The classic image of a Beagle is a smart little dog with a dapper black, white and tan coat. But as we’ve seen, other more unusual colors are available. And as Beagles move further away from their working roots and into our homes as household pets, those more unusual or rare Beagle colors are becoming more popular.
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Changes Over Time
Beagles were first bred as foot hounds in England, and used as a pack to hunt rabbits and hares. It’s thought that their use stretches as far back as 55 B.C. They were imported to the U.S. shortly after the Civil War. The first Beagle, a male named “Blunder,” was registered by AKC in 1885. The National Beagle Club formed in 1888.
They were used to hunt out in the open as well as in the undergrowth, but there was no need for them to be camouflaged or hidden away. However, the naturally narrowed down to the patches and shades that we know today.
Beagle Fur Colors
The official colors approved by the breed standard for Beagles are:
- Black and tan
- Red, white and black
- Bluetick, tan and black
- Black, tan and white
- White, tan and black
- Blue, tan and white
- Brown and white
- Tan, white and brown
- Lemon and white
- Red and white
- Tan and white
In addition to these standard patterns, Beagle color variations can also include blue, black, tan, white, red, lemon, red and brown.
Black, Tan and White Beagle
Bluetick, Tan and Black Beagle
Brown and White Beagle
Lemon and White Beagle
Red and White Beagle
Red, White and Black Beagle
White, Tan and Black Beagle
Rare Beagle Colors
While some approved coat colors are less likely to be seen than others, be cautious of any breeders who advertise Beagle colors and markings as “rare.” You may see puppies advertised as chocolate tri, or perhaps even lilac, mocha, silver khaki or lavender.
You may be expected to pay a premium for these “rare” unofficial colors.
They will be a standard color. For example, chocolate would be officially classified as brown, fawn or tan. Likewise, lilac or lavender may be a blue coat.
Another possibility is that the puppies being advertised have been crossed with another breed to produce a different coat color. Some more unusual color combinations, which are approved, include Blue Tick Beagles, a color combination which is popular due to the attractive freckled markings.
The same is true for the Beagle colors lemon & white.
This is an example of a Beagle color change.
Puppies with this delicate color combination appear white when born, with their lemon markings only visible as they mature. Beagle pups that appear to have lemon and white coloring will mature to have the Beagle colors red & white.
Markings and Patterns
Beagle markings include ticking, spots, or patches of color.
Ticking refers to the “freckles” seen running through parts of some Beagles’ coats. Color ranges include Beagle colors white & tan, Beagle colors brown & white, and even Beagle colors orange & white. The combinations for this breed are almost endless.
Bear in mind that whatever the Beagle colors, they should have white on the tips of their tails. The reason for this is historical. A white-tipped tail, also known as a “flag,” is easy to spot in tall grass and vegetation. Some Beagles will have a significant amount of white on their tails; others may only have a few white hairs.
The Genetics
As with many pedigree breeds, the Beagle has been the subject of inbreeding, which results in the loss of genetic diversity within any particular breed. In the case of the Beagle, this was found to be highest during the 1980s and 1990s in the U.K. From 2000 onward, the rate of inbreeding has decreased. This is probably due to the use of imported Beagles.
The genetics of any coat color are complex, depending on the combination of genes the parent Beagles pass onto their puppies. Puppies receive one set of genes from each parent. These genes can be dominant or recessive.
In Beagles, the genes for tri color are dominant, meaning this combination (in a range of colors) is more common than any other.
Dawn Jones says
I have a lemon and white beagle. She just turned one on 1/1/22. She is also tiny. Didn’t realize this when I bought her. she is less than 12 inches and weighs less than 12 pounds. she is such a cutie and hyper as ever. Such a great dog.
Ellen says
We have a beautiful Black and Tan. I have never seen this color beagle before, but I love it. She was a rescue, so no history. We had DNA done and it came back 100% beagle, altho there was no info given to lab about her, so I guess it’s legit.
Heather Smith says
We have just adopted a Cyprus rescue which we thought was a Beagle Cross. It also turns out that after a DNA test, he’s 100% Beagle. He definitely has all the Beagle traits/
Kat says
my beagle has tri color black, brown and white. however he do not have white mark on his tail. white can only be seen on his belly, feet and little on legs. is my puppy a purebreed? i saw his parents and they are tri color too with white color on their tail. i’m just confuse with the puppy. can anyone tell?
Amy says
I have a Beagle Lab mix and he certainly has the Beagle personality. He looks like a tall Lemon color with the white tip tail. I’m still learning the best ways to handle him, and he is a handful lol
Jessie Gorin says
I have a white beagle with black patches, some caramel around the eyes and under hear ears, and ticking on the legs! I’m not sure if shes pure beagle or not, as she was a rescue, but i’m pretty sure.
Linda Buckley says
I think I have a beagle/ mix dog. She has the white tip on her tale but I’m not sure of what bread she is a mix of. Any help I can get would be appreciated.
Marty Weaver says
How small can I find in the small breed of female Beagles?
Anna Austin says
We have a beagle who is a bluetick beagle and she was the run of her litter, mom was 11inches and day was 13inches. She stands about 9 inches tall and weighs 15lbs. Our other beagle is 16inches tall and weighs 40lbs so we have a big one and a small one!!
Marty Weaver says
Will all Beagles have 3 colors? Will AKC and National Beagle Club accept 3 or just 2 colors?
Zima says
No, they will not all have 3 colors.
Yes, they will accept 3 colors. Tri colors are the most common.
Elizabeth Lalone says
My tri colored beagle had 5 pups not one of them has the tri color at all they are all solud black with white paws what breed could the father be i am compleatly stumped on this one did not exspect none of them to look like mom or to all be solid black n white ?
Alayne Mlen says
Actually Brown, Tan & White IS acceptable and available on the AKC registration. A blue, tan and white is actually a black, tan and white with the dilution applied and also acceptable. Lilac is Brown, tan and white with the dilution applied and acceptable as a brown, tan and white.