Have you ever seen a German Shepherd Beagle mix? Not one of them looks exactly alike, but they seem to have intelligent facial expressions combined with agile bodies that would enjoy high-energy activities. Sounds like the perfect dog for your household? Let’s take a look at the parent dog breed of the Beagle German Shepherd mix to know more about them.
What is a German Shepherd Beagle Mix?
The German Shepherd Beagle or Beagle shepherd mix is a relatively new breed of dog. They are made by cross-breeding a purebred German Shepherd Dog and a Beagle.
Because they are a mixed breed, many aspects of the Beagle German Shepherd mix’s appearance, personality, and other traits can be somewhat unpredictable. Knowing more about the two parent dog breeds of the Beagle Shepherd can help set some expectations and maybe even explain some of their physical traits or animal behavior.
Breed Overview
- Pedigree: Mixed breed
- Parent Breeds: German Shepherd Dog, Beagle
- Breed Group: Herding/ Hound group
- Breed size: Medium to large
- Height: 14 to 26 inches
- Weight: 20 to 90 pounds
- Energy level: High-energy
- Lifespan: 7-15 years
Appearance
Size
Because the Beagle and the German Shepherd look very different from each other, it is quite interesting to see what Beagle Shepherds would look like.
Beagles are medium-sized dogs, but within the same breed are two size varieties: the 13 inches and under and the 13-15 inch Beagle. German Shepherds on the other hand are large breed dogs. Purebred males have an average height of 24 to 26 inches, while female German Shepherds are about 22 to 24 inches tall.
In terms of weight, Beagles who are of the 13 inches and under variety weigh an average of under 20 pounds, while those that are between 13 and 15 inches tall weigh between 20 to 30 pounds.
The large-sized German Shepherds have muscular bodies that make them highly agile. They weigh between 65 to 90 pounds for males and 50 to 70 pounds for purebred females.
A Beagle Shepherd’s size can be anywhere between these two purebred dogs’ average height and weight. It is likely to be on the higher end of a medium-sized dog to a large-sized dog depending on which of their parent dogs they take after.
Coat
The German Shepherd or GSD’s coat is another physical trait of the breed that is quite different from that of the Beagle. The GSD has a thick double coat that is of medium length. The American Kennel Club’s breed standard for the GSD states that the thick outer coat should be straight, harsh, and lying close to the body. The undercoat is also thick, yet softer.
The Beagle has a smooth, straight hound coat. Their dense double coat is heavier during winter. This gets shed during springtime.
Both breeds have coats that are fairly easy to maintain. They do shed moderately year-round. The Beagle sheds heavily during springtime, while the German Shepherd sheds more than usual twice a year.
In German Shepherd Beagle mixes, you’ll find that many of them have short to medium coats that vary in texture. Some Beagle and Shepherd mix pups have smooth coats just like the Beagle’s, while other dogs appear to have a slightly shorter version of the German Shepherd’s double coat.
The Happy Puppy Site recommends brushing every few days, daily brushing during shedding season, as well as occasional bathing for Beagle Shepherds. As puppies and young adults, they may not need supplements if they are given high-quality dog food. But once they reach their senior years, it wouldn’t hurt to give vitamins or joint supplements that can be easily purchased at pet stores.
Recommended Grooming Tools
- De-shedding tool
- Slicker brush
- Nail clippers
- Tooth gel for dogs
- Toothbrush
Color
Both dog breeds have quite a variety of accepted purebred colors. One of the most common color combinations for both the Beagle and the German Shepherd is black and tan. However, the placement of the colors/ markings is different, so a Beagle Shepherd mix’s markings are another trait that could be highly unpredictable.
Crossing the two dog breeds could result in Beagle Shepherd puppies having any of the following coat color combinations depending on their purebred parents’ and ancestors’ colors:
AKC Accepted Coat Colors for the Parent Breeds
German Shepherd
- Black & Cream
- Black & Red
- Black & Silver
- Black & Tan
- Blue
- Gray
- Liver
- Sable
- White
- Bi-Color
Beagle
- Black
- Black & Tan
- Black & White
- Black Fawn & White
- Black Red & White
- Black Tan & Bluetick
- Black Tan & White
- Blue
- Blue & White
- Brown
- Brown & White
- Brown White & Tan
- Lemon
- Lemon & White
- Red
- Red & Black
- Red & White
- Red Black & White
- Tan
- Tan & White
- White
- White Black & Tan
- Blue Tan & White
- Black Tan & Redtick
Head
The AKC’s German Shepherd official breed standard describes the head as “noble, cleanly chiseled, strong without coarseness, but above all not fine, and in proportion to the body” They also describe males’ heads as distinctly masculine, and the females’ distinctly feminine. German Shepherds have long muzzles that are typically predominantly black (except for white dogs which do not qualify for show rings).
