Puggle

[TryingToForgeAnewLife]

My STBXH is getting an F1 puggle next week. Will be 10 weeks.

I don't know anything about dogs but l just wondered what these type of crosses are like with children. Mine are 14 and 11yrs

Many thanks

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

It's a cross between a pug and a beagle - in the old days we used to call them mutts or a pug/beagle cross, not a portmanteau name like a puggle.

The dog will be a random combination of the characteristics of two breeds. Which combinations, no one can tell you in advance - don't believe anyone who tells you that you get the best of both worlds. However, neither breed is one that rings alarm bells for being around children.

STBXH needs to ensure that the puppy is socialised and well trained (including going to good quality training classes), starting from day 1 - though I'd say that about any dog. The children are old enough to be sensible, but do need to be briefed not to manhandle the dog, let sleeping dogs lie, and understand the early warning signs a dog is uncomfortable, way before they get to the unhappy growling stage (there are YouTube videos)

[MissMarplesKnitting]

Puggles are supposed to be very good with kids, and tbh I'd agree with that from my experience.

My friend has one and he's scrummy. Daft as a brush but very sweet and loving and loves a lap snuggle but equally happy to roam the fields on long walks too.

[TryingToForgeAnewLife]

That's great - thankyou. I have been concerned as there were a couple of thing's that rang alarm bells for me eg they never saw the mum and even though there was a litter of 9, only two survived due to the mum's handling of the puppies.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Not having seen mum suggests that they may have come from a puppy farm. Sadly they can be very devious in the reasons they come up with to explain away not showing mum to the prospective owners. Designer crossbreeds like puggles and cockapoos are particularly likely to come from puppy farms.

Coming from a puppy farm doesn't mean they're unsuitable or unsafe for your DCs, but it does mean that mum has been kept like a battery chicken and the pup's parents won't have been health tested. It also means that the pup won't be used to a normal household environment, so he will need to take additional care over socialisation. In other words, it's not a responsible source to get a puppy from. Your STBXH may find himself with large vets bills as a result (many puppy farm puppies end up dying shortly after purchase, and many others will have longer term issues). STBXH would be wise to take out good quality pet insurance eg PetPlan Lifetime immediately - bearing in mind there's a two week waiting period at the start of the insurance policy where nothing that occurs is covered.

[TryingToForgeAnewLife]

The puppy comes with a months petplan insurance, injections and food.

I did ask if he was going to take some time off work to be with the puppy and he said no, his partner will pop in on her lunch break

[drearydeardre]

I did ask if he was going to take some time off work to be with the puppy and he said no, his partner will pop in on her lunch break
This is far more concerning than the 'safe around children' or the fact that it is a hybrid with a 'cute name'. This may work with an adult rescue dog although not good but with a young puppy, untrained, probably from a back street breeder and not at all socialised
As most experienced puppy owners on here would tell him this will not work!

[tabulahrasa]

It’s a puppy... they come bitey, jumpy and scratchy and you train them to be good with children.

Though less chance of that if they’re just leaving it all day.

[Bananarama12]

They're leaving it all day! It's these poor puppies that grow up with problems and then get sold on again! Disgusting

[Sharpcattlegridheavyhat]

This doesn’t sound good

[TryingToForgeAnewLife]

I do have concerns about the poor thing being left. To the extent that l said if they get stuck I'll have it at mine if I'm not working. STBXH said the puppy will go to doggy daycare if there is an issue

[TryingToForgeAnewLife]

I just re-iterated my offer and was told (as to be expected really considering he is my Ex and she's the OW) ... that they will be fine as OW will walk her during lunch break and puppy will be going to Puppy Play Day's for socialization

[missbattenburg]

To understand what a cross breed may be like you need to look at the good and bad traits of both breeds and understand you may get the best of both, the worst of both, or a mix.

Pugs: usually pretty calm and social, won't enjoy fast paced or boisterous games, eyes are a weak point and can be vulnerable to harm if children play rough or inappropriately with the dog. Any dog when hurt can bite so children need to know how to be gentle and calm with the dog.

Beagle: Also normally good natured IF you get the right lines - there are some lines with behavioural problems, tend to be good with children, boisterous, destructive (can chew children's toys etc), energetic.

All dogs are individuals so not every pug is like above etc.

Worst case scenario is a grumpy, boisterous dog with vulnerable eyes.

Best case is a fit, energetic dog who can play with children but remain good natured.

Or something like that...

[missbattenburg]

even though there was a litter of 9, only two survived due to the mum's handling of the puppies

F**k me - I just read this bit.

Puppies learn so much from mum. I would run a mile from this, myself.

[FredSheeran]

Jeez, don't walk a puppy that young! You've got to be really careful - their joints are still forming. It's a baby.

The fact that the 'breeder' was happy to sell the puppy to someone who planned to leave it at home during the day says all you need to know.

[Bananarama12]

How do they think they're supposed to toilet train the puppy if it's being left all day?
She goes from having her litter for company and then to being completely alone in a strange place?
Then there's the barking because she's left all day - do they have neighbours?

[Bananarama12]

Also the puppy can't be walked that young because of their joints. Maybe 10 minutes if that so they need lots of other interaction.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Unfortunately, OP you're in a tricky situation because anything you say as the STBXW will be instantly dismissed because you're the STBXW - even if you're completely right.

As you don't have any actual control over the situation, I see very little you can do apart from stand back, watch it inevitably unravel and the comfort your DDs when the dog is likely rehomed (the most common age for rehoming is around the year old mark because that's when they go through their arsey teenage stage)

[Wolfiefan]

It's come from a puppy farm.
You can't leave a new pup and a doggy daycare won't take it.
He's a twat.
No breed is necessarily good or bad with kids but this sounds like a nightmare in the making.

[TryingToForgeAnewLife]

Many thanks everyone. I have always refused to have an animal as l work two days a week and didn't think it fair to leave the animal that long.

I suspect it's being used as a bribe as he is desperate for them all to be a family unit

[TryingToForgeAnewLife]

A little update.

Puppy is now home. Breeder gave them a list of instructions and a routine to follow which was evolved around sleep, outside for wee, food, outside for wee, play, etc ... l did ask how he was going to manage that routine when not there as she also needed food 4 x a day but he said the puppy would be fine. Breeder got her microchiped and she can't go out until her next injections in 2 weeks.

So far she has been really good at night and just sleeps - no howling etc dam!!

[Wolfiefan]

Give it time.
When it's chewed the house (and the kids)
Crapped where it shouldn't
Has been diagnosed with issues as a result of being from a puppy farmer
Destroyed belongings (don't let your kids leave stuff it can kill whilst they're there.)
They won't be thinking it is quite so cute!!