MyDogBreeds
Puggle is originated from United States but Hokkaido is originated from Japan. Puggle may grow 13 cm / 5 inches shorter than Hokkaido. Puggle may weigh 36 kg / 79 pounds lesser than Hokkaido. Both Puggle and Hokkaido has same life span. Both Puggle and Hokkaido has almost same litter size. Both Puggle and Hokkaido requires Moderate maintenance.
The first Puggle was bred in the United States in the 1980s and was registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club.
None of the major kennel clubs recognize Puggles as a dog breed. The Puggle is a mix between the Pug and the Beagle, and is essentially a companion dog. Both the parent dogs are popular pets and each of the dogs - the Pug and the Beagle have their own histories.
The Hokkaido breed originates in Japan and is also called Ainu-ken, Ainu dog, Seta or Do-ken. The last being its common name in Japan. It is believed that the Hokkaido is descendent from the Japanese Matagi-ken, meaning hunting dog, deer hunting dog or bear hunting dog. It was the Ainu peoples that brought the breed to Tohoku. Many years later the Yayoi people brought in another breed of hunting dogs. These breeds were in isolation for most of their existence and therefore they had little influence on the further development of other breeds.
The Ainu dog was used in searches as well as hunting and became in 1937 “a rare species in Japan that is protected by law”. At that time the Official Name of the breed was set in place as Hokkaido-Inu. But they are still called Hokkaid0-Ken by most Japanese people.
This is a very rare breed of dog. It is hardly known outside of Japan and in country there are about ten to twelve thousand remaining. Of those about nine hundred to one thousand are registered in Japan every year. It is guessed that less than thirty exist outside Japan.
The Hokkaido breed is the oldest Japanese breed of dogs. Today they are great indoor companions, loyal and friendly. Most people in Japan still call them the Ainu dog.
The Puggle isn’t a purebred and he has short legs, a fairly thickset body, a crooked tail and medium length, floppy ears.
The Puggle’s coat is short and smooth and the colors can be anything between fawn, white, tan with bi-coloring such as black and white or even tri-colored such as white, black and tan.
He may have the black mask like the Pug has or he may not. He stands in height between 25-38cm and weighs between 4 and 13kg.
The Puggle brings fun and games into every household with his bright, sociable personality. He gets on well with children and other dogs and makes a splendid pet and friend.
He is intelligent, albeit a bit stubborn too, but you can teach him some simple commands such as sit, stay and lie down. They are dogs which can adapt well to life in the city or in the countryside.
The Hokkaido breed is medium in size but very strong in build. Dogs bred outside Japan tend to be smaller. They have wide, deep chests, and long thick coats compared with Japanese dogs from other breeds. It is a double coat of long fur on top and short softer fur underneath for the second coat. Their ears are triangular and small while their eyes have a triangle outline. The double coat could be sesame, white, red, black, black and tan and wolf-gray.
They are an intelligent breed with an impulsive gait. They are alert, courageous and suspicious. They were used for guarding the city gates. Their skull is flat and broad and the tongue, like the chow chow, is blueish. black. With a black nose and a wedge shaped muzzle, the Hokkaido is a handsome dog. His lips are with black and tight. High set, thick tail over the back or slightly curved to the side.
Puggles are lively dogs who are always up for a game. They are affectionate and loving towards their human family and get on well with strangers too.
They’re the kind of dogs who love a game outside but then are more than happy to cozy up on the couch with you.
Puggles love the attention of their family members and in exchange for your attention he is willing to shower you with his companionship and devotion.
Your Puggle isn’t likely to get sick often if you feed him healthy food, you exercise him and provide him with a loving, caring home. However, every dog can become ill, and Puggles can battle with the likes of Cherry Eye, skin problems and Hip Dysplasia among other ailments too.
Because of the Pug being a brachycephalic breed, your Puggle might also battle with respiratory problems.
Hip Dysplasia is a common canine disease that has no respect for age or breed of dog. Even young dogs can develop this heritable condition where the thighbone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Dog have pain in one or both of the rear legs, and can become totally lame. Arthritis can also develop.
This is when the gland in the dog’s third eyelid bulges out as a red mass. It can be treated surgically.
Often breeds that are isolated like the Hokkaido, have a pretty good health history but there are a few serious issues that they face.
1/3 of all dogs have it while 2/3 are carriers. This disease is congenital and there is no cure. It affects the sclera, retina and choroid. It can be mild or it can cause blindness.
Affecting joints and cause arthritis and lameness.
Floating kneecap – not as prevalent here as in smaller dogs.
Could be mild or serious. Could require a pacemaker.
Seizures of an unknown origin. Can be treated with medication not cured.
Excessive, uncontrollable urge to drink large amounts of fluid without a stimuli.
The Puggle can settle into life in the city or the countryside as he doesn’t require too much exercise. That doesn’t mean however that you can just ignore his exercise needs, as doing so can make him overweight and unfit.
Take him for walks and play games with him indoors as well as outdoors.
The Puggle, with his short-haired coat, is a low maintenance dog that is easy-to-groom. A good brush twice a week will be excellent for him.
A brushing session gives you a chance to look inside his ears for signs of redness and ear infections, to look at his eyes and have a good look inside his mouth. Bad teeth can cause pain but can also cause illness throughout the body.
Trim your dog's claws as well, because left too long they can hook on things and rip the flesh.
Our canine children rely on us for good food to stay healthy. Luckily, for convenience sake, there are excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. The best ones ensure that your dog gets a good balance of vitamins and minerals.
However, you want to also provide your pet with some tasty home-made food too. Dogs thrive on simplicity and consistency, and home-cooked food twice a week and added to the dry kibble can keep him healthy and thrilled with his lot.
Boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be excellent for him – it is simple just as he likes it and it is nutritious. Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble. Also, your Puggle will do well on some raw meat occasionally too as this keeps the skin free of rashes and free of infections.
Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
The puppy needs about 300 -400 calories per day in 3-4 servings per day
The adult dog needs about 250-350 calories a day to maintain good weight and health. Feed 2-3 times per day.
Strong, stamina
These dogs love exercise and definitely need it. They will get to be anxious or bored if they don’t get enough exercise. A back yard run is fine but remember that the Hokkaido is a jumper and make sure your fence is at least six feet high. They need daily walks even if you have a fenced yard. Martindale collars or harnesses are needed when walking them.
These dogs love games and competitive activities. They are good at hunting and guarding of course. There are other activities they can excel at and enjoy jogging, biking with you, and hiking. In competition they enjoy and are good at agility, flyball, lure coursing, rally, weight pull, dock diving, and obedience. They do not participate in confirmation.
