Beagle vs jack russell puppies

Beagle vs Jack Russell: What Are Their Greatest Differences?

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Choosing the right dog for your family can be tough. A good way to do it is to look at the more popular dogs. In this Beagle vs Jack Russell review, we compare two very popular dogs.

Beagles and Jack Russells have a similar history, both being used as hunting dogs in the past. This gives them some similar traits like a high prey drive and high energy. But besides their similarities, they also have many differences.

The Origin Of The Beagle And The Jack Russell

The history of these two breeds is long and different. One common thing they have is that both dogs were used as hunting dogs at one point in time.

The Beagle – The origins of the Beagle breed go back to ancient Greece around 500 BC. But the modern version of the Beagle begins in 14th century England. There, Beagles were used as hunting dogs, mostly by the royals. A long time later, Beagles were brought to America and officially accepted by the AKC in 1885.

The Jack Russell – Jack Russells have a modern history beginning in the early 19th century, in England. The breed was developed by Rev. John Russell, hence the name. These dogs were developed from the Terrier breed, and created specifically to hunt. The breed was officially accepted by the AKC in 2012.

Differences In Their Appearance

The Jack Russell Terrier and the Beagle might seem similar at a first glance. Both are small breeds with similarly colored coats and floppy ears. Jack Russells have V-shaped ears that droop forward, while Beagles have larger floppy ears. Jack Russells also have almond-shaped eyes with a darker color, while Beagles have medium brown or hazel eyes.

Size

Beagles come in two sizes. One is the normal size with a height of 13-15 inches and a weight of 20-30 pounds. The smaller one is less than 13 inches tall and less than 20 pounds heavy.

Jack Russells are as tall as 10-12 inches and as heavy as 9-15 pounds.

Coat And Color

Beagles have short and smooth coats. They are usually tri-colored with a mix of white, brown, and black. However, they can also have colors like tan, lemon, red, and blue.

Jack Russells can come in two varieties based on their coat. Some Jack Russells have short wiry coats, while others have short smooth coats. They only come in white color with tan, brown, cream, black, or tri-colored markings.

Temperament Of The Beagle vs Jack Russell

Beagles and Jack Russells are similar in the fact that both are very friendly, sociable dogs. They have no problems meeting new people and dogs if trained and socialized properly. This makes them good for making friends, but bad if you want a guard dog at home. These dogs do better as watchdogs.

Both breeds are also affectionate with their family which makes them good family dogs. If left alone for too long, they are prone to developing separation anxiety. Getting your children around these dogs is fine because they are playful and tolerable, even though they need some supervision. Both breeds have a higher than average intelligence but are also quite stubborn and independent. This will make training a challenge.

Because both breeds have a history of hunting dogs, they are high-energy dogs. They also have a strong prey drive and can get easily distracted by chasing the neighbor’s cat. Because they are pack dogs, Beagles tend to bark a lot, but so do Jack Russells.

Taking Care Of The Beagle And The Jack Russell

Having a dog means spending time caring for it. Caring for a Jack Russell vs Beagle is not different as both need proper diet, exercise, and grooming. But they do have some specific needs.

Health And Lifespan

Beagle dogs have a life expectancy of around 10-15 years. Jack Russell Terriers have a lifespan of 12-14 years. Both are relatively healthy dogs, but they do have some common health problems.

  • Patellar luxation – This is a disease that affects the patella, or the kneecap, which moves out of its place. It is a common disease in Jack Russell Terriers. You will notice your dog skipping or running on three legs. With time, it may develop arthritis of the affected joint.
  • Deafness – Jack Russell breeds are prone to congenital deafness. This means they may be born deaf. The first thing you will notice in your pup will be that it won’t respond to sound. Other signs may include unusual behavior and voice, hyperactivity, and being unresponsive.
  • Eye problems – One common eye disease in Jack Russells is Lens Luxation. It describes a situation where the lens of the eye is misplaced. Another common eye disease is Cataracts. This happens when the eye lens becomes opaque. Both diseases lead to blindness.
  • Musladin-Lueke Syndrome – This is a genetic disease specific to Beagles. IT affects the development and structure of connective tissue in multiple organ systems. You will notice symptoms like small size, thick and taut skin, and a “tip-toe” gait.
  • Epilepsy – This neurological disease is common in Beagles. It is manifested with seizures that differ in severity. You might notice your dog getting stiff, chewing and drooling uncontrollably, defecating, urinating, and trembling. These seizures can last around a few seconds to minutes.

