20 Things You Didn’t Know about The Beabull
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Another year, another designer dog… but this one’s a cutie. The latest in the long, long line of designer crossbreeds is the Beabull. 1 part Beagle, 1 part English Bulldog, and 2 parts adorable, this is a crossbreed with a headstrong nature, a quirky personality, and (of course) a very big price tag. Whether or not you’re prepared to pay up to $2000 for a pup is a choice we’ll leave to you. But if you’re determined to make your next pet a Beabull, there are a few things you probably need to know first… starting with these 20 little known facts.
1. They’re half Beagle…
As both their name and pleading brown eyes attest, a Beabull has a whole lot of Beagle in it. Adored for their loving and lovable natures, loyal personalities, and, of course, those huge brown eyes, Beagles have a long history and a big place in the hearts of millions of dog lovers around the world. Originally bred as a hunting dog, Beagles are now the most popular hound dog among American pet owners… and little wonder. Inquisitive, funny, and with a brain far bigger than their stout little bodies suggest, they make an easy-going, unfailingly loyal companion. Typically standing at between 13 and 15 inches, the breed is characterized by large brown or hazel eyes, big, floppy ears, and a sturdy little body that’s prone to packing on the pounds if you let it.
2. … And half English Bulldog
The Beabull might have a lot of Beagle in it, but it’s got an equal amount of English Bulldog too. Known for their sturdy, muscular physiques, wrinkled faces, and pushed-in noses, the English Bulldog has long been associated with Britain, and in particular, wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill – someone who shared much of the same gutsy qualities, and, it has to be said, facial features of the breed. But it’s not just the Brits who have a fondness for this plucky little dog: in the past few decades, they’ve taken off massively in the States, and now rank as its 5th most popular purebred.
3. Their appearance can vary hugely
The one thing you can be sure of getting with designer breeds is complete uncertainty. No two litters are the same, and no two pups from the same litter are either. Puppies born within seconds of each other can look as different as night and day, and there’s no guarantee their personalities will be anything alike either. Some Beabull pups take after the Beagle side of the family tree; others are dead ringers for their English Pitbull relatives.
4. They’re super wrinkly
Although no two Beabulls are going to look exactly the same, certain characteristics can be said to be common across the breed. If we were going to describe the typical Beabull (and ignore the people who say there’s no such thing), we’d have to first comment on its wrinkles (of which there are many), before highlighting its Bulldog-like underbite, short (but always wagging) tail, and stumpy little legs. Its ear’s, like the Beagles, are typically long and houndlike, while their long muzzles are as about as different to the Bulldog’s short, pinched-in snout as can be.
5. They’ve been around for about 20 years
The Beabull might only now be making a name for itself, but it’s actually been around a lot longer than you’d think. As petguide.com notes, the general consensus is that breeders in the US started developing the breed around 20 (or possibly even 30) years ago. Unfortunately, they kept close-lipped about their early attempts to cross the Beagle with the English Bulldog, so it’s not possible to pinpoint the exact date the first Beabull entered the world.
6. They’re hard to find
Despite the fact most people seem to think the Beabull has been around since the turn of the Millennium, it’s only recently that they’ve started to make a name for themselves. Outside of a select few breeders, they’re almost impossible to track down. If you’ve been so won over by their big brown eyes and droopy ears that you can’t face the possibility of going another year without one (but equally can’t quite bring yourself to part with the mind-boggling amount that a new pup demands – more on which, coming up), it’s worth putting out some feelers to local rescue centers and shelters… just be prepared for a long wait.
7. They are expensive
A Beabull might be cute. A Beabull might be unusual. But what a Beabull is not (and likely never will be) is cheap. Due to their scarcity, Beabull breeders know they can charge a premium for a Beabull pup… and they clearly aren’t afraid of doing just that. Buy from a reputable breeder (and giving the problems that can come from doing anything else, we’d strongly recommend you do), and you can expect to pay between $1500 – $2000. If you do decide it’s a price worth paying, do as doggiedesigner.com suggests by checking the references of the breeder, and watching out for any red flags like the pup looking poorly or mistrustful of people.
8. They’re hard to train
Beabulls might look adorable, but make no mistake. Those big eyes and doleful expressions are hiding an independent streak a wide long. Despite being highly intelligent, most owners have found them a struggle to train. It’s not that they don’t understand instruction, it’s just that if they’d rather do something else, they probably will. Positive reinforcement can work well, but be warned – these sharp little creatures will soon work out exactly what it takes to get you to give them a treat. Given their propensity to pack on the pounds, they could soon be more lardball than Beabull.
