Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix: Traits, Size & Breed Overview

If you’re thinking of getting a dog, you’ll probably have a rough idea of the kind of pet that would best fit your household. There are so many different breeds to choose from that making the final selection can be challenging.

But have you considered mixed-breed dogs? I take a look at one mixed breed that’s rapidly increasing in popularity: the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix, also known as the Sheagle.

The Australian Shepherd and the Beagle are both lovely dogs in their own right. So, is a hybrid between these two breeds a match made in heaven? Let’s find out and meet the one and only Sheagle.

Meet The Parent Breeds

The mating of two purebred dogs creates a mixed breed. Mixed breeds are also called “designer dogs.”

An important consideration to be aware of if you’re thinking of taking on a mixed breed dog is that every puppy in a litter is slightly different, both in looks and in character. The puppies of mixed breed parents can also inherit genetic and breed-specific health conditions.

Usually, the puppies lean more toward the features and traits of one parent than the other. Until the pups mature, you’ll never really know what you’ll finish up with when your puppy is fully grown.

So, buying a mixed-breed puppy is something of a lottery. To make the right choice of mixed breed, you’ll need to look closely at each parent.

Australian Shepherds

The Australian Shepherd is a member of the herding group. The breed currently ranks at number 12 in the American Kennel Club’s breed popularity chart.

Aussies, as they’re fondly known, are incredibly smart and loyal to their human family. However, don’t expect this pup to spend lazy days sleeping by your side while you watch TV. They are super high energy and need a lot of interaction.

The Australian Shepherd is a lively, action-loving dog that excels in most canine sports, notably agility training and flyball. So, you need to enjoy walking or jogging and be prepared to devote a couple of hours every day to exercising your Aussie.

The Aussie is a medium-sized dog that needs plenty of outside space where he can burn off his excess energy. An Australian Shepherd is not a suitable dog for apartment life.

Remember that crossbreed puppies may inherit some of these problems from their Australian Shepherd parent. For that reason, it’s vital that you ask the puppy’s breeder to show you documentary evidence of health screening for both the parent dogs.  Aussies are commonly crossbred to create other designer dog breeds like the Aussiedoodle.

Beagles

The Beagle is a small, compact dog with an easy-to-care-for coat and a generally cheerful temperament. They rank even higher than the Aussie, coming in at number 8 on the AKC’s most popular breed list.

Beagles are traditionally hunting dogs. Today, you’ll still see Beagles working as scent-detection dogs in airports. In fact, the breed is officially classified as a “scent hound.” Because of their sweet nature, they are often cross-bred with other purebreds, like the Corgi-Beagle mix.

Beagles also make great family pets, but their drive to hunt is powerful. So, you’ll need to understand that if your family pet picks up an interesting scent trail while you’re out walking in the park, he’ll follow the scent, and your requests to “come here” may fall on deaf ears.

A healthy Beagle has a life expectancy of between 13 and 16 years. Beagles are working dogs, and as such, they need a fair amount of exercise every day. So, you’ll need to enjoy walking if you take on one of these pups.

Beagles are trainable, but they can be stubborn and easily distracted. Use positive reinforcement techniques when training your Beagle and be sure to keep your dog leashed on walks until you’re confident your pet comes when you call him.

Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix

The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is a charming cross between two very different personalities. Even its nickname, Sheagle, is fun and light-hearted.

However, these two breeds do have one thing in common: their need to work and be active. The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is also a very intelligent breed that typically thrives on learning and new challenges.

Aussie Beagles are happy-natured, cheerful dogs that get along well with children and other pets. They are the perfect addition to any family home.

Temperament

The Sheagle has a peppy, energetic personality. They can be very hyper, a trait inherited from the Beagle, and have tons of spunk. The Aussie Beagle mix loves spending time with people and is happy to be by your side all day long. They love kids and make attentive playmates. Expect a loyal pup who is always eager and ready for the next adventure, whatever that may be.

Size & Appearance

How big do Australian Shepherd Beagles get? Sheagles vary in size, depending on which parent breed is the most dominant. However, on average, you can expect your dog to grow to stand around 13 to 23 inches at the shoulder, weighing between 20 and 65 pounds. They are of athletic build with long, straight tails.

Your Sheagle pup is medium in size and has a rather interesting appearance. They may inherit the droopy ears of the Beagle and the bright blue eyes of the Aussie. Sheagle coats can be somewhat shaggy and can be medium or long.

Coat & Color Combinations

The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix has a dense coat that comes in a range of stunning colors, largely thanks to the Aussie parent’s influence over the coat color of the puppies.

So, you could find puppies with merle coats of black, grey, caramel, and white that have taken most influence from their Aussie parent. Alternatively, if the Beagle parent’s genes are most prevalent, your puppy could be any combination of the following colors:

1. White
2. Tan
3. Black
4. Brown
5. Fawn
6. Lemon
7. Red tick
8. Blue tick

If the Aussie is the dominant parent breed, you may also come across an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix with mismatched eye colors or bright blue eyes.

Training

Your success in training your Sheagle mix depends on which parent your dog takes after the most and how much patience you have.

Australian Shepherds are highly trainable and very intelligent. These dogs love to learn. However, the Beagle is very easily distracted and becomes bored quickly, especially if they pick up a scent.

No matter which parent breed’s genes are most dominant in your puppy, early socialization and education are vital for raising a happy, well-balanced adult dog. If you plan to train your Beagle to walk on a harness, make sure you pick the right harness for your pup.

Exercise & Living Conditions

An adult Australian Shepherd Beagle mix needs at least two hours of exercise every day. That exercise could involve jogging with you, accompanying you on hiking trips, agility training, a trip to the dog park, or some obedience training.

