Designer breed dogs are not registered as pure breeds because they have not yet been accepted into any major breed associations as pure breeds. It can take thirty years or more of breeding history to establish a breed.
For now, this is a mix of two pure breeds, done for purposes of personality and health benefits.
The Pug
The pug is an adorable, big-eyed dog known for having very human-like facial expressions. The pug is often the subject of cartoonists and artists, photographers and more. Known to be very well-behaved and mild-mannered, the pug is a fun subject for artists to work with.
His facial expressions include raising eyebrows over a face that is typically flattened as if he had run face-first into a window. Not to worry, he’s supposed to look like that. When he smiles, his tongue will flap out of his mouth and his cheeks will draw back into an enormous grin.
Due to the shape of his head and nose, he’s got a round face that humans associate as a tiny person.
In fact, his personality will make him seem as though he is a very tiny human being. The pug can be stubborn and hard to train, but is typically very good with children and other household pets.
They enjoy going for walks and being the center of social life, but don’t expect them to run any races. This little dog can be active but not in a sporting event sort of way.
The pug is prone to breathing issues, thanks to that nose that is flattened on his face. When the weather is hot, he’ll have a hard time outside in the heat for long.
He can overheat very easily due to the way his nasal passages are crammed into that small space and he’ll enjoy taking a nap in the air conditioning far more on hot days.
Pugs can be surprisingly active when the weather suits them though. They enjoy a good romp outdoors and they love to play with kids in the yard.
They vary in personality, so while one pug might enjoy playing fetch with you, the next pug may look at you as if you are daft. It is that very look that has made him such a popular breed.
With wrinkles on his forehead, his legs, and his back, the pug almost has no neck. He will come in all black or fawn color with a black face, referred to as his black mask. He’s built wide across the chest and shoulders.
You could mistake him for a miniature bulldog at a glance, but he is more trim in the middle and has a small tail that is only a few inches long and curls over his back, almost like a corkscrew.
In fact, it’s hard to even look at a pug and not smile. When they smile at you, you simply have to smile back.
They are very happy to bring you comic relief in exchange for treats, this is a food motivated dog, but don’t expect him to be overly obedient if there isn’t something in it for him. They’re smart and they don’t like to work for free.
Possible Pug Health Concerns
- Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS) is the result of that cute little squished up face they have. With reduced skull length, there is excess soft tissue in their airway and it can inhibit their ability to breathe.
Sometimes they sound terrible and their airway is being obstructed. This is why you need to keep a close eye on your Pug to be sure that he is breathing and getting air to his lungs if he starts to make a lot of rattling noises and gasping.
- Eye problems are also an issue with Pugs. Because they have those enormous brown eyes that protrude from their skulls, they have a habit of running into things and causing eye injury. They also can have issues with dry eyes or inverted eyelids. You should also be aware that sometimes they can cough hard or run into something hard and one of their eyes can pop out of the socket.
It’s disgusting to see but it doesn’t cause them pain. Keep the eye wet and get them to the veterinarian who can pop it back in quickly and can also teach you how to do it at home. It is sort of disgusting if you are squeamish person but knowing how to do it yourself will save you a lot of vet visits with dogs who are prone to this issue.
- Pugs are also prone to skin allergies and will itch like crazy if they have them. If they do inherit skin issues, they’ll have hot spots, dry skin with dandruff, and chew on themselves rather relentlessly. It is horrible to watch them be so uncomfortable.
You’ll want to visit the veterinarian and have them screened for skin allergens and see about getting a prescription that will help alleviate the symptoms for them so that they aren’t miserable. Luckily, most of the triggering allergens are seasonal.
- Skeletal issues, particularly with the joints, can plague this breed. They’re a sturdy dog being supported by short legs. They have a tendency to have bad joints in their legs that can become painful. If you notice limping, favoring one side or the other, holding a leg up, sitting sideways or anything abnormal with the way they walk, see your veterinarian. You don’t want them in pain and their doctor can make suggestions based on the extent of the condition.
- Pugs are also unfortunate victims of hereditary seizure disorders sometimes. Seizures are quite scary to witness and they can also be harmful and dangerous. If your Pug has a seizure, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. While a seizure may not be life-threatening, a condition may exist that could be very harmful and put your dog in a dangerous position one day. Medications exist that can help control seizure activity.
The Size of the Pug
A pure breed Pug will weight between 14 and 18 pounds if he is a normal weight. They are prone to getting rather portly, so be careful not to overfeed your Pug. Being too heavy can lead to some of that joint pain mentioned before and cause back issues as they age too.
Your Pug should stand approximately 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulders, referred to as the withers. If he is a healthy Pug, and you are careful with his exercise and weight, he will likely live a very long time. Pugs are quite capable of living 12 to 15 years which is rather long for a dog.
The Beagle
The beagle is a member of the hound group. Known for smelling a single skin cell, this breed is often used at airports to casually walk around and sniff luggage as it is being carried or wheeled through the airport. They can smell an orange and customs will remove it from your bag. No transportation of certain fruits and foods across borders or even state lines in some cases.
The Beagle comes in different sizes. The 13-inch Beagle is small being 13 inches at the wethers or smaller. The 15-inch Beagle will be larger than 13 inches and as tall as 15. They are otherwise identical.
