Bagle

Quick Take

• The Bagle's most lovable physical feature is also its biggest health liability, and ignoring it leads to a painful recurring problem. See the ear infection risk →
• Training a Bagle at the wrong moment can backfire entirely. There is a specific window when it actually pays attention. Find the training window →
• The Bagle inherits a near-legendary sensory superpower from one parent, though this gift comes with a notable caveat. Explore the scent ability →
• Despite its mischievous and stubborn streak, there's one type of owner this breed is surprisingly perfect for. See who this breed suits →

The Bagle is a mixed-breed dog that is a cross between the Beagle and the Basset Hound. Although this Basset Hound mix is a hybrid breed, the Bagle is a true hound through and through. If you wish to own this beautiful breed, realize that you will need a lot of patience because this canine’s hilarious antics and constant mischievousness will keep you extremely busy. However, their loving and affectionate nature makes it worth having these dogs as part of the family.

Four Incredible Bagle Hound Facts

• The Bagle’s coat has a variety of colors, including white, black, tan, and red.
• This breed inherited a great sense of smell from the Basset Hound parent breed. However, their sensory receptors are not quite on the level of the Bloodhound, which leads all breeds in scent ability with an estimated 230 million olfactory receptors, followed by the Basset Hound in second place.
• The Bagle’s total lifespan is 10-15 years.
• Bagles’ mouths tend to salivate, resulting in excessive drool.

Size and Weight

The Bagle Hound is medium-sized and weighs between 30 and 55 pounds. Both male and female Bagles range from 12 to 17 inches in height.

Common Health Issues

The Bagle Hound has some hereditary predispositions to specific health issues, which include:

• Ear infections
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Glaucoma
• Obesity

Ear infections

Because of their long, floppy ears, this breed’s covered ear canal is a breeding ground for recurring ear infections. Your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotic ear drops to relieve red and inflamed ears.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow and hip dysplasia are similar disorders that impact how the joints form. When these joints do not connect properly, they wear down faster, reducing your pet’s mobility. Although these two conditions are not curable, chronic medication will provide your dog with pain relief.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disorder that causes excessive pressure to build up in the eye. Symptoms include red, inflamed eyes, severe pain, and vision loss. Surgery and medication can help reduce symptoms and manage the condition, but in certain circumstances, if this condition worsens, it can cause blindness.

Obesity

Obesity can cause a variety of health issues, such as:

• Cardiovascular disease
•  Liver disease
•  Diabetes

This breed loves its food, so to prevent your Bagle from gaining unhealthy weight, follow the feeding directions on its kibble packaging and ensure your dog receives adequate exercise.

Temperament

The Bagle Hound is a friendly breed that enjoys being surrounded by people and animals. Training these dogs can be pretty tiresome and challenging, as they would rather find a comfy spot to relax and unwind. However, these dogs don’t require lengthy training sessions because they are intelligent. Although they have a carefree and lazy nature, Bagles are capable of learning new tricks, provided you have a lot of patience. When training your Bagle, use positive reinforcement; it has a sensitive personality and will quickly become agitated if you become angry with it. Keep a watchful eye; these hounds can also become mischievous if left alone for an extended period. Its laid-back personality and medium size make this breed ideal for older adults and people with disabilities.

How to Take Care of Your Bagle Dog

Responsible pet ownership begins with proper care. Adopting a dog comes with many responsibilities, as your furry friend will rely on you for their health and well-being. Provide your dog with a healthy diet, clean water, grooming needs, and, of course, sufficient exercise.

Best Dog Food

Your Bagle Hound will thrive on high-quality dry dog food that contains a great source of:

• Protein
• Carbohydrates
• Grains
• Healthy fats
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Probiotics

Keep in mind when sourcing dry kibble to avoid corn, wheat, and soy by-products, as these ingredients can cause allergies and digestive complications. In addition, your dog’s meals must be supplemented with omega-3s, as these fats promote healthy coats and reduce inflammation.

Probiotics are another vital element to add to your dog’s meals because probiotics enhance the gut’s healthy bacteria, assisting the digestive system in preventing diarrhea and constipation. Because the digestive tract contains a large portion of the immune system, adding beneficial bacteria promotes a happy and healthy dog.

Maintenance and Grooming

Their coat hairs are short and dense, allowing grooming to be low maintenance. Their coats don’t require cutting, which means no knotty tangles. Brushing can be done as little as once a week to remove loose hair and skin debris. It is vital not to get their ears wet, as they are at risk of ear infections, and to gently clean your dog’s ears once a week, as directed by a vet. Teeth should be brushed once a week to prevent plaque buildup and dental disease.

Training

Training this breed can be difficult because they are lazy and can become easily distracted. These canines don’t want to be disturbed during their downtime and can become rather stubborn if interrupted. Monitor your hound’s daily schedule, as this will give you a time frame to see when they are attentive and most focused for training sessions. Consistent training will keep your dog in a good routine, as well as help it understand commands and learn new tricks.

Exercise

Bagle Hounds are active canines with hounding impulses that require physical exercise to keep fit and mentally well. Fetching sticks and chasing balls entertains them the most. However, they need space to run and play; therefore, you should take them for walks and jogs every day, or they may become bored indoors.

Puppies

Bagle Hound puppies may not be as common as purebred dogs, but they can often be found through breeders or rescue organizations specializing in hound mixes. A reliable breeder who can provide the parents’ health history is essential when looking to adopt this breed.

Bagle Hound and Children

With children, this breed is very gentle and well-mannered. These dogs get along nicely with children of all sizes and are normally unbothered by children being rough with them. Although not aggressive and rarely barking, they can become protective of their family members. When not lazing around the house, they enjoy playing fetch and showing affection, making this dog a perfect fit for families with children.