Beagle Lab Mix (A.K.A. Beagador): Breed Facts & Temperament

Combining the agile, trusting, sweet, and kind temperament of Superman’s Krypto with the determined, amiable, and funny (with a streak of naughtiness) nature of Charlie Brown’s Snoopy may seem like a match made in dog heaven. And it is. What you get is a playful hound and one that has an insatiable appetite for pleasing the crowd. Not only is it always ready to show its talents to anyone, the Beagador can also easily win any heart because of its carefree and fun-loving nature. But like any other canine, the Beagador can have a few dark secrets under its skin. Are you prepared to take this hound home? Let’s find out.

History of the Beagador

Unlike other hybrids, we’re not sure who created the very first Beagador or where and when. What we do know is that majority of today’s designer dogs started sprouting in pet shops in the latter part of the 20^th century with many celebrities and socialites bringing home some of the more popular ones in the first decade of the 21^st century. Based on these observations, we can safely assume that many designer dogs, including the Beagle Labrador Mix, were created some time in the 1980s.

Why? Well, the canine pet market in the 20^th century was a lot friendlier to purebreds. The prevailing notion was that purebreds were far more superior to crossbreeds and designer breeds. And since these dogs began popping out in pet stores in the 1990s, this suggests that there is already a growing demand for such dogs. This also means that the dogs were created much earlier than the 90s.

Of course, this is just us giving you our own assumptions. You’re always welcome to share with us your thoughts on the matter.

The Beagador is a cross between a Beagle and a Labrador Retriever. We are not sure how they were able to mate, given their differences in height. A typical Labrador typically stands anywhere from 21.5 inches (for females) to 24.5 inches (for males). Beagles, meanwhile, can stand anywhere from 13 inches to 15 inches. Let us say you’ve got the smallest Labrador at 21.5 inches (female) and the tallest Beagle at 15 inches (male), you’d still have a 6.5-inch differential.

We can only surmise that the Beagador was the result of artificial insemination; unless they were able to mate a Lab and a Beagle with almost negligible size difference (somewhere in the region of 2 to 3 inches should be fine). Additionally, we believe that the Beagador’s mother should always be a Labrador while its dad will have to be a Beagle. The Lab is obviously bigger than the Beagle, giving it a larger uterus that can accommodate the kind and size of puppies that the crossbreeding can create. If it were the other way around, you can almost imagine how difficult it would be for the female Beagle to carry the litter.

Who are the Parents?

There really isn’t that much that we know about the origins of the Beagador. However, this shouldn’t dishearten you since we know exactly who the parents are.

Beagle

There’s a reason why Charlie Brown had Snoopy for his friend. This sweet-natured, playful, and fun-loving hound is the perfect companion for older kids who may have the same level of stamina as the Beagle to play all day long. It can be a comic genius yet have a certain gentleness in its demeanor that is very much a characteristic of many scent hounds. The Beagle can be a clown and will never tire in making you laugh with its crazy antics. As you know, this is one smart dog that can be trained to perform a variety of tricks. The only issue is that you’ve got to have tons of patience to train a Beagle as its stubbornness is simply without compare.

Yes, the Beagle can make you laugh. It can even lift up your spirits when you’re feeling so low. But all of these are if the Beagle is not making you cry simply because of that hint of Loki in their blood. They can be especially naughty and mischievous. Perhaps their greatest Achilles heel is their stubbornness.

Lovers of the Beagle can easily argue that the breed is not necessarily stubborn. It is just so single-minded in its focus that when it locks onto something particularly interesting, it will never let go until it’s mission is accomplished. For some folks, this is a telltale sign of a dog that is stubborn for the simple fact that it will never listen to you. But the real trick is in using the dog’s strength as a means to overcome its so-called weakness. Give it a more powerful scent to pick up and it will change its course.

Beagles thrive in packs. They’re part of a team of hunting dogs that aid their human masters in search of wild game. As such, they can live exceptionally well with other dogs, but not necessarily cats as they can easily look at them as prey.

Take a look at our review of Dog Food for Beagles for more info. 

Labrador Retriever

There’s not much to say about the Labrador that the whole world doesn’t already know. It’s the darling of the crowd, the all-time crowd-pleaser. It’s a dog that is best known for its ability to calm a troubled soul with just a touch of its soft, albeit large paws. It’s a beautiful dog, although personally, we like the Golden Retriever a lot better because of the latter’s thicker and longer coat. It’s a highly sociable canine that can easily make friends with almost anyone that enters the home or it meets on the street or at the park.

While the Lab is best known for its gentle and kind temperament, don’t ever doubt its work ethic. In fact, this dog has been specifically bred for such a purpose. It is understandable that some dog breeds are used to deliver or carry messages over harsh terrain. But the Lab is well known for shuttling messages from boat to boat, anchored at the bay of St. John in Canada’s Newfoundland. It fetches fishing nets right from the water, too, as well as retrieving other things that may have accidentally fallen on the water.

