Puggle
Puggle Summary
Get to Know Puggles
- Celebrity Favorite: Puggles became a celebrity favorite in the 2000s, with stars like Uma Thurman, James Gandolfini, and Jake Gyllenhaal owning them.
- Best of Both: The Beagle's longer muzzle often helps Puggles breathe better than purebred Pugs.
- Wrinkly Softness: Many Puggles have the Pug's wrinkled forehead combined with the Beagle's floppy ears—an irresistible combination.
- Named in the 80s: The name 'Puggle' was coined by breeder Wallace Havens when he began the cross in the 1980s.
Puggle Personality & Temperament
- Friendly & Social: Puggles are outgoing, friendly dogs that enjoy meeting new people and animals.
- Playful & Fun: They have a fun-loving, playful personality that makes them entertaining companions.
- Curious & Nose-Driven: The Beagle's scenting instinct means they are curious, nose-to-the-ground explorers.
- Affectionate & Cuddly: They are warm, affectionate dogs that enjoy snuggling and physical contact.
Puggle Care & Grooming
- Exercise: About 30 to 45 minutes of moderate daily exercise. Walks, play, and interactive games keep them happy. They are adaptable to apartments with regular exercise.
- Grooming: Their short, smooth coat needs only weekly brushing. Minimal grooming required. Clean facial wrinkles if present.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality small-to-medium breed food in measured portions. Both parent breeds love food and gain weight easily—portion control is essential.
- Health: Watch for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye conditions, brachycephalic issues (usually mild), epilepsy, and hypothyroidism. Regular vet checkups help manage potential issues.
What to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Pug Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Patellar Luxation | Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | Annual Eye Examinations. Results registered with OFA. |
| Pug Dog Encephalitis | DNA-based NME test from an approved Lab; Results registered with OFA. |
| Hip Dysplasia | Optional: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation. |
| Elbow Dysplasia | Optional: OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation. |
| Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) | Optional: DNA based PKD test results from an approved lab. |
| Serum Bile Acid Test | Optional: The PDCA recommends Bile Acid testing for puppies. Typically a 1-2 hour post-prandial Bile Acid is run at 9-10 weeks of age. If it is elevated, then a repeat test is performed using both fasting and post-prandial samples. |
| OFA Spine Evaluation | Optional: OFA radiographic evaluation for Spine. |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia | Optional: OFA radiographic evaluation for Tracheal Hypoplasia. |
| Cardiac Evaluation | Optional: Advanced Cardiac Exam. Basic Cardiac Exam. |
Beagle Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation. PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. |
| MLS | DNA-based MLS test from an approved laboratory; results registered with OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage. |
| Cardiac Evaluation | One of the following: Basic Cardiac Exam. Advanced Cardiac Exam. |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | OFA Evaluation, minimum age 24 months. |
| Advanced Cardiac Evaluation | Optional: Advanced Cardiac Exam. |
| Patellar Luxation | Optional: Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. Minimum age 1 year. |
| Lafora Epilepsy | Optional: DNA-based test from an accepted laboratory; results registered with OFA. |
| FACTOR VII Deficiency | Optional: DNA-based test from an accepted laboratory; results registered with OFA. |
| Neonatal Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration | Optional: DNA-based test from an accepted laboratory; results registered with OFA. |
Puggle History
The Puggle is one of the most popular designer dogs, a cross between the Pug and the Beagle. Wisconsin breeder Wallace Havens is credited with popularizing the cross in the 1980s and coining the name 'Puggle.' The cross combines the Pug's charming companion nature with the Beagle's friendly, curious temperament. The Beagle's slightly longer muzzle may help improve the Pug's breathing, while the Pug's calm nature may moderate the Beagle's high energy.
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Puggle Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Puggle is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowSee full Puggle cost breakdown
Find Puggle Breeders Near You
Connect with trusted Canadian breeders raising Puggles.
Find Puggle BreedersFrequently Asked Questions About Puggle
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Puggle puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Puggle, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
In Canada, Puggle puppies from reputable breeders typically cost between $2,100 and $4,500 — but the puppy price is only the beginning.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
For Puggle, responsible breeders commonly screen breeding pairs using tests such as Patellar Luxation, ACVO Eye Exam, Pug Dog Encephalitis, and Hip Dysplasia.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Puggle is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.







