4 Common Types of Beagles (With Pictures)

7 Delightful Types of Beagles: Find Your Perfect Match

Are you smitten with those soulful eyes and velvety ears? Beagles are one of America‘s most beloved dog breeds – and for good reason! These friendly, merry hounds come in a few different flavors, each with its own unique charm.

As a veterinarian and lifelong beagle aficionado, I‘m here to be your guide to the wonderful world of beagles. We‘ll meet seven distinct types, from the classic tri-color to rare reds and blues. By the end, you‘ll have a better sense of which beagle is the ideal fit for your life and home. Let‘s dive in, shall we?

Beagles 101: Breed Background

First, a quick Beagling 101 lesson. Beagles were developed in England to be rabbit hunting companions. Their keen noses, stamina, and single-minded determination made them excel at tracking hares across the countryside.

The breed came to the US in the 1800s, where they continued their hunting heritage but also won hearts as affectionate, amusing pets. Snoopy of Peanuts fame introduced many Americans to the charismatic beagle in the 1950s. Today, the beagle consistently ranks among the top 10 most popular breeds.

All beagles share certain delightful qualities:

Outgoing, happy-go-lucky personality
Curious, clever mind that loves having a "job"
Tendency to follow their nose and get into mischief
Social nature that craves companionship
Melodious howl (a.k.a. adorable nuisance)
Low-maintenance, wash-and-wear coat
Incredible cuteness (okay, I may be biased)

Beagles do have some challenges too: they can be stubborn, noisy, and prone to wanderlust if a scent enchants them. They need plenty of exercise and interaction to thrive. But for many dog lovers, beagles‘ many virtues outweigh the occasional vexations. Now, on to meet our line-up of beagle types!

The Classic Crooner: Standard Beagle

Height: 13 or 15 inches
Weight: 18-30 pounds
Coat: Close, hard, medium length. Classic tricolor (black, tan, white)

When most people picture a beagle, the image in their mind‘s eye is the Standard Beagle. This merry hound comes in two varieties: 13 inches (under 13" at the shoulder) and 15 inches (13-15" at the shoulder).

Both 13s and 15s boast the beagle‘s signature look: a sleek, substantial body, broad head with soft, pleading eyes, and of course, those long, low-set ears that would make Dumbo envious. The typical beagle sports a tricolor coat, with black, white, and tan hairs intermingling.

The Standard is the most common type of beagle. These pack-loving pups need a moderate amount of exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks plus playtime and training sessions are a must to keep boredom and destructive habits at bay.

With their robust build and enthusiastic personality, Standards may be a bit much for small children or frail adults to handle. They do best with older kids and active families. But if you can give them the attention and activity they crave, Standards will reward you with a lifetime of laughter and love.

The Fun-Sized Friend: Pocket Beagle

Height: 7-12 inches
Weight: Under 15 pounds
Coat: Close, hard, medium length. Various colors/patterns

Want all the beagle charm in a petite package? Enter the Pocket Beagle. Smaller than the Standard but with the same winsome features, Pockets typically weigh under 15 pounds and stand 7-12 inches tall.

Don‘t let the diminutive size fool you – Pocket Beagles are every inch a true hound. They have the same zest for life, nose for adventure (and trouble), and penchant for pursuing prey as their bigger cousins.

Pockets can be great city and apartment dogs due to their compact size. They still need plenty of exercise and enrichment, but they‘re easier to tire out than Standards. Pocket Beagles also tend to have a softer, less baying bark than larger beagles.

Because of their portable size, Pockets may be tempting for families with small children. But little kids and little dogs are not always a great mix. Rough handling can easily injure these fine-boned beagles. Pockets are better suited to homes with gentle children over age 6.

The Sunny Sidekick: Lemon Beagle

Height: 13 or 15 inches
Weight: 18-30 pounds
Coat: Close, hard, medium length. Lemon and white

When life gives you lemons, get a Lemon Beagle! These unique pups swap the black fur of tricolors for a lovely, warm, yellow shade.

Lemon beagles have the same size, shape, and spunk of standard beagles. The main difference is their coloring. Lemon beagles‘ coats feature white with lemon-yellow patches, sometimes intermingled with tan accents. Shades can range from pale cream to vibrant yellow.

Besides bringing a splash of citrusy cheer, Lemon Beagles share all the wonderful and challenging traits of the breed. They‘re curious, clever, social, and energetic. They need a securely fenced yard, a healthy dose of activity and interaction, and positive training to be the best beagles they can be.

If you like your beagles sunny side up, the luscious Lemon may be your perfect pick. Just remember: despite their sweet appearance, these are still strong-willed scenthounds. They need patient, consistent training and plenty of exercise to curb nuisance behaviors.

The Rare Russet: Red and White Beagle

Height: 13-15 inches
Weight: 18-30 pounds
Coat: Close, hard, medium length. Red and white

If you‘re looking for a beagle as rare and wonderful as a ruby, consider the Red and White. As the name suggests, these beauties have deep, rich, red-hued coats paired with white markings. Some may have tan points as well.

