The Puggle, a hybrid breed of dog, results from breeding Pugs and Beagles. These canines have amiable dispositions and charming traits, which accounts for their widespread popularity throughout the United States. Their friendly and outgoing personalities enable them to get along well with people of all ages, qualifying them as excellent companions for families.
In this article, we have compiled comprehensive information on Puggles, an intelligent and enthusiastic small breed. This includes their background, traits, daily routine, nutrition, and hygiene. Read on to determine if getting a Puggle is the right choice for you.
History Of The Puggle – Pug & Beagle Mix
The Puggle breed is produced through the breeding of a male Pug and a female Beagle. The female dog must always be a Beagle while the male should be a Pug, as mating a larger male with a smaller female dog poses potential complications.
Breed Origin
Wallace Havens, hailing from Wisconsin, is credited as the inventor of the Puggle in the 90s. Through the process of cross-breeding dogs, one can selectively choose the best traits from each breed while eliminating flaws and less desirable qualities within pure breeds. Havens was particularly interested in eradicating the complications that are commonly associated with Pugs’ snouts, while retaining their loving demeanor. By doing so, he successfully created a playful dog with a Beagle’s wit and an elongated snout.
The Puggle dog, bred for the first time in the 1990s, has gained fame thanks to its endearing appearance and gentle temperament. This has led to their widespread demand, which has been further bolstered by their status as a celebrity favorite.
Characteristics
The size of a Puggle litter can vary between three to seven puppies with a price tag of at least $400. Read on for the qualities that make a Puggle an appealing pet to welcome into your household. When fully grown, males generally weigh between 20 to 30 pounds, while females weigh between 20 to 25 pounds.
Appearance
Due to the fact that a Puggle is a hybrid of a Pug and a Beagle, there is a lack of uniformity in their physical characteristics. Despite this, a typical Puggle displays a stout, thickset body supported by short legs, accompanied by large eyes and a black snout, as well as sporting a corkscrew tail.
Their Beagle mother has passed on her lengthy ears, body, and snout, while their Pug father contributed a wrinkly face, big eyes, squat legs and curly tail.
Color Types
Typically, their fur is available in three distinct shades which include tan, fawn, or a deep brown. Additionally, they may feature minor black and white accents on their coat, as well as a black mask inherited from their Pug lineage.
Coat
The Puggle possesses a double coat that is constantly short, straight, and showcases a polished exterior. This shine results from the lengthier topcoat covering a denser undercoat. Nonetheless, the breed’s excessive shedding renders them an inappropriate choice for people suffering from allergies. Later on, we delve into the specifics of how to properly maintain and groom a Puggle’s coat.
Temperament
The Puggle is a small dog that exhibits playfulness and affection. They possess considerable energy levels and enjoy human company. This breed of dog is suitable for families, as they show affection towards both adults and children. Given their intelligence, they require a lot of attention and mental stimulation, making them thrive in a lively environment.
Although Puggles have potential in the area of socialization, their stubborn nature necessitates the implementation of positive reinforcement training from an early stage. More information regarding dog training will be provided subsequently.
Insufficient attention given to your Puggle may result in undesirable and disruptive reactions as a manifestation of their discontentment. This may entail damaging the furniture by scratching or chewing. It is therefore essential that you provide your furry friend with adequate attention. Furthermore, they are susceptible to barking, whining, or howling when left alone, and may experience separation anxiety. As a responsible owner, you must remain at home for extensive periods or bring them along with you wherever you go.
Lifespan
The life span of a Puggle can range from 11 to 15 years on average.
Daily Life
Having learned about the temperament and traits of a Puggle, it is crucial to understand the daily life with this dog breed. In the following segment, we will discuss aspects of food, training, grooming, and exercise to ensure that your Puggle is always in top form.
Food And Diet
The Puggle, a dog breed known for its love of food, can easily gain excessive weight if not properly monitored despite their healthy appetite. The amount of food your Puggle consumes should be tailored to their age and weight, and regularly adjusted as they develop.
If you have a male Puggle puppy, they should have a daily intake of approximately 1400 calories, while female Puggle puppies should consume around 1,100 calories, which translates to approximately five or four cups respectively. When your Puggle reaches adulthood, male Puggles should consume only 700 calories per day, while female Puggles should consume only 500 calories per day, or about 2 cups and 1.5 cups respectively.
Your canine companion’s diet ought to consist of a nutritious blend of carbs, proteins, and fats. While dry dog food is a recommended option, it’s wise to seek advice from your veterinarian if you’re uncertain about which brand to choose.
Training
Puggles, a mix of Pug and Beagle breeds, are known for their intelligence, making them easily trainable. However, it’s crucial to be patient and persistent during their training and use positive reinforcement techniques such as giving treats and praises to encourage good behavior. As Puggles have a strong love for food, the use of treats can be especially effective.
