There are a huge number of combinations and mixes of crossbreeds in the world today, and while some may be more popular than others, there are undoubtedly a few niches you may have never even heard of.
Today we will be shedding light on one of the less popular picks, as we break down the Cockapoo Beagle mix.
Table of Contents
The History of the Parent Breeds
Cockapoo
Cockapoos are themselves a crossbreed. This mix is the result of an effort by designer dog breeders to create a breed of dog that is both loving and intelligent. The push to create the ultimate companion dog originated in the US around the 1960s and soon enough breeders landed upon the perfect combo – Cocker Spaniel, and Poodle.
As a mix, the Cockapoo has the energy and optimism of a Cocker Spaniel, while still being as obedient and intelligent as a Poodle. The result is the best of both worlds, as Cockapoos are both happy and playful dogs while being smart and laid back enough to not be a handful.
Along with their incredibly stable temperament, they boast a number of desirable physical attributes. They have a curly coat that can be less maintenance than that of a Poodle, they sit at the smaller end of medium-sized dogs, and they can be a great choice for those with allergies.
With all this in mind, it should be no surprise that they have been such a hit with dog owners all over the world since their inception.
We have a full section on Cockapoos where you can learn more about this wonderful cross.
Beagle
Beagles, on the other hand, have a much longer history than the Cockapoo. Reaching way back to the 1830s modern Beagles are primarily known for their incredible tracking abilities.
With a sense of smell rivaled only by Bloodhounds or Basset hounds, Beagles were hugely popular as hunting dogs. Their amazing scent detection coupled with their small size made them a perfect companion for the hunter on horseback, so much so that rabbit hunting with a pack of Beagles became known as Beagling.
As a dog, they are small, robust, and have a positive and playful temperament. However, they are hounds, and as such, they require an influx of stimulation, this means they may be more difficult to train than other breeds.
So, if you have the stamina and time to spend on Beagle training, they will undoubtedly fit in perfectly with your family. But be warned, as these dogs have an excess of stamina, meaning they require a patient owner with lots of time to keep them entertained.
How does Crossbreeding Work?
As the name suggests, a crossbreed is the result of the breeding of two different types of dogs. Why would you want to crossbreed dogs? There are many reasons. The main pull towards designer dogs is that their physical traits and temperament reflect the traits of their parents.
The mixing of breeds, therefore, allows for the best of both worlds when it comes to your dog’s attributes. So how is a mix achieved? There are a few ways to go about it. Luckily a Beagle and Cockapoo are relatively the same sizes on average, meaning that they are well suited to natural insemination.
Natural insemination works best when breeds are physically similar, this means there are much fewer health risks to either dog when breeding. However, there are many types of Doodle crosses (outlined in detail in our article ‘What are the Best Doodle Breeds?’).
In some circumstances, you may want a certain temperament different from that of a Cockapoo. If this is the case, but you still enjoy the physicality of a Doodle, you may choose to cross with a different kind of Poodle mix – however, in some circumstances, you may want a different breed entirely in your Beagle mix.
There are many Beagle mixes, each with their own unique look and personality, but with a variety of different breeds comes a variety of different problems. The main one is the physical issues with natural breeding.
Health risks are the top priority of all responsible breeders, and so if you are breeding a large dog with your Beagle, it is imperative that you ensure neither animal is harmed in the process. In this instance, it is wise to opt for artificial insemination, in which the female (typically the larger dog) is inseminated with Beagle semen to achieve the cross.
What is the Beagle Cockapoo Cross Called?
Crossbreed names are typically an amalgam of the names of the two parent breeds (think Labrador, Poodle, Labradoodle). The Beagle, Cockapoo cross is no exception. With a breed this niche, however, there is no official cross name.
There is much debate over what this breed is called online, with people arguing this way and that, but the prevailing answer (as of the time of writing this) is Cockapoogle.
Advantages of the Cockapoo Beagle Mix
As discussed, the advantage of a cross is the personality traits of both its parents. Designer dogs are bred to be a certain physicality, and temperament that best suit a particular kind of owner, and as such Cockapoogles boast a number of specific advantages.
The first is its coat. Thanks to Beagle genes, this cross is typically short-haired. This is great for those who are after a low-maintenance dog as far as grooming is concerned, and because of the Poodle genes (from the Cockapoo side of the equation), they are low-shedding, making them much less likely to trigger allergies.
They are also a highly intelligent breed. Beagle and Cockapoo temperaments are very much aligned, with both being optimistic and intelligent dogs. However, adding Beagle temperament to the Cockapoo makes this cross an overall more active and playful breed.
They have a fun-loving and athletic streak curtesy of the Beagle, however, they are generally somewhat calmer and easier to train, making them a more personable breed all in all.
Disadvantages of the Cockapoogle
But to be objective we must take the good with the bad, and with crossbreeding there are some inevitable pitfalls.
