Beagle Australian Shepherds are certainly a unique mix. So, if you are considering adopting a dog or pup, you may be wondering what you are in for. Well, there is quite a bit to learn about this mix – after all, it is pretty unusual.
The good news is that you can find all the information you need right here. From physical and temperamental traits to requirements, this is your one-stop guide to all things Beagle Australian Shepherd dogs:
What You Should Know About Hybrid Dogs
Before anything else, you need to know a little about hybrid dogs – this is the official term for breeds such as the Beagle Australian Shepherd mix.
Hybrid dogs are the intentional breeding of two separate breeds of purebred dogs. In this case, it is a cross between a Beagle and an Australian Shepherd. They are sometimes referred to as designer dogs as well.
In most cases, hybrid dogs are bred to produce the most positive traits of each breed. However, there isn’t always a guarantee about how these dogs will turn out. The puppies may come out differently every time.
Furthermore, not all puppies may have the desired traits you are looking for. Since there is a significant amount of variation, you should appreciate that the exact look and temperament can differ from one litter to another.
You should also be aware that not all mixed are 50-50 percent of each breed. Some dogs maybe 75-25 percent. Thus, this is something you have to check on before buying or adopting a Beagle Australian Shepherd.
In short, you can never be entirely sure what to expect from a hybrid dog such as a Beagle Australian Shepherd. Instead, you simply have to wait until they grow up!
Basic Characteristics
Here is a quick overview of what you can expect from an Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix:
- Weight: 20 – 60lbs
- Height: 13 – 23 inches
- Coat: Medium length double coat
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Prey Drive: High
As you can see, there is quite a bit of discrepancy with physical traits. This is because as with the temperament, the final result depends on which breed the dog most takes after.
The Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Parents
It is only by understanding the independent traits of Beagle Australian Shepherd parents that you can truly appreciate what kind of dog you get. So, here is a rundown of each breed:
Australian Shepherd
The name of this dog is misleading – they originated in the Western United States! However, they do remain true to the other half of their name. These dogs were bred to be herd livestock and continue to retain strong working dog traits.
This breed is incredibly energetic and playful. As such, they need plenty of exercise and tend to misbehave if their exercise needs aren’t met. At the same time, these dogs are loving and loyal, making them great additions to families.
Australian Shepherds are also intelligent and take well to training. So, if you do a good job training them, they will learn a variety of skills. They will also be well-behaved.
They make excellent guard dogs as they are quite alert. Aussie shepherds can be rather protective of their families. As such, prepare for them to bark if they see anything suspicious or unusual. They do have a high prey drive so you will need to socialize them early on if you have cats in your home.
Due to their herding nature, Australian Shepherds are used to taking charge. So, they will tend to be rather pushy with humans. Thus, they work best with experienced owners who know how to assert their dominance.
Beagles
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that beagles are one of the favorite among pet owners. For one thing, they have adorable faces, complete with big eyes and floppy ears. Their happy temperament and love of people also ensure that they are readily welcomed by most families.
Beagles are active and energetic dogs. And, it isn’t enough to simply let them outside to play by themselves. No, you need to actively engage with them. This is because they are pack animals and are used to exercising and playing alongside other dogs.
In general, beagles are happiest when surrounded by humans or companions. As such, they may get destructive if they are left by themselves for extended periods. Beagles also have strong hunting instincts, so be wary of having smaller animals around the house.
These dogs are clever and are relatively agreeable to training techniques. However, they only respond to positive reinforcement. As such, training this breed will take time and patience, along with lots of rewards to reinforce good behaviors.
What Do They Look Like?
A Australian Shepherd Beagle can take after either parent. This means that you could have a dog that ends up being shorter and stouter like a beagle. Or, you may get one that is a bit taller and leaner.
The Coats
Now, Australian Shepherds have coats with a marbled appearance. Their coats can also be a mix of grey, white, caramel, or black. Beagles coats have a great deal of variety. They can be:
- Tri-color
- Lemon and White
- White and Chocolate
- Orange and White
- Red and White
So, what will their pups look like? Once again, there is no way to tell for sure. The pups will often be a mix of whatever shades their parents were.
This means they can have the predominant coloring and marking of a beagle, but then have a patch of marbled fur that is made of entirely different shades. Or, the reverse could be true. Regardless, you can guarantee that the coat colors and resulting markings will be rather unique.