Red and Whites were developed by breeding darker tricolors with Lemon Beagles to intensify and solidify the red coloration. The resulting hue is reminiscent of an Irish Setter or Vizsla. But underneath that unusual coat beats the true heart of a beagle.

Like all beagles, Red and Whites are social, spirited, and smell-motivated. They have the stamina to go all day while on an interesting scent trail. Red and Whites tend to be very affectionate, bonding intensely with their special people.

The downside to that devotion is that Red and Whites don‘t like being left alone and can be prone to separation anxiety. At a minimum, they need another canine companion to keep them company when you‘re gone. Better yet is a lifestyle that allows them lots of quality time with you.

The Freckled Fellow: Blue Tick Beagle

Height: 13-15 inches
Weight: 18-30 pounds
Coat: Close, hard, medium length. Blue ticked

Want a beagle that stands out from the pack? The beautiful Blue Tick will definitely turn heads. These striking dogs look like someone flicked ink all over their white coats. The splatter of black-blue "freckles" on a white background is called "ticking" in the dog fancy.

Blue Ticks may have solid black heads or the more typical black and tan pattern. The ticking can cover most of the body or be restricted to certain areas like the legs. Some Blue Ticks may have tan points peeking through the dots.

Ticking occurs in many other hunting breeds, like the Bluetick Coonhound (from which the Bluetick Beagle gets its name). The tiny flecks are thought to provide camouflage for canines stalking prey in shadowy brush and bramble.

Like their Coonhound cousins, Blue Tick Beagles have an especially powerful prey drive and endurance to follow a scent over hill and dale. Their tracking ability means once they‘re on the trail of something tantalizing, it can be extra hard to call them off.

Blue Ticks need ample running room and a rock-solid recall. Apartment dwellers and first-time owners may find them challenging. But for seasoned dog handlers with active lifestyles and secure spaces for romping, Blue Tick Beagles are a rare gem.

Beagle Blends: Mixes and Designer Dogs

Finally, let‘s look at the newest members of the beagle family tree: intentional crosses that blend beagle charm with the traits of other breeds. The most common beagle mixes include:

Puggle (Pug x Beagle):
The playful Puggle balances the Pug‘s couch potato personality with the Beagle‘s get-up-and-go. Puggles are small but sturdy, with a mischievous streak.

Beagle-Dachshund Mix:
These low-slung cuties combine the Beagle‘s friendliness and Doxie‘s fearless fire. Long and short coat varieties are possible. Bold, bright, and brimming with confidence.

Beagle-Lab Mix:
Beagles and Labs are both high-spirited, high-energy breeds that live to love their people. A Beagle-Lab will likely be larger than a purebred Beagle but more portable than a purebred Lab. Grooming needs will vary.

Beagle-Golden Retriever Mix:
Looking for the ultimate family dog? The Beagle-Golden is a strong contender. Golden Retrievers bring their legendary gentleness and trainability to the table while Beagles add merry enthusiasm. These mixes can range in size based on the Golden parent.

A few things to remember about Beagle mixes:

There‘s more variability in appearance, size, and temperament compared to purebred Beagles. Mixes may inherit any combination of their parent breeds‘ traits. Predicting adult size, coat type, and personality is less precise.

Certain crosses like the Puggle and Doxle may have a higher risk of breathing issues (from the Pug side) or back problems (from the Dachshund side). It‘s important to get Beagle mixes from responsible breeders who health test.

Well-bred Beagle mixes from conscientious breeders can be just as healthy as their purebred counterparts. In some cases, a little hybrid vigor may even give crosses a wellness boost. The main thing is to find a breeder who does the appropriate screenings.

With Beagle mixes, you get the best of both worlds! The fun-loving, nose-driven nature of the Beagle balances beautifully with the personality of the other parent breed. If you like a little variety in your life, a Beagle blend may be perfect match for your crew.

Choosing Your Ideal Beagle Type

Whew, that was a lot of beagle-icious info! Let‘s recap the key differences between our seven special beagle types:

So how do you pick your perfect beagle amidst this bounty of cuteness? Consider your lifestyle and what you want most in a canine companion. A few factors to think about:

How much space do you have? Pocket or smaller mixes may do well in apartments while Standards and stronger mixes need a yard.
How active are you? All beagles need exercise, but some like the Bluetick demand more than others.
Any kids or other pets? Pockets and calmer mixes like the Beagle-Golden tend to do best with small children and cats. Larger, higher-energy beagles are better with bigger kids and as only pets.
Want lower maintenance? Stick to the shorter coats of the purebreds vs. some of the mixes.
Have your heart set on a specific look? There‘s a beagle type for everyone, from the lemon drop to the freckled friend!

At the end of the day, all beagles need these essentials:

Plenty of exercise and mental enrichment to channel their energy
Lots of companionship – they hate being alone
Secure fences and leashes to keep them safe while their nose explores
Positive training to bring out their best and curb nuisance behaviors
Regular vet care including dental cleanings

Give your beagle these basics, along with a healthy dose of love and laughter, and you‘ll have an utterly devoted sidekick for life. As a long-time beagle servant, believe me: your heart and home will never be the same once you‘ve been blessed by a beagle!