Whipbeagle (Whippet Beagle Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
By Jordyn Alger
Updated on
If you are looking for a dog that is a bit more unique than a typical purebred dog while still displaying classic charm, consider the Whipbeagle. The Whipbeagle is a mix between the Whippet and the Beagle, which are two long-beloved breeds in America. This mixed breed presents the best qualities of both parent breeds, including appearance and personality. If you want to learn more about this special designer dog, keep reading below.
| Height: | 13–22 inches |
| Weight: | 20–40 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Colors: | Black, brown, white, tan, blue, red, lemon, brindle, fawn, sable, cream |
| Suitable for: | Active families, multi-pet households, families with children |
| Temperament: | Cheery and playful, curious, affectionate, and friendly |
Since the Whipbeagle combines the Whippet and the Beagle, it understandably inherits traits from both breeds. The result is a high-energy dog with a lot of love to give.
Whippets and Beagles are active dogs, and the Whipbeagle thrives best in an energetic household. Their sweet personalities make them excellent family pets; Whippets are known for their gentleness, and Beagles are known for their friendliness.
If you are looking for a lively and loving companion, the Whipbeagle could be the perfect fit. Of course, there is so much more to this unique mixed breed, so read on to learn everything you need to know about owning a Whipbeagle.
Whipbeagle Characteristics
Whipbeagle Puppies
Finding a Whipbeagle puppy may be a challenge since most breeders focus on purebred dogs rather than breeding mixed-breed dogs. If you can find a breeder specializing in Whipbeagle puppies, you can expect to spend $1,000 at a minimum. Costs may vary based on the breeder and the generation of the puppy.
At the same time, finding a Whipbeagle at your local animal shelter may be difficult because determining the parent breeds of a surrendered or stray animal can be tricky. Still, you can call the animal shelters in your area and inquire about Whippet and Beagle mixes to see if they have any Whipbeagle puppies who need a forever home. If you choose this route, the cost of your Whipbeagle will be much cheaper.
Whipbeagle puppies are high-energy animals that need a lot of space to run. Before bringing one home, ensure you have enough room for your dog’s needs. You will also need to be able to cover the upfront costs of owning a dog, including food and water bowls, grooming supplies, leashes and collars, crates, toys, and more.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Whipbeagle 🧠
When it comes to mixed-breed dogs, predicting how their personalities will turn out can be challenging. Some Whipbeagle puppies will inherit a good balance of traits, while others may lean more towards the Whippet or the Beagle. Nevertheless, the temperament of the Whipbeagle is typically friendly and gentle. Other personality traits may vary depending on which parent your Whipbeagle takes after the most.
There is a range of energy levels among Whipbeagles. While the mixed breed is typically active, they can be docile like the Whippet or busy like the Beagle. Prepare yourself for a Beagle-like dog that is unlikely to sit still, but if the Whippet’s personality comes through more than the Beagle’s, you may have an active dog that enjoys curling up and relaxing.
Whippets enjoy indoor time as much as outdoor time, but Beagles are always eager to get outside. Both parent breeds were bred to be working dogs and hunting companions, so the Whipbeagle’s prey drive will be strong. Keep a close eye on your dog anytime you are outdoors since the dog’s drive and agility may cause them to take off at a moment’s notice.
Beagles are known to bark often, but Whippets hardly make a peep. It is a toss-up of which tendency your Whipbeagle will lean towards; regardless, getting a head start on training your dog to bark only when appropriate is a good idea. Both parents are intelligent dogs that are occasionally self-willed, so early training is essential.
No matter which mix of traits your Whipbeagle inherits, it would be difficult to find a displeasing combination. The temperament of both parent breeds is highly favorable, and the resulting mixed breed is a charming dog that makes an excellent companion for many family dynamics.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
With such a sweet, peppy disposition, the Whipbeagle makes an excellent family pet. The Whippet and the Beagle are incredibly tolerant of children, making the Whipbeagle a good fit for families with young kids. They are adaptable animals, so they can adjust to new family members in a growing family.
Whipbeagles are typically easy to care for as well. Maintaining their coat is fairly simple and requires regular brushing. You will need to vacuum occasionally to clean up the loose tufts of hair that your Whipbeagle may shed, but typically, the Whipbeagle doesn’t shed profusely.
Although their coat is short, this breed is unfortunately not hypoallergenic. If you have a family member who suffers from dog allergies, extra care must be taken if you bring the Whipbeagle home.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Yes, the Whipbeagle is known to get along with other pets. However, smaller animals are not recommended since they have such a strong prey drive. The Whipbeagle may view smaller animals as prey and be compelled to chase them. At best, this can result in a stressed dog. At worst, serious injury may occur. Therefore, it is best to research the animals you already own or plan to own to ensure they would be a good fit for the Whipbeagle.
The Whipbeagle is tolerant of other dogs as long as they are properly socialized and trained. Be patient when introducing new dogs to each other; the process can be an adjustment for both animals. According to the Animal Humane Society, the first interactions two dogs have with each other can set the tone for their relationship forever. Therefore, take your time introducing your Whipbeagle to other animals.
Things to Know When Owning a Whipbeagle
The Whipbeagle can make an excellent pet for many households. However, before you bring this animal home, there are some important things to know about owning a Whipbeagle. Each breed has special food and diet requirements, exercise needs, training tips, and grooming care. Plus, there are potential health conditions that you should be aware of.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Since the Whipbeagle is a mixed breed, how you should feed your dog will depend on their age and health. Some Whipbeagles will be larger than others and will therefore require more food. To determine how much to feed your pet, consult your vet to develop a healthy diet plan.
