Beagle Terrier Mix
Is a Beagle Terrier Mix Right for You?
“Beagle terrier mix” refers to a dog in which one of the parents was a beagle and one was a breed of terrier. A beagle terrier is not a stand-alone breed of dog, but is literally considered a mixed breed. This means that the dog can never be registered with the American Kennel Association as a purebred dog. That being said, beagle terrier mix dogs are rising in popularity, just as the labradoodle (labrador and poodle mix) and the cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle mix) once rose in demand.
The beagle terrier mix can be appealing for many reasons. These dogs are typically on the smaller side and tend to possess the spunky personality that is so typical of most terriers. However, one can never tell exactly what a mixed breed of dog will look like or how they will act. The personality of the parents may vary in extremes, which makes it even more difficult to determine the qualities that will dominate in a litter.
Predicting the physical appearance of a beagle terrier mix is pretty easy as long as you know what type of terrier the beagle has been bred with. Terriers vary so much in physical appearance that it can be difficult to label this massive category with one type of appearance. Some are wire-haired and some are smooth. Some possess a dainty but athletic structure, such as the Yorkshire terrier, while others are quite muscular and sturdy, like the Boston terrier. Beagles are one of the most popular hounds because they are so handsome. They are tri-colored brown, black, and white and have compact but agile bodies. Terriers are also renowned for being very “cute” dogs. It’s easy to imagine that a beagle crossed with almost any terrier breed will be quite fetching!
As far as personality goes, the best way of understanding what a beagle terrier mix will be like to train and live with is to understand the ways of both beagles and terriers as separate breeds. Let’s start with the beagle. Beagles are particularly for their friendliness. They are pack dogs and don’t usually have issues getting along with other dogs. They have a naturally friendly disposition that just begs to be indulged with companionship and attention. This friendliness can be seen by some as a bit of a downfall because beagles do not make good guard dogs. They are not typically territorial and will view a stranger as a potential new friend, rather than with the cautious doubtfulness of other breeds of dog. This trait can be seen from a different perspective, though. Friendliness could be seen as an advantage to someone who frequently has new people over to their home.
Beagles are quite a vocal breed and have a tendency to bark at any unfamiliar sound. While they are very loveable and playful, beagles possess an unfortunate short attention span. This is a result of the deeply ingrained hunting instincts that this breed possesses, not due to low intelligence. Beagles are actually quite smart. When a beagle’s nose catches an interesting scent or he hears a curious sound, he can instantly lose all interest in what his master is teaching or telling him to do and take off running after whatever he smells or hears. For this reason, beagles absolutely must have a fenced-in yard, otherwise they are liable to take off and become lost, stolen, or injured.
Terriers are much like beagles. Most breeds are very fun loving and contain near limitless energy. This category is known for producing dog breeds that are highly intelligent and often a little manipulative due to a mixture of their smarts and cocky attitude. For instance, a terrier could be smart enough to know exactly what you are commanding him to do, but feel that he doesn’t have to do it if he doesn’t want to. Terriers do tend to differ from beagles in the “trust” department, however. Where beagles welcome strangers, terriers are usually very suspicious and can take their “turf” responsibilities very seriously. It is very important that terriers are socialized at a young age to discourage them from developing a severely protective nature.
Terriers are also very vocal and tend to bark at the slightest sounds. This is true whether the dog is socialized well or not, because terriers are nosey and curious by nature. They have a true spunky nature that is often of their most appealing traits. They are also very loyal creatures that are often chosen for their companionship and dedication to their master/family.
As you can see, there are many similarities between the beagle and terrier personalities; however there are a few large differences, too. When it comes to a litter of beagle terrier mix puppies, it would be impossible to tell whether the pups will be possessive and territorial or utterly trusting of anyone. If you are considering getting a beagle terrier puppy, try spending a bit of time with it before committing to purchase or adopt it. This will give you a better idea of its personality and will be the best way to predict whether this mixed breed is right for you.