Interaction between you and your dog is also essential, so a daily playtime session is important, too. The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix also benefits from the company of a quiet canine companion.

Although, in theory, both the Australian Shepherd and Beagle mix parent breeds could live outside, the crossbreed is a family dog that prefers to spend time with his human “pack.”

A bored, frustrated Australian Shepherd Beagle mix can become a serial barker and escape artist, so the best environment for this breed is indoors with his human family.

Health

In general, crossbreed and hybrid dogs are healthier than purebreds, and the Aussie Beagle mix is a very healthy breed with a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. Mixed-breed dogs are often healthier and live longer than their purebred parents.

However, both parent breeds can pass on a few hereditary disorders and health issues to their offspring.

Hip dysplasia is a common issue that can affect Australian Shepherd Beagle mix dogs. The condition causes pain and lameness, eventually resulting in arthritis in the hip joint. When viewing Australian Shepherd Beagle mix puppies, always ask the breeder for confirmation that both your puppy’s parents have been health-screened for hip dysplasia.

Also, both parent breeds are prone to developing epilepsy, so make sure that your puppy’s parents have both been screened for this potentially dangerous health condition.

It is a good idea to consider pet insurance when your pup is young. Pet insurance can help cover the cost of care in an emergency or illness, allowing you to focus on your pup’s recovery. Our guide explains more about pet insurance and whether it is worth it.

Nutrition

When you pick up your new Australian Shepherd Beagle mix puppy, ask the breeder what food your new canine companion is being fed. Stick with that food for the first six months of the pup’s life, and then change him over to a high-quality adult diet.

As the breed is active and requires plenty of exercise, you shouldn’t have a problem with your dog becoming overweight. However, always feed your pup the manufacturer’s recommended portion, which you’ll find detailed on the product packaging

There is a huge range of dog food brands to choose from. If you’re not sure which one to choose, always ask your vet or the pup’s breeder for guidance. Always pick food that uses named animal proteins. You may want to consider adding fresh dog food to your pup’s bowl for a boost of flavor and nutrients.

Grooming

Both Australian Shepherds and Beagles shed, so it’s relatively safe to assume that your hybrid Sheagle puppy sheds, too.

Shedding is continual throughout the year, with two heavy shedding periods in the spring and fall. So, you’ll need to groom your Australian Shepherd Beagle mix every couple of days and more frequently at maximum shedding time.

Generally, Aussie Beagle mix dogs have a dense, medium-length double coat. With that in mind, a slicker brush and a Furminator shedding blade are essential items for your doggy grooming kit.

Unfortunately, the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix breed’s shedding habit makes it not a good fit for families with allergy sufferers.

As Family Pets

Now, let’s review the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix to see if this breed would be a good fit for your family.

1. If you love exercise, enjoy walking, and spend a lot of your time in the Great Outdoors, an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix could be the perfect furry sidekick for you.
2. Australian Shepherd Beagle mixes are friendly, outgoing, affectionate dogs that are a great fit for families with kids and other pets.
3. The Sheagle might not be the best choice for first-time dog owners, as the breed is demanding in terms of grooming and exercise. Also, training can be challenging if the Beagle parent is dominant.
4. The breed can grow to be quite large. This, along with the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix’s active temperament, makes these pups unsuitable for apartment life. Ideally, you’ll also need a home with plenty of outside space.

So, does the Australian Shepherd Beagle mix sound like the ideal canine companion for your household? Have you met a Sheagle? I’d love to hear your experience with this mixed breed in the comments.

Finding An Aussie Beagle Mix Breeder

The average cost of an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix puppy ranges from $400 up to $1,000. Generally, the more unusual the coat and eye color, the more expensive the puppy is.

The Australian Shepherd Beagle mix is quite a new breed, so finding one might take you a while. Try asking around at local Australian Shepherd and Beagle clubs, where you may find some helpful contacts. Also, check out social media to get the word out.

Remember to ask the puppy’s breeder for written evidence that the puppy’s parents have both been health-screened for the hereditary health conditions to which the breeds are most susceptible.

Adopting A Rescue Pup

Raising a puppy is a demanding task. If you would prefer to avoid all that hard work and are happy to offer a loving home to an unwanted adult dog, you may want to consider taking an Australian Shepherd Beagle mix from a rescue center or shelter.

Although the Aussie Beagle cross is not the most common mixed breed, you may be lucky and find one waiting for a home. Try searching local rescues in your area or larger rescue website foundation websites.

Some shelters offer you the chance to take a dog on a trial basis for a month or so. That way, you can find out if the pup is a good fit for your household with the safety net option of returning the dog to the shelter if things don’t work out for both of you. Learn more about this process and our personal experience with adopting a dog and regretting it here.

Other Mixed Breeds To Consider

The Sheagle is a lovely companion, but may not be right for every home. There are many other mixed breeds to consider. The Pugapoo or Chihuahua Maltese mix might be a better fit if you want a smaller pup. If you have never had a pup before, or it’s been a while since you brought a new puppy home, check out these 11 things to know before adopting. Before bringing home any dog, make sure to talk with your family members to be sure everyone is on board for the extra responsibility of caring for a dog.

Why Trust Us?

Danielle has shared a close bond with dogs since childhood. She has over three decades of experience with dogs of all sizes and those with special needs. Danielle is a dedicated professional researcher and pet product reviewer. She spends countless hours researching the latest pet care, health, food, and training developments to help owners learn what’s behind the label. Her two dogs, Daisy and Falkor, serve as her willing assistants to test and review hundreds of products. Danielle works with a professional and experienced team to bring the best, most accurate, and most up-to-date information to our readers.