| Origin | Unknown |
| Size | Small |
| Height | 14 inches below |
| Weight | 10 to 20 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 15 years |
| Breed Group | Designer Dog |
| Affection Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Activity Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Barking/Howling Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pet-Friendly | ⭐⭐ |
| Kid-Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Shedding | ⭐⭐ |
| Easy to Groom | ⭐⭐ |
| Easy to Train | ⭐⭐ |
Origin
The Beagi is a mix of Beagle, a scenthound, and either Cardigan Welsh or Pembroke Corgi. This is a designer dog that was initially developed in the 1990s and its origin remains unclear until now. What we know of, however, is that both breeds used for the Beagi come or have been developed in England.
To better understand the history of this relatively new dog, learning about the simple history of both the Beagle and the Corgi is important.
The Beagle is a rabbit tracking dog that is widely known for its superior sense of smell. He is a medium-sized pooch with two wide, droopy ears and a tail that has a white tip at the end. This tail feature serves the purpose of letting his human companions know his whereabouts during hunting. The exact origin of the Beagle is also unknown, but several accounts point us to Greece where dogs of the same size existed around the 5th century BCE.
While the records suggest that the Beagle might have been around with us for so long already, the Corgi is also considered an ancient breed. In fact, just like the Beagle, this pooch is speculated to have been existing since the early years making it hard for us to trace his beginnings. He mainly helped on the farm and proved himself useful and excellent in assembling the livestock without being kicked.
Due to their certain qualities, breeders thought about crossing these two dependable breeds which then resulted in the Beagi.
Appearance
Due to the fact that this is a new breed, the Beagi’s measurements will vary a lot. There are ideal proportions, however. Ideal Beagis are 14 inches below, but can reach 16 inches tall. They weigh between 10 to 20 pounds once they reach their adult size. Mainly, Beagis have a lot of differences from each other simply because they are a combination of two different dog breeds. Some of them may have more prominent traits coming from the Beagle, others from the Corgi, while the rest are more in between.
It will take some time before the Beagi dog establishes a distinct appearance. You can easily spot a Beagi though. He has a double-layered coat composed of coarse guard hair and a soft, yet thick undercoat. The colors including markings that are found in the Beagi are:
- Sable
- Red
- Brown
- Black
- Sable
- White
If measured, his body is longer than his height at withers. Moreover, the skull is broad and often a bit domed in the back, but others have it flat.
Considering that the Beagle has droopy and wide flat ears, the Corgi has erect and alert ones. The Beagi offspring’s ears will depend on which ear feature his genes will follow after. The same applies to his muzzle since the Beagle is renowned for his square jaw while the Corgi tapers like that of a fox.
By the way, if the Beagle is mated with a Pembroke, the puppies may be born with a nub tail or nothing at all.
Temperament
It could be slightly worrisome knowing that the Beagi is a new dog. The thing about choosing a family companion is that you have to be certain that the pooch has good personality traits so he won’t end up becoming a family concern or a risk to your children’s safety.
Below will give you an in-depth description of the possible temperaments of the Beagi. However, be aware of the term “genetic temperament.” Beagis born with parents who have bad behavior are more likely to follow the same behavioral pattern. Nevertheless, those who have been the product of ethical breeding will showcase desirable pooch qualities.
Affection
Expect a Beagi to be super affectionate! This is not so surprising since both his parents are notoriously into cuddles. Attention from his owner will always be something he’d love to receive. Being around kids, the Beagi will need supervision to ensure that he is being handled gently. Monitoring prevents injuries and accidents as well.
What is certain about having this dog as a family addition is that your kids will have an improved sense of responsibility. They will see the Beagi as a pet they need to help take care of, giving love included.
It’s possible that he’ll end up becoming a velcro dog who will follow his owner anywhere in the house. The Beagi may show affection in various ways an observant owner can understand such as:
- Nuzzling with you in the bed
- Kissing
- Wagging of tail
- The wiggling of the bottom
- Excited jumping
- Being with you all the time
Friendliness
The level of friendliness of a Beagi highly depends on the amount of socialization he’s had during puppyhood. If he has been exposed early on with other dogs and faces, it is highly likely that the Beagi will have a genuine bond and interestingly positive interaction with others. It is different when it comes to meeting strangers, though. A well-socialized Beagi will remain wary and reserved with unfamiliar people, but never aggressive.
Beagis that grew up with the kids in the family will be their best friends for life. These pooches are reportedly very loyal. It would be a great scene watching them play with the children in the yard, showing their quirkiness and their constant attempts to be the center of attraction.
The high social needs of the Beagi means he won’t do well in a household that is frequently empty. Having a friend most times of the day is highly recommended so he won’t end up developing unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking or howling and peeing in inappropriate areas.
Activity Level
Constantly releasing pent-up energy is vital for the Beagi. This is a fairly active dog despite the size, so let him enjoy his surroundings! Give him activities to keep this pooch entertained. Playing a game of fetch is nice and you can also let him splash around in shallow water. If you have time, teaching him how to swim is a good idea too, especially if you have a pool in the house.
This is because drowning is an accident that often involves dogs of any breed. However, do not leave the dog swimming in the pool for too long considering the longer body length to height ratio.
Invest in quality toys that don’t get destroyed too easily. You can get him a few tennis balls or other sorts of toys. Be careful when choosing an item for him. Make sure it is not too small that it can end up causing a choking hazard. Going for the bigger ones is always a better idea.
Care
Just like any other dog, the Beagi will require proper care and attention so he grows up healthy and happy. The lifestyle of the owner is very important and its compatibility with the dog needs to be considered. This is because the Beagi is not for everyone. However, if you think you are the rightful owner of this wonderful mixed pooch, here are the basic things you would need to know regarding his grooming, food requirements, and exercise needs.
