Puggles are designer dogs of a very new origin. Designer Dog is just a fancy term for a dog that is the descendant of two different purebreds. This is done to produce a breed of dog with specific characteristics and traits, which is why they are “engineered”. The Puggle is a cross between a female beagle and a male pug.
Once a cross or hybrid breed is established and spread long enough to ensure that genetic defects arising from the breeding of closely related dogs do not occur, the breed is self-sufficient and no further crosses are required to produce the desired offspring. Crossbreeds are often looked down upon by purists who regard them as nothing more than glorified Mutts.
Supporters of crossbreeding argue that modern lifestyles and conditions require dogs suitable (or designed) for their environment. If you are thinking of buying a Puggle, the best way to know what you are buying is to look at its origins: the Beagle and the Pug.
The Beagle is a stocky, stocky dog with great hunting dog instincts. It is a friendly, lively and curious dog with a lot of affection for everyone. A happy little dog, he is very sociable and intelligent. Blessed with a calm personality, they are excellent with children and generally good with other dogs. Beagles have a mind of their own and require firm and patient training as puppies. Being sociable dogs, they are not happy if left alone for long periods of time. They are curious and need to be observed when they come off the leash as they tend to follow their noses and wander. The beagle has a strong and characteristic bark.
The Pug is loyal and affectionate with an active and cheerful disposition. They are very playful and can be adorably mischievous. Highly intelligent, they are easy to train, but this intelligence makes them quickly bored with repetitive tasks. Sociable by nature, they are good with children and get along well with strangers. They can be a bit stubborn and need to be shown who the boss is.
These are the characteristics that your Puggle will inherit. A cross breed can inherit any of the temperamental quirks from its parent and your Puggle will have a mix of the characteristics mentioned above. The balance of prevailing tendencies will vary from dog to dog. But since both genetic strains from which the Puggle is descended share the common characteristics of affection, intelligence, playfulness, sociability, and calm nature, among others, you can be sure that your Puggle will have these qualities.
Puggles make excellent apartment and family dogs and add a lot of love and joy to a home. Just remember that due to their recent crossover origin, they have no snobby value to the extent that they are not recognized by any of the major dog clubs. But if all you want is a smart and loving family mist suitable for city life, the Puggle is for you.