On the other hand, the Beagle’s skull is slightly domed and fairly long. The muzzle should be squarish and straight, while the nose is broad. The muzzle should also be of medium length.
If you look up images of a German Shepherd Beagle or Beagle Shepherds, you’ll find that some of them have long, narrow muzzles much like the GSD’s. Other Beagle Shepherd mixes have slightly broader, yet shorter muzzles that look closer to that of a Beagle’s.
Eyes
Known for their alert and intelligent expression, the GSD usually has dark, almond-shaped eyes.
The Beagle is known for its sweet, puppy dog eyes. Beagles have gentle, almost pleading large eyes that just melt everyone’s hearts. The color is usually brown or hazel.
Your Beagle German Shepherd mix puppy can have either of the two pairs of distinctive eyes that are trademarks of each breed. You can either have one that has confident, intelligent eyes, or Beagle Shepherd that is described by many as sweet, friendly, and quite hard to resist.
Ears
Another contrasting physical trait of the two parent breeds of the Beagle Shepherd is their ears. One has long floppy ears while the other has pointed ones that stand erect when they are alert.
Pure breed German Shepherd puppies are born with their ears down. While they are teething, it is common for their ears to go through an up-and-down phase. By the time they have all their adult teeth, their ears should already be standing at attention.
The pointed ears that stand up are not very common among Beagle Shepherds. Most of the Beagle Shepherd mixes inherit the droopy ears of the Beagle, however, there are some with ears that don’t lie close as close to the head. There’s no way of telling for sure whether your Beagle Shepherd puppies will inherit the pointed, erect ears of their German Shepherd parent or not.
History of the German Shepherd Beagle Mix
Cross-breeding to create designer dog breeds has become more popular than ever. The origins of the Beagle German Shepherd mix or Beagle Shepherds are not known. And while it may not be as popular as Poodle hybrid dog breeds, this new mixed breed dog is packed with charm, wit, and agility that were passed down to them by their parent breeds.
After all, the Beagle and the German Shepherd consistently make it to America’s top 10 most popular breeds. We may not know the exact origins of this new member of the designer mixed breeds, but the history of its purebred parent breeds has been documented.
History of the German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd was a breed of herding dog developed by German cavalry officer Captain Max von Stephanitz. By the late 1800s, local communities in Germany have been practicing selective breeding for many years to produce herding dogs that had the qualities that they need to carry out their jobs.
The job was to herd sheep and protect their flock from predators. However, there were no breed standards, and the dogs’ traits differed depending on which community they were from.
Captain von Stephanitz aimed not just to standardize herding dogs, but to also create one breed that has all the qualities that he believes would make it the perfect working dog. In 1899, he finally met his perfect working dog.
A dog named Hektor Linksrhein was at a dog show when he was shown to von Stephanitz. The former cavalry officer admired not just Hektor’s strength, intelligence, and loyalty, but also his beauty. He immediately purchased the dog and renamed him Horand von Grafrath.
Von Stephanitz soon founded the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for German Shepherd Dogs). And who else but Horand was its first registered German Shepherd.
Horand was bred with several dogs owned by the society’s members. His son Hektor von Schwaben fathered Beowulf. It is said that all modern-day GSDs can draw a genetic link to Beowulf’s progeny.
There was a lot of inbreeding done with Horand’s offspring and descendants to achieve the qualities that the modern-day GSD has. However, this practice also caused the dogs to be prone to certain ailments.
History of the Beagle
The origin of the Beagle dog breed is often a subject of debate. It is said that the breed's name is derived from the Gaelic word “beag” which means little. Others say that its origin is the French word “be’geule” which means “be mouthful”, something that is attributed to the sound they make while hunting.
It is believed that the extinct Southern Hound is an ancestor of the beagle. However, most writers suggest that the Southern Hound is derived from the Talbot hound – another extinct breed that is claimed to have come from Normandy to Britain.
Compared to the harrier and the Southern Hound, beagles are smaller in size and slower than other hunting dog breeds. As such, the term “beagle” and foot hounds were commonly used in England to describe smaller hounds that are not necessarily the same as the modern beagle.
These smaller hunting dogs were called foot hounds because hunters did not need horses to follow them. They could easily follow them on foot while the dogs track rabbits.
After the Civil War, beagles were soon imported into America. The modern-day Beagle is believed to have descended from the bloodline that General Richard Rowett bred from beagles that were imported from England. The AKC registered the Beagle as a breed in 1885, along with its first registered purebred Beagle, Blunder.
These days, Beagles are not just family pets. Many of them join the workforce as customs sniffer dogs, service dogs, and even termite or bedbug detectors.
The Sheagle Personality
The Beagle Shepherd mix is almost guaranteed to be quite intelligent and agile. A combination of a hardworking herding dog and one with a hunting instinct, it would be fascinating to see what personality this mixed breed dog would have.