The Eyes
Pale blue eyes are common among Australian Shepherds. At the same time, they may also have brown or hazel eyes. It isn’t uncommon for this breed to have a condition known as heterochromia – this is where the dog has eyes of a different color. In this case, a dog can have any combination of blue, green, hazel, or brown eyes.
Beagles, on the other hand, tend to have brown or hazel eyes. What is truly remarkable about this breed’s peepers, though, is that they are rimmed with dark brown fur around the eyes.
Beagle Australian Shepherds can have blue, brown, or hazel eyes. They may also have the characteristic dark ring around the eyes, or they may not.
Beagle Australian Shepherd Temperament
As far as temperaments go, Beagles and Australian Shepherds have a fair amount in common. For instance, both breeds are family-oriented and love being around their humans. Between the herding and hunting instincts, get ready for this mix to have a strong prey drive as well.
Still, at the end of the day, they display traits of the parent that they are more genetically close to. This means that your pup could be shy like an Australian Shepherd. Or, they could be adventurous and curious like a Beagle.
Who Are They Best Suited To?
So, who is this breed best suited for? Well, they make excellent family dogs – they get along well with kids and you couldn’t ask for a better companion. These dogs thrive on attention so they really will be happy with people around them.
Nevertheless, these dogs do need a firm hand. Their intelligence and tendency towards a strong will mean that they won’t work for new or submissive owners. However, they will be a good fit for a household with other dogs.
Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Health, Lifespan, and Genetic Concerns
One of the main factors to check when buying or adopting any breed is the health concerns that come along. Virtually all pure breeds have some genetic conditions. Now, the good news is that these issues are somewhat offset with hybrid breeds.
There is some evidence that these breeds may have a lower risk of congenital disease. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean they won’t be born with certain health issues. As such, you should always make an effort to get a puppy from a reputed breeder. This tends to carry a greater assurance of good health.
That being said, there are some conditions that Beagle Australian Shepherds may be predisposed to. With beagles these are:
- Obesity
- Back problems – intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Eye issues such as glaucoma, distichiasis, and cataracts
- Diabetes
- Hemophilia
- Neurological problems
- Beagle Pain Syndrome
- Liver disorder
- Heart disease
- Cushing’s Disease
- Cancer
- Hip dysplasia
- Amyloidosis
- Skin allergies
- Bladder or kidney stones
With Australian Shepherds, the most common health issues are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye issues such as colobomas, Collie Eye Anomaly, cataracts, and persistent pupillary membrane
- Multiple Drug Sensitivity
- Epilepsy
Beagle Australian Shepherd Nutrition Requirements
For the most part, Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix don’t have any special diet requirements. Thus, as long as you provide them with high-quality dog food, you will be fine. These dogs also thrive on a well-balanced, vet-approved homemade food diet. It is important to give your dog plenty of fresh water to drink regularly.
Because this breed tends to be rather active, obesity shouldn’t be too much of a concern. Nevertheless, it is important to stick to the serving portion recommended by the manufacturer. You should also be aware of the calorie content of treats. Too much weight could trigger other health issues.
Australian Shepherd Beagle Exercise Needs
Now, as mentioned, they are active dogs. They need plenty of exercise and must spend at least an hour each day outdoors. They are not suitable for anyone who doesn’t have the time or capability for exercise. They are excellent if you love the great outdoors and go hiking.
Beagle Australian Shepherds can’t be left to their own devices when they are in the backyard, either. Rather, you need to engage and play with them. They will be especially happy if their physical activity also involves solving tasks.
These dogs are excellent diggers. So, you should always keep an eye on them when they are outside. They may be prone to digging under shallower fences and escaping. This is likely to happen if they get the scent of another, smaller animal.
Best Living Conditions For Australian Shepherd Beagle
Yes, Beagle Australian Shepherds love the outdoors and need constant exercise. Despite this, they can still live in cities. All you need to do is to make certain that your dog is provided with plenty of outdoor time and physical exertion.
That being said, these dogs may not do that well in apartments. Even inside homes, they do love to roam around. They may feel cooped up living in a smaller space. So, they are better off in family homes.
