Designer dogs have grown in popularity, but that does not take away from the fact that there are still some unique crossbreeds. One of these is the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix, one of the most unique and rare crossbreeds.
The Great Pyrenees Beagle mix is a crossbreed of two pure breeds, the Great Pyrenees and the Beagle. This unique dog is also known as Beaglenees or Pyregle, a family-friendly and affectionate dog.
If you have your eyes on this unique breed, this article is a resourceful guide to understanding the breed. It covers everything you need to know, including the dog’s personality, appearance, maintenance, cost, and much more.
What is A Great Pyrenees Beagle Mix?
The great Pyrenees Beagle mix is a crossbreed of the Great Pyrenees and the Beagle, both pure breeds. The dog is also known as Beagleness or Pyregle. It is a generally calm and family-oriented dog like both parents, but the personality can vary depending on the dominant gene.
The Great Pyrenees Beagle mix is a rare breed as not many breeders are open to crossbreeding these two dogs. But, with extensive research, you can find one, although there is not much information on reputable breeders that have this particular dog.
A brief overview; the Beagle is a hound, initially bred for hunting but later kept as a pet, thanks to its affectionate nature. On the other hand, the Great Pyrenees is a huge dog, bred as a working dog but later popular as a family dog, thanks to its loyal personality.
Great Pyrenees Beagle Mix History
There is not much information on the history of the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix, considering how rare it is. As much as the dog is known, it is yet to grow in popularity among breeders.
The good thing, though, is clear: the history of its parents, the Great Pyrenees and the Beagle. Below is a description of each of the parents’ history, which can give you an insight into what to expect from the mix.
Great Pyrenees History
The Great Pyrenees originated from Southwestern Europe, bred as working dogs. They were used as guardians of the flocks, taking care of sheep and other farm animals.
They are commonly known as the Great Pyrenees in the United States and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in Europe. The dog is believed to have evolved from a group of mountain guard dogs that originated over ten thousand years ago in Asia Minor.
They arrived in the Pyrenees Mountains around 3000 BC with their shepherds and domestic sheep. Having worked with shepherds, the dog developed a special relationship with its shepherd’s family deeming it a peasant’s dog.
Over the years, the dog’s popularity grew following crossbreeding with retrievers. In 1909, the first Pyrenean Mountain Dogs were introduced into Egland for breeding purposes. Around this time, the breed had deteriorated, resulting from natural predator foes in the mountains.
Additionally, World War I had a significant effect on the number and quality of Pyrenean Mountain Dogs. But, shortly after the war, a few dedicated breeders worked to restore the breed’s glory.
In 1927, these breeders, together with the Reunion des Amateurs de Chiens Pyrenean, joined hands to create a standard for the breed, which still serves as a basis for all criteria for the Great Pyrenees.
In 1931, the dog made its debut in North America. This followed recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1933. Today, the Great Pyrenees is a working dog and a loyal family dog.
Beagle History
Beagles can be traced back to the 16th Century, their origin being England. They come from a pack of hounds, and the smaller ones were the Beagles. They were bred as working dogs to hunt rabbits and other small animals.
The popularity of beagles grew in England and later made their way into North America. In the 19th Century, the number of Beagles had grown tremendously, making them some of the most popular breeds.
The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885; therefore one of the earlier dogs to earn recognition. Beagles are still used for hunting today, although most people keep them as family pets.
The Great Pyrenees Beagle mix is a rare crossbreed; therefore, information on when these were bred is not available. They are not your usual to adopt from a dog rescue shelter; finding one can be highly tasking, even though there are trustworthy breeders.
Great Pyrenees Beagle Mix Appearance
The appearance of the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix is highly dependent on the dominant features from either parent. This means the size, including weight and height, can vary among Great Pyrenees siblings.
Size
The Beagle, which is considered to be a small to medium-sized dog, stands about 15 inches at withers. On the other hand, the Great Pyrenees is regarded as a large breed, standing at 30 inches at withers.
You can already tell from the parents’ sizes that a Great Pyrenees Beagle mix can present as a medium-sized dog or a large dog. There is not much research done on this unique crossbreed, but from the outcome of most similar breeds, the mix can average 25 to 30 inches at withers.
But, the size can be slightly smaller or bigger, depending on the dominant gene that presents on the mix. For example, a Great Pyrenees that gets the height gene from the Beagle will be smaller than one that picks its height from the Great Pyrenees.
There is a large margin between the smallest and largest Great Pyrenees when it comes to weight. This has to do with the varying size of both parents, the Beagle and Great Pyrenees. On this note, the mix can weigh anywhere between 20 to 90 pounds.
Additionally, there may be a slight difference between male and female Great Pyrenees Beagle mixes. Like sibling sizes differ, male mixes may be slightly bigger than female counterparts.
Coat Type and Color
Like most other crossbreed dogs, the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix presents a coat that cuts across both parents’ coats. The Great Pyrenees has a medium-sized double coat which is generally easy to care for.
The Beagle, on the other hand, has a smooth, dense double coat that is resistant to rain. As beautiful as this coat comes, it needs regular brushing to loosen and remove dead hair.