Looking at the parent breed’s history can give us some insight into the personality, behaviors, and overall temperament of the Beagle Shepherd mix. But now it’s time to look at the modern-day parent breeds’ personalities.
The German Shepherd’s Personality
Highly intelligent and curious, the German Shepherd is capable of achieving numerous feats. It is no surprise that they are considered by many as the finest all-purpose working breed. Experts say the GSD’s defining attributes are its loyalty, confidence, courage, and ability to learn multiple commands.
Brave and loyal dogs to their families, German Shepherds are also known for their willingness to put their lives on the line to protect them. These excellent guard dogs tend to be aloof with strangers.
They can be very loving and gentle pets, and want to be around their family members. They thrive in a household that includes them in engaging activities.
Training
One of the most highly trainable breeds in the world, the German Shepherd is eager to please and can be taught multiple commands and tasks.
Early socialization and obedience training will not only ensure that they don’t cause trouble when outside your home, but it also brings out the best in the breed. With positive reinforcement and reward-based training, the GSD is capable of holding elite jobs such as military and police dog; guard dog; service dog; and search and rescue dogs
The Beagle’s Personality
Described as friendly, curious, and merry, the Beagle is affectionate and is ideal for families with children. Bred as pack dogs, Beagles tend to get along well with other dogs and animals.
A good family dog, this former hunting hound is friendly, yet will likely bark at strangers. However, it is not hard to win a Beagle over.
Just like German Shepherds, Beagles also thrive in more active households. They are energetic dogs and enjoy going on outdoor adventures, walking, jogging, or playing in the park.
Because of their powerful sense of smell and instinct to follow their noses, it is recommended that Beagles be kept on leashes whenever outdoors. It can be hard to recall them once they have picked up a scent.
If you are living in a house with a yard, fences are a must for Beagles. The AKC recommends having a fence at least five feet tall if you intend to give them unsupervised yard access. The fence should also extend underground to prevent them from digging and tunneling.
Training
Early socialization and training can help keep Beagles out of trouble. The sweet-faced Beagles don’t do well on harsh training techniques. They are food-motivated and will respond well to reward-based training.
Exercise Requirements
Both the Beagle and GSD are active dogs that are smart and require exercise as well as mental stimulation. Without enough exercise, the Beagle Shepherd mix could become bored, which leads to destructive behavior most of the time.
Daily walks, jogging, agility course runs, and exploring on-leash are activities that this mixed breed pup would enjoy. If your dog takes after its Beagle parent, regular playtime with other pets or their humans would be highly appreciated. They would also need at least an hour of exercise daily.
A Beagle shepherd mix that is closer to the size of its German Shepherd side will require more space in addition to exercise. Tracking treats hidden around the house could be a rewarding activity for this breed.
The Sheagle’s Health
Some believe that mixed breeds are less likely to be affected by some genetic conditions that certain purebred dogs are prone to have. That said, it is still recommended to learn about the common ailments and health conditions that affect the two parent breeds of the Beagle German Shepherd mix.
A reputable breeder would test their breeding stock for genetic disorders that the parents could pass down to their puppies. This applies not just to pure breeds but also mixed breeds such as the German Shepherd Beagle mix, other beagle mixes, and any type of dog.
As pet parents, providing your Beagle German Shepherd mix with proper care, the right amount of exercise, and nutrition through high-quality dog food can help prevent sickness and improve their quality of life. This can greatly reduce the pet’s medical costs.
As they grow into senior dogs, these pups will need less exercise but will need extra care and attention to ensure that they are comfortable and happy dogs.
The following are some of the health problems that are commonly seen in purebred German Shepherds and Beagles.
German Shepherd Health Issues
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cancer
- Bloat (gastric dilation and volvulus)
- Allergies
- Heart disease
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
- Pannus or superficial keratitis
Beagle Health Issues
- Patellar Luxation
- Hip dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy
- Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)
- Hypothyroidism
- Distichiasis
- Chondrodysplasia
- Cherry Eye
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS)
- Deafness
- Cataract
- Hemophilia A
- Demodicosis
- Umbilical Hernia Conclusion
Conclusion
The Beagle German Shepherd mix is an intelligent dog that requires a good amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation. Likely to be large dogs, this designer breed also needs enough space such as a yard where they can sniff around and stretch their legs. Living in a smaller dwelling will require additional daily exercise to avoid pent-up energy.
The need for both physical and mental exercise for this smart pup is probably the one aspect that could be challenging for some households. Other than that, the Beagle German Shepherd is a relatively healthy dog breed. Like any dog, high-quality food that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity levels helps keep them healthy and happy.
A product of cross-breeding two loving breeds, Beagle Shepherds enjoy being close to their family members. They are happiest when included in activities with the family.
