So you’re thinking about getting a new puppy and you want to know more about the Pug vs Beagle. Well, look no further, I’ve compiled everything you need to know about these two dogs to help you decide which one will be the best fit for your family.
Pug vs Beagle A Look At The Differences
Both the Pug and Beagle are small dogs. However, these breeds are very different in their health, exercise requirements, barking, temperament, and behavior.
If you take a close look at these breeds, you’ll notice a huge difference in their snouts. Dogs with short snouts are known as brachycephalic dogs, and this can lead to several health problems as your Pug ages.
Beagle Vs Pug: History Overview
Pug Origin
The Pug first originated in China and was considered royalty. You can read more about the Pug dog.
Beagle Origin
Like the Pug, the Beagle breed has been around for a very long time, in fact as early as the 1400s. They descended from hounds and were used in packs by hunters in France and England Wales.
This dog was best known for rabbit hunting, although they have been known to hunt wild pigs, and jackals.
Early Beagles were called “Pocket Beagles” and stood around 8-9 inches tall, that hunters used to carry them in their pocket.
By the mid-18th century, the larger Beagles became more popular, which led to the miniature Beagles becoming extinct in 1901.
The first Beagle was imported into the United States in the 1870s, and that is when the breeding began In 1884 this breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
This breed became popular with American households in the 20th century. Today they are primarily bought and adopted as pets.
Beagle vs Pug An In-depth Look At Both Breeds
Every dog is going to be unique and has different personalities, temperaments, and behavioral issues. However, this is what you can expect from both of these breeds.
Pug Overview
The Pug is a brachycephalic breed, which means that they are prone to more health-related problems than the Beagle.
Beagle
According to the American Kennel Club, the Beagle is classified as a Hound. They love to scent and chase. They won’t dig up your back yard, but if they see a rabbit, they will chase them.
The appearance of the Beagle And Pug
The appearance of this small hound will remind you of a large foxhound. They are very curious and if left alone for long periods of time, can become mischievous.
These dogs are not very the size and weight will vary slightly according to gender.
Males: can get as tall as 14-16 inches in height and weigh anywhere from 22-24 pounds.
Females: can get as tall as 13-15 inches in height and weigh anywhere from 20-22 pounds.
Pug
Male: can get as big as 11 inches height at withers and can weigh between 14-18 pounds.
Females: can get as big as 12 inches at withers and can weigh between 14-18 pounds.
Coat Colors
These dogs can be found in a variety of colors with the most popular color is the tricolor of black, tan and white. However, this small dog can also be found in the following colors; Chocolate Tri, Brown and White, Lemon and White, Orange and White, and Red and White.
Like the Beagle, the Pug comes in several different colors; black, apricot, brindle, white, and fawn, which is the most popular.
Pugs have a double layer coat, while Beagles have a dense medium-length coat.
Face and Head
The Beagle is known for their adorable face, especially, when they are puppies. They will either have big hazel or brown eyes with houndy ears that hang on the side of their face.
Pugs are known for their big bulging eyes and wrinkles (which need to be cleaned on a regular basis). Their eye colors will range from black,
Legs
Pugs are short stocky dogs and have short legs. This makes it challenging for them to jump on high places, most of them will only be able to jump as high as two feet.
They are top-heavy dogs and this makes it challenging for them to do certain activities such as swimming.
The Beagle has strong thighs and hips some have been known to jump as high as 4-6 feet high. If you have a fenced-in backyard, you’ll want to make sure it’s high enough to keep them inside.
Body
One of the first things you’ll notice when you look at a Beagle and Pug side by side is that the Beagle’s body is free of folds of skin.
Beagles have a muscular body that is medium-length, with muscular hind legs. Their tail is white-tipped and looks like it has been dipped in paint, and will have a slight curve to it.
Pugs are wrinkly dogs with short-muzzled faces and curled tails. They are composed of a small compact body with well-developed muscles.
Personality Of Both The Beagle And The Pug
Both the Pug and the Beagle have great personalities and are great with children and other animals.
The Pug is known as a “velcro dog” and will quickly bond with their human. This breed is prone to separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods of time.
Like the Pug, the Beagle prefers to be around their human family and craves attention. If left alone for long periods of time, they may howl and become destructive.
Beagle vs Pug: Temperament
Both dogs are sociable, friendly and easy to get along with other animals. However, there are some differences in the temperaments of both breeds.
Beagles are hound dogs and therefore they are constantly tracking and sniffing their surroundings. If they locate an interesting scent, they are lost in their own world and you’ll have trouble getting their attention.
Pugs are known for their stubbornness and strong will. However, unlike the Beagle, they are not concerned with sniffing their surroundings. Instead, they prefer getting attention from their human companion and will do anything for a belly rub.
