Beagle Mixed Breeds Best of Both
The history of the breed of dog called the beagle is largely unknown. Some say the breed dates back to 200 A.D. The breed began to be referred to as “beagle” in the 1800s. Beagles have been popular as hunting dogs and family pets as far back as 19th century England. This sturdy, independent breed was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1885. Though often still used as hunting or scent dogs due to their superb sense of smell, beagles are also loved for their affable temperament. Their positive traits are so in demand that desire for a beagle mix has arisen.
Because of the beagle’s intense sociability, excellent sense of smell and characteristically sad brown eyes a beagle mix has become popular. Beagles have begun to be in and out-bred, resulting in beagle mixed breeds and beagle cross breeds. The two kinds of beagle mix, mixed breeds and crossbreeds, share many traits with the purebred beagle.
A mixed breed is actually a “mutt,’ or what many would call “All American.” A beagle mix that results from breeding a purebred beagle with a non-registered dog would be considered “All American” because, like many Americans, it has an uncertain ancestry.
A crossbred beagle on the other hand can trace its ancestry since it is the result of mating two purebred dogs of differing breeds. Crossbreeds, or hybrids, can be registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club though they cannot compete in AKC competition. Some examples of recognized hybrid beagle mixes are: the “Poogle” (Beagle/Poodle), “Puggle” (Beagle/Pug), and “Beabull” (Beagle/Bull dog).
A beagle mix will have characteristics of both its parents. Even in crossbreeding, the resulting puppies, for example, “Poogles” will have a mixture of the traits of both beagle and poodle. Purebreds are so popular (and expensive) because there is consistency in temperament, body dimensions, and known characteristics of their specific breed. Purebred beagles are also eligible for AKC (American Kennel Club) registry and competition.
In crossbreeding, the most popular breeds to cross are pugs and poodles. They are also the most common type of beagle mix. “Poogles” and “Puggles” are growing in popularity, in part, due to their cute-sounding names. Crossbreeds like these, which are often called “designer dogs,” are thought to have overall better traits such as temperament and health due to being out-bred. They are the result of parents with two separate types of genetics and this may make them genetically superior to purebred dogs.
Purebred dog fans disagree. They maintain that a “Puggle” cannot compete (literally and figuratively) with a purebred, documented beagle. Though purebreds are the result of in breeding and may have genetic defects due to this, they also have a known ancestry. They are able to compete against other pure breeds. Purebreds also have the advantage of being predictable in body structure, overall temperament, and health.
A buyer or breeder knows what they are getting with a pure breed. There is no predictability of the traits a crossbreed or mixed breed will have.