| Origin | United States |
| Size | Small |
| Height | 12 to 18 inches |
| 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 Meagle dog is a cross between the Miniature Pinscher and the Beagle. He’s a toy dog, a designer dog, and a hybrid– all in one. Many believe that he comes from the United States, as it is with most crossbred canines, and is most likely a new pooch that existed in the late 1900s.
Despite not being the most popular in the community of dog lovers, the Meagle’s parents are, in fact, common for a lot of us. So far, there are no standards set for this hybrid dog.
That would say that you won’t be able to get to know him unless you crosscheck his parents’ background. By then would you be able to understand him temperament-wise.
His first parent is the Miniature Pinscher. He’s small, obviously and he’s the German version of the Terrier. He was already developed several hundred years ago and was widely used as a vermin hunter. When fanciers started showing interest in the breed, the Min Pin’s popularity started surging in the 20th century.
Also, we have the Beagle whose place of origin is unknown. What we know of is he’s been there during King Arthur’s era and that he was possibly brought along by the Romans as they traveled across Europe. He’s a scenthound that would trace and track down the prey using his incredible sense of smell.
Appearance
Generally, this Meagle dog is smaller than the Beagle but is slightly larger than the Min Pin. He’s 12-18 inches tall and 10 to 20 pounds heavy. There is no absolute look for this Beagle and Miniature Pinscher mix so expect his features to be a good combo of his parents.
The head may be slightly flat or domed and the muzzle is distinctly not too big. The ears are smaller than that of the Beagle and are not extremely wide and droopy but compared to the Min Pin, his are larger. They are sometimes erect halfway and the rest on top fold and hang down freely.
His oval-shaped eyes come in colors that range from amber to brown and they’re expressive enough to let you know how he’s feeling
Gracefully, his body is compact and graceful in form. The legs are thin and similar to the Min Pin but robust for his activities. In feeling his coat, the texture can be coarse or silky. It is short to medium in length and is usually dark with a few points on its face.
The possible color combinations natural to this pooch are white, tan, and black.
Temperament
Although the Meagle is a cross between two breeds, his temperament is far from negatively unpredictable. Behavioral problems are often caused by genetics and upbringing, but as long as his parents are good-natured and the Meagle is brought up to be well-mannered, then there’s nothing to worry about.
Let’s get to know his personality.
Affection
The Meagle dog thrives well in loving homes. Even though he’s fond of letting out his energy, he still finds time to get cozy with his owner under a blanket. Most of the time though, he’s not a lap dog.
Affection is shown in various ways like the wagging of the tail every time he sees you, scratching his head against you, and looking at you with his two soulful eyes.
In some instances, a Meagle won’t be overly showing his love. It all depends on his personality. Some can be too clingy or velcro as we’d call it. Males would usually be the ones to follow you everywhere in the house and ask for your pets. Meanwhile, it’s the opposite with females.
Friendliness
A dog that is always set to befriend everybody is the Meagle. He’s eager to please and would love to maintain the cheerfulness and peace in his surroundings. Of course, his exposure to other dogs and faces at an early age is a huge factor in how open he is to building relationships.
At times, the Meagle is more stranger-friendly than kid-friendly, but should you help him with this, he’ll eventually learn to bond well with your kids. He is no problem when he’s around dogs as well, despite his small stature.
As you know, small dogs can be quite feisty, and this big dog personality. Luckily, the Meagle’s behavior is malleable.
When it comes to other pets, it’s more ideal not to let him play with animals that are smaller than him. Nevertheless, we can’t really confine him to one description. With his Beagle parent’s friendly disposition and the disagreeable tendency of the Min Pin, the offspring is most likely going to follow one of his parent’s temperaments but this won’t always be accurate.
At best, he’s a great mix of both his parents.
Activity Level
Don’t be fooled by the Meagle’s size because, in reality, he’s packed with really high levels of energy. There is a real need for him to be preoccupied most times of the day to divert him and keep him from pouring out his energy into wrong activities.
A bored Meagle isn’t a good sign. This is going to start a series of unwanted behavioral displays and you’re in for a shock if you left him alone at your house for a bit. Once you return, you might see your sneakers chewed off, your pillows’ insides scattered, or your dog defecating on the carpet.
This is why you have to invest in buying him toys and understand his obsession with them. An interactive toy can really make a difference in his behavior. On top of that, he’s no longer bored.
He can be suitable for an apartment-type of living provided you always allocate some time for him to play and interact with other dogs.
Care
Just like all the dogs out there, regardless if they’re purebred or not, they need all basic things. Others are just considered a luxury, but not the food, grooming, and exercise needs. These three are just some of what keeps a dog like a Meagle enjoying a zestful and long life.
Grooming
A pooch having a short coat doesn’t mean you can compromise on his grooming requirements. He’s a moderate shedder, therefore, brushing him several times a week is necessary.
He’s not hypoallergenic either, so for sensitive dog lovers who are eyeing this pooch, make sure you’re ready and that your allergy symptoms aren’t severe. Use the Hertzko slicker brush for a more convenient grooming time.
Follow this up with his occasional baths that can be done every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain the health and vibrance of his coat. Dog shampoos, particularly the ones recommended by the vet are ideal as they are mild and appropriate for the pooch’s coat and skin needs.