Health Comparison Of The Beagle and Pug
Which breed is healthier a Pug or a Beagle? As I mentioned above, Pugs are a brachycephalic breed, which means they have short snouts. This type of breed is prone to a range of health problems, the biggest ones being obesity and trouble breathing.
Beagles are considered a healthier breed. All dogs have some health issues you’ll have to deal with, Beagles, however, have very few genetic diseases.
Some of the health issues that can plague a Beagle are glaucoma, cherry eye, patellar luxation, epilepsy, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), hypothyroidism, and distichiasis.
Regardless of whether you get a Beagle or a Pug, you should definitely consider investing in canine insurance, which can save you money on unexpected vet bills.
Nutrition Requirements of The Beagle And Pug
Both dogs need will thrive if fed a well-balanced diet that consists of high-quality dog food.
The Beagle is more active than a Pug, therefore, they will require more calories in a day. Depending on the activity level of the Beagle, they will require about 674 to 922 calories per day.
The Pug is less active than the Beagle and has a slower metabolism rate, so it’s important NOT to overfeed them.
An adult Pug will be fine consuming about 40 calories per pound of their body weight per day. Pugs love to eat and this breed has a tendency to overeat, in fact, they are always hungry and ready to eat!
All dogs regardless of breed are prone to obesity, especially, if they are fed too much or the wrong type of food!
According to Pet Obesity Prevention, 60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight.
Grooming Requirements Of The Beagle and The Pug
Every dog regardless of breed will need to be groomed, and the Pug and the Beagle are no different.
Pugs have a double layer coat, which means that this dog sheds 365 days a year. Brushing them 1-2 times per week can help you control the shedding problem.
Beagles have dense coats and regular brushing will help reduce their constant shedding. Like the Pug, the Beagle sheds constantly, so you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of lint brushes for your furniture and clothing.
Overall, the Beagle will require less grooming than the Pug.
Bathing and Regular Hygiene
Pugs are known as one of the stinkiest dogs. They are also prone to skin allergies, so you don’t want to bathe them too often.
An occasional bath with the right shampoo and leave-in conditioner can help you control their bad odor.
Beagles will be fine with a bath every 2-6 months, depending on how dirty they get. You’ll want to avoid frequent bathing as it can dry out their skin and coat.
Like all dogs, you’ll want to groom your dog at home on a regular basis and this will involve, brushing their teeth, cutting their nails.
Pug dogs will require a little bit more maintenance due to their wrinkles and eyes, which need to be cleaned daily to remove any dirt and help minimize any infections.
Socializing The Pug and Beagle
Both the Pug and Beagle should be fairly easy to socialize. Both have a tendency to get along well with people, and other dogs.
As soon as you get your puppy, you should start socializing them to different people, animals, cats, and different sounds.
This will lead to a more well-behaved dog, and they won’t be scared of loud noises.
Wanderlust Potential
In case you didn’t know by now, the Beagle is the one that is most likely to run off and run away from you.
It’s not that they don’t love you, in fact, both the Pug and the Beagle love their human companions.
However, the Beagle is bred to run, especially, when they are tracking. You’ll want to keep this in mind, especially, when you’re at the dog park.
Pugs, on the other hand, won’t run off and if trained properly will walk right beside you or behind you even if they are not on a leash.
Either way, whenever you are around the public or a heavy trafficked area, both dogs should be on a leash.
Behavioral Problems Of The Beagle vs Pug
Like every dog, you can expect to face some common behavioral problems, especially as puppies.
Both the Beagle puppy and Pug puppy will have destructive tendencies like chewing, so you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of toys to keep them busy.
Pugs are prone to several behavioral problems you as an owner will have to deal with.
Beagles like the Pug are also prone to several behavioral issues such as; separation anxiety, barking, and howling.
Both breeds can be trained properly to stop unwanted behavior.
Training The Beagle and Pug: Which Is Easier?
Both dogs will require patience and consistent training, however, the Pug may be the easiest one to train.
Even though the Pug is known for its stubborn quality, the Beagle is likely to be consumed by sniffing and tracking.
Beagles are also known to be very independent and this can make them incredibly stubborn and hard to train.
Both dogs will respond best with positive reinforcement training. So make sure you have plenty of treats and give lots of praise whenever they do something you want them to do.
Barking Which Dog Barks The Most?
If you don’t like yappy dogs that bark a lot, then don’t get a Beagle. This breed is extremely vocal and can bark loudly. I had a friend who had a Beagle and they used to bark all the time when left alone.
She lived in an apartment complex and her neighbors used to complain about the barking all the time.
While Pugs can bark, they are not as loud. In fact, Pugs are the quieter dog among both of these breeds.
Beagle vs Pug: Snoring and Drooling
Which dog slobbers and snores the loudest? The answer is the brachycephalic Pug dog.
Pugs have compressed jaws and large loose lips, which cause them to drool, especially after being exposed to heat (it’s totally normal). This dog also snores extremely loud, so you’ll want to make sure you put them in their own bed.