Grooming
It is not that difficult to maintain the coat of the Beagi given that its coat is short and manageable. This is a dog that likes to stay clean although he may emit doggy odor at times. This means occasional baths are necessary when he starts to stink or if his coat gets dirty and muddy. You certainly don’t want your Beagi grubby while he is laying on your bed or sofa!
Brushing must be included in the grooming routine. You do not have to do this daily but rather at least twice or thrice a week using a quality Hertzko brush to keep his shedding under control. Take note that his parents are moderate to heavy shedders who let go of their coats regularly or all year round. So, before the Beagi’s hair ends up in the couch, carpets, and drapes, brush him thoroughly on a schedule to keep the hairs from filling the house.
The physical features of the Beagi matter a lot in grooming. Those who have floppy ears are highly prone to infection, so make sure they are checked often and are cleaned using over-the-counter ear cleaners or the product your vet recommends you to use.
Food and Diet
When selecting a food for your Beagi, go for dog food products that contain high-quality ingredients that would support him in his growth. If your Beagi is still a puppy, the best meal to give him is that which is balanced and complete in nutrition. Puppyhood is a crucial stage. If the Beagi doesn’t get the food support he needs, a growth stunt can take place.
While he matures, slowly shift his food from puppy meals to adult ones. If ever you change the food brand, do so in a gradual manner. You can fully transition his meal in 4 weeks without risks by following the formula below:
- 1st week: 1/4 new food + 3/4 old food
- 2nd week: 1/2 new + 1/2 old
- 3rd week: 3/4 new + 1/4 old
- 4th week: Purely new food
Although the amount of food to feed the Beagi varies according to his activity level, age, size, and health, the general rule is to provide 3/4 cups to 1 1/2 cups of dry food, divided into two meals per day if he’s an adult. If ever you want to treat him with canned food, lessen the amount of dry food you’ll serve him in his next meal to avoid overeating.
Remember, obesity is a common condition for dogs and that includes the adorable Beagi. His Beagle parent is an eating machine and it’s possible that the Beagi will love food as well.
Exercise
Beagis need to sweat off their excess weight to remain healthy and full of vigor. Imagine how hard it could be for a pooch of this kind to move if he carries a few extra pounds in his body! Help him release his energy in positive ways so he will always be motivated and feel excited to be active during the sessions. Never let him go off-leash in an unfenced area due to his Beagle heritage. Getting lost due to his strong sense of smell is possible.
Why is this so? The Beagi might end up smelling interesting scents and follow those.
You can take him out for brisk walks early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is no longer harsh on the skin. You can also let him play with other dogs or let him explore the surroundings by himself as long as there is no opportunity for him to escape the place. Other interactive activities are great for him too. Your Beagi is an intelligent dog and a LOOBANI puzzle toy will keep him mentally sharp.
Training
If you like dogs who are eager to please but at the same time, remain a challenge, the Beagi is the answer. He may be very loyal to his owner and drawing a smile to everyone’s faces is his goal each day, but training him provides a different plot. Beagis are smart and they can follow rules without much difficulty at all. The only thing that cannot be ignored, however, is their stubbornness.
Beagles and Corgis alike can be hard-headed, especially if they were not used to being trained when they were still young. If you start teaching them house rules and verbal commands, make sure you incorporate positive reinforcements to reward the good behaviors they show. Punishments are a no-no as these are, by no means, effective in dog training.
To make training an easier and smooth process, go for Beagi puppies that are trained already by the breeder or establish training schedules the moment he arrives at your home. You can ask for help from a dog trainer too.
Beagis take a lot of time before they get the lessons right. This means that these pooches are not great for first-time, inexperienced owners.
Health Problems
Any hybrid canines such as the Beagle can develop various medical complications. Those from reputable breeders have lower risks of developing certain diseases. Unsurprisingly, most Beagis are sturdy and robust dogs who live long lifespans that can reach 15 years. Still, health problems may occur such as:
- Patellar luxation
- Hip dysplasia
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Epilepsy
Some of the issues can be treated by the vet if they are diagnosed early. Subject your Beagi to a regular vet check-up if he shows unusual behaviors or signs of pain and discomfort. If he’s still a puppy, ensure he receives all the shots he needs, so he won’t end up getting the diseases from other dogs or stray animals.
Pros and Cons of Having a Beagi
Pros
- Extremely Affectionate
- Loyal
- Merry
- Friendly
- Very adaptable
- Gets along with dogs
- Adorable
- Playful
- Great with children
Cons
- Unsuitable as a guard dog
- Not a great watchdog
- Not hypoallergenic
- Tends to overeat
- Not easy to find in adoption homes
- Tends to howl or bark a lot
- Lots of health issues
Do Kennel Clubs Recognize the Beagi?
Many kennel clubs including the American Kennel Club (AKC) do not recognize the Beagi as a breed. This is because promoting designer dogs would make people want them and end up discarding the pooches when they don’t turn out the way they expected them to act. The ACHC, or American Canine Hybrid Club, however, recognizes crossbreed hybrid dogs from purebred ancestry.
Cost
It can cost you around $600 to $1,000 to get a Beagi puppy. The price depends on the quality, demand and availability of the said pooch. If this dog is being advertised at lower prices, this should definitely be taken as a red flag.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Beagi
Despite not being recognized as a dog breed, Beagis are fun and loving dogs. If you think this is the right pooch for your family, adopting is the primary option. You can contact a reputable breeder just in case if not one Beagi is available in the shelter homes. We have the list worth checking out for you, but research each one before you start a transaction with any of them:
BUY
ADOPT
