Poogle
The affectionate personality and sensible nature of the Poogle – a cross between the Poodle and the Beagle – means that it gets on well with just about anyone it meets. They relish the opportunity to be around people and are not so keen on being left on their own. Biddable and quick on their feet, Poogles make a good pet for novice owners.
A good mix of each parent, the Poogle has those floppy hound ears and the intelligent brown eyes of the Poodle. They are small to medium in size with a well-proportioned body and a tail that curves at the end. The fur of the Poogle is usually wavy and of a moderate density. There are many possible coat colours and white markings are frequently seen.
About & History
The Poogle is a relatively popular designer dog that is also known as the Beaglepoo, Beagledoodle and the BeaPoo. Thought to have originated in the 1980s within America, the Poogle would have been one of the original hybrids created. The vast majority are Beagles crossed with either Miniature Poodles or Toy Poodles (rather than the Standard Poodle) and so are a small to medium-sized breed. While the Poogle only has a few years of history under its belt, we have plenty more to say about each of its parents.
The Poodle
The Poodle forms the basis for a large number of designer dogs as they not only have loving and intelligent personalities but also have a non-shedding coat and come in three separate sizes (Toy, Miniature and Standard). Poodles are a ‘Utility’ type of dog that were traditionally used to sniff out truffles and retrieve prey (especially ducks) from water during a hunt.
While many people associate the Poodle with France, the truth is that they are believed to have been created within Germany. Throughout the years, the Poodle has contributed to a number of breeds, including the Bichon Frise and Miniature Schnauzer, in order to prevent their extinction when population sizes were low.
The Beagle
The Beagle is the quintessential scent hound; a dog that was made to hunt and relishes the opportunity to do so. The Beagle is a result of breeding taller Foxhounds with a variety of smaller hounds in order to establish a breed that could hunt low to the ground in packs and did not require huntsmen to be on horseback. In fact, Beagles of years gone by were noticeably shorter than the modern-day Beagle. It was not until the mid 1800s that the Beagle was exported to the USA. They were immediate hits with the American rabbit hunters and the breed was quickly recognised by the AKC in 1885.
Appearance
Poogle dogs can have quite varied appearances as their two parent breeds are rather different looking. As with other non-pedigree dogs, there is no breed standard on which to go, meaning they are not currently being bred for a uniform appearance.
The Poogle will have pendulous ears that are often long enough to reach their chin. Their dark brown eyes are set apart and give them a pensive expression. Their muzzle can be relatively long, ending in a nose that may be black or brown. Their compact body should be lean and well-muscled, supported by sturdy limbs. They have what is known as a ‘sickle-shaped’ tail, which curves over their back and towards their head.
The coat of the Poogle is understandably variable, as the fur of the Poodle and that of the Beagle is so dissimilar. While each individual is different, as a general rule of thumb, Poogles will have a wavy coat that falls somewhere in the middle of the curly, dense fur of the Poodle and the short, straight coat of the Beagle. Several coat colours are possible, including black, brown, grey, white and red. Many dogs will be bi-colour or tri-colour and white patches are a frequent feature.
The adult size of the Poogle will depend on which size of Poodle was used to breed them. Typically, a fully-grown Poogle will weigh from 5kg to 11kg and will measure from 25cm to 40cm at the withers.
Character & Temperament
A wonderful companion, the Poogle enjoys spending time with people and shows a good deal of affection towards them. They are typically comfortable in anyone’s company and do not tend to be overly wary of strangers. They can generally be trusted around children and will play happily in their company.
Given the confident nature of the Poodle and the pack mentality of the Beagle, it is no surprise that the Poogle tends to get on well with other dogs and is typically the local VIP at the dog park! The same cannot be said of their relationship with cats, rabbits or other smaller pets, as some individuals will have a high prey drive and will feel an urge to chase them. The Poogle has gained a good reputation as a watch dog as they are keen to patrol their territory and will bark immediately at the first sign of something out of the ordinary.
Trainability
There is no doubt that the Poogle is a smart dog and they are not only able to pick up on new things quickly but are also capable of retaining a lot of information. They live to please their master, which means that training sessions are often very positive experiences. They can be sensitive to harsh criticism so perform best when a positive reinforcement training programme is used.
Health
With a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, the Poogle can live a long and healthy life, though is predisposed to a number of health conditions.
Hip Dysplasia
As Hip Dysplasia has a known genetic component, breeders are strongly encouraged to have their breeding dogs’ hips assessed to ensure they are healthy. X-rays are analysed by experts who assign the hips a score with the highest (and worst) score being 106.
Periodontal Disease
Poodles are notorious for having some of the worst teeth in the canine world, so it makes sense that the Poogle can suffer from periodontal disease too. Owners can help to prevent the formation of calculus by brushing teeth on a daily basis, feeding a dental diet and using products in the food and water that can help to break down plaque.
Cardiac Disease (Mitral Valve Disease & Patent Ductus Arteriosus)
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) is a degenerative condition of the mitral valve, which inevitably leads to heart failure over time. There are medications available that can slow the progression of this disease, so an early diagnosis is beneficial.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital condition that occurs when the Ductus Arteriosus does not close as it should at birth, resulting in shunting of blood and inadequate oxygenation. An affected dog will have symptoms that worsen with time, including difficulty breathing and a loud heart murmur. A surgical procedure to correct the defect is usually performed by a cardiac surgeon.
Addison’s Disease
A disease caused by a hormonal deficiency, a dog with Addison’s will have lower than normal levels of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. Symptoms can be vague and variable, including digestive upset, lethargy, shaking and loss of appetite. Addison’s is known as ‘the great pretender’, as it mimics so many other diseases and can be tricky to diagnose.
Exercise and Activity Levels
The Poogle has a medium exercise requirement and should have about 30-60 minutes of structured exercise each day, as well as some outdoor, off-lead time for playing and scenting.
Importantly, they need to have a good amount of mental stimulation as they are prone to boredom. Outdoor activities can include agility and scent trails, while indoor activities could consist of interactive toys and complex food puzzles. When a Poogle’s mind is neglected, it would not be unusual for them to develop nuisance behaviours out of sheer frustration.
Grooming
A breeder cannot guarantee that their Poogle pups will be hypoallergenic and non-shedding as those who take more after their Beagle parent will shed a low to moderate amount. Those with a shorter coat may only need brushing once or twice a week, while longer-haired individuals will need more frequent grooming sessions.
It is essential that owners brush their dogs’ teeth, in order to prevent periodontal disease. While this would ideally be done every day, every second day is still beneficial. A small toothbrush or finger brush should be used and canine tooth paste is optional.