The Beagle Lab Mix: Everything You Need to Know

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The Labrador retriever or simply the lab resembles beagles in many ways. Both dog breeds are intelligent, playful, and outgoing. Still, these two breeds have distinct personalities that make them unique.

If you cannot decide between a lab and a beagle, why not just get them both? Or better yet, get a beagle lab mix! Read on to know all the important information about this interesting combination of breeds before adopting one.

The History of the Beagle Lab

The beagle lab mix is sometimes called the labeagle or the beagador. It’s also termed the Labbe or Labbe Retriever. This crossbreed is identified as a designer dog breed, meaning it’s a cross between two purebred dogs.

The first beagador was bred in the United States back in the early 1900s. Due to its appearance, the earliest beagadors were sometimes mistaken for a Dachshund or a Bassett Hound, only with straighter limbs.

As purebred dogs, both the Labrador and the beagle are cultivated through the process of selective breeding. They are modern breeds of dogs whose descendants are well-documented.

Beagador Physical Attributes

  • Color – The most common color of the beagador is white or cream. They also come in brown, black, or a combination of black and white. Some of them have a multi-colored coat or three different colors, similar to a beagle’s coat.
  • Size – A beagador is medium in size, just like its parents. They can grow up to 19 to 24 inches tall and the typical weight of a beagle lab mix puppy is 25 lbs. while a full-grown beagle lab can grow as much as 40 pounds. Some of them look more like Labradors while there are some that inherited more of the physical attributes of their beagle parent.
  • Ears – The majority of them have a good balance of both parents’ characteristics. Many of them have the ears of their beagle parent. These are usually floppy and large, unlike the lab’s ears that are not large or heavy. The ears are also rounded at the tips just like the ones of beagles.
  • Nose – It’s common to find a beagador with a wide nose, similar to the lab’s nose. The muzzle could be square-shaped like the beagle parent.
  • Eyes – In terms of the eyes, they are set far apart which is a feature of both the beagle and the Labrador retriever.
  • Skin – The lab and the beagle both have double coats. Their offspring will eventually have two-layered coats as well. The inner layer is soft and dense while the outer layer is harder. The double-layered coat will protect your beagle lab from the changing temperatures and the UV rays.

Beagador Traits and Characteristics

This crossbreed belongs in the group of sporting and hound dogs. This is due to the fact that Labradors belong to the group of sporting dogs while beagles are classified by the American Kennel Club as hounds.

Sporting dogs are known for their alertness and active disposition. Due to their intelligence, they are also used for hunting. Hound dogs are best known for their very powerful sense of smell.

Both the Labrador and the beagle are even-tempered, gentle, and intelligent so it’s highly likely that they will pass on these traits to their offspring. It comes as no surprise that the beagle labs are also fun-loving.

Beagadors are suitable for families given that the lab and the beagle are both terrific family dogs. The Labrador is kind and naturally good-natured so it can be around kids of all ages. The beagle, on the other hand, is incredibly sweet.

Beagador Life Span and Health Problems

A beagle lab mix has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years but can inherit certain diseases from its parents. Here are some possible health problems of a Labrador-beagle mix, based on the typical health problems of its parents:

  1. Joint problems – the lab is more prone to joint problems such as Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia. A clear indication of a joint problem is swelling of the area and the fact that the dog is having difficulty moving or going upstairs. There are various types of conventional and natural medicines as well as treatments currently available for dogs with joint issues. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are effective in treating joint problems because of their anti-inflammatory properties.
  2. Bloating – also termed as gastric dilatation and volvulus, bloating is a condition wherein the stomach is expanded with gas, putting pressure on the diaphragm. The exact cause of bloating has not yet been identified, but there are certain things that can trigger it. For instance, a dog that always eats dry food is more prone to developing bloating. It is characterized by a swollen stomach. Bloating requires immediate veterinary attention as it can lead to serious breathing problems and even death if left untreated.
  3. Obesity – the Labrador and the beagle are both active dogs but both breeds are prone to obesity. The beagle can easily become overweight because it eats so fast. The Lab, on the other hand, has the tendency to eat everything it sees. In fact, a study by the Cell Press in 2016 revealed that a gene mutation in Labs is responsible for their food-motivated behavior. Therefore, it will not come as a surprise if a beagador will be motivated by food.
  4. Heart disease – when a dog is obese, it is also prone to heart-related problems. During the early stages of heart disease, you will likely not see any symptom. Unfortunately, inherited heart disease cannot be prevented. This is why it is important to get your dog regularly checked so treatment can be given on the onset of the disease.
  5. Ear infections – both the lab and the beagle are vulnerable to ear infections due to the shape of their ears. You will know that your beagador is suffering from ear infections if there is a brown, yellow, or bloody discharge from his ears. When there is an unpleasant odor from his ears and the outer part is swollen, schedule a consultation with your vet for an examination.
  6. Tumbling puppy syndrome – this condition is one of the inherited disorder of beagles. There is a possibility for beagadors to suffer from this disease. It normally shows when the pup is three weeks old. If the female dog has a viral infection during her pregnancy, she will likely give birth to a pup with this disease. It is not curable but a pup with tumbling puppy syndrome can still live normally given the proper care.
  7. Degenerative Myelopathy – while older dogs are typical sufferers of this progressive disease, it can also be inherited because certain dog breeds are more susceptible to it than others. The beagles are one of the breeds that are prone to this condition. In fact, around 20% of Beagles suffer from Degenerative Myelopathy.

