The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is a charming and intelligent dog that is friendly to humans and other pets. These loyal companions enjoy active outdoor playing time and are fun to be with.
Like other mixed breeds, the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix or Aussie Beagle dog may have various appearances and characters since they inherit the qualities of either or both of their parents.
If you want to be a fur parent of an Australian shepherd beagle mix, keep reading as we tell you everything you need to know about their appearance, behavior, lifespan, and health!
Breed Overview
| Height: | 13 – 23 inches |
| Weight: | 20 – 65 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14 – 16 years |
| Coat Colors: | Merle coats that are black, grey, white, tan, brown, fawn |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, energetic, affectionate, and highly trainable; tendency to bark a lot |
| Suitable for: | Families with kids and other pets; physically active owners |
What Is an Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix?
The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix, also known as the Aussie Beagle or Beagle Aussie mix, is a cross between the intelligent and loyal Australian Shepherd and the small cheerful Beagle. This delightful hybrid is a highly trainable pet compatible with outdoorsy families with energetic kids.
The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is a medium-sized dog with a great need for action and high prey drive. Since its parents are working dogs, it’s no surprise that this breed is also clever and excels in training.
This hybrid is pretty unique and relatively new. This could be the reason why the Beagle Aussie mix is not yet registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC).
Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Origin and History
It is difficult to determine when the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix first emerged. Nevertheless, the origins of its parents are well-documented, so you can delve into their history to know more about this hybrid.
The Australian Shepherd, despite its name, is of Basque descent. Its ancestor is the Pyrenean Shepherd, a fine herding breed from French and Spanish lands, and the Border Collie, a great herding dog from Britain.
The misnomer started when the indigenous Basque people coming from Australia brought the Basque Shepherd to the United States. The Australian Shepherd breed, or Aussie, as it is known today, was developed in America.
On the other hand, the Beagle originated from English hounds hunting hares. They were called the “foot hounds” because of their broad appeal to hunters who could easily keep up with a pack of Beagles on foot.
Modern Beagle dogs arrived in the United States after the Civil War and instantly became popular among rabbit hunters. The first registered Beagle in the American Kennel Club (AKC) was named Blunder in 1885.
The history of both the parents of the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix as herding and hunting dogs can be attributed to their high prey drive. Behind their lovable charm, the Aussie Beagles are actually reliable guard dogs.
Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Appearance
The appearance of the Australian Shepherd and Beagle mix could be unpredictable. It has no single set of defining qualities since its features may take either of the parents, like their varied eye and coat colors.
The Beagle Aussie mix may have a short and stout body like the Beagle or a tall and leaner body like the Aussie. They will likely have broad floppy ears, medium-sized heads, and bobbed or normal tails like the Aussie.
Their eyes are also distinct, owing to the sharp, attractive gaze of the Aussie and the big rounded eyes of the Beagle.
Since the Australian Shepherd may have different eye colors, your Aussie Beagle mix may have this too.
In terms of coats, they may have a scruffy or silky medium-length double coat, though they may also inherit the short coat of some Australian Shepherd dogs.
For the coat color, it can exhibit the lemon, chocolate, red, or tan combined with white or the rare blue tick color of the Beagle.
Meanwhile, other Beagle Aussie mixes can have the Australian Shepherd’s black, blue merle, red, red merle, or tri-colored coat.
Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Size and Weight
Based on the size and weight of its Australian Shepherd and Beagle parents, an adult Australian Shepherd Beagle mix may stand around 13 to 23 inches tall and weigh 20 to 65 pounds.
However, genetics is also an important indicator of the size of the Beagle Aussie mix, especially if they have a standard, mini, or toy-sized Australian Shepherd parent. This puts them between small and medium-sized dogs.
The Aussie Beagle mix can be expected to reach its full-grown size when it is around 16 to 18 months old, similar to its parents.
If the size of your Aussie Beagle mix is more similar to its Australian Shepherd parent, you may need a lot of space with a yard. Though they can live in apartments, they prefer an open space to enjoy the outdoors.
Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Temperament and Personality
Though there are a lot of possible personalities for the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix, the constant thing is their overflowing energy. Unlike other dogs, they do not enjoy lying down all day just watching TV.
Because of their need for action, they are outgoing and very friendly. But, like its Australian Shepherd parent, they are easily bored. Thankfully, there are ways to calm down your dog when it gets so hyper.
Also, they are deeply affectionate to their family, making them ideal for kids and other dogs. The downside is that they don’t like to be alone or cannot live outside like the Australian Shepherd because they tend to feel lonely.
With their devotion to their family and protective instincts and loyalty, the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix can be trained to serve as watchdogs.
However, since this mix can be emotive, they bark a lot. They also chew on stuff at home and even bite people like their Aussie parents. Hence, this mix is not good for first-time dog owners as they need to be trained properly.
Here’s a video of Australian Shepherd Beagle mix puppies running around the playground:
Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
Since hybrids have a more diverse gene pool, they are more capable to adapt to their environment, making them healthier than purebreds. On average, their lifespan is between 14 and 16 years.
