The Puggle tends to be a cuddler that loves their family. They tend to get along with just about everyone including children, other dogs, and strangers. They do tend to get along with other pets, but may be prone to chasing them if they inherit their Beagle parent’s prey drive. In this case, extra training, socialization, and introduction may be necessary for your Puggle to recognize smaller other pets as family and not something to chase.

They can be prone to howling if they take after their Beagle parent. They can also be prone to barking, which makes them good watchdogs. But, they are social and more interested in making friends, so they do not make good guard dogs. Training early on can help curb incessant barking and howling to keep it as an alert instead of a nuisance.

The Puggle is a highly adaptable dog breed. They do well in both apartments and larger homes as long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and affection. If they inherit the urge to wander common to the Beagle, they should only be let off-leash in securely fenced areas.

Puggles do well in moderate climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. If they inherit the Pug’s shorter snout, they will be even more sensitive to heat due to more difficult respiration. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

With a cross-breed, they can inherit the potential health concerns from one, both, or neither of the parent breeds. For the Puggle, these potential health concerns include stenotic nares, which are also called pinched nostrils, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and cherry eye. If your Puggle has the shorter snout of the Pug, they may also have the same respiratory issues that affect all brachycephalic dogs.

Responsible breeders will screen their stock to make sure they aren’t passing avoidable health issues on to puppies. So, don’t be afraid to bring it up to the breeder and ask about the genetic history of the parents. You can also ask to see any relevant health clearances or test results.

Although the Puggle tends to be eager to please and easy to train, they can sometimes be stubborn. These intelligent dogs pick up on things quickly and respond well to training, which makes them a good fit for owners of all experience levels.

However, if they inherit a stubborn streak, it can be an obstacle during training. As such, it’s not a bad idea to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes. Plus, these classes offer some great opportunities to socialize a puppy.

The Puggle has a double coat that is short and smooth. They will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year. Weekly brushing or brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient to keep this dog’s coat healthy. But, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to switch to daily brushing during the heavier shedding sessions. Bathing is occasional and on an as-needed basis.

In addition to coat care, you will need to care for your Puggle’s eyes, face wrinkles, nails, ears, and teeth. You want to check your dog’s eyes regularly to make sure they are clean and irritation-free. They should not be showing redness or have any discharge. Your Puggle’s face wrinkles are adorable, but they need care too. Check their face wrinkles regularly to make sure they are clean, dry, and free of debris. Also, make sure to dry between them thoroughly after a bath to help prevent skin irritation.

Monthly nail trimming is usually sufficient to keep your dog’s nails from growing too long. But, you may need to trim more often if your dog’s nails tend to grow quickly or aren’t wearing down as much naturally. Checking your dog’s ears weekly and carefully cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections.

It’s also important to practice good dental care for dogs. Brushing your dog’s teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. You can also supplement your efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene treats and chews or even a special “dental care diet”.

The Puggle has a moderate activity level. Daily walks plus some playtime or extra activity is usually enough to keep this dog happy and healthy. They enjoy spending time with you, so they may be up for more activity if you are.

Your Puggle may enjoy trips to the dog park, playing frisbee, or even training for dogs sports like agility. They may not be able to compete in official events, but they’ll probably enjoy learning something new and being able to run around.