How Puggles Compare to Beagles and Pugs
Puggles are cuteness personified. The cute quotient of this type of dog may be enough to convince many people that they want one of these hybrid dogs. Many people hear that they are hybrids of beagles and pugs, and expect to basically get a pug or a beagle when they buy one. Due to this expectation, many people are disappointed in their new puppies. Knowing how they differ from their parents, on both sides, can make your adoption process much easier, both for you and the pup.
Pugs are bred as companion dogs and generally make well-mannered pets. If you are looking for a lap dog to snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie with you, then this dog would be a great choice. A Puggle, however, is not the same. While pugs are calm, easy-going, and good-natured dogs, these new hybrids are much more energetic and playful, and have very commanding personalities. They have inherited stubbornness, and they combine it with energy, strength of character and a very hyperactive personality.
Like Beagles, Puggles have very active and energetic personalities. They may come in a smaller package, but they retain the energetic, even hyperactive, personality of a beagle. They also have a beagle’s penchant for chasing the occasional (or not-so-occasional) interesting scent. Unfortunately, these dogs have inherited their sense of direction from the pug and tend to get lost a lot. They are better at being house dogs than outside, and do not do well when left to roam, such as on a farm or ranch.
In many ways, the Puggle is the best of both worlds, pug and beagle. That is true in many ways. Pugs are the small size of the pug, which is ideal for many families who do not want a large dog. One’s energy can be overwhelming for someone who wants a mate and expects a pug, but he discovers that he has actually adopted a beagle in a small package, right down to the tendency to bark sadly.
Similarly, the hound lover who gets a Puggle in hopes of a playful and energetic hunting partner may find that the dog’s small size, short legs, and poor sense of direction may disappoint. Certainly if he is particularly interested in a pug or a beagle, he should get that particular breed, rather than trying to commit to a hybrid.
However, if you are looking for an absolutely unique dog and are willing to adapt to a hybrid breed that can be a bit unpredictable, then a Puggle may be perfect for you. The key is to realize that you are not a short-nosed beagle or a long-eared pug, but a completely different animal, literally.
The key to being happy with your choice is to look at the animal as its own breed, which of course it is, rather than expect certain characteristics from beagles or pugs. Knowing that they can be stubborn, energetic, fun, get lost a lot, and love to play helps you choose if a Puggle is the right pet for your family.