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The Beaglier is one of the ever-increasing designer crossbreeds that has its origins in Australia, although it’s still quite unusual in the UK.
The breeds that make up the Beaglier are the Beagle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Beaglier can be a first cross (with one Beagle and one Cavalier parent) or they can be bred back to one of the original breeds, or else be two Beagliers bred together - so there are varieties in size, shape, colours and coat types.
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Weight: | 4.5–10kg |
| Height: | 30–40cm |
| Colours: | The colours of the Beaglier can be any combination that’s common to the Beagle or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, including: tricolour; blue, white and tan; white and tan; badger pied; hare pied; lemon pied; lemon and white; red and white; tan and white; black and white; black and tan, Ruby, Blenheim |
| Size: | Small to Medium |
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 3/5 |
| Easy to train: | 3/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 3/5 |
| Energy level: | 3/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 3/5 |
Like most crossbreeds, the personality of a Beaglier depends on the parents and how they have been bred and reared, but both breeds are happy, cheerful, friendly dogs who are almost permanently waggy. The Beaglier is a small to medium-sized, affectionate companion dog who will enjoy games, family life, and being part of everything their owner does.
The personality of a Beaglier seems to be more consistent when they are first crosses (F1). As a line is successively bred, they can be either bred back to one of the original breeds (and so strengthen either the Beagle or Cavalier personalities) or else be bred to another Beaglier - in which case there is less predictability in temperament (and in-breeding becomes more of a potential issue).
Where the natural occurrence of the breed may have happened centuries prior, the intentional breeding of the Beaglier began in the 1990s in Australia. Breeders wanted to create a small, healthy and energetic dog that didn’t have as much of a ‘hound’ instinct as the Beagle, so the Cavalier King Charles was selected as the perfect match due to its even-temper and good manners.
Where the Beaglier can only be traced back by a few decades, the two combined breeds have a much deeper history. For one, the Beagle is the smallest of the British pack-hounds - and was developed many centuries ago to hunt hare - and also when hares were scarce, rabbits. They were created as ‘foot hounds’ i.e. for hunters to follow on foot rather than horse-back, hence their diminutive size when compared to larger pack hounds such as the Foxhound. Most hounds were owned by nobility and the Beagle was no different, and in fact for a while was known as the ‘Royal Beagle’, but the ability to be able to follow them without a horse, made them become more popular with less regal sportsmen. Their happy cheerful disposition won them many devotees from outside of the sporting field and they moved from the hunting field to the show ring with ease at the end of the 19th century, becoming one of the most popular of the hounds and a much-loved companion dog.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on the other hand is a fairly recent breed and is the latest of the English Toy Spaniels, firstly being bred in the 1920s in an attempt to recreate the famous dogs of King Charles. The name Cavalier was added to distinguish them from the older King Charles Spaniel.
Up until the 19th century, the King Charles Spanaiel had a pointed muzzle, but in the Victorian era it became fashionable to breed dogs with shorter faces - and before long the King Charles became a flat-faced breed (as it still is today).
In 1926 however, an American called Roswell Eldridge visited England and was upset not to be able to see the dogs he had admired in art - and so for five years running he offered prizes at Crufts for the best ‘long faced King Charles Spaniel’. This started a movement which led to the formation of the Cavalier King Charles Club in 1928, although it took until 1945 for the two breeds to be separately recognised. As the years passed, this new breed became far more popular and went on to become the UKs best loved toy breed.
The Beaglier can have any combination of the two breeds in their appearance, behaviour and temperament.
One aim with crossbreeds is to dilute or eliminate any inherited health issues that may exist within one or other of the breeds. This dilution or elimination is only likely if only one parent is the carrier of any particular condition, and where this is a first cross (F1). As this can’t always be guaranteed, all parents should be health tested prior to breeding:
Beagle - a largely healthy dog but there are DNA tests that should be done in this breed
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - sadly this is a breed that is prone to several serious health problems including eye problems, mitral valve disease and syringomyelia. It is very important to get puppies from only the most reputable breeders.
Information on DNA health tests for both breeds can be found on the Kennel Club’s website.
The Beaglier will need between one to two hours walking each day - along with plenty of games and owner interaction.
This is a small to medium sized dog who can live in a smaller country property as long as they have access to the outdoors for toileting and walks.
Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed them at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food.
The Beaglier coat can be any combination of the two breeds but is likely to shed even if it is not high maintenance. If they have the feathering of the Cavalier, they may mat behind the ears.
A good brush twice a week should keep them healthy and clean.
Unless they have a lot more of the Cavalier attitude to training, this may be a happy dog who will look on training with a lot of amusement and a wagging tail but not much else!
They should be trained to walk nicely on a lead and harness, and a good recall should be taught (although possibly not relied on!).
The Beaglier makes a fun companion and would suit families with sensible children who enjoy a dog that wants to be involved in everything they do.
