Beagle Dachshund Mix
If you are contemplating on giving a home to a Beagle Dachshund mix then read on to know all the do’s, dont’s and lots more about this amazing hybrid.
The Doxle – A Beagle Dachshund Mix
A Beagle Dachshund mix is most commonly known as a Doxle. Although some people do refer to this hybrid as Doxie or Beaschund too. This breed of dogs is a mix or a hybrid of purebred Beagles and purebred Dachshunds.
Beagles are members of the Hound group. They are small to mid-sized like a Foxhound but with longer ears and shorter legs. The most famous Beagle anyone would know is the cartoon character ‘Snoopy’. This is an intelligent breed with a keen sense of smell that has gained them a reputation for being detection dogs.
Dachshunds are not too different from the Beagles. They also have short legs but long bodies. Kind of like a hot dog with four short legs. Both these breeds have similar temperaments and hence a Beagle Dachshund mix is a playful and intelligent breed.
Brief History of The Beagle Dachshund Mix
Doxles were first bred in the United States of America and hence originate from there. The purpose of this hybrid was to make a designer mutt that will be a great companion to its owner. It tops as one of the more popular dog hybrids in America. However, Designer Dog Kennel Club or even the American Canine Hybrid Club have not yet given this breed the status of a true hybrid.
So How Does A Beagle Dachshund Mix Look?
A Beagle Dachshund mix has essentially the body of a Dachshund and the face of a Beagle. It is a stout dog with a longish body and short legs. Although most Doxle dogs will gain the base colour of the Dachshund, they do tend to have the spots of a Beagle. It is a small dog that will weigh not more than 15 pounds in its lifetime. If it does then it best to give them some exercise. This is not a very heavy breed due to the characteristics of its parental breeds but does sport a muscular chest.
It is good to note that if the parental breeds are pure bred then your Beagle Dachshund mix will not necessarily have a 50-50 percentage mix. It can still vary. Additionally, if the parental breeds are also hybrids then your Beagle Dachshund mix can show some traits of these breeds as well. For example, if there is an existence of a blood line that leads to a Bulldog then its possible that you might see a few wrinkles on the face of your Beagle Dachshund mix.
The Temperament of A Doxle
Like any other hybrid dog, the Beagle Dachshund mix takes on his parent breeds’ temperaments. Following are a few characteristic traits of this hybrid:
- They are friendly by nature.
- Good with children, unless excited in a negative way.
- Great companion dogs or family dogs.
- Good learners.
- Sometimes stubborn in their behaviour.
- Docile but playful.
- They can be temperamental if not trained at a young age.
- They do bark or even bite at times, if they feel threatened.
- Get easily attached to their owners and can be jealous if not given enough attention.
- They don’t shed a lot and aren’t very noisy.
- Can easily get along with other breeds.
- Average life span of this hybrid is around ten to thirteen years.
- Can be easily excited with small balls or toys and will chase them endlessly.
Most Common Problems With Beagle Dachshund Mix
This type of a hybrid has the best and worst of both its parental breeds. Following are some of the health issues that a Beagle Dachshund mix might face as it grows up:
- Weak spine – A Beagle Dachshund mix, because of its longish body, tends to have a weaker spine. Their body structure is such that it allows for lesser spinal support as the legs are far apart and short. Hence, the owner needs to take care while holding the dog or playing with him so as to not injure the spine in any way.
- Obesity -These dogs although very playful, can put on weight. This might have an adverse effect on their body and especially their spine.
- Eye problems – With age a Beagle Dachshund mix can cultivate eye problems that may lead to partial blindness. Regular vet visits and cleaning can help your dog with these issues.
- Ear problems – This hybrid can also become deaf or short of hearing with age. This ailment can be delayed with proper cleaning and healthy diet.
- Knee joints – As with the spine, a Doxle has weak knees too. Anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a vet can give relief while the last resort to this problem can be surgery. Same applies to the spine ailments.
How Can One Care For Their Beagle Dachshund Mix?
The owners must keep in mind that these are weak dogs but not lazy. They tend to get in trouble on their own by doing things that they are not fit to do. Below are a few things you need to be aware of:
- These are small dogs hence can be given a bath once in every ten days depending on how often they get out of the house.
- Clean their teeth once in a week to avoid any problems.
- While playing or holding your Doxle please take care not to injure his spine or legs in anyway. Running is fine but jumping a lot can cause trouble.
- As with any other dog, regular visits of the vet and health check ups will do good to the age of your pet.
Finally, a Beagle Dachshund mix is the most adorable creature that you can have in your house. Its friendly personality will win over all your family and friends. It may get into unwanted trouble by challenging animals and things bigger than its size, but it will most definitely do so to protect the owner. A wee-bit high maintenance in the long run, but a Beagle Dachshund mix will bring you a great deal of joy if you decide to own this pet.
Is The Beagle Dachshund Mix The Right Breed For You?
If you don’t like the idea of owning a Beagle Dachshund mix check out the Dog Breeds section above where we cover more popular dog breeds.
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