Are Puggles Hypoallergenic? [Does This Breed Shed A Lot?]

If you or a family member is an allergy sufferer, then you are going to need to be cautious around the breed of dog you take in. But what about the Puggle? Are they considered to be hypoallergenic and what are they like when it comes to shedding? Requiring such information, I decided to research this hybrid breed of dog to find out all about their coat, and what owners can expect.

So, are Puggles hypoallergenic? Puggles are not hypoallergenic. Both parental breeds, Beagles and Pugs, are high shedding dog breeds and Puggles naturally take after them. There is not a dog breed that can be considered to be 100% hypoallergenic, although there are those that shed less and tend to be better for allergy sufferers.

Puggles are a designer breed of dog, meaning that two purebreds, in this case, a Beagle and a Pug, were bred to create a third breed.

Dogs like Puggles will have qualities of both parents and sometimes will favor one parent more than another.

While the Puggle is not one of them, many hybrid dogs are developed to come up with a hypoallergenic breed for allergy sufferers.

This isn’t to say that all dogs that are considered to be hypoallergenic are hybrid dogs.

There are many dogs, such as the Poodle that are purebred hypoallergenic breeds, that are often used to develop crossbreeds.

Generally, these are best for allergy sufferers, and those that do not respond so well in the presence or company of other breeds of dogs.

Nevertheless, let us now take a closer look at why the Puggle breed cannot be classified as hypoallergenic.

We will then look at the amount you can expect them to shed and their typical grooming requirements. So be sure to keep reading if you are looking to adopt this cute little dog!

Why Are Puggles Not Hypoallergenic?

First, let’s look at allergies. Most people believe that allergies to dogs have to do with their hair, when in fact it’s actually the dander that is the allergen.

Dander is basically dead skin that mixes with the oils from hair, fur, etc. Humans have dander as well and access to it is considered dandruff.

Allergies to dogs maybe because of the dander but hair does play a role and that is when it comes to shedding.

The more a dog sheds, the more likely dander will be released, which causes irritation and allergies.

Beagles and Pugs are two breeds that shed quite a bit, increasing their chances of shedding dander and causing an allergic reaction to sufferers.

Due to the Puggle taking after both parents and both sets of genes are high shedders, no matter which parent they take after more, they will still be a high shedder.

Thus, Puggles are definitely not hypoallergenic.

Do Puggles Shed A Lot?

Puggles shed quite a bit, just like both of their parent breeds.

There are many reasons for shedding and in some ways, it is the same in humans. Hair only grows for so long before it dies and falls out. This applies to dogs, humans, cats, and any other animal that has hair or fur.

The loss of some hair or fur is very normal, something you’ve probably noticed on your pillow when you’re in the shower.

Again, like humans, there are a variety of factors that cause some dogs to shed more than others, such as stress factors.

One factor that differs from humans is a dog’s coat. As is the case with the Puggle, some dogs have double coats. More often than not double-coated dogs will shed more often and not just because they have two coats.

A dog that has a double coat has a top coat and an undercoat. The undercoat works to regulate the dog’s body temperature, keep them warm in the cold and keep them cool in the heat. So, their internal furnace plays a factor in the amount they shed.

You will notice that most dogs will shed more during the changing of the seasons. At the end of winter is when dogs shed most due to their bodies getting ready for summer.

This holds true for dogs with a double coat as well as those with a single coat.

Contrary to popular belief, the length of a dog’s coat does not play a role in the amount they shed.

Just like a human with long hair, it appears that they are losing more hair in a day than someone with short hair, but that’s just because their hair is longer. The same applies to dogs.

While shedding in your Puggle is normal, not all shedding is.

If you notice that your dog is shedding more often than usual or you see any skin irritation, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian as there could be a more serious issue going on.

Also, as a reminder, dogs will shed more during the spring and fall, as their bodies prepare for the extreme cold and extreme heat.

This is normal and is not considered excessive, or out of the ordinary shedding.

Grooming Requirements For A Puggle

Regular brushing is recommended for Puggles to keep control of their shedding. Not only will this help with allergy sufferers by preventing dander from loosely escaping, but you will notice less fur on your furniture and floors.

