Beago Basics
The playful little Beago brings together the ultra-easy going nature of the Beagle and the keen-to-please personality of the Golden Retriever for a great family dog that gets along well with kids, dogs other pets and even new faces. Because both parent breeds are friendly, loving dogs, this pooch understandably bonds closely and doesn’t always do well when left on his own for long periods of time.
The playful Beago is a blend of the easy-going Beagle and the people-pleasing Golden Retriever.
Origin
The Beago is the product of crossing a Beagle who hales from 1300s Great Britain with the Golden Retriever, a dog that was developed in the mid-1800s in America. Although each of these breeds has a pretty impressive background, the Beago himself dates back only 30 or 40 years and is considered a designer dog – which is a cross of 2 or more different pure-breds with the goal of cancelling out common health issues and creating smaller, gentler or even hypo-allergenic variations on a popular breed.
Pedigree
Because he is the offspring of 2 different purebreds, the Beago doesn’t qualify to join the coveted American Kennel Club (AKC) roster however both parent breeds are long-time members; the Golden Retriever joined the “sporting” group in 1925 while the Beagle signed on to the “hound” group back in group in 1885.
Food/Diet
Luckily the Beago is a highly active pooch because he loves his food and is prone to obesity. As he is also disposed to joint issues as he ages, it’s important that he remain as active as possible and that his diet ensure an ideal weight is maintained. Plan to feed him 2 to 3 smaller meals each day and avoid anything that is heavy in fillers. Carbs will make him want to eat more to feel full so opt for a nutrient-rich food that will match his super active lifestyle.
The Beago is a loving little dog who has an easy-going nature.
Training
The Beago comes from two highly intelligent breeds and his people-pleasing nature makes him an easy to train dog. Both socialization and obedience training should begin while he is young and always take a firm, consistent, rewards-based approach that offers up treats and verbal praise when he responds well to commands.
Weight
Once he reaches adulthood, the solid little Beago will weigh between 35 and 40 pounds.
Temperament/Behavior
The Beago is a loving little dog who has an easy-going nature and gets along well with other dogs, kids and new faces. He’s an intelligent pooch who bonds quickly with his family and thrives on the mental stimulation that comes from human interaction. As a result, if left on his own for long periods he can develop destructive behaviors such as chewing and barking. Because he comes from two breeds of dogs that are used for hunting, he does have a high prey drive and may be inclined to chase smaller animals but its all in sport and he’s typically not aggressive.
Common Health Problems
While the Beago is generally a healthy little dog, it’s always important to know what he may inherit from his parent breeds. With the Beago, that can include joint issues including hip and elbow dysplasia as well as a blood disease known as Von Willebrand’s plus cataracts.
Life Expectancy
The Beago has a life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years.
Exercise Requirements
The Beago is an active, agile pooch who won’t be satisfied with simple daily walks. He’ll want to catch balls, chase frisbees and visit dog parks, so plan to schedule in some interactive playtime to keep your dog from becoming bored and potentially developing destructive behaviors such as chewing and barking. Because he is prone to becoming obese, it’s important to never skip activity.
The loving Beago bonds quickly with his family and doesn’t do well when left on his own for long periods of time.
Recognized Clubs
Also known as a Beago Retriever, the Beago doesn’t qualify to join the American Kennel Club’s roster of purebreds however he is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
The Beago will typically have a smooth, shiny, shorter coat similar to that of the Beagle and because he is considered a moderate shedder, brushing 2 to 3 times per week should be sufficient to keep the fur from flying. If his coat is a little longer like that of the Golden, more frequent brushing may be needed and potentially a trip to the groomer from time to time. Bathe him only as needed and as with all floppy-eared dogs, inspect and clean his ears weekly to avoid infection.
Puppies
This busy little pup will want to be go-go-go all day long but it’s important you temper his exercise to avoid potential injury to tiny limbs. Joint issues later in life aren’t what you want for him. Be sure to begin the socialization process early on as he comes from two hunting breeds that will want to chase smaller animals and can become a nuisance at home and the dog park.
Photo credit: Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock; InBetweentheBlinks/Shutterstock; Range58/Shutterstock