The aligned temperaments make this cross friendly and playful, however, Beagles and their crosses are infamous for their selective hearing. These dogs lay on the wilder side, marching to the beat of their own drum, and generally being stuck in their ways.
This can make training a Cockapoogle quite the challenge for a novice, and this is exacerbated by their extremely high energy. Both breeds love to play, so much so that they require multiple walks a day just to burn off that energy. This is great if you have the time, however, a Cockapoogle is by no means a laid-back dog – which may not suit some lifestyles.
As well as being active, they are loud. Both parents love to sing, and with a cross this enthusiastic about making a ruckus through howling, barking, or playing, you may want to think twice about investing in a Cockapoogle.
Is it Ethical to Cross a Beagle with a Cockapoo?
There is much debate about whether cross-breeding as a practice is ethical at all. Some argue that the purposeful combination of DNA is inherently immoral – however, we aren’t here to give you our personal opinions – but we can give you the facts.
As far as a cross goes, a Beagle and a Cockapoo have a lot of overlap in physical attributes. They differ only in height and weight by a small margin, meaning that the health risks of natural insemination are low, and once bred, the dogs will be physically sound.
Their temperament also has a large overlap. Both dogs are friendly and active, and as such their puppies will be well aligned with both sides of their lineage, albeit being a bit more stubborn overall.
Crossbreeding, when done safely, poses no imminent threat to the quality of life or health of any dog concerned. It is speculated that having a mixed immune system also limits any risk of pre-existing genetic disorders being inherited. Whether or not you consider the practice ethical is up to you, but the Cockapoogles is a very well-suited cross as it stands.
Cockapoogles, a Breakdown
So, what can you expect out of a Cockapoogle? Obviously, your dog’s personality and specific physicality will be unique. However, here are a few ballpark points about what you may expect from this cross.
Height & Weight
Cockapoogle’s stand at around 14″-18″ to the shoulder and weigh 20lbs-25lbs on average. This may vary based on whether your puppies’ Cockapoo parent is a Standard, Mini, or Toy Cockapoo and a smaller or bigger variety Beagle.
While size and weight may vary, you can expect your dog to be slightly smaller than the standard Cockapoo, and with a bit more mass than a Beagle – however, these dogs tend to stay small even fully grown.
Color & Coat
Cockapoogles will likely have a short coat that should shed very little. This hair requires relatively little maintenance, and while you may be limited in terms of style, there are no immediate health risks due to matting or tangling.
Color-wise you can expect a dual or tricolor pattern. In very rare circumstances you may have a single color coat, however, this is incredibly uncommon in Beagles, so you may safely expect two colors minimum.
Maintenance
Due to their short coat, Cockapoogles should require less maintenance than their strictly Doodle counterparts. However, while there may be no imminent risks from obscured vision or tripping over a long coat, there is still some necessary maintenance.
Hygiene maintenance will be your main concern thanks to the rough and tumble your dog will put itself through on a daily basis. After a long day’s work exploring in and around the house, you may find your dog begins to build up dirt between the nails and in its teeth – which need to be cleaned out regularly to prevent issues.
Health
A happy Cockapoogle is an active Cockapoogle, and as such you should make sure your dog gets frequent exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That being said, this is a double-edged sword, as both parent breeds are prone to bone issues.
Namely, these are hip dysplasia and luxating patella. These are both joint-related conditions in which the hip and knee respectively may become malformed and cause dislocations and general pain to your dog. These are primarily present in puppies, but symptoms may only show at a later date, so it is important to keep a watchful eye on your dog’s posture and movement.
Temperament
As mentioned previously, the dog will be energetic, optimistic, and have a vigor for life. They are intelligent if not hard-headed, but when it comes down to it these dogs will be quick to make friends with everyone in their vicinity.
This makes them an ideal dog if you have little ones. With their unrelenting urge to play and personable demeanor, they are guaranteed to keep you and your children on your toes and lift the spirits of the whole family.
Feeding Requirements
Being physically similar to a Cockapoo, you may be inclined to feed it around a quarter of a cup of adult food every day, but these dogs like to keep busy – and the more energy burnt means the more food needed.
Therefore, it is a safe bet to feed your Cockapoogle a cup of adult food a day split into two meals. This will keep portions low to allow its small body the time to digest while accounting for its active disposition.
Conclusion
Small, playful, and a delight to be around, Cockapoogles are a unique cross, to say the least. By now you should be well aware of the upsides and downsides of owning a Cockapoogle, and the sort of hard work and fun times that lay ahead.
With a big heart and a loudmouth, these dogs are sure to make your home a livelier place to be – but you may find yourself wondering how such a small dog can make such a big noise. If that’s the case then you may be interested in our article ‘Do Dogs Ever get Tired of Barking?’.