Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix: Pictures, Info, Care Guide & More
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Also known as the Rhodesian Beagle, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix is a cross between the Beagle and the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The combination results in a medium-sized hybrid designer dog that is cute, adorable, and friendly.
Even though the Rhodesian Beagle may not be a popular dog mix, they can make great family companions because of their loyalty, affection, and protective nature. They are also known to be quite a smart and curious breed.
As a rare mix, reliable info about them is often lacking. However, the parent breed should give you a rough idea of what to expect from this mix breed. Read on to learn all you need to know about this breed to determine if it’s ideal for your home.
| Height: | 15–25 inches |
| Weight: | 26–60 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–13 years |
| Colors: | Black, brown, tan, fawn, white |
| Suitable for: | Active single people, families, and experienced dog owners looking for a loyal and protective companion dog |
| Temperament: | Friendly, good-natured, vocal, loyal, and vocal |
The Rhodesian Beagle is a mild-tempered dog that can make a good family dog, given its sweet personality. Due to the disparity in size between the parent breeds, this hybrid mix can range from a small-medium to a large-sized dog. However, this depends on how genetics come into play.
But you can expect the Rhodesian Beagle to feature the golden color common on Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs paired with the dappled markings of the Beagle. Just like the parents, the Rhodesian Beagle is also likely to suffer similar health conditions. This breed is also more prone to scouting and barking.
However, if trained and socialized while still at the puppy stage, it can get along with all the members of your household and be very reliable watch dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix Characteristics
Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix Puppies
The Rhodesian Beagle is one of the most expensive dog breeds in the market, mostly due to their rarity. A healthy pup from a reputable breeder can retail for around $800 to $2,000. However, the prices might vary depending on the puppy’s gender, age, quality, pedigree, and breeder’s location.
As a rule of thumb, you should only buy a Rhodesian Beagle from an experienced breeder who knows more about this hybrid dog. This will ensure that the puppies you buy have a healthy lineage, come from a good facility, have been tested, and are cleared of common health conditions associated with this breed.
If you cannot afford to buy from a reputable breeder, a better alternative would be adopting rescued dogs because they cost much less. Unfortunately, they might come with some health and behavioral issues because their previous owners might have been neglectful.
Just keep in mind that even though the Rhodesian Beagle might be listed for adoption, it’s not because of their mistakes. They can still make wonderful family companions if they get a new forever home.
Nevertheless, before you adopt or buy the Rhodesian Beagle, you should factor in the cost of ownership, including the prices of recommended accessories and dog products. This way, you will be sufficiently prepared to take care of this unique mixed breed puppy when you take it home.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix 🧠
When it comes to the temperament and personality of the Rhodesian Beagle, it is always difficult to tell what traits they will have because both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Beagle parents have very different personality traits.
On one hand, you might end up with a gentle and friendly puppy and on the other hand, you might end up with a dog that has highly developed protective instincts and good guarding skills. But generally, most Rhodesian Beagles are mild-tempered and have a friendly disposition.
Usually, this mixed breed inherits the constant need for affection and attention from the Beagle lineage. Beagles are generally loyal and loving dogs and need attention from their human owners. This trait usually counteracts the independent personality of the Rhodesian Beagle.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Since both parents can be good guard dogs due to their instincts, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Rhodesian Beagle will inherit the traits to protect you and your family. They can also get along with all members of your household including children.
In fact, this breed is known to be very playful and affectionate with kids. If you set boundaries from the beginning, your children should be able to cultivate a wonderful relationship with this canine companion.
Not only is the Rhodesian Beagle suitable for active and experienced families, but it can also do well for first-time owners due to its friendly personality.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Rhodesian Beagles can get along well with other dogs if socialized from an early age. Most of these mixed-breed pups enjoy being members of a pack and will strive to establish strong relationships with other mutts in your household.
However, the relationship between the Rhodesian Beagle and cats is somewhat complicated. Since the parents were initially raised as hunting dogs, the mixed breed might also inherit the strong prey drive. So, it’s best to gradually introduce this breed to other pets in your home as you gauge its reaction.
Unfortunately, the likelihood of having a strong prey drive might make the Rhodesian Beagle an unsuitable choice for families with cats and smaller pets. Yet, with proper socialization, your mixed breed can coexist harmoniously with all the pets in your home.
Things to Know When Owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix will thrive with a staple diet of high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or homemade. But you should make sure that any food that your dog consumes is appropriate for its health, age, and activity level.
Also, since some Rhodesian Beagle puppies are prone to obesity and other weight-related conditions, carefully monitor your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Granted, treats can be helpful while training your dog, but offering too many can lead to obesity. If worried about your dog’s weight, you should consult your local vet for dietary advice.
