What do you get if you add a dollop of Labrador retriever to a dash of Beagle? You get the beagle lab mix or Labbe, Beagador, or Labeagle.
These designer dogs may be known by several different names. But essentially, it’s a cross between two popular breeds well known for having fun-loving personalities.
If a beagle lab mix tempts you, then knowing what you can expect will help you share your life successfully with your new four-legged friend.
Breed history
Although it’s tempting to choose a dog based on what it looks like. It’s always best to choose a dog that fits into your family and your lifestyle.
Breed history can provide valuable insights into what your dog is likely to enjoy doing. As the beagle lab mix is a cross breed, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with both the lab and beagle dog breed to get an idea of what your puppy mix will be like. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. But it’s a good place to start when thinking about adding a dog to your family.
So what do you need to know about the parent dogs’ breed history to ensure your Beagador is the perfect dog for your family?
Labrador retriever
The modern Labrador has been a recognized breed since 1903 in the UK and since 1917 in the USA within the respective British and American Kennel Clubs.
However, Labrador’s origins can be traced back to the 1700s and Newfoundland, Canada. The ancestors of the modern Labrador retriever were called St John’s dogs and were famous for their love of water.
With a natural desire to retrieve, a solid work ethic, and cooperative nature, it was considered the perfect working dog and great family pets.
Beagle
The American Kennel Club first recognized the Beagle in 1885. However, its origins are not well defined. Thought to have developed from small rabbit-hunting dogs brought to England by the Romans. There have been documented reports of beagle-like dogs since 400BC.
However, the now extinct Talbot hounds were thought to be the ancestors of the modern Beagle. Originally much smaller than their current counterparts, Beagles were relatively slow hunting dogs and fell out of favor.
Despite this, Reverend Phillip Honeywood established a breeding program in the mid-1800s. Focusing on producing a dog that was a skilled hunter. The breed was later developed for both looks and hunting skills, and the modern Beagle was born.
Beagle Lab mix appearance
With any mixed dog breed, their appearance can vary depending on the parents. As there are two distinct lines of Labrador retrievers, show lab and field lab, there can also be a substantial height difference.
Despite this, the Beagle and Lab mix tends to be medium-sized dogs. Shorter than a Labrador but bigger than a Beagle. Standing around 10-24 inches tall or 48.2-60.9 cm, the beagle lab mix breed weighs in the region of 25-40lbs or 11.3-18.2kg.
The beagle lab mix typically inherits the coat of its Lab parent. In fashion terms, it’s wash and wear; that is, it’s easy to manage and water-resistant! Coat color can vary greatly depending on both the beagle and labrador parents’ coloring. However, common colors for a beagle lab puppy are tri-color, white, cream, black, black and white, black and brown, and spotted.
Puppies from the same beagle lab litter can be very different from each other. Some may look like a small Labrador, while their siblings may resemble a large beagle.
Lab beagle mix temperament
With both parent breeds well known for their friendly natures, your beagle lab mix is likely to be both a gentle and energetic companion. Intelligent and inquisitive, your lab beagle mix needs plenty of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation.
The good news is that the labrador beagle mix is easy to train using positive reinforcement. However, despite their desire to be close to and please their owners, their keen sense of smell combined with their natural hunting instincts can make the beagle lab mix a challenge off the lead as an interesting scent will often be more compelling than a recall request.
Easily bored, the lab beagle mix can become destructive without enough exercise and, if left alone for long periods of time and often suffer from separation anxiety. They may resort to chewing or barking to alleviate boredom—well-known traits in beagle and labrador dog breeds. What’s more, they are also keen diggers, so it’s recommended that time in the garden is supervised.
Although both Labradors and beagles are known for their friendly natures, they will bark if they perceive a threat. Some lab beagle mix puppies will inherit the beagle’s distinctive bray, which can become an issue if you live in a flat or apartment with neighbors close by. Consistent positive reinforcement training is essential to curb any unwanted behavior. As most beagle lab mixes enjoy both their food and plenty of games, you will have two great motivators to encourage your puppy to become a well-behaved family pet.
Despite this, Beagles do have a reputation as stubborn trainees, so patience is a must to get the most from your dog. Naturally outgoing and adaptable, the beagle lab mix makes a great family dog as it’s gentle, loyal, and tolerant.
Beagle Labrador mix ongoing care
If you have decided on a beagle lab crossbreed, you can expect to share your life with them for 10-15 years. So to keep your dog in the best possible condition into old age, ongoing care is essential.
Beagle lab exercise
Both parent breeds of the beagle lab mix are energetic dogs and, as such, have above-average exercise requirements. Beagle lab mixes need at least an hour’s exercise a day. And as an off-lead exercise can be a challenge for the beagle half of your chosen mixed breed, this may have to be on the lead.
Despite some people thinking that it’s unfair never to give a dog off lead exercise, you must keep your dog safe. If you can find a secure area to let your dog wander freely, then that’s great. Remember that your dog’s beagle genes will want to follow their nose, which may lead them into trouble.
However, you can provide different forms of exercise for your beagle lab mix in addition to daily walks. Such as engaging in the natural instincts of your dogs by playing scent games or retrieving games.
Beagle lab Grooming
Fortunately, the grooming requirements for a beagle lab mix are simple. Both the beagle and the labrador have low-maintenance coats that only need a brush once a week to keep them looking at their best.
Many of the beagle lab mix breed puppies inherit the water resilience of their Labrador parent. This means that your puppy really does have a wash and wear coat, needing very little in the way of ongoing upkeep. A weekly brush and a bath once or twice a year is all that should be needed to keep your beagle lab looking its best.
You should check your dog regularly for skin problems, ticks, and fleas. Shedding is moderate but expect it to increase twice a year around summer and winter when dogs lose their old coat, and it gets replaced.
Beagle Lab mix health concerns
The beagle and the labrador parent breeds both have common health issues. Although the consensus seems to be that mix-breed dogs tend to be healthier, it’s not always true.
Beagle Labrador mix health problems include;
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Epilepsy
- Cherry eye
- Allergies
- Obesity
If you are looking for a puppy, research your breeder carefully before committing yourself. A good breeder can advise you on health care and tests for the breed’s genetic conditions that can be carried out on the mum.
Although it may not seem like a long list of major health concerns, any one of these health issues can cause lasting problems for your chosen dog breed.
Beagle Lab mixes highlights.
So what do you get when you mix two of the most popular dog breeds? Since both parent breeds are working dogs and share an ancestry of hunting, you will likely get a highly intelligent dog that likes chasing and retrieving.
However, you are also likely to get a gentle, playful, loyal, and fun dog. The beagle lab is adaptable, eager to please, easy to train, and energetic. They are the perfect dog if you love the outdoors and have plenty of time to spend with your new four-legged friend.
If you prefer a more laid-back lifestyle or will be leaving your dog alone for a significant amount of time each day, then you may want to reconsider whether the beagle lab mix is the right choice. As with all dogs, they thrive in the right environment, and if you can provide the right amount of exercise, fun, and mental stimulation for your beagle lab mix, you will have the perfect dog, fun, outgoing, and a faithful companion.