Puggle

The Puggle’s short, smooth coat is easy to care for at home. Here’s what your regular grooming routine should look like.

• Bathing: Give your Puggle a bath once every four to six weeks, or if your dog becomes extra stinky or dirty. Use a mild dog shampoo, rinse well, and dry any skin folds thoroughly. 
• Brushing: Because the coarse hairs of a Puggle’s coat are too short for tangles, the main goal for brushing your dog is to distribute natural oils and reduce shedding. These dogs shed daily, so the more frequently you brush, the more dog hair you’ll capture—leaving less to end up on your furniture, floors, and clothes. A FURminator brush will get the job done.
• Dental care: Dr. Cortright says Puggles often have an underbite that causes crowded or misaligned teeth: “This makes dental care especially important, so I recommend daily tooth brushing, regular dental chews, and professional veterinary cleanings as needed.” 
• Ear care: Due to the breed’s floppy ears and narrow canals, Dr. Cortright says Puggles can be prone to ear infections. Regularly check for any discharge, redness, or odor. If you notice these symptoms, call your veterinarian. 
• Nail care: Just like you, your Puggle will need regular nail trims. You can take your pup to a dog groomer or the vet for this task, but it can also be done at home with a nail clipper or grinder. It’s time for a trim if you can hear your dog’s nails clicking against the floor.

Puggles are generally smart and intuitive, so expect them to pick up new cues and tricks with ease.

At the same time, these dogs might get sidetracked, Dr. Cortright says, “especially if they catch an interesting scent, thanks to their Beagle nose. This means training should be positive, reward-based, and consistent, with plenty of patience.” 

But new pet parents can definitely succeed in training a Puggle, Limazati says. “Their social personality and small-to-medium size makes them manageable, though new pet parents should be prepared for a lot of persistence and patience in their training process.”

Start with basic obedience, like sit, stay, and come. Find what motivates your Puggle—like training treats, favorite dog toys, or lots of praise—and reward them enthusiastically when they do a good job.

Along with obedience skills, your Puggle’s training program should include socialization. Although they’re often natural social butterflies, introducing a Puggle puppy to unfamiliar places, people, and animals is vital for boosting confidence in new situations.

Feed your Puggle a high-quality, nutritionally complete dog food that’s made for your pet’s life stage and carries the AAFCO seal of approval. Your vet can recommend the best dog food for your pup based on their age, lifestyle, and health.

Most Puggles will do well with a twice-daily meal routine. Give your dog half of their daily portion of food (based on the feeding guidelines for the dog food you choose) in the morning, and serve the rest in the late afternoon or early evening.

Don’t let a Puggle’s puppy dog eyes fool you into thinking they need more dinner—these dogs can be prone to weight gain and obesity. If you have concerns about whether your Puggle is eating enough (or too much!), ask your veterinarian.

To keep your Puggle healthy and happy, daily exercise is important.

“Puggles are moderately active dogs,” says Dr. Cortright. She says to plan on 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily, “ideally split into a couple of walks, plus some playtime.”

Pugs are a brachycephalic breed with a short airway, a trait some Puggles may inherit. If your dog has a flatter-than-average face, don’t overlook their comfort and well-being.

“Safety is important during play, as some Puggles may have shorter snouts, and be more prone to overheating or respiratory challenges,” says Limazati. “In those cases, exercise should be structured to avoid strenuous activity in hotter weather.” 

Choose a time of day and activities that help your Puggle stay cool and comfortable. Keep in mind that these dogs make better partners for walking than jogging, and while they’re up for short adventures, they might not have the stamina for strenuous hikes.

Mental stimulation is just as important for a Puggle as physical exertion. Scent games and puzzle toys will give Puggle dogs an opportunity to work their brain and show off their superstar scent skills. And you can play indoor scent games like hide-and-seek no matter what the weather is like outside.

Puggles are compact and adaptable, so it’s not uncommon to see these dogs as city dwellers living in apartments or enjoying a yard in a suburban neighborhood. From a Puggle’s perspective, the key to a perfect life is getting enough daily exercise and plenty of attention and affection from you.

“They are typically very people-centric and enjoy being involved in everyday activities,” Limazati says. With that in mind, the ideal home for a Puggle is with an active individual or family.

Because Puggles are playful and sturdy, these dogs make great playmates for children. Dr. Cortright says these dogs tend to be gentle with kids, but emphasizes that supervision is always a good idea for the safety of the child and the dog. Kids should also learn how to safely interact with dogs.

And remember: While many Puggles can live happily alongside other dogs, their Beagle instincts might tempt them to chase smaller pets. Always properly introduce cats and dogs at a slow pace.