Australian Shepherd–Beagle Mix: The Ideal Family Dog for Active Lifestyles

 The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is no exception.

Mixed breed dogs can certainly be unique, not only in personality but also in looks.

Aside from its fun-loving, high octane personality, a mix of the luscious locks of the Australian Shepherd and the classic hound-dog appearance of the Beagle, make for a very good-looking dog indeed.

Let’s find out more about this dog and if it could be a good choice for you and your family.

Where Does The Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Come From?

As is the case with many mixed breeds, information about where this mix had its beginnings is scant.

We can find out plenty about the parent breeds, the Australian Shepherd and the Beagle, however.

Both these breeds have rich histories.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is not really that “Aussie” at all, the breed had its beginnings in Europe, where it was used by the local herdsmen in the Pyrenees Mountains.

In the 1800s these dogs were taken to Australia and spent some time there where their amazing herding ability and work ethic was further honed.

From there the Aussie Shepherd made a trip to America where this hard working and talented dog was further admired and refined to become the “Aussie” we know today.

The Beagle’s history is so long that its exact origins are murky.

There are reports of dogs that could well have been the Beagle’s predecessors as far back as the year 55BC in England.

Small hounds, most likely these early Beagles have had a place in England’s history ever since, due to their ability to hunt rabbits on foot, without the need for horses.

Beagle

After the Civil War, the Beagle found its way to America.

His happy temperament and impressive hunting skills were received well there, further increasing this little hounds’ popularity.

Any discussion around a mix breed dog is likely to invite some level of controversy.

Opinions are strong on both sides whether mixed breed dogs are a good or a bad thing.

Advocates of purebred dogs maintain that their lineage can be traced back for generations, meaning the size, temperament, and health of a purebred can be reliably predicted.

They also claim that supporting breeders of purebred dogs encourages the betterment of the breed.

They claim good breeders ensure the characteristics and abilities inherent in purebreds can be improved on and preserved for generations to come.

On the other hand, advocates of mixed breeds point out that the inbreeding of purebred dogs’ often results in dogs with serious health problems.

Are Mixed Breeds Healthier?

They point to scientific studies which indicate that dogs with a genetically diverse background are healthier than purebreds.

They also claim that breed standards, which dictate the desirable physical attributes of purebred dogs, often have more to do with aesthetics than the welfare of the dog.

This has led to dogs with flattened faces and breathing difficulties, back and joint problems, and difficulty giving birth.

As far a bettering the breed, advocates of mixed breeds state that a truly responsible breeder will encourage traits that make the dog healthier and happier.

Even if that means the dog strays from the expected standards of the breed.

Fun Facts About Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix

Aussie Beagles have talent and fame in their gene pool.

Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s trusty companion, is in fact a Beagle!

As for the Australian Shepherd side of the family, one Aussie Shepherd in the 70s called Hyper Hank was a talented Frisbee performer.

He even performed at the opening of the Superbowl XII and got to visit President Carter and his family at the Whitehouse.

Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Appearance

As with any mix breed, these dogs could take after either parent.

So, you could end up with a dog which is shorter thicker like the Beagle, or a little finer like the Australian Shepherd.

You can expect an Aussie Beagle to grow to be a medium-sized dog, reaching anywhere between 13 and 20 inches at the shoulder and weighing 20 – 60 pounds.

The mix of these dogs can lead to all manner of interesting coats

The Australian Shepherd has a longer, double coat which comes in grey, black, white and caramel.

Often their coats are ‘merle’, or marbled, in appearance.

The Beagle has a shorter coat and comes in a wide variety of colors and color combinations.

Colors include:

• White
• Fawn
• Black
• Lemon
• Red
• Brown
• Blue tick
• Red tick
• Blue and
• Tan.

It is not uncommon to see Australian Shepherds with mismatched eye colors.

An Aussie Beagle mix may even produce a dog with the piercing blue eyes common amongst Australian Shepherds, along with the ‘eyeliner’ of the Beagle.

Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Temperament

It is important to be familiar with the dominant traits of both parent breeds, as there is a good chance your pup will pick up some of these.

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, tireless worker that loves to herd.

As a result, you need to keep these dogs busy, or they will become bored and restless.

Aussies are also loyal companions, so once you have a bond with these dogs, expect that they will want to accompany you just about anywhere.

Beagles are hunting dogs, and as such they are also energetic and need lots of time to play.

They are intelligent just like the Aussie and are easily trained.

Beagles are also known for their happy and outgoing personalities.

Any combination of these two breeds is not going to be a couch potato, and they are likely to be whip smart.

This intelligence means that an Aussie Beagle Mix is likely to be easy to train and will thrive on the attention and mental challenge.

Let’s have a closer look at training now.

Training Your Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix

Before you start teaching your puppy fancy tricks, you will likely be keen to potty train them.

If you don’t quite know where to start with potty training, check out this article, which includes a handy training schedule.

Both these dogs were bred to work and have high energy levels, so an Aussie Beagle will need 1-2 hours of exercise a day.

And to be clear, leaving them in the yard all day won’t count as ‘exercise’ – these dogs need to be engaged.

