The adorable name pretty much says it all—what could be cuter than a Poogle? This mix of Beagle and Poodle is destined to pull at your heartstrings with their friendly, curious personalities, and their ability to whole-heartedly devote themselves to their families. If you’re looking for life-partner to explore the world with, this is the pup for you. They’re ready to make you laugh with their antics, and snuggle up for a cozy evening on the couch. What more could you ask for?
Is a Poogle the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile. We consulted certified professional dog trainer and The Dog People panelist Nicole Ellis, who has long worked with Doodle breeds, breeders, and owners, for the essential facts about Poogles.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: United States
- Size:
- Weight: 11-25 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Poogle Appearance
In a nutshell—Poogles are cute dogs. Which is part of the reason why they’re so beloved (their sparkling personalities are another!). These small pups are usually around 11 to 25 pounds, which makes them the perfect size for accompanying you everywhere.
The texture, density, and length of their hair is highly dependent on which parent they take after, so it can range from medium to long, and from straight to curly—which leaves a lot of options. They also come in a plethora of colors, with some even rocking adorable white spots. Their coats can be black, silver, tan, white, apricot, red, blonde, and various combinations of those (and other) colors.
Their faces are a combo of their parents, with Poodle-like waves falling across their cheeks, muzzle, and forehead, and beagle-like rounded ears and adorable floppy ears.
Poogle Personality
Considered super friendly and sweet, these dogs are ideal family dogs because they can get along with everyone— including kids (so long as they’re gentle), seniors, and even other household animals. You may want to keep an eye on them around cats though, as their high prey drive can sometimes get the better of them and inspire them to chase their feline friends.
They’re particularly trusting and affectionate toward their family members, and will require lots of your attention— which means that they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods of time, as they’ll just miss you way too much. Plus, they can sometimes be inclined to bark, so you don’t want to upset your neighbors by leaving them alone, barking, for long stretches.
Poogles may be small, but they come with a lots of energy, which means they’re going to need some form of exercise everyday. They’ll adore a good walk since they’re blessed with that Beagle curiosity that adores sniffing around every nook and cranny on the sidewalk.
Ideal Environment for a Poogle
Since Poogles are small, they really can thrive just about anywhere—be that an apartment, condo, or house. They do require some exercise everyday, but if you don’t have a big backyard for them to run around in, they’ll be just as happy visiting the dog park, or going on a walk and exploring the neighborhood.
Ideal Human for Poogle
The ideal person for a Poogle is someone who has plenty of time to spend with them. This isn’t a breed that you can just leave at home all day—they want to be with you, so their perfect match is someone looking for a sidekick for all of their adventures. There’s a reason why they’re often referred to as “shadow dogs”! They also love to snuggle, so you can also spend time with them on the couch, watching a movie (and maybe sharing some snacks).
Poogles also need lots of mental and physical stimulation since they’re both intelligent and energetic, which means that their human should invest in fun toys and activities to help entertain and exercise them.
Poogle Dog Training
Poogles are easy to train since they’re highly intelligent and always eager to please their loved ones. It’s especially painless if you start training and socializing them at a young age—they love to show off and are quick to pick up tricks, so they should thrive with the help of positive reinforcement and plenty of treats. The positive part is important since Poogles can be a bit sensitive, so it’s important not to scold or punish them while they’re learning.
Poogle Grooming
Poogles don’t shed very much, which is why they’re a popular mix for people with allergies. Their type of coat can vary a bit though, depending on which parent they take after more—which means that some dogs will require more maintenance than others.
The pups with longer locks will need to be brushed daily to keep tangles and mats at bay, while dogs with shorter coats probably just need a good brushing a few times a week. You should visit the groomer every couple of months though – they can help keep your Poogle’s hair trimmed up, and make sure their nails are tidy and their ears are healthy and clean.
Another thing to keep clean? Your Poogle’s teeth! This breed requires daily toothbrushing to keep their oral hygiene in good standing – so invest in some proper puppy teeth tools to keep on top of this, and check out our helpful tips on how exactly to get it done.
Poogle Dog Breed Health
Though generally very healthy, Poogles do have a few health issues that can emerge, including hip dysplasia, cardiac disease, Addison’s disease, and ear infections. They’re also prone to obesity if they don’t get enough exercise, and dental problems, which are more common in small dogs. Some pet parents opt for pet health insurance, just in case.
Poogles generally live from 10 to 13 years, and providing your dog with proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet will help improve their chances of a long and happy life.
Poogle History
There isn’t much detailed documentation about the development of this breed, but it is thought that the Poogle originated in the United States in the 1980’s, inspired by the desire for a low-shedding dog with the quick intellect of the poodle and the curious, friendly nature of the Beagle.
Getting a Poogle
Poogle Breeders
It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other, and this is especially important when choosing a crossbred dog, since you can see just what size the parents are. A good, trustworthy breeder (like this one, or this one) have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.
Since Poogles aren’t officially recognized by the AKC, you’d need to start your search for a reputable breeder elsewhere, and luckily, due to the popularity of these dogs, they shouldn’t be too tricky to track down. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.
Adopting a Poogle
Poogles may find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health.
A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search.
A Poogle can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.
More on Poogle
If you’re simply in love with Poogles, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From poodle puppy tips to the secret lives of Beagles, to the best toothbrushes for your Poogle and more:
