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Because of their longer legs, eye socket size, and less effusive wrinkles, puggles often avoid many difficulties with eyes, joints, and skin wrinkles common to pugs. While pugs are particularly susceptible to heat stroke, the longer nasal cavity of the puggle makes the breed more tolerant to the heat, and less likely to overheat while running in the summer. Conversely, their nasal cavities are likely to be shorter and less efficient than those of beagles, which could be a problem if the dog also inherited the beagle’s propensity to run; especially for long periods. There is currently no consensus as to whether or not puggles are predisposed to the same health risks of purebred beagles.

Puggles are relatively low maintenance dogs. They need an occasional bath, nail clipping, tooth brushing, and ear cleaning. Puggles are not hypoallergenic, as neither a Beagle nor a Pug are hypoallergenic. Puggles shed, so to help prevent excessive fur cleanup, it is recommended to occasionally brush a Puggle with a fur-removing brush. Puggles actually require a great deal of fur cleanup in the winter if they are kept inside because of the heat. The nails of Puggles grow particularly long if an owner does not walk them often.

As pets, puggles have the mild mannered yet playful “lap dog” qualities often associated with pugs, mixed with the more energetic tendencies typical of the hunting qualities of a beagle. Cheerful clowns who love to play but then quickly tire for a short nap, puggles are mid-sized dogs that make excellent house pets, and many puggle owners testify to their winning personality as one of their strongest points.

Puggles tend to be affectionate, and are known for their ability to get along well with children. They retain the friendly, laid-back disposition of both breeds, but while their size makes them suitable for apartment residents, they need a bit more exercise and attention than some traditional apartment dogs (pugs included). Puggles vary widely as to how often they bark. Some inherit the odd, nasal baying of beagles, a mix of a baying hound and the cooing of a pigeon (some say sounding like Gizmo from the movie Gremlins). That said, their barking is much more easy to deal with than most beagles, and many puggles are barely vocal at all. Some can be quite wild and frisky, however.

Inheriting the hunting instincts of beagles, Puggles often display a propensity to chase squirrels, rabbits, and other backyard intruders. These dogs also may exhibit a tendency to stalk such prey, and owners would be well advised to monitor their dogs if the home is in an area noted for rodents and smaller marsupials such as opossums (info from Wikipedia).

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