Puggle

Puggles are one of the better choices for a family with children. Expect a medium-sized dog that is moderately active, sheds heavily and needs very little grooming. Fine alone for a few hours.

Puggle is a cross, not a standardised breed, so there is no official standard for it. The figures above are the American Kennel Club standards for its two parent breeds — Pug and Beagle — and an individual dog lands somewhere between them, varying by generation.

The Puggle was the breakout designer cross of the early 2000s, and unlike the doodles there is no Poodle in it — it is a Pug crossed with a Beagle. The cross was popularised partly on the argument that the Beagle's longer muzzle would relieve the Pug's breathing problems, and it often does help, though not reliably: some Puggles inherit a face flat enough to have the same difficulties, so this is worth assessing in the individual dog rather than assuming. What you generally get is a friendly, sturdy, food-motivated dog with a Beagle's nose and a Beagle's voice, which means recall is hard and the barking carries. Cheerful and funny, and considerably louder than most people expect.

Day to day. Moderately active — a proper daily walk plus some play in the garden or the hallway keeps this breed happy. On noise, it is very vocal, so thin walls and close neighbours are worth thinking about.

The coat, honestly. This breed sheds heavily and needs very little grooming. That is the opposite trade: almost nothing to do to the animal, but hair on the sofa, the car and your school uniform, all year.

Being left alone. Fine alone for a few hours. A few hours is fine; a full working day, every day, is asking a lot.

Training. Needs an experienced handler. That does not mean badly behaved — it means this breed thinks for itself, and it will not do something just because you asked. First-time owners often find it frustrating.

• You want a dog with a reputation for putting up with children
• You want a dog whose coat looks after itself

• You cannot live with hair on the sofa, the car and your clothes
• You share walls with neighbours who need quiet
• You want a dog that does as it is told the first time

Every animal is an individual, and plenty of Puggles live long, healthy lives. This is here so nobody is surprised — ask a vet, and ask whoever you get the dog from what they have tested for.

Rough running cost: $$ (middle of the pack) — because the breed has known health issues that can mean extra vet visits.

Those are relative bands, not live prices. For real numbers across every pet we cover, see the pet cost study and the cost calculator.

Puggle is a cross, not a standardised breed — two from different litters can differ in size, coat and shedding. Everything on this page is the typical middle of that range.

Rescues do have Puggles and Puggle crosses, usually adults whose size, coat and temperament you can see rather than guess at.