Both beagles and pugs are smaller types of dogs who are friendly, sociable, and make great family companions. These two breeds have pronounced differences in their physical structures, temperaments, and behaviors though.
Beagles belong to the breed of the original hunting dogs called the hound group, who would assist the hunters in tracking and chasing prey. Pugs on the other hand were mainly bred for companionship and can never hunt, guard or retrieve.
Pugs are relatively shorter than beagles, have short-muzzled faces, and a small compact body. Beagles have muscular bodies free of folds of skin. They have exceptional scenting abilities and excellent speed, and can very quickly track scent trails.
Beagles are more energetic than pugs and require a lot of exercise because of that. Pugs are little more laid back and are best suited for all of those who are looking for a less active dog, especially older adults and seniors, as they are happy to sit in your lap as you watch a movie or read a book.
Overview of Beagles
Beagles are medium-sized small and sturdy dogs. They are generally 15″ tall and usually weigh up to 35 pounds. But there are smaller beagles also who are no taller than 13″ at the shoulder and weigh 22 to 30 pounds.
As a breed, they are friendly, affectionate, and energetic. Beagles need a lot of exercise and frequent long walks, which allow them plenty of time to sniff around and engage with their surroundings.
They were bred as hunting hounds and were used to assist in hunting, mainly chasing rabbits and hares. Because of this, they love to follow scents and are more interested in following their noses than their owners at times. This behavior can pose a risk to their safety, as they love to escape. Therefore to keep beagles safe, it is crucial to keep them in a fenced yard.
Beagles are a great companion for all those who love to walk and don’t mind going at a slow pace as the beagle needs a lot of time to sniff around. Beagle is a versatile dog and with the right training, they can protect your home, work as service animals, work for the police, and just be great family dogs.
Overview of Pugs
Like beagles, pugs are also a small breed with distinctive features such as a round wrinkly face, big eyes, short snout, sturdy body, and a curly tail.
Pugs weigh almost 14 to 18 pounds on average and are generally 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder. A pug is a perfect house dog and is excellent with kids. They are sturdy enough to endure rough handling, so they can withstand the pokes and prods of any toddler.
Pugs are generally outgoing, friendly, and jovial dogs that get along very well with other dogs and cats in the house.
Pugs were bred mainly as companions for Chinese nobility, and today also due to their endearing disposition, make beloved house pets.
They are not suited to be jogging companions on don’t dare that well on long walks or hikes. A pug is a high maintenance dog and tends to be more on the expensive side. Pugs also shed their coats, but their grooming needs aren’t that cumbersome.. Pugs snort and snore a lot due to their flat and small nose. They like sleeping a lot, always follow their owners around the house, and like beagles, they crave lots of attention.
Beagle vs. Pug Traits
Temperament and Behavior
Although both beagles and pugs are sociable and friendly dogs, still there are significant differences in their personalities and behaviors.
Originally beagles were bred as scent hounds, and so they are always easily distracted by other scents. This can be difficult on their training, as they’re very susceptible to distractions.
In contrast to beagles, pugs are not that interested in pursuing scents and were mainly developed as companion dogs. They are affectionate to their owners and are low-stamina dogs. So if you are looking for a dog that you can cuddle with and won’t require a lot of time spent on exercise, a pug is an ideal choice.
Beagles are relatively active and get restless if they don’t get enough physical activity, and they love the outdoors, so if you are an adventurous person who loves hiking, swimming, and camping, then a beagle could be your best companion yet.
Both beagles and pugs seek human companionship and should not be left alone for extended periods. They are prone to bad behaviors like digging, chewing, and loudly barking. So when you are not around, it would be a good idea to keep them busy with chewable toys and other forms of entertainment.
Intelligence and Training Ability
Both of these breeds are intelligent but can be difficult to train. Beagles are more focussed on trailing scents. They are highly energetic and would rather run off than listen to your instruction.
On the other hand, pugs like to do what they want and are unyielding to obedience commands, especially without vigilant training.