This is not just a fisherman’s friend. It may not be a scent hound like the Beagle, but the Lab can be easily trained to perform such task. The military, law enforcement units, and even search and rescue organizations always have Labs in their employ to help them track different things or even persons of interest. They’re indispensable partners when it comes to policing the borders of different countries.

But that’s not all. Labs also make the greatest therapy dogs. They’ve been the eyes and ears of people who cannot see or hear. They are trained to guide the elderly, become the four-legged crouches that assist people with problems with mobility accomplish some of their activities of daily living. Patients with cancer and even kids with autism find comfort in the companionship afforded by the gentle Lab.

The list of what a Lab is and what it has done for mankind can never be written on a complete set of encyclopedia. One thing is certain, the Lab is the love of the lives of countless families the world over.

Find out more about Dog Food for Labs.

Quick Facts

While we can be absolutely certain about the characteristics of both the Lab and the Beagle, the same cannot be said of their offspring, the Beagador. Through the years, we have grown more knowledgeable about how genetics works. Unfortunately, dog designers are not white lab coat-wearing dudes that tinker with the different nucleotides in each genetic sequence to come up with a dog that has exactly the attributes aimed for. We can only hope for the best that the process of crossbreeding will result in a dog that has as much of the traits that we desire. However, since the Beagador isn’t exactly ‘new’ anymore, having been in the market for at least 30 years, it should be safe to say that we now have a set of data that can be considered as the designer dog’s facts.

• Beagadors can reach a height of 25 inches, with a minimum of 16; although greater variances can be seen in 2^nd or multi-generational crosses.
• Beagle Lab Mixes can weigh as light as 30 lbs and as heavy as 75. It’s possible to get a much heavier Beagador, but its minimum weight holds.
• Barring accidents and life-threatening health conditions, Beagadors can reach a ripe age of 15.
• The coat of a Beagle Lab Mix is typically short yet dense, soft and smooth. It’s water-resistant, too.
• The Beagador is a moderate shedder so daily brushing is not really needed.
• The coat can come in solid colors of white or cream, black, and chocolate or brown. Some can come in two-colors like black and white and brown and black. Other Beagadors can have three colors while others can be spotted.
• The Beagador is also called Labbe, Labeagle, and Labbe Retriever; although, Beagador sounds a lot more fun.
• While it is not recognized as a breed by national kennel organizations like the AKC and the FCI, it is nevertheless recognized and registered by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, International Designer Canine Registry, Designer Breed Registry, American Canine Hybrid Club, and the Dog Registry of America.

Things You Should Know

The Beagador may seem like the best hybrid dog to bring to one’s home. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot of would-be pet parents who are simply not prepared to face the many challenges of owning a hybrid. The result? Many of these Beagadors and other designer dogs eventually end up in animal shelters as well as other organizations that aim to provide temporary homes for often-mistreated dogs. Don’t get the next Beagador that you see from a breeder without understanding first what this special dog requires.

Training

The Beagle may not be as intelligent as the Border Collie or even the German Shepherd, but it surely can hold its own. The same can be said of the Labrador Retriever that currently ranks number 7 among the planet’s doggie Einsteins. But just because they don’t belong to the Top 5 doesn’t mean they can no longer be trained. Oh, the Beagador is quite easy to train, but only if you have more of the Labrador’s genes in its blood.

As you may already know, the Beagle is smart and can be trained. However, what makes it especially challenging is its stubborn streak. If it is simply not interested in what you want it to do or there is something else that it considers more interesting, then getting the Beagle in the Beagador to acknowledge you as its trainer can prove futile. This is where your basic understanding of positive reinforcement principles can help. Since Beagadors are part-Beagles, you know that they are especially motivated by scent. By giving them treats or rewarding them with more pleasant scents, you can easily train them.

Now, if it’s the Labrador’s genes that are strong or dominant in the Beagador, then training should be a breeze. However, even the smartest dog will still rely on the expertise of the trainer. If you have no idea how to train dogs, it is best to forget getting one for your home. But, if you still want to get one as a pet, then be prepared to hire someone to train your Beagador.

Training is important if you want the Beagador to obey your commands. You’re its master and not the other way around. If it senses that you can be bossed around, then it will be as if the Beagador is the master and you’re the follower.

Feeding

Most of the resources you’ll see online will tell you to give your Beagador about 1.5 to 2.5 cups of dog food every day. Well, we’re not like them. Instead of telling you to give your Beagador 2 cups, you’d better get used to computing for the calorie requirements of your dog.

If we use the ‘cup’ standard, you should know that different brands of dog food will have different calorie content per serving. Let us say Dog Food A contains 300 calories per cup while Dog Food B contains 400 calories per cup. If you follow what others are saying about giving Beagadors 1.5 to 2.5 cups per day, then you will be giving 450 to 750 calories for Dog Food A and 600 to 1,000 calories for Dog Food B. Can you see the difference now? We surely hope so. As such, it’s best to hone your math skills to get a better grasp of the nutrient needs of your Beagador or any other dog.

