Yorkinese Breed Information, Characteristics & Heath Problems | DogZone.com (2024)

The Beabull is a cross between a Beagle and an English Bulldog, resulting in a mix of both its parents’ temperaments and physical appearance. In terms of appearance, they are barrel-shaped, wrinkled with floppy ears, long muzzle, and an underbite. As for personality traits, their loveable and friendly nature is only disrupted by their somewhat mischievous and stubborn way.

Beabulls are generally even-tempered dogs, loyal to their family and good around children and other pets. They are not very active, but they have occasional bursts of energy. They are healthy dogs, patient, and playful. Although they are a good dog to have as a pet, they are probably not the best choice for first-time dog owners, as they can be headstrong.

About & History

While the history of Beagles and Bulldogs is more or less well-defined and can be traced back to the 19th century, the history of Beabulls is interchangeably linked to that of their parents’ breeds. This crossbreed probably emerged in the 1990s in the United States, but details about its origin are not fully known. They were designed to be companion pets, taking advantage of the gentle nature of Beagles and the tenacity and strength of Bulldogs.

The Beagle was bred to be a hunting dog and, consequently, has a well-developed sense of smell. Bulldogs were used for bull and bear baiting up until 1835 when this “sport” was forbidden, and later for dog fights. They were therefore bred to be aggressive and courageous, but at the same time, loyal and gentle, so that their owner could safely handle them. Later, when Bulldogs were taken to America, they were used to hunt game and guard property. The Beabull was later created from these Bulldogs and Beagles, resulting in a loyal and affectionate dog, trustworthy, but also rambunctious at times and an independent thinker.

Beabulls can be unpredictable in terms of appearance, according to their parental genetic contribution. This results in dogs that resemble one or the other parent more. Also, dogs from first-generation breeding are usually even more unpredictable, and different puppies from the same litter may differ a lot. Beabulls are recognised as a crossbreed by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America Inc., and the International Designer Canine Registry.

Appearance

Beabulls are medium-large dogs, of solid build, with short tails and legs. They have a strong and lean body, floppy ears and wrinkles. They have a strong underbite, just like their Bulldog parent, long muzzles, and a wide, black nose. Beabulls have short, straight hair and a coarse coat, which comes in the following colours:

An average male Beabull weighs between 18 and 27 kg (40-60 lb) and is 35.5 to 40.5 cm (14-16 inches) tall. A female is smaller, weighing from 13.5 to 23 kg (30-50 lb), and is usually 30.5 to 33 cm (12-13 inches) tall.

Character & Temperament

Besides their attractive appearance, Beabulls have a desirable temperament – they are friendly, loving, and charming. These are intelligent dogs, with an independent and mischievous side that comes from the Beagle parent. They are strong and alert, like their Bulldog parent, as well as playful and devoted. All in all, mixing these two interesting breeds results in an affectionate, docile, comical dog that makes for a great family dog. They are the perfect combination of a playful mate that will follow their owner all day long, only to then curl up beside him on the couch.

Because they tend to be obstinate, most say this is not a good dog for novice owners, as some degree of experience and patience is required to handle Beabulls. However, with obedience classes, or an overall consistent, patient, and firm approach to their training and handling, they can make great companion pets, even for the first-time dedicated dog owner. They get along well with children, with whom they are very patient, as well as other pets, and have a moderate prey drive that can be easily controlled. They love to be close to humans, they are eager to please, and they are protective of their families. Due to their friendly disposition, they are not good watchdogs.

Just like its appearance, the Beabull’s character is somewhat unpredictable. They are generally calm and do not require lots of exercise. However, they may have bursts of energy, almost hyperactive, often exhibiting a rough behaviour while playing with other dogs and people. They may engage in play-biting that is sometimes too rough and aggressive. This behaviour should be corrected when they are still puppies, as these are strong and hardy dogs in adulthood. The best approach regarding these biting games, that may include nipping, play-fighting, or even strong biting, is simply not to engage in them, correcting the puppy whenever the behaviour is shown. They tend to be vocal, and some inherit the Beagle’s powerful howl.

Beabulls can be on their own for a certain amount of time. Like any dog, though, they can become bored and frustrated if left alone for too long, thus engaging in destructive behaviours, like chewing or destroying furniture or other objects. Despite this, a Beabull can adapt to living in an apartment, though a fenced-yard (as they are known jumpers and wanderers) is an added bonus. Beabulls can be very sensitive to being handled, which is why it is important to handle them from an early age, making them used to being touched.

Trainability

The obstinate and headstrong traits of Beabulls can make them a difficult dog to train. One has to be firm and consistent with their training in order to raise a well-rounded and mild-tempered Beabull. Usually, food rewards, along with some patience and perseverance, work well, but their stubbornness should be taken into account when deciding on owning a Beabull, especially by novice owners.

Keeping the training sessions fun, stimulating, and engaging is also a key to success. Firmness and gentleness, with no negative reinforcement or harsh punishment, will also make a Beabull’s training a lot much easier.

Health

Beabulls are strong, healthy, and vigorous dogs. They live up to 12 years and their main health conditions are those of their parent breeds:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition of the hip that results in a dysfunctional articulation (the hip socket and thigh bone do not fit properly). The wear and tear of the abnormal hip joint often leads to inflammation and pain, which consequently leads to lameness. Changing the diet, moderate exercise, and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs alleviate the problem, though surgery is also an option.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder caused by a decreased production of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3. Clinical signs of hypothyroidism include lethargy, weight gain, hair and muscle loss, and skin problems. This disease can be controlled by dietary changes and hormone replacement.

Ear infections

Because Beabulls have floppy ears, the natural airing and drying of the ear canals is reduced, which helps create a humid environment that is ideal for bacteria and yeast growth, the most common causes of ear infections in dogs. The most common signs are head shaking, scratching, and rubbing the ears.

Other (minor) health concerns may include patellar luxation, reverse sneezing, and obesity, as Beabulls tend to eat voraciously.

Exercise and Activity Levels

Beabulls have moderate energy levels. This usually translates into a generally calm dog, with occasional hyperactive bursts. A daily walk coupled with some games, such as fetching the ball, playing with a Frisbee, or hide and seek, will suffice to keep a Beabull entertained and satisfied. One-hour of exercise per day is usually enough. Also, it is important to provide Beabulls with enough mental stimulation.

Puppies are, of course, full of life and need much more activity than adults, as when they are not attended to, they may be destructive around the house. Taking them to the park, where they can socialise with other dogs, and learn from the older ones, will make them well-rounded adults.

Grooming

Despite being short-haired, Beabulls shed a lot. They should be brushed daily, or every other day, for best results (and a cleaner house). Using a firm bristle brush and a vacuum, and then wiping the coat with a damp cloth, is the best way of keeping their coat looking good.

Baths should be given only when needed and their wrinkles carefully dried, as skin problems may arise from humid skin folds in contact with each other. Because they have long, floppy ears, these should also be carefully cleaned on a regular basis in order to remove any dirt and debris that may accumulate and thus prevent ear infections.