Whipbeagles are highly energetic and may require food with higher calories or protein. At the same time, this mixed breed can be prone to obesity, so overfeeding them is a concern.
Exercise 🐕
Whippets are bred to be quick, and Beagles are extremely active. As a result, your Whipbeagle will require at least 1 hour of exercise per day. All activities your Whipbeagle engages in should be something you participate in as well. Whipbeagles are social animals who can’t simply be left alone to burn off their energy in the backyard. They do best with company and may become destructive if isolated for too long.
Since Whipbeagles have high prey drives, they must always be kept on a leash when outdoors. Don’t think you can react quick enough to grab your dog’s collar if they take off running; they were made to sprint, so they can definitely outpace you.
If your Whipbeagle takes after the Whippet more in stature and physical exercise needs, bursts of vigorous exercise may be the best fit for them. Brisk walks, frisbee games, and agility courses are all great ways to keep your Whipbeagle active.
Training 🎾
Whipbeagles are brilliant dogs with keen instincts. This makes them quick learners but can also make them tough to teach. Whipbeagles can be stubborn and can slow the training process down. As a result, first-time dog owners are not recommended for the Whipbeagle. Instead, a more experienced trainer is ideal.
A good approach to training the Whipbeagle is to break training sessions into more condensed lessons. This helps keep your dog’s attention span on the task at hand and discourages them from stubbornly choosing to do something else. Furthermore, Whipbeagle owners are encouraged to exercise with their dogs before trying to train them, which will help to burn their dog’s energy and keep them focused.
Never punish your Whipbeagle for failing to do as you asked. Punishments only frighten and agitate your dog, breaking the bond you have been building with them. In the long run, punishments can even impede training progress, and your Whipbeagle will be less eager to work with you. On the other hand, positive reinforcement yields much better results, and your Whipbeagle will become more cooperative for future training sessions.
Grooming ✂️
Whipbeagles may have short, smooth coats like the Whippet or inherit the Beagle’s smooth, dense double coat. Regardless, the Whipbeagle requires regular brushing to prevent excessive shedding and to keep their skin and coat in quality condition.
The Whipbeagle is a moderate shedder, and as long as you stay on top of grooming, they shouldn’t leave a ton of dog hair around the home. You will need to clean up after your dog occasionally, but it shouldn’t require much effort.
Health and Conditions ❤️
While the Whipbeagle is typically healthy, they may be predisposed to some health conditions you should be aware of. Whipbeagles are prone to certain types of cancers, so scheduling regular checkups with your vet to monitor your dog for anything suspicious will be necessary. Age, environmental triggers (such as UV light damage), and toxin exposure may further increase your dog’s chances of developing cancer, so be vigilant around such scenarios.
Another serious condition that your dog may suffer from is heart disease. Heart disease may lead to congestive heart failure, so it is important to have your dog regularly screened for any cardiac issues.
Likewise, be wary of progressive retinal atrophy. This is a condition in which the rods and cones of the eyes either develop improperly after birth or degenerate later in life. Either way, the result is vision loss. If your dog suddenly appears to become clumsy, fearful, or confused, it may indicate that they are losing their vision.
Whipbeagles can also suffer from less serious conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia or hypothyroidism. However, these relatively minor conditions are easier to manage than the most severe ones.
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Male vs Female
A Whipbeagle’s personality will be minimally impacted by their sex. In fact, your dog’s personality is more likely to be determined by which parent breed they take after more. When it comes to the size of your dog, however, sex can play a significant role. On average, female Whipbeagles are slightly smaller than their male counterparts.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Whipbeagle
1. The History of the Beagle Is Shrouded in Mystery
As popular as the Beagle is, not much is known about their history. Some claim that the dog’s name comes from the Gaelic word beag, meaning little, while others believe it is derived from the French approximation of the noise of a hunting hound, be’geule. Regardless, the true history of the Beagle is officially unknown.
2. The Whippet Has Had Many Nicknames
In the earlier days of their development, the Whippet earned nicknames such as the “Poor Man’s Racehorse” and the “Lightning Rag Dog.”
The first nickname was coined because coal miners in Victorian England enjoyed dog racing but couldn’t care for the larger sprinters like Greyhounds. So, they bred a smaller version of the Greyhound, and the result was the Whippet.
The second nickname comes from the times that the Whippets would run after a rag pulled along a straight course as a form of lure coursing.
3. The Beagle and the Whippet Have Been Recognized by the American Kennel Club for Over 100 Years
The Whipbeagle’s parents have an impressive history and have been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) for over 100 years. The Beagle was recognized as a breed in 1885, whereas the Whippet was recognized in 1888.
Final Thoughts
Whipbeagles are friendly and energetic companions. It is hard to go wrong with a combination of the Whippet and the Beagle since both breeds are beloved for their sweet dispositions. While the Whipbeagle is loving with families, they are not ideal for every family. The perfect household for a Whipbeagle should have active owners with a large fenced-in backyard. Similarly, the Whipbeagle’s owner should have experience with dogs, as training the Whipbeagle can be challenging.
For the dog owners who can rise to the challenge the Whipbeagle may present, they will be met with a gentle, loving companion. If you think the Whipbeagle would fit well into your household, start researching ethical and responsible breeders or contact your local animal shelter today.
See Also:
- Whiphund (Whippet Dachshund Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
- Whippet Pitbull Mix: Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
Featured Image Credit to: Left – S J, Unsplash | Right – 825545, Pixabay