Beagadors are prone to obesity so watching their calorie intake is a must. Always choose dog food that puts animal proteins as its first ingredient since these are more complete. Feed the Beagador 2 to 3 times a day so you can lessen serving sizes but still meet their energy requirements. This can help prevent bloat.

For more guides on choosing the right dog food, you may wish to check out our reviews of the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs and vegan dog treats, grain free dog food, wet dog food and puppy food. 

Exercise

Labs and Beagles are energetic dogs; hence, the Beagador will also have plenty of energy stored in its body. If you don’t allow the Beagador to spend this energy, it will eventually use it in more destructive purposes. It can chew on your couch, scratch your furniture, dig in the backyard, or even bark incessantly. The easiest way to spend this energy is to take them out for a 60-minute walk. If you love to jog or even run, you can do it, too. Labs love to play fetch so your Beagador should enjoy it, too. Water-related activities should really make the Beagle Lab Mix very happy.

Mental stimulation should never be left out of a dog’s daily regimen, especially the Beagador. It’s intelligent and smart. But if you don’t give it mental exercises, this can easily spell behavioral problems for you and your family. Beagles are natural-born hunters. Using scented toys to mimic prey should help them get the stimulation and mental exercises that Beagadors need.

Socialization

Despite the stubborn nature of the Beagle, the Beagador is still a very friendly dog. Beagles are pack animals and, thus, can live harmoniously with other dogs. The problem is that if you have smaller pets like cats; they might think they’re prey. But if they grew up with these pets, there shouldn’t be any problem at all. The Lab in the Beagador, on the other hand, is friendly to almost any other human being or animal. If the Beagador has a more dominant Labrador side to it, then peace shall reign in your household.

This designer dog is also excellent with kids, even the small ones. Labs and Beagles love to play. They are quite gentle, too, although the Beagle in the hybrid can be more rambunctious than the Lab. Still, they do a good job of keeping your children fully entertained.

Grooming

The Beagle Lab Mix may have short coat, but it doesn’t automatically mean it’s hypoallergenic. It still sheds, although not as profusely as a German Shepherd or other breeds that are known to ‘blow’. Weekly brushing of the coat is recommended, although brushing it more frequently is even better. This is to make sure that dirt and loose hair can be removed from their coats while also helping redistribute the natural oils of the skin and facilitate better circulation.

Bathing the Beagador every 3 months is more than sufficient. Monthly or even twice-monthly bathing should be avoided since this can remove the natural protective oils on their skin. This can expose them to skin irritations and inflammation which can provide entry for microorganisms already present on their skin.

Beagadors require good dental care at least every other day. But if you can do it on a daily basis, you’ll be gifted with a Beagador with no teeth or gum problems. The same can be said of its ears which should always be inspected and cleaned every week or two. The nails of the Beagadors should never be allowed to grow longer than necessary; hence these should be trimmed every 21 days.

You might be interested in some of our dog grooming guides, such as dog shampoo, dog wipes, dog bathtub, dog shedding brush, and dog dryer.

Health

They may live up to 15 years, but they’re not immune to health conditions. Beagadors are prone to hip dysplasia and patellar luxation which can significantly affect their ability to move with ease. They can also have bloat which can develop into a life-threatening condition called gastric dilatation volvulus. Beagadors are also known to develop heart problems and intervertebral disc diseases as well as hypothyroidism. In many cases, epilepsy can be a great concern for pet parents. Skin allergies are also quite common among Beagadors.

Get a Beagador if you…

• Enjoy exercising and going on outdoor activities
• Have a basic idea or a working knowledge of how positive reinforcement dog training is done
• Love playing with dogs or spending more time with them than any other pet
• Don’t leave the house for longer than 6 hours at a time

You’re better off with another dog if you…

• Have hypersensitivity to pet dander
• Cannot get anyone to stay with the Beagador whenever you’re away for at least 6 hours
• Can honestly tell yourself that you absolutely hate exercising or any outdoor activity

Temperament

Beagadors are highly curious dogs and forever energetic. They are always a joy to have in any home especially those with children and other pet dogs. It is full of love, passion, and enthusiasm. Its dedication to its family can never really be measured. Forever optimistic, the Beagador can easily see in its family whether they need the comforting prowess of a Lab or the funny antics of a Beagle.

However, this crossbreed can also have a dark secret of its own. The Beagador is a hound that can get over-excited, excessively happy, and even overly enthusiastic. At times, it can go out of control and can suffer from extreme separation anxiety. If not socialized and trained early on, this designer dog can easily turn your world upside down.

Friendly and affectionate, the Beagle Lab Mix is always a good choice for a family that requires four-legged companions. As long as you can adhere to training the Beagador early in its life, you should be able to circumvent its nasty stubbornness.

Source:

1. The Beagle Lab Mix – Complete Breed Guide – Animal Corner