Beagles are scent hounds, and if they are bored they will busy themselves following any smells they come across.

This has left them with the reputation of being highly skilled escape artists.

An Aussie Shepherd, once fully grown, makes a great jogging or hiking companion, keeping you fit and your dog happy.

If you don’t have the time to spend 1-2 hours each day playing, training and interacting with an Aussie Beagle, one of these dogs might not be the best choice for you.

Ideally, these dogs will also greatly appreciate a canine companion as well.

Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Health

Both dog breeds enjoy a relatively good level of health. However, as with most purebreds, there are some health problems that can crop up.

Hip Dysplasia is a common problem in many breeds of dog. It is the result of the large bone in the upper thigh not fitting properly into the hip socket.

This leads to arthritis and mobility issues.

The AKC recommends that both Beagles and Aussie Shepherds be tested for hip dysplasia.

Similarly, both parent breeds have a predisposition to epilepsy. It is important that both parent dogs are screened for this potentially serious health condition.

Beagles are known to have issues with their thyroid, most notably hypothyroidism. This results in weight gain and the loss of fur.

Beagles can also develop eye problems, Musladin-Lueke Syndrome, and can also experience trouble with dislocated kneecaps.

Australian Shepherds can be susceptible to some forms of cancer and cataracts.

If healthy, both breeds live up to around 15 years of age.

Both dogs should have their ears checked regularly for infections and foreign bodies.

If a pup has taken after its Aussie Shepherd parent, a little more care will need to be taken with grooming due to the thick double coat which will need brushing once a week.

Do Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Make Good Family Dogs?

An Aussie Beagle mix can make a good family dog, but not for all families.

These dogs are the product of two high energy breeds that like to work.

For an active family that has plenty of time to play and train their dog, an Aussie Beagle mix could make a great pet.

However, if you are part of a busy family short on time who is after a laid-back dog, then this is not the mix breed for you.

   

Rescuing an Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix

Being a relatively uncommon mixed breed, you may not find a rescue group dedicated specifically to the Aussie Beagle cross.

However, if you are looking to rescue one of these dogs, check local rescue groups dedicated to the parent breeds.

Sometimes these groups will help find homes for crosses as well as purebreds.

Finding an Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Puppy

When looking for a mixed breed pup, steer clear of puppy farms.

The dogs in these establishments are housed in appalling conditions and often suffer untreated injuries and health problems.

Not only are they often neglected physically, but mentally these dogs are deprived of the chance to socialize and play.

Sadly, those cute puppies you see in the pet shop window often come from puppy mills too.

If you would like to know how to avoid getting a puppy from a puppy mill, check out this article.

Raising an Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Puppy

If you are ready to introduce a new member into your family in the form of an Aussie Beagle cross pup, then you will find these resources helpful when it comes to raising and training your new puppy.

• www.thehappypuppysite.com/dog-training-guides
• www.thehappypuppysite.com/category/puppy-training
• www.amazon.com.au/Happy-Puppy-Handbook-Definitive-Training-ebook

Pros and Cons of Getting Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix

Cons

• Will need plenty of time put into training and exercise.
• Can become bored and destructive.
• Can be escape artists.

Pros

• Great for active people who would like a companion to take on adventures.
• Fun loving, friendly and loyal.
• Easy to train.
• Similar Australian Shepherd Beagle Mixes and Breeds

If you like the sound of these dogs, but aren’t sure you will find one in your area, here are some other breeds or mixes that you might like:

• Labrador Australian Shepherd Mix
• Aussiedoodle – (Australian Shepherd Poodle mix)
• Boarder Collie
• Beaglier (Beagle King Charles Spaniel mix)
• Cocker Spaniel

Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Rescues

If you have read and considered carefully the information in this article and think this is the right dog for you, then consider rescuing one.

Here is a list of rescue organizations dedicated to the parent breeds.

• Beagle Welfare 
• Beagle Paws
• Aussie Rescue

Is an Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Right for Me?

These dogs can make great companions for the right family or individual.

Judging from their parent’s characteristics, you can expect Aussie Beagles to be smart, energetic loyal, hardworking and fun-loving dogs.

However, they are both high energy breeds which need time put into their training.

Both breeds will get bored easily if left to their own devices.

If you have the time and the energy to put into training and exercising the Aussie Beagle, then you will surely find them to be a much-loved addition to your family.

Do you have an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix? We’d love to hear about him or her in the comments below!

References and Resources

• RSPCA
• MSD Veterinary Manual
• Beuchat, C. “The Myth of Hybrid Vigor in Dogs is a Myth.” Institute of Canine Biology.
• Ekenstedt, K., Oberbauer, A., 2013. “Inherited Epilepsy in Dogs.” Topics in Companion Animal Medicine.
• Benjamin, S.A., et al. 1996. “Associations between Lymphocytic Thyroiditis, Hypothyroidism, and Thyroid Neoplasia in Beagles.” Veterinary Pathology.
• Bloeme, P., Perry, J. 2008. “Disc Dogs – The Complete Guide.” Hyperflite.