What is a Puggle?

A puggle? In December of 2005 when Sandra Hughes, a CBS Evening News correspondent, did a segment on "puggles" it was the new mixed breed (or more eloquently termed hybrid or designer breed) on the block. Since then puggles, which are a beagle and pug crossbreed, have gained even more widespread popularity and recognition. Hollywood stars that have been reported to own puggles include Jake Gyllenhaal, James Gandolfini and Sylvester Stallone.

Generally, puggles are short-haired, smooth-coated dogs with fawn or tan and black coloring, sometimes with a white patch on the chest. Ideally, they have a longer muzzle than a pug, yet have short legs, a stout body, curled tail, droopy ears and a wrinkled forehead. The weight of a puggle can vary, but the range is usually between 15 to 30 pounds. The smaller the dog, the more expensive the price tends to be.

As with any mixed breed, puggles can embody the best of the beagle and pug traits or they can inherit the worst characteristics of each breed. At their best they are sweet, playful, social and intelligent dogs that are good with children, other pets and are ideal for apartment living. However, puggles can inherit the howling traits of a beagle and the stubbornness of the pug and be less ideal representations of each of the breeds. Beagles are scent hounds that are bred to hunt outdoors, and pugs are indoor dogs with wrinkled, pushed-in faces that tend to have airway abnormalities and other serious health issues. Combine the two breeds and you may have a wide range of temperaments, activity levels and health concerns that could result. Some breeders would argue that crossbreeds are healthier because they eliminate some of the airway issues by breeding with the longer muzzled beagle. Other breeders would counter that argument by stating that you could also get the worst traits of each breed and that the result is not a designer breed but only a mutt.

Mutt or priceless? We sure wouldn't want to argue with Sylvester Stallone or James Gandolfini on this point. If you decide the puggle is the breed for you, prices can range from $650 to $2,000 depending on your location and availability. Due to the rising demand there may also be a wait list for your puggle puppy.

To read more about beagles and the characteristics of the breed visit:
Choosing a Beagle

To read more about pugs and the characteristics of the breed visit:
Choosing a Pug

For more information on puggles, visit http://www.puggle.org/