Pugs and beagles can both be very stubborn. They need the right motivation to get them excited to comply with the training. Both pugs and beagles respond effectively to food motivation. So if you own one of these dog breeds, then keeping a healthy treat handy can go a long way when training them. They don’t comply with harsh training and need a lot of praise and affection.
Beagles however were bred to be pack dogs, and still respond well to authority figures if you’re able to establish dominance early on in their training.
Price and Availability
Beagles are a very popular breed because of their appearance, personalities, and temperament. If you are thinking about getting one, you should be aware of their price first.
A beagle puppy on average can cost between $400-$1000 from a breeder. If you are looking for a beagle with a superior bloodline, then be ready to shell out $1500 or more. Beagles with exceptional breed lines can cost up to $5000 depending on your location and the breeder. You can also adopt a beagle which can cost you between $350-$550 or less, including vaccinations and registrations.
The cost of a pug also varies depending on several factors like pedigree, location, coat color, and breeder’s reputation. Pugs have mainly two primary recognized colors – fawn and black. The average cost of a pug puppy can range between $500-$1200 from a breeder. A pedigree pug can cost $2500 and upwards.
They may not be the most expensive dogs, but they still aren’t cheap. In some countries outside the US, pugs can cost even more. If you are not too picky, you can adopt these dogs from various adoption websites and animal shelters. By adopting, you can save some money and also provide a home to a dog in need.
As a slightly rare breed, you may be limited with the choices available, but checking out local shelters is always worth it.
Apart from the initial cost of purchasing these dogs, do not forget the other expenses that come with owning a dog, such as food, training, grooming, and vet bills.
Health and Lifespan
Many factors determine a dog’s life span, such as genetics, size of the dog, diet, care, lifestyle and overall health. Both pugs and beagles are small breeds, which tend to live longer than larger breeds.
Beagles have a longer life span of 13 to 16 years, while the average for pugs is 12 to 15 years. Pugs are susceptible to various ailments due to their physical attributes from years of overbreeding. The big eyes and smushed face may look appealing and cute but can cause a lot of health issues in pugs.
Pugs have a flat snout, which can make it difficult for them to take deep and long breaths and result in snorting. This feature can lead to serious breathing issues like snoring and sleep apnea, especially if they are overweight. Pugs can also develop a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). As a result, they can suffer from a variety of health problems, including low blood oxygen levels, shortness of breath, acid reflux, vomiting, and gagging. Pugs are also susceptible to eye problems, which can lead to pain and even loss of vision.
Just like other breeds of similar body types, pugs can also have joint problems, such as hip dysplasia and luxating patella, along with skin problems and certain neurological disorders of the brain. They are sensitive to heat particularly. For this reason owners have to be cautious during hot, humid days, as they have trouble cooling themselves off naturally.
Beagles generally have overall good health, and some beagles even live longer than 17 years also.
But like other dog breeds, they also have certain health problems, including obesity, canine epilepsy, neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration (NCCD), and factor deficiency (FVII).
Obesity is a growing problem among both beagles and pugs these days. The reason being that they will eat almost everything and are perpetually hungry.
Obesity can augment the risk of other problems like heart disease, respiratory, and joint problems. As a beagle or a pug owner, you can be proactive and do a lot of things to protect your little buddies from these types of health problems. With some ingenuity you can control your dog’s diet in a way that isn’t a burden for you or them.
Timely vaccinations, monthly ear checks, a healthy diet, regular brushing of teeth, keeping them in a healthy weight, and daily exercise can help maintain your dog’s long projected lifespan.
Final Thoughts
Beagles and pugs are cute, amiable dogs who get along very well with kids and other animals.
It may be an uphill task to train both of these breeds, but the effort is entirely worth it.
Beagles are wired to follow scents and get easily distracted, whereas pugs have a rebellious streak and get easily bored with repetitive tasks. Training these dog breeds will require a lot of hard work, consistency, and praise.
The beagle is an active dog, so it may need a lot of consistent exercise, whereas pugs do not require a great deal of activity. Despite several pronounced differences, beagles and pugs are fun-loving, easy-going dogs and are both immensely loyal to their owners.