Nutrition

The food you give to the Jack Russell Terrier vs the Beagle should be of high quality. On average, Beagles need around 1 cup of dog food every day. Jack Russell Terriers will need around 1-1.5 cups of dog food every day. Both dogs love food and can become obese, which means you should watch out for the amount of food you give them. Both of these dogs love treats, especially when training, so don’t give them too much.

Make sure to always give your dog food that is from a respected and known company. Find branded food that specifies it is made for small breed dogs. For example, Purina is better than Pedigree in some situations, but the opposite is also true. Both are great options to start. The food should include a lot of protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. Avoid dog food that has a lot of carbs.

Exercise And Training

Both Beagles and Jack Russells are high-energy dogs due to their history of being hunting dogs. Beagles need around 1 hour of exercise daily, while Jack Russells need 1.5 hours. If you don’t let them spend their energy, they will become impatient and start acting destructively.

You can take your pups on a walk every morning or evening. Beagles are fast runners, but so are Jack Russells, so you can take them running if you can keep up. You can also try hiking and playing games. Mental stimulation is also important.

Training the Beagle and the Jack Russell will take you a lot of time and persistence due to their stubbornness. But these dogs are very intelligent and you will be able to teach them many tricks and commands. Something that works with both dogs is positive reinforcement, especially with treats. You also need to start obedience training and socialization from an early age.

Grooming

Both of these breeds tend to shed throughout the year, but this shedding is not heavy. This means that semi-regular brushing will be required. Brushing them once a week would be enough to keep the dead hairs from your furniture. During the heavy shedding periods, you can change this to two-three times a week.

Beagles have a distinct hound smell, but they are quite clean and should be bathed once a month. The same goes for the Jack Russell Terriers. Make sure to use a shampoo specially made for dogs. Make sure to clean their ears after each bath and check for signs of infection. Beagles are especially prone to ear infections due to their big floppy ears. You should also brush their teeth daily and clip their nails regularly.

Price Difference Between Beagle And Jack Russell

The price of the Beagle and the Jack Russell is similar. You should expect to spend around $1000 for a puppy from both breeds. This price can be much lower or higher depending on other factors. If the breeder is too far away from you, expect to pay more money for transport. If the puppy’s parents are award winning dogs, their pup is gonna be more expensive than others.

Make sure to buy your puppy from a breeder you’ve researched well. They need to give you all information about the puppy. You can ask to see its parents and siblings. That way you can see what your pup will grow up to be like, and if there is any genetic disease it might get. Avoid puppy mills at all costs.

Besides breeders, you can also try getting your pup from a rescue shelter. That way, you will help a lonely pup to find a home, and you will also get it for a much cheaper price.

Beagle vs Jack Russell – Final Thoughts

If you have decided on any of these dogs, you have made the right decision. Both breeds are excellent to have as family pets. They are affectionate and friendly dogs that can get along with kids. But they don’t do well with other animals in your home due to their high prey drive.

Both dogs are intelligent and easy to train, but stubborn and will need persistence. Both are also filled with energy and will require a lot of exercise during the day. If they don’t get enough exercise, they are known to be very loud.

These breeds are healthy and live a fairly long life. They need to be fed well and groomed properly to keep their health and to look good. If you really like them, you can get them at a professional breeder or a rescue shelter.

FAQ

What is a Beagle Jack Russell mix?

The Jack Russell Beagle puppies are also known as Jackabees. They are a small breed of dog with lots of energy inherited from their parent breeds. They are friendly, loving, and make great family pets.

Do Beagles and Jack Russells get along?

The relationship between the Beagle vs Jack Russell can be great if you train and socialize the dogs properly. Both dogs are friendly and affectionate and both are filled with energy and want to play.

Are Jack Russells related to Beagles?

Even though they share some similarities, Jack Russell Terriers and Beagles are not related. Jack Russells are a part of the Terrier breeds, while Beagles are a part of the hound breeds.

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