The German shepherd beagle is a designer crossbreed between a German shepherd and a beagle. The term designer crossbreed typically refers to an intentional mixing of pure breeds — such dogs are also called “hybrid” dogs. German shepherd beagle mixes are also known as beagle shepherds or beagle sheps.
These dogs are medium size with up to 24 inches in height and can weigh anywhere between 22 and 56 pounds. German shepherd beagles are very friendly, energetic, and intelligent dogs. They will do anything to protect their owners and are great companions for almost every type of person.
The German shepherd beagle is a perfect dog for a big family. They are very sociable and will not get tired of the attention. German shepherd beagles are also great with children – they are kind, playful, and protective. However, due to their high energy and sociable nature, these dogs may not be the best choice for a busy working individual living alone. They need a lot of attention and might even get depressed when not getting enough physical activity.
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German Shepherd Beagle Mix Quick Summary
| Breed Type | Designer breed |
| Life Expectancy | Up to 14 years |
| Height | 16-24″ (males), 14-22″ (females) |
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 22-56 lbs (male), 22-49 lbs (female) |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years a similar lifespan to an Old English Sheepdog rather than a Poodle |
| Color Variations | Black or brown with patches of white or red |
| Temperament | Intelligent, energetic, and friendly |
| Activity Level | High |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Daily Food Consumption | 800 kcal per day |
| Known Health issues | Diabetes, heart problems, allergies |
Beagle Shepherd Appearance
The German beagle shepherd mix is a medium-sized yet muscular dog – a result of the mix between a hound and a working dog. These dogs will usually have the traits of both parents, like their floppy ears showing their beagle origins and the recognizable black-and-brown color patterns from their German shepherd parent. The color of their coats may vary from black and brown to multi-colored with patches of different shades.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of these dogs can vary quite a lot based on whether they are male or female, their food intake and exercise, health, and DNA inherited from purebred parents. A male’s height can vary between 16 and 24 inches, while females are slightly shorter, with a height range between 15 and 22 inches.
The weight of an adult male can reach up to 56 pounds (25 kilograms), and females can weigh up to 49 pounds (22 kilograms). These dogs reach their full physical development by the age of 1.5 to 2 years.
Coat
The coat color of German beagle shepherds may vary quite a lot, depending on which parent’s genes are dominant. Most dogs will have dual- or triple-color coats, usually including shades of white, brown. Some beagle shepherds will be white with brown and black patches on their coat if the genes of the beagle dominate, whereas others will have a darker coat shade, like their German shepherd parent.
For this same reason, the length of the coat may also vary depending on the dominant DNA. If the Beagle’s genes are dominant, the dog will have a shorter coat, others will inherit a medium-length coat from the German shepherd side of the family. The density of a German shepherd beagle’s coat is considered to be medium.
Physical Capacity
German beagle shepherd dogs are athletic and have a lot of stamina, thanks to their German shepherd genes. These dogs are born to stay active, which is why they have the long strong legs of a working dog breed.
Beagle German Shepherd Mix Origins
The origin of the German shepherd beagle mix dates back to the late 1990s or early 2000s. Beagle shepherds are a relatively new breed and have not yet been studied as extensively as their parents, German shepherds and beagles.
German shepherd beagle dogs are designer breed dogs, which means both parents are purebred. In order to better understand the key characteristics of this mix, it can be helpful to learn more about the two parent breeds.
German Shepherd
German shepherds were bred in Germany in the late 19th century to become the perfect worker dogs and were used as herding dogs. Back then, the working dog’s appearance was not considered a priority, as the animals’ strength, stamina, and intelligence were seen as their most important assets.
These dogs are large and muscular and can stand as tall as 26 inches at the shoulder. Males weigh anywhere between 75 to 90 pounds. German shepherds’ easily recognizable dark colors include black and dark brown shades, and their coat is thick and medium in length. They are known as incredibly intelligent, courageous, and loyal dogs, but not immediately friendly with strangers.
Beagle
The beagle breed can be traced back to as early as the 16th century when they were used for hunting small prey, like rabbits. Beagles are famous for their sense of scent, making them perfect hunting dogs. They have been bred to hunt in packs, making them highly social pets.
These dogs can be as tall as 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 20 and 35 pounds. Beagles can vary a lot in color, some being white with colorful black, brown, or red patches, others showing darker coat colors.
Beagle Shepherd Mix Personality and Temperament
German beagle shepherd dogs are loyal, energetic, and intelligent. These dogs are great companions and are a pleasure to be around. Beagle shepherds are perfect dogs for people leading active lifestyles. They will happily go on walks, adventures, or simply spend time in nature with their owners.
Due to their hound genes from beagles, giving them an acute sense of hearing and scent, these animals are naturally protective and will become perfect watchdogs for your house. German shepherd beagles will be a great choice for families with kids, as well as those living in the countryside, providing these dogs with enough space for physical activity.
On the other hand, when thinking of making a German shepherd beagle a part of your family, you should consider the fact that these pets can be very loud and overly energetic. Such traits can make them unsuitable for people leading a quiet life, those living alone, or senior citizens. Beagle shepherds can overwhelm these individuals with their almost insatiable need for communication and playtime.
Taking Care of a German Shepherd Beagle Mix
To take good care of a beagle shepherd, it is important to keep in mind some of the specific needs of this breed. While German shepherd beagle dogs do not require excessive care or specialized grooming, the owners of these dogs should be aware of certain health risks, personality traits, and diet requirements to keep their pets happy and healthy.
