Quick Take
- The Beagle color called "blue" isn't actually blue, and understanding the real explanation behind it changes how you'd identify one. See what 'blue' really means →
- A truly solid white Beagle comes with a surprising biological catch most owners never consider. Discover the albino catch →
- Most people don't know solid-colored Beagles exist, and there's a specific reason Beagle experts aren't breeding them. Explore why solid Beagles are rare →
- Two popular coat patterns seen in other dog breeds are actually disqualifying flaws in a Beagle show ring. See the disqualifying patterns →
Beagles are one of the most popular dogs in the United States. These lovable hounds are cheerful, active, and vocal. Beagles also have a variety of rare and unique fur colors. Tri-colored coats are most popular, but you may also see bi-colored or solid-colored Beagles. Read on to learn more about 15 unique beagle coat colors, what colors meet the AKC breed standard, and more.
What Coat Colors Can Beagles Have?
According to the Beagle breed standard, Beagles can be “any true hound color,” but what does that mean? In terms of breeding and showing the dogs, if the dog is a true hound color, no color is prioritized over another. True hounds are generally tri-colored, bi-colored, or solid colors. True hound colors for beagles include the traditional black/tan/white tricolor or blue tricolor, tan and white, lemon and white, red and white, chocolate, plus variations and dilutes of these colors. Ticking is also acceptable, but merle and brindle are disqualified.
The following Beagle colors are accepted as the breed standard:
- Black and tan
- Black, red, and white
- Black, tan, and bluetick
- Black, tan, and white
- Black, white, and tan
- Brown and white
- Brown, white, and tan
- Lemon and white
- Red and white
- Tan and white
- Blue, tan, and white
According to the Beagle breed standard, Beagles can be “any true hound color.”
©NinaM/Shutterstock.com
Although the colors listed above are breed standard colors, beagles can also be registered with the AKC as the following colors:
- Black
- Black and white
- Black, fawn, and white
- Blue
- Blue and white
- Brown
- Lemon
- Red
- Red and black
- Red, black, and white
- Tan
- White
- White, black, and tan
- Black, tan, and redtick
These coat colors are typically rarer since most breeders are not trying to breed puppies with these coats. They are more likely to breed puppies whose coats follow the breed standard set by the AKC according to the National Beagle Club of America. Tri-colored coats are most common in Beagles, followed by bi-colored coats, then solid-colored Beagles being the rarest.
Tri-Colored Beagles
As mentioned above, tri-colored Beagles are the most common. This is likely what comes to mind when you picture a Beagle. The following two tri-color combinations are the rarest:
Black, Tan, and Bluetick
These dogs have solid black and tan areas, along with another color called “bluetick.” Bluetick is diluted blackish-grey ticking, or freckle-like spots, on white.
Black, Tan, and Redtick
Dogs with these coats look a lot like the ones above, but instead of blue “freckles” or ticking, they have red. Red, when it comes to dog coat colors, is a dark orange rather than a bright, vivid red. Red coats in dogs are also sometimes called mahogany.
Dogs with black ticking on white are called bluetick.
Bi-Colored Beagles
Bi-colored beagles are a rarer sight than tri-colored Beagles.
Brown and White
These Beagles can be brown with white patches or white with brown patches. Primarily brown Beagles with white patches are rarer, as the white base coat is common.
Lemon and White
These Beagles are white with lemon patches. Lemon is a light tan-gold color that’s become very popular in the Beagle world. While this coat color is fairly rare, it seems to be growing in popularity. It’s easy to see why — lemon is a beautiful coat color on a Beagle.
Lemon is a light golden brown, not to be confused with fawn or tan.
©Linn Currie/Shutterstock.com
Red and White
These dogs have solid patches of dark orange to deep reddish-orange against a white coat. There should be no black-tipped hairs anywhere on its coat.
Black and White
They have white base coats with large black patches, typically accompanied by either a few or many smaller black spots.
Blue and White
Blue and white coats are also very rare. These coats are white with diluted slate-grey or silvery blue patches and ticking. You might also see them referred to as silver. Their coloring is due to a recessive dilution gene that causes black pigment to present as a greyish-blue color.
Red and Black
Another rarity, these dogs have a black base coat with dark orange to red markings. While the coat color is beautiful, it’s extremely uncommon to see.
Solid-Colored Beagles
All solid-colored Beagles are so rare they’re hardly ever seen. This is likely for various reasons. The AKC doesn’t view them as standard, and not many people are looking for a solid-colored Beagle. Most don’t even know they exist! Breeders aren’t intentionally trying to breed them, and few exist. You’re more likely to see solid coats in Beagle mixes or in Beagle lines not bred for show.
Black
A black coat is exactly what it sounds like. They’re solid, jet black in color. More commonly, the dog will have some small white patches rather than truly being a solid black.
Blue
As noted previously, blue is a diluted black. This color might also be referred to unofficially as silver, but these dogs would all be officially registered with the AKC as blue.
Blue in beagles is caused by a recessive gene that dilutes black to a slate-grey or silvery-blue.
©iStock.com/Thanawath Seangsuriyapone
Brown
Brown Beagles are dark brown in color. Lighter brown shades would be considered fawn or tan. Some people also call brown coats “chocolate,” but it is not an official AKC color designation. So, they would be registered by the AKC as brown.
Lemon
Lemon is a light golden tan, not to be confused with fawn or tan. While similar, lemon, fawn, and tan are considered different colors; fawn and tan don’t contain the yellow or golden hue that lemon has.
Red
Red Beagles can come in various shades of dark orange to dark reddish-orange, all of which fall under the “red” category.
Tan
Tan is lighter than brown, but darker than fawn. It is more of a golden or light orange color, but it is too dark to be lemon and not deep enough to be red.
White
White Beagles are very rare and may range from pure white to off-white in color with no mottling. A truly white Beagle may appear to be albino, but white coat color can result from other genetic factors such as extreme piebald or white factoring rather than true albinism; however, a dog that is genuinely albino does face some health problems including sensitive skin and eyes, increased risk of sunburn, and blindness.