Keeping Your Dog Safe
If your dog has significant beagle traits, be aware that their hunting instincts can take over. So, if they get a whiff of a cat, squirrel, or any other small animal, they are likely to go after it. Due to this, you should never keep your dog off-leash when outside your home. Even the most well-trained dog can be overcome by their instincts.
They are also pretty good escape artists. So, avoid leaving them unattended even in your backyard. There is a chance that they may use some creative methods to get over or under fences. This is especially likely if they are being tempted by other scents.
Grooming Tips
For the most part, this breed will have a medium-length double coat. However, there is no guarantee of what the coat will look like. It could be longer or shorter, scruffy, or silky, depending on the parent they take after.
Therefore, the exact grooming method will depend on the physical traits of a particular dog. Nevertheless, both parent breeds are shedders. As such, your puppy will shed a fair amount too. To keep things under control, you will need to brush them once a day.
If your dog has inherited beagle-like ears, then ear hygiene is incredibly important. You will need to check and clean their ears regularly. Make sure to get an approved ear cleaner for your vet.
As for the bathing, you can do it on an as-needed basis. Don’t overdo it, though, as though you could end up drying out the dog’s skin. Make it a point to brush their teeth regularly as well. This can prevent most dental issues.
If your dog gets enough outdoor exercise, their nails will be naturally trimmed. In case they aren’t, this should be done when required.
Training Beagle Australian Shepherd Mix
The most important thing to remember with a Beagle Australian Shepherd is to socialize them from the day you bring them home. This is especially true if you have children or other small pets. It is only consistent training that can help your puppy to overcome its instincts.
Socialization is also vital for dogs that have the characteristic Australian Shepherd shyness. It is only by being exposed to different people and environments that the dog will gain confidence.
Now, if your dog has the strong will of a beagle, then you are going to require patience. You may have to constantly keep steering them back on track, particularly since they can get distracted by other scents readily.
You should also bear in mind that traditional training methods may not always work. If your beagle is stubborn, you will need to get creative. Don’t worry, though, this breed has intelligent breed parents which means that they are perfectly capable of learning a wide variety of skills.
Only ever use positive reinforcement with dogs, even when they are being difficult. While you shouldn’t reward bad behavior, resorting to shouting or punishment isn’t going to have the intended impact. Instead, focus on reinforcing the behaviors that you would like to see them repeat.
Finding a Australian Shepherd Beagle Puppy
Beagle Australian Shepherd puppies are still pretty rare among dog owners. Due to this, you may have to look around a little to find one.
If you have decided that a Beagle Australian Shepherd puppy should be your new dog, it is time to find a good breeder. It pays to make an effort to find one that is well-reputed. A legitimate breeder will pay close attention to the bloodlines of both beagle and Australian shepherd parents.
They will look through several generations to ensure that the dogs don’t have genetic predispositions to certain health issues. In turn, this will reduce the risk of you getting a puppy that may fall ill later on. Of course, you shouldn’t take the breeder’s word for it. Always get documentation that proves both parents have been screened for various health issues.
Good breeders also ensure that you are specifically getting a puppy that is 50-50 percent beagle and Australian shepherd. Thus, you have a more accurate idea of the specific physical and personality traits that your dog may exhibit later on.
Rescuing a Beagle Australian Shepherd
Adopting a Beagle Australian Shepherd is a good move. As mentioned, there is a great deal of ambiguity in the size and temperament of this breed. Due to this, you can never really tell how the puppies are going to turn out. Most shelter dogs are already or almost full-grown. Therefore, you have a better idea of the result.
Of course, no two shelter dogs are alike. Bear in mind that rescue Beagle Australian Shepherds are a product of their parents as well as their prior experience. As such, there may be certain behavioral or training issues that you will need to work out. You can’t guarantee the dogs will have come from a good breeder, either. Thus, you can’t rule out certain health issues.
Adopting older dogs is a kind gesture. Nevertheless, the uniqueness factor strikes once again. It isn’t always easy to find these dogs in shelters. So, you may have your work cut out for you – searching websites could yield better results.
So, there you have it – all that you need to know about Beagle Australian Shepherd mix. While there is no denying that these dogs are adorable, you shouldn’t buy or adopt them on a whim. Instead, do your due diligence to determine whether this is the right breed for you. This is the only way both you and your dog can be happy.
