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Beaglier |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain -> Australia | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Beaglier |
| The Beaglier is a small hybrid dog that has been around, particularly in Australia, since the 1990s. This specific crossbreed is playful and energetic, but adaptable enough to enjoy the evening lounging as much as running through the local park. It is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Beagle cross and generally presents a pleasing blend of its parents' characteristics, although one of the main reasons for its development was to produce Beagle offspring that weren't as enthusiastic about scent-seeking on the trails. As some Beagliers are perhaps more Beagle-like in their behavior, it's important that owners can provide a secure space from which the dog can't escape in search of prey. For the same reason, they are not suitable for homes with small pets, including cats. However, their hunting pack lifestyle means they are generally very sociable with other dogs. Beagliers are generally as gentle as Cavaliers, while being slightly more robust and therefore make good pets for children. Although they are companion dogs and need to stay inside the family, they can be very abundant, which can be a problem for some owners. Those lucky enough to benefit from hybrid vigor may be healthier than their pedigree parents, but all hybrids are at risk of hereditary disorders such as those seen in pedigree lines, and Beagliers can suffer from heart, eye and orthopedic problems. When buying a specific cross-breed puppy, always insist on proof of the parents' good health in the form of a veterinary certificate and, wherever possible, spend time with at least one of the parents to make sure they are sociable and well-balanced. While diet is important in raising a puppy, nature certainly plays a major role in a dog's temperament, and certain traits, such as nervousness, can easily be passed on. On average, a Beaglier has a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years. |
History of the Beaglier |
| As any former Beagle owner will attest, the breed's sense of smell and strong prey drive can make these sociable dogs a handful to control. The Cavalier, on the other hand, has virtually no prey drive, and as the two breeds are not dissimilar in size and shape, they seemed a natural match for early Australian breeders some twenty-five years ago. For better or worse, crossbreeding generates the inheritance of the parent's characteristics, but Beagliers tend to have a relatively predictable appearance and temperament. Neither pedigree involved has any serious behavioral vices, and Beaglier's enduring popularity is testament to its outgoing, sociable and friendly nature. Although a hybrid rather than a breed, many breeders practice multigenerational breeding of Beaglier to Beaglier and are recognized by various registries of specific crossbreed dogs around the world. |
A little of the Beagle |
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| The Beagle breed is an ancient one. Their ancestors can be found in small rabbit-hunting dogs brought to England by the Romans, as well as in other famous hunting dogs, such as the now extinct Talbot Hound, imported from France by William the Conqueror. A hunting dog with a keen sense of smell, Beagle-like dogs have been around since the 14th century. Curiously, toy versions of the Beagle, the Pocket and Glove Beagle, were once very popular in Elizabethan times. Beagle popularity plummeted in the 18th century, when the larger, faster Foxhound was preferred as a hunting dog. However, this irrepressible breed never really disappeared and today flourishes as a favorite companion dog. | ||
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| Standard of the Beagle | ||
A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
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| The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a charming, adorable little companion dog. The breed's big eyes and constantly wagging tail are sure to delight everyone, and they are patient and affectionate with other pets and children. Although its name suggests its origins in the court of Charles II, the Cavalier King Charles, or Cavie, is actually a recently developed breed, modeled on the spaniel toys seen in many old paintings of European royalty. Cavies are highly adaptable and will learn to live happily in most environments. They are suited to indoor living only, but are basically a small, athletic breed and therefore need a moderate amount of exercise every day. They need to be in constant contact with their owners and should not be left alone for long periods, as they can become upset and depressed by regular isolation. | ||
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| Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
Appearance of the Beaglier |
| While multigenerational Beaglier crosses tend to resemble one or other of their parent breeds, first-generation Beagliers generally blend their characteristics fairly homogeneously. They tend to have relatively large skulls and medium to large eyes. The eyes, however, should not protrude as they do in the Cavalier. The muzzle is short, about a third the length of the head, and the nostrils should be quite large. This characteristic is largely attributable to the Beagle, which means that the Beaglier should be free of any respiratory problems seen in the Cavie. The ears are medium-sized, with rounded edges, and hang to the side of the head. Ideally, the limbs should be reasonably well boned and straight. Seen from behind, a hind-limb posture with an arched leg is undesirable, as it may indicate several orthopedic problems. The neck and body are generally quite strong and compact, and the tail is held below the horizontal at rest, but with a pronounced upward curve. The coat is slightly longer than that of the Beagle and can have a slight wave, although it is usually straight and a little coarse. The most common colors are: tricolor (black, beige and white), tan and white, red and white, black and white, black and beige, ruby. The average height of the Beaglier is 31 to 33 centimeters at the withers, and its weight ranges from 6 to 10 kilos. |
Temperament of the Beaglier |
| Beagliers are companion dogs, extremely affectionate and constantly eager to observe their owners. They are playful and energetic, and thrive in homes with children, for whom they are ideal playmates. For adults at home, the Beaglier is a lively and reasonably athletic walking or jogging companion, but it also knows how to relax and is not always likely to bounce back in the evening when humans are relaxing after a busy day. He is very sociable with other dogs, and generally with people, although rare individuals may show a hint of nervousness. As discussed above, the Beagle's strong hunting instinct means that it should not be left alone with small pets, and gardens and yards should be very well protected from escape attempts. |
Needs and activities of the Beaglier |
| The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not a very energetic dog, but the Beagle is. The Beaglier will require regular daily walks and play. This hybrid will thrive in a home with a large yard to explore. Your hybrid Beaglier may want to be on the trail of a scent at all times, so make sure your garden is secure. Don't leave him unattended, as he may decide to make his own way on the hunt. A walk around the neighborhood to smell the scents and greet the neighbors is a good way to socialize your Beaglier and give him the outing he needs to be satisfied and fulfilled. |
Maintenance of the Beaglier |
| If the Beaglier has a short coat, it will need brushing several times a week, and longer coats may require daily brushing to stay ahead of rugs and tangles. Bathing can be done monthly if necessary. Their ears should be examined and possibly cleaned once a week. However, care should be taken not to allow moisture to accumulate in the ear, as yeast and bacteria can easily form in this environment. To prevent tartar build-up, brush twice a week, as tartar buildup can lead to periodontal disease. Making preparation part of your bonding time with your Beaglier will help him to stay still and perhaps even enjoy the attention as he matures. |
English (United Kingdom)