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The Bagle Hound is a mixed breed created by crossing a Beagle with a Basset Hound. They have long ears, a square head, and droopy eyes. They also have a short coat that’s easy to maintain and an expressive face that will instantly find its way into your heart.
Breed Overview
Height
12–17 inches
Weight
33–55 pounds
Lifespan
10–15 years
Colors
White, tan, black, red
Suitable for
Families, seniors, dog lovers
Temperament
Lazy, mischievous, friendly
The Bagle Hound is compact and muscular, with an elongated body that can weigh up to 60 pounds. You can find them in several colors, but they are usually white, tan, black, or red. They have a moderately long lifespan of 10–15 years and only bark occasionally. Read on for more about this wonderful hybrid!
Bagle Hound Characteristics
Bagle Hound Puppies
Since this is a mixed breed, the Bagle Hound is usually less expensive than their purebred parents, but the final cost will depend on the parents’ quality and the breeder’s skill. A high-quality breeder will often run more tests to ensure the dog’s health, and they can often selectively breed out certain health problems. Selective breeding will increase the costs but will also give you peace of mind.
You will also need to pay for regular vet visits and all your pet’s shots. You will also likely want to get them spayed or neutered, as this will save you plenty of headaches and reduce the risk of certain cancers later. You will also need to purchase food, treats, toys, and other supplies throughout your pet’s life, which can add up to a considerable sum.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Bagle Hound
The Bagle Hound is a friendly breed that enjoys being around other people and pets. They can be a bit lazy and enjoy lying around the house at their owner’s feet. This attitude can make them difficult to train, but they’re intelligent and able to learn several tricks if you have a lot of patience. They have a sensitive personality and will easily get upset if you are angry at them, though.
These hounds can also become mischievous if left alone for too long. However, their relaxed temperament makes them well-suited for small homes, seniors, and the disabled.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?🧑🧑🧒
Yes, Bagle Hounds are good for large families because they have a friendly temperament and enjoy being around people. They’re quite lazy, so they never get aggressive or overly barky. They like to spend their day lounging around by the feet or on the lap of family members. They also like to play fetch and be pet, so they’re usually a hit with the children. They don’t shed too much, so they won’t make a mess out of your home.
The only issue with this breed is that they can pick up a scent when going for a walk that can cause them to wander off and get lost if you don’t have them on a leash.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Yes, the Bagle Hound gets along well with other pets and quickly makes friends with other dogs. Although they might track animals around your yard with their powerful nose, they rarely chase them and never become aggressive. Early socialization will help your Bagle get along better with your cats and other animals, but it’s usually not required. The Bagle Hound is an easy-going and lazy breed that doesn’t have much interest in chasing or fighting with other animals.
Things to Know When Owning a Bagle Hound
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Your Bagle Hound will do best with high-quality dry dog food with chicken, beef, turkey, or lamb listed as the first ingredient. Avoid foods that have meat byproducts or corn at the top of the list. These ingredients are less nutritious and should only make up a small part of the dog’s diet. The dry kibble will help keep your dog’s teeth clean by scraping away tartar as your dog chews. However, if your pet is dehydrated, is constipated, or has a dental issue, you may need to switch to wet food.
We recommend choosing foods fortified with omega fats, especially omega-3. These fatty acids can reduce inflammation, bring out the shine in your pet’s coat, and improve hair and skin health. A healthier coat is less likely to shed.
Another great ingredient in many dog foods is probiotics. These help improve the gut’s good bacteria, enabling the digestive system to work better with less frequent problems like diarrhea or constipation. Many experts believe that much of the immune system is in the digestive tract, so probiotics can be a great way to improve your dog’s health.
Exercise 🐕
The Bagle Hound requires a moderate amount of activity to keep from gaining weight. Most owners recommend setting aside at least 1 hour each day for exercise. However, you won’t need to get too vigorous. A few short walks each day should be more than sufficient. Your Bagle Hound can be resistant at first but will soon start to enjoy themselves, especially if they pick up a scent on your walk. They can walk a long distance when following another animal, which can be both a blessing and a curse.
Training 🎾
Training your Bagle Hound can be challenging because they’re lazy and easily lose focus. They can also be quite stubborn if they want to lie down and will often sit there, looking at you and refusing to get up. The only thing that seems to change their mind is the scent of another animal, which they will start to follow regardless of your pleas to stop, often even ignoring treats.
The best way to train your Bagle Hound is to take advantage of the opportunity when you see that your dog is attentive. If they come to you looking for a treat or a walk, it can be a good time to try out a command. Get your dog to sit or speak by saying the command while motioning or gesturing what you want them to do. If your dog follows the command, give them a treat, and let them have what they want. After a few tries, your dog will begin to catch on.
You can also try setting 5 to 10 minutes aside at the same time each day for training. Consistent sessions can help even stubborn dogs get into a routine, but you can’t miss any days or you risk losing your progress.
Grooming ✂️
The Bagle is not a heavy shedder, so they might be good for people with light allergies. Grooming is easy, and you will only need to brush your dog once a week to keep the coat shiny. We recommend manually brushing your pet’s teeth as often as possible to slow the progression of dental disease, and if you hear their nails clicking on the floor, you will need to trim them.
- You might also want to check out: Best Dog Wipes
Health and Conditions 🏥
- Glaucoma
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Obesity
Minor Conditions
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a condition that results in too much pressure in the eye due to fluid not draining properly. It is often a result of genetics, as is the case for the Bagle Hound. However, it can also be the result of trauma and other factors. Signs of glaucoma include a red eye, extreme pain, tearing, cloudiness, and vision loss. Surgery and medication can help relieve the condition and ease the signs, but in some cases, the dog can go blind in that eye.
Serious Conditions
- Elbow and Hip Dysplasia: Elbow and hip dysplasia are separate conditions that affect the way the respective joints form. When these joints don’t form correctly, they will wear down faster, affecting your pet’s ability to walk. It is the leading cause of lameness in dogs. Signs of hip dysplasia include difficulty in getting up and a bunny hop gait. Medication and weight loss are the primary ways to treat dysplasia.
- Obesity: Obesity is a major problem for all breeds in America and worldwide, with some experts suggesting more than 40% of dogs are overweight. Obesity can lead to many health problems, including cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and diabetes. Properly following feeding instructions on the package and seeing that your dog gets enough exercise is the best way to prevent obesity.
Male vs. Female
There are no discernable differences between the size and temperament of male and female Bagle Hounds. Their parents and the one that they take after more will have the biggest effect on these attributes.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Bagle Hound
1. Strong-Nosed Parent
The scent-tracking skills of one of the parent breeds, the Basset Hound, are second only to those of the Bloodhound.
2. Presidential Heritage
United States President George Washington owned a Basset Hound, which was given to him as a gift.
3. Mess-Free Parent
The Beagle parent does not drool much and sheds less than many other breeds.
Final Thoughts
The Bagle Hound makes a fantastic pet if you don’t mind a difficult dog to train. They’re quite intelligent, and if you have patience and experience with lazy dogs, you will be able to get them to do what you need. They’re well suited for an apartment or house, and they get along with children and other pets. They can misbehave if you leave them alone too long, and it can be frustrating when they want to follow a trail, but they will provide you with many years of low-maintenance companionship.
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Featured Image Credit: Annette Shaff, Shutterstock