Chew toys from KIPRITII are beneficial for your Meagle as well. These help in preventing tartar buildup if he regularly gets to chew on his toys. Do notice that his ears are long, so moisture and bacteria can get trapped easily, but they won’t if you clean them on a regular basis.
Use products that are meant to clean a dog’s ear to avoid infections and bad smells.
Food and Diet
There’s no exact measure of how much your Meagle will eat, but based on his proportions, you surely won’t have a huge monthly bill for his food. For a more accurate diet or meal plan, consult your vet first and have him check your dog’s size, age, and activity level.
Owners should strive to help their dogs maintain a healthy weight or obesity and other illnesses may strike and cause issues. The Beagle parent of the Meagle dog is obsessed with foods and treats and the puppy may have the same liking, so always tone down his food intake.
Each day, a cup of kibble divided into two meals is enough to keep the dog’s stomach full and satisfied. Try Nature’s Recipe Dry Dog Food if you’re still out and about looking for the perfect well-balanced meal for your pooch.
It’s a no-brainer, dog owners have to ensure that their pets get complete nutrition out of what they eat as this aids in proper growth and nourishment. Investing in high-quality kibbles lowers your dog’s chances of ending up in a vet’s clinic.
Exercise
You won’t have a hard time encouraging your Meagle to go out with you and exercise. In a day, you can provide him with 45 minutes worth of steaming off. Always keep the activities interesting so he won’t end up laying on the corner of the yard, seemingly detached.
Obviously, with his size, you have to avoid over-exhausting him. The 45-minute general rule for his activities needs to be divided into smaller sessions like 25 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the late afternoon.
With his Beagle heritage, there’s a possibility that his sense of smell is powerful. Keep him leashed or harnessed when outside or let him play in a fenced yard so he won’t scamper off.
Meanwhile, his Min Pin parent’s predatory instinct might urge him to chase after an innocent squirrel, so watch over him well.
One of the main benefits of exercising this dog is to strengthen his bones and improve his joints. Also, this will keep the excess fat burning.
Training
Depending on the Meagle’s attitude toward training and how early he has been subjected to it, he may either show a willingness to learn or act defiantly. But, with positive reinforcements, you can certainly make him obey your commands.
Make each drill reasonable, meaningful, and short. Sessions that are too long can quickly bore the dog and it’s going to be a wasted effort. He will learn nothing at that point.
As a puppy, he has to get used to training routines like crate and obedience training, basic commands, and socialization. You can train him for agility sports as this suits him well.
Health Problems
As a generally healthy dog, a Meagle can live up to 12 to 15 years. Ethical breeders screen their stock so go for reputable ones. Still, no dog is immune to health complications. Below are some of the minor or major health issues that mostly affect the Meagle dog.
- Periodontal disease
- Glaucoma
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataracts
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Musladin-lueke syndrome
- Cherry eye
Getting him diagnosed early creates a big difference in his overall health. Like in hypothyroidism– if this is left untreated the symptoms will not only make him feel less active and lethargic but as well as ruin his coat’s quality and appearance, overall.
Pros and Cons of Having a Meagle
For an easier guide to finding out whether the Meagle is what you and your family are looking for, here are the pros and cons you can weigh:
Pros
- Affectionate
- Loyal
- Has an incredible sense of smell
- Friendly with kids and dogs
- Not too hard to train
- Can be independent
- Highly active
- Not too hard to maintain
Cons
- Not suitable for laid-back owners
- Shedding is moderate
- Can be hostile toward kids when unsocialized
- Tends to be stubborn
- Can be overly clingy
- He may get lost due to his powerful scent-tracking nose
Do Kennel Clubs Recognize the Meagle?
Some do recognize the Meagle despite him being a crossbreed. The American Canine Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Designer Breeds Registry, and International Designer Canine Registry are some of the organizations that openly acknowledge the Meagle’s existence.
Unfortunately, other prestigious and well-known clubs like the American Kennel Club refuse to see the Meagle as an official breed simply because he’s a crossbreed. The dog’s lack of standards in appearance, mainly, is also a reason for this.
With that, it’s not really a big deal for some dog fanciers unless you want a dog that can compete in certain dog shows and are exclusive to those who are deemed official breeds.
Cost
The average price of a Meagle puppy is set to be around $600 from a reputable breeder. This figure is reasonable enough considering this is a puppy of one of the most popular dogs in America–the Beagle.
Depending on the demand, location, sex, and more, the price can still go higher. To make sure you are getting yourself into a fair deal, check the prices of the breeders in your area and compare their differences.
If you are thinking about adopting, the fee only gets as high as $150 and $75 for the lowest charge. This amount is required to ensure that the Meagle dog is fully ready before he ends up in your home.
In truth, adopting is the better option, always. Rescue dogs are just as good as the ones you’ll get from breeders.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Meagle
With all the good qualities and promising experiences you may get from a cheery Meagle, who wouldn’t be convinced about having one? With its rising popularity though, you really have to be careful where you get your puppy. Always take time in researching before you close the deal, more so if it involves a lot of money.
With that, here are a few places we suggest you consider visiting:
ADOPT
BUY
