10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Poogle
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If you thought you couldn’t improve on breeds like the Poodle and the Beagle, just wait till you meet their lovechild. The Poogle is an adorable combination of Poodle and Beagle that’s inherited the best traits of both its parent breeds. With their big, baleful eyes, gorgeously curly locks, and sweet-natured, playful personalities, they make excellent family pets. If you want to find out more about this adorable breed, here are 10 things you didn’t know about the Poogle.
1. They were developed in the 1980s
Like most hybrid dog breeds, the history of the Poogle isn’t well documented. It could well be that somewhere along the line, a Beagle and a Poodle got together behind their owners’ backs and had a few Poogle pups as a result. As to when breeders started playing a more active part in the unions, most people think it was sometime in the 1980s in the US. It’s only in the last decade or so that their popularity has really begun to skyrocket, however.
2. They’re a crossbreed
Even if no one knows very much about the Poogle’s origins, we do at least know quite a bit about its parent breeds. The Poogle is a mix of Beagle and Poodle, both of which are among the oldest and most popular dog breeds around. The Poodle was developed in the 15th century in Germany. It was originally bred as a waterfowl dog before finding favor as a pampered pet with the French aristocracy. The Beagle, meanwhile, was developed as a hunting dog in England during the 1800s. They ventured over to the United States shortly after, and are now a hugely popular pet on both sides of the Atlantic.
3. No two Poogles look alike
The physical appearance of Poogles varies enormously, depending on which parent breed they most take after. Their eyes tend to be dark and limpid, with a baleful expression much like the Beagles. Their ears are long and floppy and their noses are either black or brown, depending on their coat color. Their coats can either be short or medium length and will typically be wavy or curly. They come in a variety of shades, including brown, red, fawn, black, silver, grey, and apricot. Physically, they’re sturdy little dogs, with robust bodies and straight, strong legs.
4. They’re ideal for allergy sufferers
If most dogs have you reaching for the Kleenex, you can breathe easy in the knowledge that, like most Poodle hybrids, the Poogle is a hypoallergenic breed that rarely causes any bother to allergy sufferers. They rarely shed either, meaning you won’t spend your weekend hovering up clumps of stray hair. In terms of their grooming needs, you’ll need to give them a weekly brush to keep their wavy hair in check. Regular trims at the groomers will also be needed. As their long, furry ears are magnets for dirt, debris, and moisture, they should be checked and cleaned weekly to avoid infections. Like many small dogs, they’re prone to dental disease – a thrice-weekly tooth cleaning session should be enough to keep plaque at bay.
5. They’re excellent family pets
If you’re looking for a loyal, affectionate pet that will fit easily into family life, the Poogle is ideal. They love kids and, unlike certain other breeds, react warmly to strangers and new faces. Their pack mentality makes them an alley to other dogs. Providing their well socialized, they should get on well enough with the family cat too. However, be careful around strange cats and wildlife – Poogles have a strong prey drive and will chase after anything smaller than them. Plenty of training and socialization should help keep their instincts under control.
6. They need plenty of exercise
If you prefer lazing around the house to running around the park, the Poogle might not be the dog for you. These energetic pooches need plenty of daily activity, with a minimum of two walks a day, the occasional run around the park, and plenty of play sessions in between. If you have a backyard for them to romp around in, so much the better… but be warned. Poogles have a high prey drive, and if they spot a squirrel or a cat, they’ll be off before you know it. To keep them safe, make sure the yard is protected by a high fence and that you supervise any outdoor time. If you don’t have a yard, don’t worry – providing their daily activity needs are met, Poogles will adapt just as well to apartment living as to family homes.
7. Their size varies
Just as no two Poogles look exactly alike, neither are all Poogles the same size. Most adult Poogles weigh between 11 and 25lb and measure 10 to 15 inches in height. However, there’s no standard, and much of their size will depend on their parents. If, for example, a Beagle is bred with a standard Poodle, their offspring will be much taller and heavier than the offspring of a Beagle and miniature or toy poodle.
8. They’re usually healthy… but not always
Like most crossbreeds, the Poogle tends to be healthier and more robust than either of its pedigree parents. However, care still needs to be taken in case they’ve inherited any of the genetic conditions to which their parent breeds are prone. As thehappypuppysite.com notes, the most common conditions to watch out for include hyperadrenocorticism, eye diseases, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and patellar luxation. To minimize the risk, always ask your breeder if they’ve screened the puppy’s parent for potential health issues.
9. They’re easy to train
As PetGuide notes, the advantage of crossing two intelligent breeds like the Poodle and the Beagle is that you wind up with a dog like the Poogle, a super-smart pooch with a natural talent for picking up new instructions and tricks. As an added advantage, they’re eager to please. Providing you use plenty of positive reinforcement and treats, they’ll take to training like a duck to water.
10. They’ve been recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club
As a hybrid, the chance of the Poogle being recognized by any of the major kennel clubs like the United Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club is slim to none. They shouldn’t feel too hard done by, though. Numerous hybrid dog registries have been more than happy to extend the breed recognition, including the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.