Although, despite a higher level of fitness, the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix still encounters health issues, especially when approaching old age. Some of the problems they encounter are listed below:
- Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a genetic neurological disease that causes seizure, collapse, and drooling, among others. Since both parents of the Aussie Beagle mix are prone to epilepsy, your hybrid is also at risk. Although its cause remains unknown, it occurs during a change in brain activity, like waking up and feeling excited or sleepy.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition that becomes more common as your Beagle Aussie mix grows. Its symptoms include limping, wobbliness, and joint pain in the hips, caused by the non-uniform growth rate of the knees. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can be treated with medication or surgery.
- Musladin-Lueke Syndrome: This genetic condition affects connective tissues across multiple organ systems of an Aussie Beagle mix. The Musladin-Lueke syndrome affects their gait, causing a “tiptoe” posture. It also causes thick and taut skin, reduced joint mobility, wide and slanted eyes, and broadened skull.
While it’s out of your control to prevent these genetic diseases, you can manage and treat them.
Avoiding stress is good for dogs with epilepsy, while regular exercise and a proper diet are helpful in managing hip dysplasia.
It should be noted that although these diseases affect your dogs, they don’t necessarily cause death. If you have an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix, visit the vet for an early diagnosis and get advice on what to do next.
How to Take Care of Your Beagle Australian Shepherd Mix
The Beagle Australian Shepherd mix needs care and attention to keep them clean, healthy, and satisfied. A well-balanced diet, daily exercise, and socialization training are key requirements for a happy pooch.
Here are the most important tips for looking after your Beagle Aussie mix:
Food and Diet
An adult Beagle Australian Shepherd mix needs to be fed high-quality dog food daily. Since its Aussie parent is predisposed to obesity and joint problems, your hybrid will likely inherit this as well.
In general, a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet is prescribed for this hybrid. Since their size could differ greatly, their daily calorie intake also needs changes. This is also true whether your dog is very active or not.
If your pooch is more similar in size to its Australian Shepherd parent, it will need 4 to 6 cups of dog food daily.
On the other hand, if it’s more akin to the Beagle, your adult pet only needs ¾ to 2 ¾ cups of dog food a day. It’s important to monitor their eating habits since they may be prone to bloating, like their Beagle parent.
To ensure that your dog is eating high-quality food, look for products marked with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal of approval.
Cleaning and Grooming
The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is a medium to heavy shedder like its Aussie and Beagle parents. Its medium-length double coat needs brushing 2 to 3 times weekly to reduce shedding and prevent matting.
Since its coat is typically water-resistant, this hybrid can maintain a clean coat. You may only give them baths only as needed. If your hybrid has the ears of a Beagle, check their ears for a wax build-up every two weeks.
It is also important to brush their teeth up to three times a week and trim their nails every 5 to 6 days or once their nails touch the floor as they walk or run. Just be careful not to cut the pink flesh under the nails.
Training and Exercise
Since the Beagle Australian Shepherd mix has a lot of stamina, it can run around tirelessly. When they’re young, socialize with them, especially if you have kids at home, so they don’t unintentionally hurt family members.
If your Australian Sheagle mix has the shyness of the Australian Shepherd parent, socialization training can help it gain confidence. If it’s highly spirited like the Beagle, obedience training is helpful to behave them.
Since the Aussie Beagle mix is very active, they need at least two hours of exercise a day outdoors. For example, hiking and jogging are some activities that they excel at. Also, engage them during playtime to keep them happy.
Be consistent with your training and exercise routines to keep your Aussie Beagle healthy and satisfied. Since they are intelligent, training should be easy. Lastly, exercise is also a fun way to have a strong bond with them.
How Much Does a Beagle Australian Shepherd Mix Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
If you want to get an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix, you should expect the puppy’s cost to be between $400 and $1,000. In general, a more unusual combination of coat colors and eye color is more expensive.
On top of the puppy’s price, you also need to consider other expenses. These include food, yummy treats, vet visits, beds, and grooming essentials.
Here are the initial expenses associated with owning an Australian Shepherd and Beagle mix below:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food and Treats | $30 – $150 |
| Bowls | $10 – $40 |
| Toys | $20 – $100 |
| Beds | $30 – $300 |
| Collars and Leashes | $15 – $50 |
| Crates and Carriers | $30 – $500 |
| Grooming Essentials | $50 – $250 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $500 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $50 – $300 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $40 – $300 |
| Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Microchipping | $40 – $60 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Other Essentials | $20 – $80 |
| Total Initial Cost | $495 – $3,150 |
Some of the biggest expenses of owning an Aussie Beagle are medical-related such as neutering or spaying. Frequent visits with the vet for check-ups can incur a hefty sum, so do your best to keep them healthy!
For any fur parent, it is wise to prepare financially to meet their needs. Getting pet insurance can ease your mind that your Aussie Beagle will receive the best medical care when the time comes.
Places to Find Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
The Australian Shepherd and Beagle mix is quite a new designer breed, so it could be difficult to find in the market. Fortunately, we have listed some of the best places to find them.