How to Care for Your Beagador

Serve filling and nutritious meals.

Your beagador is prone to obesity, so it helps to give him foods that will keep him full. Filling food usually contains high amounts of protein and fiber. Meats, which most dogs would die for, are a great example of filling food.

However, be selective when serving meat to your beagle lab buddy. Fresh ground meat and beef are your best bets. Avoid processed meat products, such as ham, bacon, and sausages as they may contain high amounts of sodium and preservatives that are bad for dogs as they are for humans.

Avoid giving avocado, grapes, raisins, chocolates, and macadamia nuts as these contain substances that can poison dogs. Also, consider your pet’s health condition when feeding him anything in particular. Some dogs have food allergies while some dogs require a special diet because of their current health condition.

Most importantly, always keep your beagle lab mix hydrated. Fill his water bowl with clean and filtered water. Tap water may contain traces of minerals that can harm dogs. It’s not just the water that should be clean. The water bowl should also be cleaned regularly with warm soapy water.

Grooming your beagador

A beagle lab mix typically has a short coat, which requires minimal brushing. It does not shed excessively so you don’t have to worry about pet hair all over the house. Brushing your beagador once a week is enough to keep his soft but dense coat smooth.

Because they can be prone to ear infections, it’s a must to clean those ears after every bath. Use a dog shower cap when bathing your pooch to prevent water from getting inside the ears. Keep your pet’s ears dry using an ear drying solution made of naturally soothing ingredients.

Trimming your dog’s nails is also an important part of grooming. Don’t cut the quick because it can be painful and it can bleed. Use a trimmer that is specially created for medium-sized dogs. If you are afraid to do it yourself, just let the professional groomer do it for a price.

Exercise your beagador twice a day

The recommended length of exercise for dogs depends on their age. Base it on your pet’s age in months and multiply it by five. For example, a four-month-old beagador needs 20 minutes of exercise twice a day. You can extend it a bit longer when your pet is full-grown.

If the weather is harsh, you can still do physical activities at home. Play a game of fetch or hide and seek with your dog. This is a great way to keep him moving and also an opportunity to bond with your beagle lab pet.

Get yearly exams for your pet

Should you visit the vet even if your buddy looks perfectly healthy? Yes, dogs age faster than humans and aging is associated with many health problems. The problem with dogs is they are very good at hiding pain so you will not easily tell if there is already a problem.

Your vet will check different parts of the dog’s body both externally and internally. Aside from a physical examination, your vet will also conduct routine blood tests. As the old adage goes, preventing is better than curing. So never ever neglect the importance of preventive care for your pet.

Tips before Getting A Lab Beagle Mix

Get your beagador from reliable breeders. The breeder should have all the necessary papers and licenses. A reliable breeder prioritizes the health and well-being of the dog before selling them or giving them to the new pet parents.

A good and reliable breeder will let you observe how the beagle lab gets along with other pups in the kennel and will let you see the pup’s parents. The pup should also have its immunization records that you can keep for reference. Your vet will be asking this for future immunizations and shots so better keep that.

There are several canine organizations that acknowledge this crossbreed. The International Designer Canine Registry and the American Canine Hybrid Club are just two of the many associations that recognize the beagador crossbreed.

The Bottom Line

Like the Labrador retriever and the Beagle, the beagador is a fun-loving breed with many positive traits. It can be prone to certain diseases but you can help your pet live a long and healthy life through proper caring. Feed him healthy foods, groom your beagle lab when needed, and take him for a walk regularly. Last but not least, shower your beagle lab mix with love and affection. Like any dog, your beagador will grow up a happy dog when you treat him well.

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