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Border Beagle (Beagle & Border Collie Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

border collie beagle mix

Height: 15–22 inches
Weight: 20–40 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: White and black combo, sometimes mixed with brown, gold, red-brown, or tan
Suitable for: Active families with older children, those looking for a hypoallergenic dog
Temperament: Fun-loving, loyal, easy to train, intelligent, energetic

What do you get when you mix Snoopy with a fun-loving Border Collie? A Border Beagle! Popular for their smarts, playfulness, and devoted demeanors, Border Beagles make great pets for active pet parents or families with older children.

Their adorable looks, including their floppy ears, bushy tails, and large, expressive eyes, might make you want to take home a Border Beagle pup right away. However, it’s important to consider every aspect of this crossbred pooch before you commit.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Border Beagle to see if this is the perfect pup for you and your family.Divider 1

Border Beagle Puppies

border beagle puppy

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

One of the best things you can do before adopting a designer hybrid dog is to thoroughly do your homework on your new puppy’s parent breeds. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. When it comes to the Border Beagle, your puppy’s parents are the super smart and lively Border Collie and the happy-go-lucky Beagle.

The Border Collie is a highly trainable dog that excels at obedience, agility, and herding. Because of their herding nature, they do best around older kids. While they are loyal and loving toward their human family, they tend to be a bit reserved around new people.

The Beagle was bred to be a hunting hound. While they can do well in a city apartment, Beagles thrive on frequent exercise in the form of long walks or a game of fetch in the backyard. However, ensure that your hard is fully fenced in as Beagles will follow their nose to new and fascinating smells – even if that means meandering out of your yard!

When you mix these two fantastic breeds, the result is a high-energy, highly intelligent dog that loves life.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Border Beagle

1. The Beagle is a Barker

Your pup’s parent breed, the Beagle, is a loudmouth, so be prepared for some barking!


2. Border Collies Are Renowned Record Breakers

Border Collies are smart, swift, and athletic. In fact, a Border Collie named Chase has been recognized as the smartest dog on earth and can name over 1,000 objects! Jumpy, another famous Border Collie, is an acclaimed record-breaking dog skateboarder, and Sweet Pea, a Border Collie mix, set a world record for balancing a can on her head while walking over 100 meters in under three minutes.


3. Beagles Have Been Around for Thousands of Years

Beagles are so ancient that their exact origin remains a mystery. However, we do know that their ancestors existed during the Roman Empire era.

Parent Breeds of the Border Beagle
Image Credit: Jumpstory

Divider 2Temperament & Intelligence of the Border Beagle 🧠

Border Collies and Beagles are herders and hunters. This makes the Border Beagle generally unsuitable for families with young tots. Due to your children’s small stature and quick movements, your Border Beagle may want to herd them, which can lead to nipping or even biting.

As avid hunting dogs, Beagles are always on the lookout for squirrels, rabbits, and other small prey animals. Once they catch a whiff of a small prey animal lurking nearby, they will be obsessed with trying to find it. This is why leashes and fences are absolutely essential for Border Beagles. Without the proper precautions, you can easily end up losing your dog while he’s on the hunt for a bunny.

Here are some other things to consider before buying a Border Beagle.

Border Collie and Beagle mix
Image Credit: Aitor Rodriguez Claro, Shutterstock

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

As mentioned before, the Border Beagle makes a great family dog for households with older children. If you have toddlers, your new puppy may be inclined to try and “herd” them, assuming they are sheep.

This crossbreed is also wary of new faces as they have a very protective nature. Socializing your puppy from a young age by taking him for a long walk around the neighborhood to meet strangers is a good way to curb his protective ways.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

While your Border Beagle will likely get along with other dogs in your home if socialized from a young age, keep a firm eye on him when he’s around the family cat or any other smaller animal. A Beagle’s tendency to want to hunt will lead to some unwanted behavior and maybe even dire consequences.Divider 4

Things to Know When Owning a Border Beagle

Your Border Collie Beagle mix will be an amazing family pet for many years to come. Here’s everything you need to know to help him thrive.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Nutrition for your Border Beagle is simple. Most of them do well on traditional dry kibble that is grain-free. Find high-quality foods that contain lean protein, including chicken or beef, and healthy grains, veggies, and fruits.

Overindulging your Border Beagle in an unhealthy number of treats or table scraps can lead to obesity and other health problems. We know your dog is a good boy, but keep those tasty goodies to a minimum.

Exercise 🐕

Your mixed-breed dog should get regular exercise, even as an adult. While age will slow your Border Beagle down a bit, they’ll have loads of energy as a young dog. While they can exist quite happily in an apartment, they’re best suited for suburban or rural households with a medium to large fenced-in yard.

If you’re without a yard, spend 45 to 60 minutes every day exercising your Border Beagle. Take him for a long walk or hike, visit a doggie park, or take him for a brisk jog around the neighborhood.

All of the energy that his parent Border Collie breed needs to be released daily. If not, your Border Beagle could get bored and resort to unwanted behavior, such as chewing or excessive barking.

Mental Stimulation

As we talked about previously, your Border Beagle’s Border Collie parent breed is a very, very smart dog. They need to be mentally stimulated every day to reduce unwanted behavior and to keep them happy. Some ways to keep your Border Beagle mentally entertained include:

  • Enrolling them in a weekly agility or obedience class
  • Practicing new tricks with them
  • Have them work to find their food
  • Take them on a new walking route
  • Get him a doggie puzzle toy
  • Teach them the names of their toys
  • Make an obstacle course for them in the backyard

Training 🦮

Due to their high intelligence, training a Border Beagle is very easy. However, starting to teach them the basics, such as obedience, socialization, and housetraining, is imperative for a well-rounded member of the family.

Your Border Beagle can be a bit on the stubborn side. It’s critical to get the upper hand with efficient training while they are still young and not set in their ways. Since they are natural hunting hounds, your Border Beagle may want to sniff everything during their walk. You can curb this annoying behavior by investing in a dog harness that attaches to their chest.

Another thing to keep in mind is your pup’s innate drive to herd. Socializing them with other animals, as well as humans, from an early age can help reduce this need to herd.

Always use positive reinforcement to teach your pet what’s wanted of them. A juicy treat or a simple pat on the head will both suffice.

Grooming ✂️

Sadly, there’s no way around it. Any mix-breed dog that comes from a Border Collie is going to need a great deal of grooming. Due to their long, double-coated fur, they also shed profusely every spring and summer. This means that you will need to invest in a good shedding tool to get all of that loose hair off of them.

We recommend brushing your Border Beagle at least three times a week. You should also clip their nails, brush their teeth, and clean their ears weekly or bi-weekly.

Health & Conditions ❤️

Minor Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
Serious Conditions
  • Epilepsy

The Border Beagle is an extremely healthy breed. However, they are not without their health issues. The most common health issue to keep an eye out for in this designer breed is hip dysplasia. Also, epilepsy has been known to commonly occur in Beagles.

Despite their healthy nature, routine vet visits are a must to ensure your Border Beagle is in tip-top shape throughout their entire life.Divider 5

Male vs. Female

The last bit of information you may want to know about your new Border Beagle pup is if you should bring home a male or a female. While the males will be a tad larger than the females, their personalities are relatively the same.

Divider 3

Final Thoughts

Border Beagles are wonderful crossbreed dogs for families seeking a smart, active, and loving companion. While this breed is susceptible to herding and hunting behaviors, it’s best not to get a Border Beagle if you have young children. Also, a fenced-in backyard is a MUST for this breed.

Otherwise, Border Beagles make fun and loyal family pets that will keep you entertained and on your toes for years to come.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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