Ensure plenty of water is always available for your dog. You can also provide supplements like omega-3 fatty acids to help with smooth and healthy growth of their skin and coat. Supplements can also help boost your dog’s immune system as well as keep the heart strong.
Moreover, supplements rich in glucosamine, probiotics or even Alaskan salmon oil can help support the joints of this very active breed. However, you should consult your vet before adding supplements to your dog’s diet.
Exercise 🐕
As a dog breed with a very high energy level, do not expect this dog to lounge on your couch as it whiles away the time. The Rhodesian Beagle will need at least 90 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. The exercise can be in the form of a hike, walk, or any other activity that will help tire your dog out.
If the dog doesn’t release the pent-up energy, it can be quite destructive.
In addition to the daily exercise regimen, this dog will also need some light play throughout the day. You can supplement the playtime with mental and physically stimulating activities to prevent your pooch from getting bored.
Some fun activities that you and your Rhodesian Beagle can take up include field trials, tracking, obedience classes, swimming, hiking, fetching, agility, puzzle toys, and tug-of-war games.
Training 🎾
Since the Rhodesian Beagle is a relatively smart dog, you can expect the training to be easier. But since the Rhodesian Ridgeback parent usually has an independent and stubborn streak, experts recommend that you use a consistent house-training approach in the training process.
To help with stubbornness, your dog should be trained to obey commands. Therefore, obedience training will be vital throughout their lives.
Rhodesian Beagles also tend to have a very commanding personality, which can make them overly sensitive. So, cruel or harsh training techniques can easily backfire when working with this breed. Fortunately, you can employ positive reinforcement strategies such as offering treats or praise.
With proper training and socialization, you will end up with a well-behaved dog that everyone loves and adores.
Grooming ✂️
The Beagle parent breed sheds moderately, while the Rhodesian Ridgeback sheds a negligible amount of fur throughout the year. Therefore, you can expect the Rhodesian Beagle to shed minimally.
When shedding, your hybrid dog will need regular brushing, preferably once a week, to keep its coat clean, dander-free, comfortable, and healthy. The Rhodesian Beagle is considered a low-maintenance dog because they feature a short coat that is quite easy to maintain.
When it comes to bathing your dog, you should only do it when it is necessary. Otherwise, you can use deodorizing wet wipes to help keep its coat clean at all times.
Moreover, just like any other breed, your Rhodesian Beagle will need regular nail trimming and teeth brushing. So before bringing a new puppy home, make sure that you are properly prepared with the necessary grooming supplies. This could include a deshedder, a bristle brush, and a nail clipper.
Health and Conditions ❤️
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix is slightly less vulnerable to medical issues when compared to the purebred parent breeds. This can be attributed to a phenomenon commonly referred to as hybrid vigor.
That being said, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix is prone to some specific health problems common in both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Beagle parents. They include:
- Food-induced atopic dermatitis
- Joint dysplasia
- Dermoid sinus
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Male vs Female
Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle is a designer hybrid, the parent breeds that the dog will take after will have a huge impact on their temperament, size, and appearance than it has on their gender. However, most Rhodesian Beagle owners report that the females tend to be smaller than their male counterparts.
Besides the physical differences, all other traits are almost similar between male and female Rhodesian Beagles.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix
1. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Parent Initially Hunted Lions
The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog was originally bred in Africa, more specifically in South Africa, to hunt big game-like lions. Originally, this breed was known as the African Lion Hound and was a very prolific hunter.
2. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix Is Rare
Since the Rhodesian Beagle requires so much attention with high exercise needs to thrive, its market size is minimal. It is also quite challenging to find reputable breeders, thus making it quite rare. In fact, not many people have ever laid their eyes on this breed.
3. Errol Flynn Was the First Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeder in the United States
Errol Flynn is a Hollywood movie star who reared this dog breed on his ranch back in the 1930s. He was among the first people to introduce the breed to the United States. Unfortunately, the bloodline that he introduced is now extinct.
Final Thoughts
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle Mix can be a perfect pet for many families. These dogs are loving, loyal, and protective of their families. If trained and properly socialized from an early age, they can peacefully coexist with all your household members as well as other dogs and smaller family pets.
The ideal home for this breed is one able to provide sufficient space for exercise as well as physical and mental stimulation. Owning a Rhodesian Beagle puppy is not just a privilege but a huge responsibility. But with enough training, commitment, and care, you can receive plenty of love and affection from this mix for many years to come.
See Also:
- Rhodesian Ridgeback Golden Retriever Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
- Rhodesian Border Collie Mix: Care, Pictures, Info & More
Featured Image Credit TO: spmg, Shutterstock
