Dear Perplexed: Currently, there is a puggle craze sweeping the nation. Unfortunately, the uneducated consumer is going to lose out in the end when their cute little dog doesn’t turn out the way they wanted or expected.

I can’t understand why anyone would create such a mix of breeds. The puggle is a breeding of a purebred Pug and a purebred Beagle, usually a male Pug to a female Beagle. This hybrid or “cross-breed” dog is the result of the random coupling of these two breeds.

The main selling point of a purebred dog is its predictability. You know what you are getting in your pet from day one. With a purebred you know what the temperament will be like, what the size as an adult, what the coat texture and color will be, and what the grooming and exercise needs are and what type of health concerns might be addressed. Additionally, breeders of purebred dogs are very familiar with any possible health issues and screen their breeding stock before a breeding takes place. They are very familiar with any and all diseases that might affect their breed and do everything to prevent them from showing up in their puppies. 

Don’t Mess With Mother Nature

With the mixing of two breeds you create what I call a “genetic crapshoot” of sorts. Beware of the breeder of any of the current “designer dogs” who claims that you will get the best of both worlds. There is no guarantee that you won’t get the worst of both worlds. For example in the puggle, why would you breed a scent hound (Beagle) with a strong urge to use its nose with a brachyacephalic (pushed in face) breed like the Pug which has known breathing restrictions based on its skull conformation?

Breed experts dislike the hybrid craze, saying the traits of the two breeds do not complement each other. Not only is the Beagle a scent hound but it loves to hunt outdoors, while the Pug is a purely indoor dog that doesn’t do much physically because of it pushed-in snout. Mixing these breeds or others for that matter such as the labradoodle, cockapoo, cavachon, etc., ad nausea, is not solving existing breed problems.

For example, the Pug’s eye problems and genetic encephalitis or the Beagle’s excessive shedding of its double coat and difficulty in housebreaking is not eradicated in a hybrid dog but rather could create a host of other complications. Who knows what will happen in that “gene mix” of the breeds? 

Look To The Originals

While admittedly the puggle may be cute, remember all puppies are cute and you’d be best served by dealing with a reputable breeder of a long established breed. Recognized breeds have a long history with dedicated breeders who breed only to better the breed, not make a quick buck on a trend or craze that will soon fade and then leave hundreds or thousands of homeless puggles starting to populate local shelters.

Plus, buying from a reputable breeder (they can be found at www.akc.org) rather than a clerk at the pet store puts you in touch with a breed expert who is available 24/7 for questions about your new pet. Should anything go wrong with the puppy or you are unable to keep it for what ever reason, breeders traditionally and should take back the dog at any time during the life of the dog.

And finally, there is no national breed club for the puggle who will pick the pieces and create the “puggle rescue group” when popular culture and the media start to focus their attention on the next “it” or “must have” mutt. Do yourself a favor and stick with the tried and true. Just examine your lifestyle first and decide which breed fits your situation and personality better … the Pug or the Beagle!

 

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com  or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.