Regular brushing for Puggles is only needed about once a week, however, if you are an allergy sufferer, or someone else is in the household, then you may want to increase that to about four to five times a week.

Puggles also have wrinkles around their face and forehead and you will want to ensure that the flaps remain dry, to prevent any skin issues. If your dog gets wet, ensure that you check their ears and their flaps, places where moisture likes to hide, and bacteria loves to thrive.

Puggles should be bathed once a month using an anti-allergen, dog-friendly shampoo (like this excellent brand on Amazon).

Bathing is especially important for Puggles in a house with an allergy sufferer, this will reduce the irritation of the skin which will then produce less dander.

Tips for Allergy Sufferers Living with a Puggle

There are a few things that you can do to help allergy suffers live comfortably with a Puggle. All of these tasks can become habits that you form.

• Wash Your Puggle’s Items – Regularly wash your dog’s items, this should include things like dog beds, blankets, soft toys, and any other washable item that the dog has regular contact with.
• Brushing Your Puggle – For best results brush your Puggle four or five times a week to lessen the chances of shedding, and in turn dander. You can get a number of brushes that suit the Puggle coat, like a Slicker brush, or you can opt for grooming mits/gloves that collect hair in your hands as you stroke them.
• Grooming Your Puggle – You should wash your Puggle with an anti-allergenic shampoo about every four weeks or so. This will help cut down on dander and some other skin conditions.
• Allergy Free Zone – Have at least one area in your house where the dog is not allowed to go. This could be the sufferer’s bedroom or a common space.
• Vacuum often – Vacuums are great for collecting dander and hair and can minimize the amount you come into contact with. So, be sure to get a powerful vacuum that can get into all of those hard to reach places. Doing so once per week can work wonders.
• Use a HEPA Air Cleaner – Many HEPA air cleaners will destroy dander in the air, helping allergy sufferers. One additional tip for here is to ensure that you change, or clean if it’s not disposable, the filter on a regular basis. Once it’s clogged it won’t be as effective. This Air Cleaner in particular has thousands of positive reviews on Amazon. Its the one I would look to get!
• Take Medicine – Taking a regular dose of an antihistamine or getting allergy shots can lessen, or eliminate, symptoms caused by dander and other allergens.

These tips are not guaranteed to work for everyone, but they can’t hurt and in a lot of cases sufferers have found that living with a Puggle to be much more comfortable after implementing a couple of these tips.

In Summary

Even though no dog is truly hypoallergenic, Puggles don’t even fall under the category of those that are considered to be.

Puggles have a double coat, just like their parent breeds; the Beagle and the Pug. Dogs with a double coat will almost always be shedders.

It’s not the hair that causes the problems for allergy sufferers, but actually the Puggle’s dander. All living creatures that have fur or hair have dander. In humans when we have an excessive amount of it it is referred to as dandruff.

There are a number of factors that go into why one dog will shed more than another.

Some factors are genes, one of the factors faced by Puggles, and others can be environmental, lifestyle, and stress.

Some of the same factors can cause humans to lose more hair than they normally would.

Shedding is a normal process as each hair only has a limited life before it dies and falls off. The hair can take with it the dander from the dog, which is caused by oils mixing with the hair follicles.

Just because you’re an allergy sufferer doesn’t mean that you can’t have a Puggle.

There are several things you can do to make life much more comfortable for you and your furry friend. You have the option of taking a form of allergy medicine if you would like.

In addition, there are some things that you can do to lessen the dander in the air and around the home, making life with a Puggle manageable.

Regularly wash your Puggles items such as beds, blankets, and toys. Keeping them clean will prevent a buildup of fur and dander.

Have a filtration system in your home that eliminates dander. Brush you Puggle at least four to five times a week. Wash them at least once a month with an anti-allergen shampoo.

Create a Puggle-free area in your home.

These are all things that you can do to help to reduce, or eliminate, allergy symptoms by reducing the amount of shedding and dander going on inside the house.

So no need to give up on your dream of having a Puggle, if you suffer from allergies.

Before you go, be sure to check out my other guides on Puggles:

• How Big Do Puggles Get? [Average Height, Weight and Size]
• Are Puggles Aggressive? [Triggers And Prevention Strategies]