9. They’re great with kids
If your kids are looking for a companion, you could do a lot worse than getting them a Beabull. Beabulls make excellent family pets, capable of being loyal, fun, gentle, and everything else you could possibly want in a pet. They’re also quick to adapt to new environments and are as welcoming to new people as they are to old friends. The only thing you’ll need to watch out for is their mischievous natures… although once you get used to them hiding your slippers every morning, you’ll soon start to see the fun.
10. They prefer cats to dogs
Beabulls are generally tolerant of other dogs in the family, but they’re not a natural ‘team-player’. If another dog goes near one of their toys, that dog is going to feel their wrath is short order. Likewise, an exuberant, high energy dog that wants to play all the time is likely to get on their nerves. Cats, on the other hand, are one species the Beabull can get on board with. If you have a cat in the house, you can bet they and your new Beabull will be snuggling up together in front of the TV before you can count to three.
11. They can weigh up to 50 pounds
Beabulls aren’t the biggest of dogs (no surprise really, considering their heritage) but they’re no means in danger of fading away, either. The average Beabull can grow to a height of around 12- 16 inches at the shoulder, while their weight can vary between 30 – 50 pounds. Like both the Beagle and the Bulldog, they can pork up quite quickly. While they’re never going to be slender, whippet-like creatures, be careful they don’t start packing the pounds on to an unhealthy degree.
12. They’ve got tricky digestions
Like most crossbreeds, Beabulls are generally healthy, with no common, hereditary ailments to be overly concerned about. But that doesn’t mean you can take their health for granted or skip the regular checkups at the vet. As petguide.com notes, hip dysplasia, canine disk disease, and hypothyroidism are all potential risks, while their long, floppy ears (adorable though they may be) can be problematic, requiring regular cleaning to prevent wax build-up and infections developing. Like Bulldogs, they can also suffer tricky tummies and problematic digestives. Make sure to get them checked over regularly by your vet to nip any potential problems in the bud. It also stands to reason that they’ll need the full course of vaccinations before leaving the breeder and regular de-worming treatments from then on in.
13. They can be spotted or speckled
The course, wiry hair of the Beabull comes in a variety of colors and patterns, with no two pups from the same litter bearing the same markings. Some of the most common coat colors include white, brown, merle, speckled, brindle, golden, and spotted.
14. They can live for up to 13 years
Beabulls aren’t the longest-lived of breeds, but neither are they the shortest. Providing they’re fed the right kind of diet, receive the right kind of exercise, and get whisked to the vets whenever something seems amiss, they can live for anything between 10 and 13 years on average.
15. They’re lazy
Beabulls are many things, but highly energetic isn’t one of them. If left to their own devices, they’d rarely leave the sofa. Unfortunately (at least for them), they’re occasionally going to need to, if only for an hour or so a day. As Beabulls have a propensity for weight gain, scheduling a brisk hour’s walk into their routine (along with the occasional game of frisbee), is a must.
16. They’ve been given official recognition by the American Canine Hybrid Club
The American Kennel Club has a reputation for being a little sniffy when it comes to designer breeds, and it’s living up to expectations when it comes to the Beabull. But it’s not all bad news for the pooch. The AKC may be too highbrow to extend the breed official recognition, but the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America, Inc., the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Breed Registry have all proved a little more welcoming.
17. They’re low maintenance
Beabulls have short, bristly hair that sheds easily, but thankfully doesn’t require too much in the way of grooming to look good. A weekly once over with a wire brush and the pet grooming attachment of your vacuum cleaner (yes, really) should be enough so for as their coats are concerned. You can skip the weekly baths in favor of wiping down their skin, paying particular attention to their wrinkly areas. Ears should be cleaned with a damp cloth about once a week, teeth should be brushed 2-3 times a week, and nails can be trimmed as soon as they become long enough to start clicking across tiled surfaces.
18. They cope fine in apartments
If you thought you needed a big house and a yard to keep a dog happy, then prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Beabulls are fairly low-energy dogs, and will cope as well in an apartment without a yard as they would in a house with a garden. Providing they get around an hour of walking a day, they should fit well enough into any living environment.
19. They come in a miniature variety
No one would describe the standard Beabull as a big dog, but if you’re looking for something even smaller, you’re in luck. As animalso.com notes, ‘mini Beabulls,’ ‘toy Beabulls,’ or ‘teacup Beabulls’ are tiny varieties of the breed that have been achieved by crossing mini or teacup English Bulldogs with pocket-sized Beagles.
20. They’re bad for allergy-sufferers
If you have allergies, steer well clear of the Beabull. In summer, they shed on an epic scale. Regardless of how often you run them over with a vacuum cleaner, you’ll never be completely safe from the dander and stray hairs that can trigger a sneezing fit.
