Beagle Golden Retriever Mix

A golden retriever and beagle mix can make a great family dog, decent guard dog, and excellent hunting dog. However, there are some pitfalls to keep in mind.

Because golden retrievers and beagles have some crucial distinctions in temperament, predicting how a Beago will behave in adulthood is challenging.

Beagle and golden retriever mix puppies can vary greatly, so meeting the whole pack and interacting with each one is essential to finding your perfect match.

Appearance

The beagle and golden retriever mix will typically range from 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown and be 14 to 20 inches tall.

In most cases, the mix will be sized somewhere between the parent breeds, but some Beagos may be smaller or larger than average.

The overall appearance of a beagle and golden retriever mix can range quite a lot, depending on which parent a puppy will take after. The puppy is guaranteed to have a longer snout, round dark eyes, and drop ears.

Because golden retrievers and beagles have entirely different coats, the Beago coat length and colors are a complete toss-up. Some puppies may have a short coat, while others have a long coat, either straight or wavy.

The possible golden retriever and beagle mix colors include solid cream, golden, or red and color combos such as tan and white, lemon and white, and chocolate and white. Each puppy will have unique markings.

Temperament

Like appearance, the temperament of a Beago may vary significantly. However, some golden retriever and beagle mix temperament traits are guaranteed, including playfulness, high energy levels, and friendliness.

These dogs are outgoing and curious, so they will happily interact with strangers and other dogs. They are great with children and most animals. However, the exuberance of a Beago may be problematic for babies and old pets.

A Beago may unintentionally hurt a child or a smaller animal, so supervision is critical. Other temperament traits can be acquired from either of the parent breeds, so knowing the typical golden retriever and beagle personalities is helpful.

Goldens are affectionate, rather sensitive dogs that cannot stay alone for long periods. They are gentle and have a low prey drive, so they are unlikely to hurt a child or another animal during play.

Beagles are more independent and freedom-loving than goldens. They are equally affectionate with family but may chase smaller pets and have a tendency to bark a lot or howl when left alone.

For this reason, the beagle and golden retriever mix can make excellent watchdogs, alerting owners when strangers come close to their property.

Intelligence & Trainability

Golden retrievers and beagles are on the opposite ends of the intelligence spectrum, according to canine researcher Stanley Coren. Among 138 breeds participating in the study, goldens rank fourth, and beagles 131st.

This doesn’t mean that beagles are dumb, though. Canine intelligence is ranked based on memory, obedience, problem-solving, and communication skills. Beagles excel at problem-solving and have a decent memory.

However, they don’t fit the standard working dog intelligence criteria because of their freedom-loving, sometimes stubborn nature. Training a beagle requires expertise and patience.

What does this mean for a golden retriever and beagle mix? Well, the dog is likely to be intelligent, but it may disobey the commands if the owner doesn’t have enough experience. They aren’t the best dogs for first-time owners.

Still, with proper training, a Beago will make a perfect hunting dog because it has a doubled hunting heritage. These dogs also make excellent service dogs if they receive timely socialization.

Health

For the most part, the Beago is a healthy mix, but these dogs are prone to some health conditions because of their heritage. The mix is susceptible to hip dysplasia, joint disorders, and vertebral disc disease because both parent breeds are at risk.

Some golden retriever and beagle mix dogs may suffer from Musladin-Lueke Syndrome, common in beagles.

The syndrome is characterized by tip-toe gait, broadened skull with slanted, wide-set eyes, taut skin, reduced joint mobility, and small size.

Both parent breeds are prone to obesity, so owners of golden retriever and beagle mix should provide their dogs with sufficient exercise and watch their diet. These dogs are highly food-motivated.

Some golden retriever and beagle crossbreed dogs may suffer from progressive retinal atrophy or thyroid issues – these medical conditions are widespread among golden retrievers.

Fortunately, many of these conditions can be ruled out with genetic screening, so request health clearances for both parents from the breeder.