All dogs can snore sometimes and so can Beagles, however, they may not snore often and it won’t be as loud as the Pug. They are also less likely to drool.
Life Expectancy Of These Breeds
Both dogs have relatively long lifespans. The Pug is expected to live around 10-12 years, while the Beagle’s lifespan is longer and can live up to 12-15 years.
Just like humans, dog’s life expectancy can be extended with proper health care, nutrition, and exercise.
Exercise and Physical Activity Level Of Both Dogs
You might be wondering are Beagles more active than Pugs? The short answer is Yes.
The Beagle is a hunting dog and therefore they have a lot of energy and stamina. This breed will require an owner that can give them at least an hour of exercise on a daily basis.
Pugs are the lower active breed and unlike the Beagle, they prefer to be couch potatoes. This dog will be happy doing what you want to do, however, you should exercise them at least 30 minutes a day.
When exercising a Pug, use a harness and don’t exercise them in extremely hot temperatures. This short-snouted dog does NOT do well in hot climates.
Beagle vs Pug: Living Conditions
Pugs are small, sedentary dogs that are extremely adaptable to live in any type of environment, even apartments.
Beagles are small dogs and typically range from 20-30 pounds in weight. Because of their small size, people tend to believe they can do well in apartments.
However, Beagles have a higher energy level than Pugs and will only do well in an apartment if the pet parents are committed to hiring a dog walker or taking them to the dog park twice a day to help release some energy.
Beagle vs Pug: Climate
Personally, no dog should be chained outside, especially, the Pug. This breed is vulnerable to both the heat and cold. This dog is prone to heatstroke and it’s important to keep them cool in the summer months,
Beagles have a short coat and won’t be able to tolerate the cold temperatures as well as other long-haired dogs. They are prone to the risk of heatstroke like the Pugs, however, it’s important to protect them from surfaces that absorb heat such as concrete or asphalt.
A Look At Costs for Both Dogs
Both breeds will cost you a pretty penny, regardless of which dog you get. You can expect to pay around $400 – $1,000 for a Beagle puppy, and around $1500 or higher if the pup has a superior lineage.
Pugs will cost around $600 to $1,500 for a new puppy. For a show quality dog, you can expect to pay up to $6,000.
Don’t forget other costs that come with owning a pet such as vaccinations, spay/neutering, and essentials such as food, leashes, harnesses, toys, beds, and etc.
Getting a new puppy can be expensive, so keep this in mind when thinking about buying a puppy.
Similarities of The Beagle And Pug
After careful research of both breeds, the only similarities between these two dogs is how affectionate and friendly they are.
Both dogs should do well in households with children and other pets.
Pug and Beagle Popularity
According to the American Kennel Club, the Beagle ranks higher in popularity than the Pug. They rank #6 on the popularity chart, while the Pug ranks #31.
Which Breed Is More Intelligent
When it comes to intelligence, the Pug is smarter. According to Stanley Coren’s dog intelligence scale, Beagles are at the bottom 10 of the most intelligent dog breeds. (source)
Beagles have been classified as dumb dogs because it’s hard to get them to do what you want them to do.
However, it’s not that they are dumb, it’s just that they are scent hound dogs and are always sniffing and have a mind of their own when they smell something they like.
If you ask some Beagle owners, they will tell you that this breed is smart. In fact, some dogs have learned how to open refrigerators, and lure other dogs away from their food so they can eat it.
Which Dog Is More Hyper?
As puppies both the Beagle and the Pug are hyper dogs. However, as they become older, with proper training they will calm down.
Both dogs will calm down when they reach around 2 years of age. However, the Beagle will always be a high energy dog, until they reach their senior years or around 8 years of age.
Is The Pug or Beagle Best For First-Time Owners
If you’ve never had a dog before, you may want to opt for the Pug. Beagles can be difficult to train, especially, if you’re a novice.
They have a very short attention span due to their consistent tracking. This can make it challenging when you take them for a walk or are trying to train them.
If you have the patience and love dogs, then you can’t go wrong with either breed. Both of them are extremely friendly and affectionate and will make great family pets.
Compare The Pug To Other Breeds
Final Word On The Beagle Or Pug
Hopefully, this in-depth article of the Beagle and Pug has helped you understand both the similarities and differences. Both breeds are unique, but either one will make a great addition to your family.
If you love both small dogs and still can’t decide then you may want to consider the Puggle, which is a cross between the Pug and the Beagle.
Related Questions
Do Pugs and Beagles Get Along? If you’re already the owner of a Pug or a Beagle and are considering getting a second dog. These dogs should make great companions and should get along fine together.
Related Articles
References and Further Reading
Beagle Pro – Beagle Behavior
Canna-Pet – Beagle Health Problems & Issues
ACVS – Brachycephalic Syndrome