How to Care for a Puggle Puppy

Created by breeding a Pug with a Beagle, a Puggle is a designer hybrid breed. A Puggle's appearance varies greatly from dog to dog since some Puggles resemble Pugs more than Beagles and vice versa. All Puggles feature some facial wrinkling, thanks to their Pug genes, as well as short legs and medium-sized bodies. They are lively, playful and gentle and work well in households with children. Puggles have short hair that is usually black, fawn or tan-colored. Grooming requirements are relatively simple as they don't require cuts, but do require regular exercise. Though they may be difficult to potty train, Puggles respond well to overall training and learn basic commands rather quickly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Collar
• Leash
• Hypoallergenic dog shampoo
• Cloth
• Brush
• Puppy food
• Dog toothbrush
• Dog toothpaste

1. Brush your Puggle daily. Like Pugs, Puggles shed year round. Keep shedding under control by brushing your pup's coat every day.

2. Shampoo your Puggle puppy once a month. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo as Puggles tend to have sensitive skin. Do not use human shampoo on your Puggle as it can irritate his skin.

3. Use a moist cloth to clean between the wrinkle creases on your Puggle's face. Food and other gunk can gather in those folds, so it's important to clean them regularly.

4. Trim your pup's nails every month. Puggles' toenails can grow quite long if left unclipped. If you are hesitant to trim the nails yourself, take your puppy to a professional pet groomer. Your veterinarian will also be able to trim them.

5. Brush your puppy's teeth, using a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs. This will help keep plague and tartar at bay and prevent oral health issues down the road. Daily brushing is not necessary, but aim to brush them once a week.

6. Walk your puppy 2 to 3 times per day. Puggles are playful dogs, so they need outlets for their energy. If you have a large yard, allow your Puggle to romp around it throughout the day. Puggles work fine as apartment dogs, provided you walk them regularly. A trip to the local dog park can also be a welcomed treat for your pup.

7. Feed your Puggle puppy dog food that is designed for puppies. Since Puggles have active appetites, they will overeat if left untended. Keep your Puggle healthy by only feeding it portioned amounts.

8. Vaccinate your Puggle puppy against rabies, worms, parasites and other common diseases.

9. Take your Puggle to the vet yearly for an annual checkup. Though they are not as susceptible to the breathing, eye and ear issues associated with Pugs, Puggles are prone to some of these ailments. Regular vet checkups can ensure that your Puggle's facial organs are healthy.

10. Train your Puggle to respond to basic commands. Start training as soon as you bring your puppy home. It will respond more quickly to training, including potty-training, when it is started immediately. Use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior and be patient during the training process.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Puggle barks frequently, it likely inherited this trait from the Beagle parent.
• Never leave your Puggle cooped up in a small area for an extended period of time. It needs regular exercise to remain healthy and happy.