The new "hot" dog: U.S. going gaga over puggles

If you found a bundle of puppy love under the tree this Christmas, there's a good chance it has floppy ears; a hyperkinetic, curly tail; and a catchy name: puggle.

The designer dogs, offspring of a female beagle and male pug, surged in popularity in 2005, experts say. The hybrids have settled into the homes of celebrities as well, including actors Jake Gyllenhaal and James Gandolfini.

"It's crazy," said Robin Segal, owner of Pups4Kids.com in Gurnee, Ill. "If I had another 50 (puggles) sitting here, they'd all be gone today."

Segal's puggles cost $899, a $100 increase over the price a month ago. Some places, the dogs list for more than $1,000.

Puggles have been around for about five years, and their popularity has risen steadily, Segal said. The American Hybrid Canine Association notes that puggles are the most popular dog among the 500 litters a month the group registers.

Why the popularity? Many experts believe crossbred dogs are healthier because they draw from a more varied genetic background than purebreds. Owners are looking for animals that combine the best qualities of two breeds, like pugs' lap-friendliness and beagles' loyalty. And the puggle's star power doesn't hurt, either.

But Lainie Cantrell of the American Kennel Club warned that the trendiness of a particular breed is a bad reason to choose a pet. Besides, in trying to bring out the best traits in both breeds, you might end up with the worst, she said.

"It's really just a genetic crapshoot," Cantrell said. "The other problem is unscrupulous breeders capitalizing on a trend. They're just trying to pass out puppies to as many people as they possibly can."

If you want a mixed-breed pet, she said, you can get a healthy one at a shelter for less.

Theresa Rogers of Schaumburg, Ill., said her interest in puggles began when she was looking for pugs. But the hybrid's lack of health problems — not to mention its cuteness — made the difference, she said. She got her dog, Max, in November 2004 for about $700.

"I thought that was a fair price," she said. "I don't know if I would spend $1,500."

It's unclear whether the puggle's popularity will wane, said Garry Garner, president of the American Canine Hybrid Club.

"I thought it was a fad," Garner said. "I have thought that for three or four years. But it just seems to keep growing and growing and growing."