For optimal outcomes, you ought to commence your puppy’s training at approximately 8 weeks. Such action will effectively guarantee the acquisition of an astute and dependable canine that is comfortable with family living. Failure to adequately train your Puggle may cause it to develop traits such as obstinacy, disobedience, and naughty behavior.
As a Puggle owner, ensuring that your furry friend is socialized is crucial. Thanks to their innate intelligence, inquisitiveness, and sociable temperament, socializing your Puggle is generally a hassle-free process. To begin with, you should introduce them to kids and other pets within your household, and gradually allow them to interact with other dogs and humans.
Ensuring your dog is well-socialized can prevent them from developing shyness or fear in group settings. Consider enrolling your Puggle in a dog training program or obedience course if this is proving difficult for you.
BONUS: How to Train Dogs Who Are Not Food Motivated
Training a dog is often easy, as most dogs are eager to obey for a treat. This is because a treat serves as a positive reinforcement for them. However, what if you’re working with a dog that lacks motivation for food rewards?
When your dog lacks motivation, dog training may appear to be an insurmountable task. What you require is something that can grab your dog’s attention and encourage them to pay attention to you. If your dog is unresponsive to treats, then it’s time to try a different approach. Fortunately, there are other means available to you to train your furry friend.
To better comprehend other forms of training rewards, it is crucial to comprehend the reasons why a dog may lack interest in food initially.
On occasion, a health problem could be present. Alternatively, your dog may not like the treats you are giving them. Additionally, if your dog lacks interest in food, it could be due to the owner’s reluctance to use food for training. Identifying the root cause is crucial as an initial step.
Although rare, there are dogs that prioritize high-energy activities, toys, or social rewards over food, but this type of dog is typically in the minority.
The Impact of Free-Feeding Dogs
Dogs who have access to their food at all times, known as free-feeding, may lose their appetite and become less food motivated. This is because they are not restricted to certain meal times. Occasionally, free-fed dogs may show disinterest in food due to their constant access to it.
High-value treats are often preferred by dogs who have access to food at all times, as they find them more appealing than their regular food. Another solution is to switch to a scheduled feeding routine, which should be tailored to your dog’s age, breed, size, exercise habits, and general health. You should consult with your vet to determine the appropriate amount and frequency of meals to provide your pet.
The Problem of Misusing Treats
The food drive of dogs can be unintentionally reduced by their owners. This can occur if treats are misapplied, such as using a treat to entice a dog to enter their crate despite their aversion to it or tricking them into taking a bath. Dogs will start shying away from treats if they realize they are used to coerce or scare them.
To prevent the misuse of treats, attempt to make unpleasant activities for your dog more enjoyable, such as being placed in a crate or receiving a bath. Desensitization and counter conditioning are frequently employed by dog trainers to accomplish this. Keep the usage of treats pleasurable and satisfying for your dog.
Dogs Being Too Distracted, Anxious or Overexcited
In the event that your dog does not exhibit an interest in food while undergoing training sessions or taking walks, it is probable that they feel excessively stimulated or distressed to eat; this is termed by trainers as being “over the threshold”. Once this occurs, your dog’s emotions get overpowering to the extent that they lose the appetite to eat, and they become unable to gain access to the higher levels of cognitive function, such as learning.
It is typical for both humans and animals. When a dog experiences the fight or flight response, blood is redirected from their digestive system to their sensory organs and limbs, in order to prepare them to respond quickly.
It is important to keep dogs with excessive excitement away from things that trigger them, as they may feel unsafe and require training to remain calm. Employing different behavior modification techniques can be effective in reducing their anxiety and improving their tolerance to environmental stimuli.
Owners Not Wanting to Use Food
There could be a few reasons why individuals feel uneasy using food as a form of incentive for training.
- Some owners are concerned about the extra calories in treats or don’t want to spend money on treats. This can be addressed by using low-calorie treats or mixing the dog’s kibble with low-sodium hot dog pieces for added aroma and flavor.
- There are some people who believe a dog should “obey” every command their owner gives them. This comes from the antiquated belief dogs are born to please their masters. It’s important for dog owners to understand dogs need an incentive to be motivated to learn and perform.
- Sometimes people claim their dog isn’t food motivated when the issue is the dog doesn’t like the treats. Try a variety of treats to find ones your dog prefers so they are ready and willing to participate in training sessions.
Final Thoughts
In case your dog lacks interest in food, it is important to identify the root cause. In the meantime, incentivize positive actions with items your dog enjoys, like a cherished toy, a ball, affectionate strokes, or kind words. You might need to experiment to determine the true value of the incentives you offer. If you observe progress in your dog’s ability to carry out the desired behavior, it is likely that you are on the right track. Conversely, if the desired behavior is diminishing, it could be that you are not providing a valuable enough incentive, or other enticing reinforcers are overwhelming your dog.