Check out these sources if you are looking to buy an Australian Shepherd and Beagle mix:
- Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies is an online advertising website where you can use their puppy finder feature to look for your desired breed and type. They feature hundreds of pets, so it’s not impossible to find an Aussie Beagle on their user-friendly platform.
- Lancaster Puppies – This platform is a leading pet advertising site in the United States, hosting thousands of puppies for sale. You can visit Lancaster Puppies’ website to find a reputable Australian Shepherd Beagle mix breeder near you.
- Keystone Puppies – This is another dog advertising website with purebred, designer, and mixed puppies. They sometimes have Australian Shepherd Beagle mixes for sale. They also offer health guarantees and health checks, so you’re sure to get a healthy pup from a reputable breeder.
Aside from buying puppies from breeders, you can always look for dogs from rescues or adoption sites.
Here are some of the best rescues and places where you can find an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix for adoption:
- Adopt-a-Pet – This online pet database has thousands of adoptable dogs of various breeds across the United States. You might be able to find a Beagle Aussie mix needing a new home on this pet adoption site.
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) – ASPCA is based in New York and is one of the largest humane societies in the world. Check their database for adoptable dogs in the United States to find yourself an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix.
Aside from the online marketplace, you can also try your luck on social networking sites. Just be extra vigilant to avoid scams.
Pros and Cons of Owning an Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix
To further help you decide if this dog is a great match for you, this section contains a summary of the pros and cons of owning an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix.
That said, here are the advantages of having a Beagle Aussie mix:
- Great around kids and other pets: Their affectionate, cheerful, and friendly personalities make them great around kids and other pets. The Australian Sheagle mix is also loyal and naturally protective, so they are capable of guarding the pack while you are away.
- Intelligent and trainable: Coming from a descent of working and hunting dogs, they can be easily trained. An energetic and intelligent Australian Sheagle mix is a hard-working dog around the house. You can teach them to do simple tasks like picking up the grocery bags or serving as watchdogs.
- Low grooming maintenance: Despite its love for the outdoors, the Aussie Beagle mix tends to be a clean dog. This is advantageous because you only need to bathe them once they get really dirty, especially if they play outside.
These qualities are some of the reasons why the Beagle Aussie mix makes great companions. Nonetheless, as with any other breed, they also have needs and characteristics that are not favorites of some dog owners.
Here are some disadvantages of having a Beagle Aussie mix:
- Needs a great amount of exercise: This very playful and energetic hybrid needs a lot of action. They enjoy hiking or running and being outdoors. Their needs can be difficult to meet if they have a busy owner.
- Not hypoallergenic: The medium-length double coat of the Aussie Beagle sheds like its parents. Therefore, they are not suitable for owners allergic to fur as it may cause sneezing. Although, this can be managed by brushing their coats regularly to reduce shedding.
- Prone to genetic diseases: Since the Beagle Aussie mix is prone to many genetic diseases, it is quite difficult for any owner to see their dogs suffer. Thankfully, there are ways to manage and treat their symptoms to keep them comfortable.
As you can see, the disadvantages of owning an Australian Sheagle mix are not related to their personalities. They make really good pets and are perfect for any owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Australian Shepherd Beagle Mixes Good Dogs?
Yes, the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is a good dog. They are warm and cuddly companions and, at the same time, intelligent and highly trainable.
Since they come from a line of working dogs, they can also be depended on for small chores around the house.
Do Australian Shepherd Beagle Mixes Shed?
Yes, the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is a medium to heavy shedder. Its Australian Shepherd parent sheds year-round, which peaks during spring and fall, while its Beagle parent also sheds heavily in a matter of weeks.
Are Australian Shepherd Beagle Mixes Hypoallergenic?
No. Since the Aussie Beagle mix is a shedder, it cannot be considered hypoallergenic. Allergic pet owners may show an adverse reaction when exposed to this dog’s dander.
If you are an allergic parent who wants an Aussie Beagle, you may reduce their shedding by brushing them regularly.
Do Australian Shepherd Beagle Mixes Bark a Lot?
Yes. Since the Australian Shepherd Beagle hybrid is strong-minded with a high prey drive, they tend to bark a lot. This is due to its herding Australian Shepherd and hunting Beagle parents, whose roles require a lot of barking.
They bark when feeling excited or threatened and when communicating or alerting their owners about a situation. This trait is great if you want them to serve as guard dogs.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is a medium-sized dog with a tremendous need for action and exercise. It is a highly curious and intelligent mixed breed and needs mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
They are highly trainable and dependable enough to accomplish simple tasks. Because of their friendly nature, they are also great around kids and other pets and can be relied on to protect the pack while you’re busy.
While their cheeky appearance makes everybody gush, it may surprise you that they tend to bark a lot. This is very advantageous if you need both a companion and a watchdog. Indeed, this hybrid is the complete package!
Are you one of the lucky fur parents who have this mixed breed? Share your experience with the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix in the comments below!