Food Needs
Due to their high energy levels and constant need for physical activity, beagle shepherds tend to burn a lot of calories which should be taken into account when planning their diet. It is best to feed adult dogs twice a day, giving them portions of one and a half cups in size.
The proportion of protein in the daily intake of an adult dog should amount to 18%, puppies will need slightly more – 22%. Make sure to choose premium dog food brands whenever possible so you can ensure top-quality food for your dog and avoid potential health risks linked to an unhealthy diet.
While occasional treats will not harm German shepherd beagles, it is crucial to avoid giving the dog some of the human foods that can harm its health, including salty, sugary, or spicy foods, processed foods, coffee, alcohol, and chocolate.
Grooming Needs
Beagle shepherds do not need frequent grooming due to their short coats inherited from beagles. These dogs require bathing once every 3-4 weeks. Because water can get inside their ears, which are very susceptible to infection, it is important to dry their ears thoroughly after every bath. During the week, it is enough to brush beagle shepherds every two or three days, which also helps improve blood circulation.
German shepherd beagle dogs might shed heavily in the spring as they change their winter coat. However, more frequent brushing in this period should solve the problem.
It is important to keep the teeth of German shepherd beagles clean and make sure to brush at least once a week. It might be a good idea to start brushing their teeth while they are puppies, this way helping them get used to this mildly unpleasant procedure.
Exercise Needs
German shepherd beagles require regular exercise, including walks and runs. It is best to keep a variety of exercises for these lively and energetic dogs. They can get bored and experience a drop in their natural energy levels if the routine becomes overly repetitive. Beagle shepherds enjoy not only casual daily walks, but also love running, jumping, and playing.
Daily exercise for these dogs should amount to at least one hour of walking, but it is best to allow them to move as much as possible. For this reason, German shepherd beagles will live their best lives in big spacious houses with a yard, as well as someone who can keep up with their physical activity needs. These dogs can get depressed and lose interest in life when living in small spaces, like apartments.
Mental Needs
German shepherd beagles require not only a lot of physical activity but also need a lot of mental stimulation. Naturally intelligent and curious dogs, beagle shepherds need extensive communication with people and, potentially, additional professional training from which the dog will benefit a lot.
Common Health Concerns
With the structure of their floppy ears, beagle shepherds can frequently suffer from ear infections. To decrease the risks of this happening, it is worth setting up regular health checks for your dog and making sure you know a good vet in advance.
While these dogs are generally healthy and face low chances of genetic disease, there are some additional health concerns that should be considered in advance. Some of these include diabetes, which can be prevented by ensuring a healthy diet for this dog. Other common health problems are joint problems and hip dysplasia, which should be checked before you buy a dog from the breeder.
Training a Beagle Shepherd Mix
Being highly intelligent dogs, beagle shepherds are capable of being trained relatively quickly. However, when training a German shepherd beagle mix dog, you should keep in mind that these dogs are rather sensitive and can be significantly affected by negative reinforcement. They learn well with the use of positive reinforcement, such as treats.
These dogs benefit from socialization-based training. For example, training them in a dog park with other dogs around can be a fun and stimulating experience for your beagle shepherd. This will also introduce the dog to strangers early on, allowing the owner to take control of the pet’s potentially unexpected behavior with people later in life.
If you want your dog to be obedient, you should start some of these puppy training tips with your German shepherd beagle early on.
Beagle German Shepherd Cost
Although a beagle shepherd may be a rather expensive breed, you will be able to save on everyday expenses such as grooming compared to other dogs.
How Much is a Beagle and German Shepherd Mix?
A German shepherd beagle mix costs between $500 and $700 on average. These dogs can be quite an expensive breed, with costs as high as $1200 when purchased from the well-known breeders. However, it is important to keep in mind that purchasing dogs from breeders for a lower price may result in higher chances of health problems which will lead to greater expenses later on.
How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Beagle and Shepherd Mix?
It is possible to keep daily expenses on raising a German shepherd beagle mix relatively low. The dog will not require frequent grooming, and most of the procedures can be easily done at home. A beagle shepherd will require premium dog food brands, which will cost between $200 and $500 a year.
Should You Get a German Shepherd and Beagle Mix?
German shepherd beagle mix is a great dog capable of bringing joy to different types of owners. Its kind, fun-loving and energetic character will fit into a warm family living in a big household. However, these dogs may not be the best pick for certain types of people, like those who live alone or may struggle with an excessively energetic pet.
Beagle German Shepherds are Suitable for:
Beagle shepherds will be perfect pets for big families, especially those with children. These dogs’ protective and kind nature will make them great companions and playmates for kids. German beagle shepherds are especially suitable for families with slightly older children as opposed to toddlers since these kinds can better keep up with this breed’s love for dynamic activities and games.
These dogs will also be great for people living an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. Beagle shepherds love adventure and spending time outside, and will make a good companion on a hike or even a weekend getaway in a forest.
Beagle German Shepherds are Not Suitable for:
Unfortunately, German shepherd beagle dogs are not a good choice for someone living in a small apartment on their own. If you have a 9-to-5 job in the office and cannot spend your days with the dog, it will most likely get depressed without enough physical activity and communication.
Beagle shepherds may not be suitable for senior citizens, since they can sometimes overburden seniors with their excessive need for movement and exercise.
Other Beagle and German Shepherd Mixes
If you’re interested in learning about other German shepherd mixes or beagle mixes, check out the hybrid dog breeds below.
Beagle Mixes
German Shepherd Mixes
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