The Whippet Beagle Mix – A Detailed Guide to the Whipbeagle

Beagles are another popular dog breed often crossed with Whippets. They’re intelligent, well-tempered and known for their incredible sense of smell, which often sees them employed as detection experts for law enforcement agencies. So what does this mean for the Whippet Beagle mix?

I’ve written at length about the characteristics of the Whippet breed: this is a blog dedicated to Whippets after all!

In this article, I’m going to outline the characteristics of the Whippet Beagle cross by focussing upon the following areas:

Whippet Beagle Mix Appearance

Whipbeagles will likely retain the speed of a Whippet with the incredible scent hound skills of a Beagle. They’ll more than likley retain the floppy ears so adored by Beagle lovers everywhere!

Whippets are medium-sized dogs (18 to 22 inches in height) whereas Beagles are considered small (13 to 15 inches). As a result, the Whippet Beagle mix (or Whipbeagle) will likely be a small to medium-sized dog.

As with any dog breed mix, it’s difficult to predict the actual height and weight of adult Whipbeagles. This is because the size of the parent breeds has a bearing on on the outcome of all physical characteristics.

Having said this, Whippet Beagle mixes may be 15 to 20 inches high with a weight between 22 and 35lbs.

Whippet’s are a single coat breed. They are low shedders with short, smooth fur that requires little grooming.

Conversely, Beagles have double coats. Although they too have smooth coats, their fur is more dense and it thickens during the winter months. As a consequence they tend to shed much more than Whippets, especially during the spring time when they lose their winter coat.

The amount a Whippet Beagle mix sheds will then vary depending upon the dominance of the parent genes. However, it’s likely that a Whipbeagle will shed a lot more than a regular Whippet.

Whipbeagle Temperament

Orginially bred as pack dogs, Beagles love company. They’re a very even-tempered and fun loving dog breed and they make great family pets. As a rule, they’re lovable and happy and are good with children.

Whippets are one of natures sprint machines and love nothing more than a good chase! They too are very family-oriented dogs and are extremely faithful to their home unit. As a result, Whippets are excellent pets too.

Both Whippets and Beagles have sweet natures, so Whipbeagles too follow suit.

Whippet Beagle mixes tend to be energetic and love playing. As a breed raised for hunting, Beagles love to chase probably as much as Whippets, though they can’t do so quite as quickly. Of course a Whipbeagle will be a much faster dog than a purebred Beagle.

Whippets and Beagles can be independent and strong-willed and this may mean a Whipbeagle mix requires training. This can of course be food-based but as with all dogs you should mix this so your Whipbeagle pup doesn’t just respond when there’s a treat at stake!

One thing to bear in mind for any dog breed is that temperament is not something guaranteed. All dog breeds have a tendency towards certain temperaments but an individual dog’s personality is not as predictable as it’s inherited physical characteristics. How you raise and train your Whipbeagle will play a huge role in determining its temperament.

Whippet Beagle Mix Health

As I’ve pointed out before, all dog breeds have a genetic tendency towards particular health issues. As a consequence, it’s possible for Whippet Beagle mixes to inherit the tendency for certain diseases of its parents. This is as true for the Whipbeagle as it is for any Whippet mix.

Below are some of the health problems that Whippets and Beagles can have.

Whippets

• Deafness
• Canine von Willebrand’s Disease
• Sinus problems
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Allergies
• Mitral Valve Degeneration

Beagles

• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
• Musladin-Lueke Syndrome
• Tumours, cysts and growths
• Cruciate ligament disease
• Prone to weight gain
• Eye problems

With the appropriate exercise and care, Whippets and Beagles have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Assuming proper care, this should be similar for a Whippet Beagle mix.

If you’re thinking of buying a Whippet puppy, make sure to buy from a reputable breeder who can demonstrate proper breeding practices. Avoid puppy mills at all costs.

Exercise & Care for a Whippet Beagle Mix

Whippets Beagle crosses require lots of exercise, just like their parent breeds. As with any dog breed, insufficient exercise does not improve a dog’s quality of life or temperament and may result in destructive behaviour at home.

As Beagles and Whippets need up to an hour of exercise each day, you should budget a similar amount of time to exercise Whipbeagles. This would be best in a fenced area where they can be off the leash so they can sniff around and play with other dogs / chase toys.

If you have a fenced garden at home, additional family play here will offer stimulation and strengthen bonds.

As Whippets are sighthounds, it’s wise to always keep them on a leash in unfenced areas or on walks in public places. The chase instinct is so strong in Whippets that they can’t stop themselves from running after other animals or small things that move suddenly.

This will most certainly be passed on to Whippet Beagles mixes.

Find out more about Whippets and cats living under the same roof.

Neither Whippets nor Beagles like to be left alone for long periods… more than 4 to 5 hours is a big no-no. Both breeds can become destructive or suffer separation anxiety if left on their own too long.

Although Whippets don’t bark much, a Beagle can howl with the best of them! A Whipbeagle may also then become quite vocal if it gets lonely.

Whipbeagle Images from Instagram

Summary

The Whippet Beagle mix is a loyal, caring and fun loving cross breed that will make a great family pet assuming it has sufficient exercise and isn’t left alone for long periods every day.

They may require consistent training to ensure you’re seen as top dog, just like their parent breeds.

If you’re looking for a Whippet Beagle cross puppy, only speak with reputable breeders who ensure the highest level of care and practices. This will help to ensure you don’t end up with a Whipbeagle pup that has health or behavioural problems through poor breeding practices.

Whippets come in a wide variety of gorgeous cross breeds. Find out more about Whippet mixes in my super detailed guide!

Do you own a Whippet Beagle mix? Or perhaps you simply love Whipbeagles? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment in the comment section below.