Meagle

The Meagle, a crossbreed between Miniature Pinscher and a Beagle, is a compact-sized hound that is fun to be around and makes a good pet for families. Their inquisitive nature is one of their most interesting characteristics, leading them to inspect everything they come across with their advanced sense of smell. However, they can sometimes be stubborn and would need early socialization to avoid behavioral issues. You should check with the breeders for information about your Meagle to learn more about the parents before selecting one.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Meagle

Before owning any pet, you should make sure that you know the pros and cons of having it in your house. This would not only better prepare you for their arrival into your family but would also make sure that you can create accommodating and comfortable conditions for them. Here are some pros and cons of owning Meagles:

Evolution and Origins

As the Meagle is a hybrid and relatively rare, there is not much known about its origins. However, looking at its parent breeds’ histories can help to show the Meagle’s lineage.

While the exact origins of the Meagle’s parent breed, the Beagle, are not known, it’s thought that the ancestors can date back to 5th-century Greece, where they were used to hunt rabbits and small game. Beagles are believed to be descended from Talbot Hounds, scenthounds that William the Conqueror brought to Britain in the 11th century. By the 16th century, English nobility commonly used smaller hounds referred to as Beagles to hunt deer, rabbits, and foxes in packs. Modern-day Beagles were developed in the 1830s by crossing breeds including the Talbot Hound, Southern Hound, and North Country Beagle. Due to their keen sense of smell, tracking abilities, and intelligence, Beagles are the most popular breed to use as detection dogs to sniff out prohibited items in quarantine around the world.

Meagle’s parent, the Miniature Pinscher’s precise origins are also uncertain, but it is known that this breed, also called the Zwergpinscher and the Min Pin, originates from Germany, where it was used to hunt rats and vermin in homes and stables. Due to similarities in name and appearance, some mistakenly think these dogs are mini Doberman Pinschers, but breed historians believe them to be a cross of the Dachshund and Italian Greyhound, possibly with the German Pinscher. Min Pins, known as “the King of Toys,” are popular pets, particularly in Europe and the U.S.

Size and Weight

These dogs are compact in size, following the same build as the Beagle and Miniature Pinscher that precedes them. The males are generally 12 to 16 inches in size and weigh about 10 to 20 pounds, depending on the individual dog. The females, on the other hand, seem to be similar, reaching 12 to 16 inches in size and weighing the same as well.

Common Health Issues

Whenever a new breed is developed, there are health risks that the pet inherits from both parents. With the Meagle, the health risks that it often faces come from the Miniature Pinscher and the Beagle.

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common issues that this dog faces. The condition presents as a misalignment of the hip bone.

The Meagle is also at risk for hypothyroidism, which can impact their hormones. Make sure to bring your pet to the veterinarian if you notice issues with their weight. You may also have to bring them to treat their allergies. The breeders of your particular puppy can bring more attention to any other health concerns that your pet might have or might be prone to.

Temperament

These dogs have a fun personality, are naturally curious, and make great family dogs. Their parents can give them rather mischievous and inquisitive characteristics within their families. While this dog may be rather good with children, their disposition will primarily depend on which of the breeds it inherits more of its personality traits from. Socializing the pet early would be the best way to promote bonding with younger children and adults alike, reducing the risk of depression and aggression.

One of their prominent characteristics is their tendency to engage with strangers. Socialization can greatly help them, furthering this positive interaction with time. The Meagle is incredibly active and energetic, though it will need to have a way to express that energy.

Sometimes they can also be stubborn during training sessions.

How to Take Care of a Meagle

Before you adopt a Meagle from a rescue shelter, you must know how to take care of one. You would also need to contact breeders to understand what kind of issues your dog could face. Here are a few tips on how to take care of the Meagle:

The Best Dog Food for Meagles

You would need to feed these dogs 1.5 cups of high-quality dog food per day. This would ideally be split into two meals across the day. The only foods that you need to avoid are the same that other dogs cannot digest, like onions, garlic, and chocolate.

This breed can suffer from allergies, but luckily, there’s a broad range of allergy-alleviating and limited-ingredient dog foods.

Maintenance and Grooming

Even though these dogs have short coats, they can shed moderately. Brush their coat weekly to remove loose and dead hair from their body. You can use a hound mitt to brush their fur, helping you to bond deeply with your pet.

You would also need to brush their teeth two to three times weekly to avoid any dental problems. Also, check your Meagle’s ears for any possible infection.

Training

It is moderately easy to train these dogs. They might not be the quickest to learn, but they are also not the slowest. Sometimes, training these dogs could be difficult for first-time owners, since they tend to have independent personalities.

Consistency is key with these dogs. Use positive reinforcement in the process of training them (as scolding could be detrimental to their mental health).

Exercise

Even though these dogs are small and compact, they have a lot of energy stored in them. It requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation daily to keep them content. They can easily be left for hours in a backyard, enjoying the excitement of free play. Make sure your fence is strong and secure to prevent them from escaping during this playtime.

Puppies

Taking care of the puppy is essentially the same as taking care of the adult dogs. However, the puppy’s meals would be divided into smaller and more portions throughout the day since their little stomachs are not used to digesting so much food at once.

Meagles and Children

If these dogs are properly socialized early on in life, they will likely be good with the children of the family. As a responsible pet owner, you should teach the children how to safely play with these dogs. Every dog requires supervision with any young children to ensure that their playful impulses don’t get the better of them.

Dogs Similar to a Meagle

Even with the benefits allotted to any Meagle, some owners may find that it doesn’t quite give them the new family member that they wanted. Here are a few other breeds that may be better suited to your home.

• Beagles: These dogs are friendly and energetic. They are relatively easy to groom and very adjustable. They are also kid-friendly.
• German Pinscher: These dogs are eager and intelligent. They do not shed and make great family pets.
• American Foxhound: These dogs are gentle and friendly and are known to be great hunters.