Some important food for thought before you buy a Puggle pup.....
It’s no surprise that Puggles are extremely popular dogs – not only are they very cute, but typically their characteristics and maintenance needs suit a lot of dog owners very well. But Puggle popularity is currently causing some problems. Demand is far outstripping supply, and as a result of this, many pups are being bred on puppy farms with little concern for their welfare. They are often transported considerable distances unaccompanied to fulfil orders – but not all pups make it to their new home. If you are based in the UK, Pugglelove strongly recommends visiting a responsible UK based breeder. No matter how much you want a Puggle, that is no excuse to buy from a puppy farm or to try and import a pup from the USA.
This is why we provide a free Find a Breeder service. If you are looking for a Puggle pup, and are seriously committed to owning a dog, then please make use of it. The list includes professional and private breeders, all committed to responsible and ethical breeding. By finding a puppy near you, you will also not need to have your puppy transported, but can see them with their mum and collect them yourself.
Looking for your first puppy?
Here at pugglelove.co.uk we strongly believe in responsible dog ownership. Puggles may be fashionable now, but are you committed to caring for a dog for possibly over 15 years? Have you considered the cost of owning a dog, the time involved caring for and exercising your pooch, and who will look after your dog when you want to go on holiday? It may be an old clichè, but they really are for life and not just for Christmas!
The "Hybreed" Question
For the Pedigree.....
- The people most committed to breeding from the best stock are generally pedigree breeders, who are largely highly committed to quality and ethical breeding. That said, this website has received abusive correspondance from a minority of breeders who are clearly more interested in official breed standards than the health and welfare of individual dogs, which is very sad.
- Pedigrees bred from carefully selected stock can be monitored for key characteristics.
- While cross breeding may lessen genetic defects, it may also produce some very unexpected results. You have no guarantee your Puggle will look anything like the pictures on this site, in the absence of any breed standard!
For the Mutt.....
- Why pay for a pedigree when gorgeous dogs of all shapes and sizes are in shelters looking for homes? My dog Ringo is a rescued Chirussell (Jack Russell/Chihuahua cross, pictured below), and I wouldn't swap him for anything.
- Cross breeds are typically less “highly strung” than pedigree dogs, and are less likely to have a charater which is extreme. e.g. very shy, loud or enegetic.
- Many pedigrees are prone to health problems which breed standards can in some cases exacerbate. For example, the pug is known for an intolerance to heat and breathing difficulties. Cross breeding improves genetic diversity.
- Most of the pedigrees that are loved today would not exist if it were not for past cross breeding; for example, the Dobermann is only just over a century old, and was bred specifically for a tax collector, who found no existing breeds met his specification.