The Great Pyrenees Beagle mix has a coat similar to the Great Pyrenees parent, usually a medium-sized double coat. The Beagle coat does not mainly manifest on the mix; however, the tri-colors of the Beagle are common in the mix.
That said, Great Pyrenees Beagle Mixes can come in these colors:
- Lemon and White
- Tri-color
- White and Chocolate
- Chocolate Tri
- Orange and White
- White and Tan
Great Pyrenees Beagle Mix Temperament
The parents have a pretty significant similarity in their personalities. The Great Pyrenees was bred to guard sheep, while the Beagles were bred to hunt and track down small animals. This means that both dogs are independent and resilient.
With that comes a little stubborn personality, evident in the mix. With both parents as working dogs, the mix portrays an independent, strong-headed temperament, making them pretty resilient and adaptable.
But that comes with a downside. The strong-headed personality makes the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix hard to train. They take time to grasp commands and do not do well with intensive training sessions.
The good thing is with positive reinforcements such as praises and treats, they come around and cooperate. Additionally, they are loyal to their owners, making them a little easier to manipulate and train.
The soft-tempered nature of the Pyrenees manifests strongly in the mix, creating a dog that has a calm temperament. This is on top of the reasons why the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix makes an incredible family dog.
And, they are great with children too and quickly adapt to new people and environments. They are naturally social and affectionate, enjoy being around people, and appreciate a little attention from their families.
Great Pyrenees Maintenance
Bringing your Great Pyrenees Beagle mix means having structures in place to provide the best care for your furry friend. These dogs are generally easy to care for, but, like most others, they need the bare minimum, which is grooming, feeding, and regular exercise.
Grooming
The dog comes with a medium-sized double coat which calls for regular cleaning. You need to brush the coat every few days to remove loose hairs and polish up the coat. It rarely gets matted, but dead hairs can easily get trapped in the coat if not brushed effectively.
Great Pyrenees Beagle mixes are generally active, meaning they will get dirty from time to time. The good thing is that the coat does not trap dirt easily; however, a bath at least once a month is necessary.
Grooming a Great Pyrenees Beagle mix is not as tasking as most other crossbreeds, but keeping track of the coat’s state is necessary. That said, your Pyrenees Beagle mix does not need professional grooming as the coat is generally easy to maintain from home.
Feeding
Great Pyrenees Beagle mixes are energetic and active dogs. Additionally, they are large-sized dogs that need a highly nutritious diet to provide all the essential nutrients.
Based on the size, the dog needs relatively significant portions, and considering how active they are, the food must meet their energy requirements. But, be careful not to overfeed your dog as this mix is prone to obesity.
If you are stuck finding the best food for your dog, it would be advisable to talk to your vet. They can advise on the most appropriate diet for your dog according to its energy and nutritional needs.
At the same time, your vet can assess your dog’s health and recommend a diet that will support and promote health while managing weight.
Exercise
Both parents are high-energy and active dogs; therefore, the mix needs as much exercise as its parents. Your Great Pyrenees Beagle mix will need at least 60 minutes of busy time to use up built-up energy.
The exercise can be in walks, playtime, morning runs, outdoor games, etc. The dog also requires mental stimulation to manage its mental health and keep it happy. This can be teaching your dog basic tricks and commands to interact more with you and the family.
Remember, the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix can be stubborn, so it may take time and a little patience to train them. But, with consistent efforts, your dog will pay back and stay active, both physically and mentally.
Great Pyrenees Beagle Mix Health Issues
There are no health issues specific to the Great Pyrenees Beagle mix; however, they are prone to issues affecting both parents as they carry a percentage of genes from either.
Here are some of the health issues that your Great Pyrenees Beagle mix may suffer from:
- Patellar luxation
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Cherry eye
- Skin problems
- Chondrodysplasia
- Cataract
- Osteosarcoma
- Hip dysplasia
FAQs
How Long Do Great Pyrenees Beagle Mixes Live?
The mix has a lifespan of between 12 to 15 years, an average for most medium-sized dogs. This dog’s calm and affectionate nature earns it optimal care contributing to its lifespan. Additionally, the dog lives most of its life disease-free, of course, with proper care.
Are Great Pyrenees Beagle Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Great Pyrenees Beagle mixes are ideal family dogs. They are calm, friendly, and gentle; therefore, great around pets, kids, and adults. Additionally, they adapt pretty quickly to new people and environments, making them easy to blend into families.
Do Great Pyrenees Beagle Mixes Shed A Lot?
With regular grooming, Great Pyrenees Beagle mixes do not shed a lot. However, they are not considered hypoallergenic as they shed moderately. This is common with most dogs in a medium double coat, as dead hair quickly falls off.
How Much Do Great Pyrenees Beagle Mixes Cost?
This dog is rare, meaning finding one can be an extreme sport. As such, you are bound to pay a high price to acquire one, marking up to $6,000. You may find one at a lower price, but that depends on the breeder’s location, availability, and reputation.
Final Thoughts
The Great Pyrenees Beagle Mix is worth considering if you are looking for a pet for your family. The dog’s gentle, calm, and friendly nature makes it a great family dog, great with kids and other pets. Thanks to the social, active, and loyal personality, it is a favorite for many.