Grooming

Golden retriever and beagle mix grooming needs depend on the coat length, which, as you already know, can vary. One thing is for sure – a Beago will shed a lot because both parent breeds are double-coated.

Dogs with double coats shed the most in autumn and spring when they blow out their entire undercoat in a matter of few weeks.

During these periods, they need daily brushing with a de-shedding tool to remove dead hair stuck in the undercoat.

A golden retriever and beagle mix with a short coat doesn’t need as frequent brushing aside from seasonal shedding periods, but it should be regular.

The general recommendation is to brush a short-haired golden retriever and beagle mix every three days.

The long-haired beagle and golden retriever mix need daily brushing. Shaving can permanently damage the dog’s coat and intervene in its thermoregulation, but minimal fur trimming is beneficial.

Regular bathing is crucial, but its frequency depends on a dog’s lifestyle and coat length. Dogs that frequently swim or walk in wild terrains need to be bathed more often.

Exercise Needs

Both beagles and golden retrievers are hunting dogs with immense energy levels, so beagle and golden retriever crossbreed dogs, too, are natural-born energy bundles.

In adult age, they need at least an hour of walking daily or 30 minutes of vigorous exercise.

These dogs aren’t fully mature until about three years old, so they tend to be goofy and extra exuberant until that age.

Puppies need less exercise because too much physical activity can lead to joint disorder development. As a rule of thumb, a puppy needs five minutes of physical activity for each month of its life.

So, a five-month-old golden retriever and beagle mix needs 25 minutes of walking daily, and an eight-month-old puppy needs 40 minutes.

The good news is that these dogs can live just fine in an apartment if the owner provides them with enough exercise.

Life Expectancy

Because golden retriever and beagle mix aren’t large dogs, they have a relatively long life expectancy. Although golden retrievers only live for 10-12 years, Beagos live for 13-17 years on average.

Firstly, one of the parent breeds, the beagle, has a long lifespan because these dogs rarely suffer from lethal medical conditions and are relatively small. Secondly, mixed-breed dogs are generally healthier than purebred dogs.

Note that a dog’s lifespan depends on many factors, including its lifestyle. A dog eating healthy, getting enough exercise, and receiving timely veterinary care is more likely to live longer.

Behavior Problems

Each dog breed is prone to particular behavior problems, and the beagle and golden retriever mix aren’t an exception.

Because a beagle and golden retriever mix is an energy bundle, such a dog is likely to engage in destructive behavior, including chewing and digging, if not exercised sufficiently.

Some beagle and golden retriever mix dogs pull on the leash and jump on people because they are exuberant, curious, and friendly. Although goldens don’t bark a lot, some Beagos do because of their beagle heritage.

Excessive barking, howling, and whining could be a problem for people with kids or silence-loving neighbors. Fortunately, Beagos can be trained not to bark unless necessary, but the training requires dedication.

Some Beagos may have separation anxiety because they are overly attached to their owners. The good news is that they are at a lower risk of this condition than goldens because beagles are very independent.

A golden retriever and beagle mix isn’t a good dog for first-time owners because it may disobey commands and even behave aggressively towards other dogs.

Rarity

Any crossbreed is rarer than purebred dogs. But how rare is a golden retriever and beagle mix compared to other mixed-breed dogs?

Well, the Beago certainly isn’t on the most popular crossbreed dog list. This mix has only become widely known in recent years and is still gaining recognition. It cannot compete in popularity with Goldendoodle, for example.

For this reason, you may have to spend some time searching for a puppy, and they may not be available in your area. But at the end of the day, the search is worth it.

Price

The price of a golden retriever and beagle mix begins at $800 at can exceed $1,500. Beagle and golden retriever mix puppies are cheaper on average than purebred dogs.

However, they can’t be dirt cheap because breeders must make health clearances for parents, vaccinations, and complete veterinary check-ups.

The price may differ depending on the breeder’s reputation, location, and a particular puppy’s traits. Sire and dam with champion titles can also add to the puppy’s price, even though a crossbreed puppy cannot participate in shows.

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