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Beagle Shepherd (German Shepherd & Beagle Mix): Pictures, Temperament & Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Beagle German Shepherd mixed breed dog

The designer dog breed realm is a grey area in the dog world, sometimes resulting in unique hybrids that may raise a few eyebrows. Beagle-Shepherd mixes are great examples, as they are the result of crossing a purebred Beagle and a purebred German Shepherd.

Height: 16–23 inches
Weight: 25–60 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: White, blue, silver, red, brown, gray, black
Suitable for: Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog
Temperament: Loyal and loving, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, gets along with other pets

Depending on the dominant genes, they can vary quite a bit in size, appearance, and coat type. Beagle-Shepherd mixes may not be the most popular designer dog breed, but they can still be fantastic pets. If you’re looking to get one of these rare hybrids, read on to see if they’re a good fit for your household!

Beagle-Shepherd Mix Characteristics

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

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Beagle-Shepherd Mix Puppies

The Beagle-Shepherd dog is a rare type of hybrid that can vary wildly in weight and height, as is usually the case for a mix of two purebred dogs of such differing sizes. Things like location, the size of the puppies, and current demand for them can influence the final price. Unlike Labradoodles and other popular designer dog breeds, there are very few Beagle-Shepherd breeders.

Adoption is the best choice if there’s a dog available of this mix, but it may take some time to find one. The problem is that Beagle-Shepherd mixes are often backyard bred or from a puppy mill1, which is why adoption is a much better option. If you can’t find one in a shelter, find a Beagle or German Shepherd rescue that may have some mixed breeds for adoption.

The parent breeds of Beagle Shepherd
The parent breeds of Beagle Shepherd: Left – Beagle (Luke MacGillivray, Unsplash) | Right – German Shepherd (Anna Dudkova, Unsplash)

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Beagle-Shepherd Mix

Beagle-Shepherd mixes are not purebred dogs and come from very different breeds, so it’s hard to say what kind of temperament your dog will have. The best way to know is to meet the parent dogs or look at the temperaments of both breeds. Let’s look at the German Shepherd and the Beagle.

German Shepherds

two german shepherd dogs sitting on grass
Image Credit: Yama Zsuzsanna Márkus, Pixabay

The German Shepherd is a working-type breed, notably famous for their service skills and history as a farming dog. Powerful with natural guarding instincts, these large dogs do well with active families and homestead living. They’re loyal canines with a need for structure and plenty of exercise to burn off their high energy levels. German Shepherds are smart, but they need a confident owner to follow. They require a lot of time and attention, so they also need a household that can provide for their needs.

Beagles

beagles
Image Credit: Olga Melnichuk, Shutterstock

Beagles are happy dogs with a knack for tracking scents, often wandering off to wherever their noses take them. These scent hounds are affectionate companions and loving dogs, but they’re a bit challenging to train. Beagles need time and patience, especially for recall. Since they’re prone to wanderlust, they can be difficult to train off-leash. However, once this breed learns a cue or command, they rarely forget it. Once they learn and have a routine, Beagles can be great companions and family pets.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Yes, generally, Beagle-Shepherd mixes are great family dogs. They do best with active families that enjoy being active, especially being outdoors. They’re tolerant of children and love to play, so they’re great for families with active but respectful kids. They’re also very affectionate, bonding closely with their families.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Beagle-Shepherd mixes can get along with other dogs as long as they are frequently socialized as puppies. Some Beagle-Shepherds will be more comfortable with other dogs, while others may prefer human company. The best option is to raise another dog with your Beagle-Shepherd puppy, which will help them bond and learn to live in harmony.

The problem may lie with cats and small animals. Beagles and German Shepherds both have prey drives, so small animals like bunnies might be too tempting. Cats and Beagle-Shepherds can learn to live peacefully, but slow introductions are important to prevent fighting and territorial issues. If you have a household with cats or small animals, you might want to consider a different mixed breed.

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Things to Know When Owning a Beagle-Shepherd Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Beagle-Shepherd mixes have huge differences in weight and energy levels, which means they need a diet that fits both categories. Smaller Beagle-Shepherd mixes will need a diet made for small breeds fortified with essential vitamins and minerals that their growing bodies will need. For bigger Beagle-Shepherd mixes, we recommend a kibble for medium or large-sized dogs. Lean protein sources are the best option to prevent weight issues while also providing them with ample crude protein. For food recommendations, consult with your veterinarian on the best options for your puppy.

Exercise 🐕

Beagle-Shepherds are semi-active dogs, though not as energetic as purebred German Shepherds. Expect to take your Beagle-Shepherd for at least two walks a day, plus an hour or so of playtime. Beagle-Shepherds enjoy being outside, so hiking is a good option for them as well. They also need space to roam freely but in an enclosed area until their recall is completely reliable. If they can burn off some energy and go for a couple of walks, Beagle-Shepherd mixes can be relatively calm and relaxed indoors.

Training 🎾

Beagle-Shepherd mixes may be a bit difficult to train, especially for new dog owners. Beagles tend to take longer to train, while German Shepherds thrive with a confident leader. Start training your Beagle-Shepherd mix from day one, working on recall and other basic obedience cues. Using positive reinforcement methods with food-based rewards, your Beagle-Shepherd will learn with time and patience.

If you’re a first-time dog owner, we recommend group puppy classes to learn the basics of obedience. It will also help socialize your puppy as well, which is crucial for any purebred or mixed-breed dog.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming will vary a bit, depending on the coat texture. For Beagle-Shepherd mixes that have thinner, softer coats like Beagles, the coats will only need occasional brushing. For those that inherit the thick coat of the Shepherd, you’ll need to brush out the coat at least once a week. Clean out your dog’s ears only when necessary, using only a solution recommended by your vet. In addition to coat care, you’ll need to trim the nails around once a month.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Beagle-Shepherds are a hybrid of the Beagle and the German Shepherd, so they’re prone to some of the more common conditions of those breeds. It’s important to prepare for any future vet bills, especially for emergency trips to the animal hospital. Let’s look at the common health problems of the German Shepherd and the Beagle:

German Shepherd
  • Canine hip dysplasia
  • Bloat/GDV
  • Epilepsy
  • Cancer
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Skin allergies
Beagle
  • Thyroid disease
  • Obesity
  • Epilepsy
  • Allergies
  • Diabetes

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Beagle-Shepherd Mix

1. Beagle-Shepherd Mixes Vary in Size

Beagles and German Shepherds are quite different in size, so Beagle-Shepherd mixes can really vary in height and weight. They can potentially weigh more than 50 pounds, depending on the litter and parent dogs.


2. Their Coats Can Vary Too

Not only is size a huge variable but their coats can also be. Beagle-Shepherd mixes can have coats that range from shorthaired like the Beagle to full double coats like the German Shepherd. Since one of their parents is a high-shedding breed, these hybrids will be moderate shedders.


3. Beagles and Shepherds Are Skilled Hunters

While they have different approaches, both Beagles and German Shepherds are skilled hunting dogs. Beagle-Shepherds will most likely inherit a strong prey drive or the desire to track by scent, which are natural qualities of Shepherds and Beagles.

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Conclusion

Beagle-Shepherd mixes are a rarer type of hybrid, the result of breeding a German Shepherd and a Beagle. While they may not be as popular as other designer dog breeds, these hybrids are unique. Although training might be a challenge, they can make excellent family dogs and companions with time and patience. Whether you’re an experienced or first-time dog owner, Beagle-Shepherd mixes can be great dogs to have.

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Featured Image Credit: KatherineHouseha, Shutterstock

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