puppy has inherited from his parents.

Puggles are susceptible to the health problems of both the Pug and the Beagle, although possibly at a lower rate than purebred dogs. Beagles, Pugs and Puggles alike can share the same health problems common to the smallest breeds of dog, such as kneecaps that easily slip out of place luxating patellas , breathing difficulties caused by a collapsing trachea, and dental problems.

These risks also include Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which causes reduced blood supply to the head of the thigh bone, which in turn causes it to shrink. The first sign of this disease is limping, which usually appears when the puppy is 4 to 6 months old. It can be treated with surgical removal of the head of the leg bone, after which the puppy will have a relatively normal life other than an increased likelihood of arthritis.

Pugs can also suffer from a number of neurological problems, but the most frightening of all diseases that can strike the breed is the one known as "Pug Dog Encephalitis," or PDE. This is an inflammation of the brain that causes seizures and death. There is no cure and no way to prevent this condition. The Pug Dog Club of America is aggressively supporting research into the cause of PDE, and it's currently believed to be a genetic disease.

There are no genetic screening tests available at this time for PDE, but a good breeder will tell all prospective puppy buyers about any affected dogs in your puppy's ancestry. Both Pugs and Beagles have a tendency to overeat and can easily become obese, so keep your Puggle's weight under control.

Beagles and Pugs also can suffer from spinal problems, so watch your Puggle carefully for any signs of painful movement, especially in the neck, and seek early veterinary attention if any are observed. The puggle temperament is a sweet and fun-loving one.

This pup tends to be very affectionate to his owners and greets new people with tail wags and face licks. He loves children , though it's important to teach children how to be gentle with dogs. Puggles can be trained with patience and positivity, especially if you start when your puggle puppy is young. One trait Bloom has noticed in this mix is a kind of single-mindedness, in which they become obsessed with something and tune their humans out—a tendency that comes from their beagle side.

A puggle will be very happy in a home with a fenced-in yard he can run around in, though be ready for some digging and barking. They can also live in apartments with an owner who's dedicated to giving them regular, thorough exercise.

As with all dogs, if you don't let a puggle work out his energy and keep him mentally stimulated, they can develop undesirable behaviors. Bored dogs might go after your sofa or curtains, and you'll come home to find them in pieces throughout the house. Because of their energy level, puggles make great exercise buddies. You can take them on walks , as well as moderate jogs and easy hikes no mountainsides. Puggles aren't very happy being left alone for long stretches of time , but they do love the company of other dogs—especially if their canine pal is ready for an exuberant BFF who loves to play.

The puggle's coat is short, soft, and sheds seasonally with some regular shedding between seasons. Brush him weekly with a medium bristle brush or a rubber grooming mitt to remove loose hair, and give him a bath if he gets into something messy.

If your puggle is particularly wrinkly, make sure to clean his wrinkles daily with pet wipes, baby wipes, or a damp cotton ball, and clean his ears , too. Your puggle needs plenty of exercise— some sources say at least an hour a day. Provide him with walks, jogs, hiking, games of tug-of-war or fetch, and playtime with other dogs at a dog park.

Depending on your pup's personality, training a puggle can require some work. Puggles can inherit a mischievous streak from their pug parent and can be a bit distracted because of their beagle side, so patient, positive reinforcement training is key—and treats help a lot! One of the traits puggles are bred for is a longer snout than the brachycephalic aka flat-faced pug.

But this longer snoot isn't guaranteed: If you have a particularly flat-faced puggle, he can be prone to some of the same respiratory issues pugs can face, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, and noisy breathing. They can also be susceptible to heatstroke , so make sure your puggle has plenty of water, cool places to rest, and shade when he's outdoors in hot weather. Being a disease with complex hereditary traits that involve multiple genes, hip dysplasia may occur in Puggles.

Hip dysplasia is the result of a hip joint that forms in an abnormal way, leading to a defective articulation that does not function correctly. This dysfunction leads to inflammation and pain that ultimately causes lameness in dogs. Diagnosis can be achieved by diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, and scoring tests. There is no definitive treatment, though it is possible to manage this condition and alleviate its symptoms with proper medication, food, and adequate physical therapy.

Food and environmental allergies may occur in Puggles. Completely excluding the source of the allergy from the diet will treat the condition. As for environmental allergies, these may cause itchiness and redness of the skin. Because the dog will tend to scratch, it may injure itself and the subsequent lesions may develop into a bacterial infection. Puggles have low exercise needs. Nevertheless, they are active dogs and love to play and interact.

Half an hour of daily exercise is the minimum required. We should keep in mind that Puggles are not athletic dogs, so long, extenuating runs or games are not the most appropriate for them. Because Puggles tend to shed, so a weekly brushing is recommended.

Also, because they have wrinkles all over their bodies, keeping them dry and clean is a must, as dirty and moist wrinkles may be the perfect habitat for bacteria to grow.

Skin infections may be difficult to treat due to their location, so prevention is paramount.