Lemon Beagles are hard to come by compared to the classic tricoloured Beagle. Their elusive nature and rare coat coloration are the product of a mesmerizing genetic mutation, making them a treasure to behold.
Join us in this article as we unravel the secrets behind the unique characteristics of Lemon Beagles. Delve into their fascinating traits, while also exploring the commonalities they share with the beloved Beagle breed.
What Is a Lemon Beagle?
The Lemon Beagle is the lightest-coloured variant of the breed. He has a white base coat with light tan patches.
These markings are commonly found on his ears, chest, face, legs, and tail. Because of this colouration, he also goes by the name Lemon and White Beagle.
Lemon-Coloured Beagles have dark noses that sometimes possess a slight pinkish tinge. Their eyes can either come in a dark brown or hazel colour. They sport all-white paws.
What Are the Origins of the Lemon Beagle?
The Lemon Beagle’s origins are unknown. However, it is believed that this colouration has long existed ever since the creation of the Beagle dog breed.
Lemon Beagles were initially used as hunting dogs for rabbits. Similar to other Beagles, they specifically function as scent hounds because of their strong sense of smell.
Today, Beagles of all colours are popular family pets, but they excel in canine work such as being detector dogs.
Do Lemon Beagle Puppies Change Coat Colour?
Lemon Beagle puppies do change coat colour once they shed their puppy coats. When they are born, they typically have completely white fur without markings. Thus, they are often mistaken as Albino Beagles because of their all-white coats.
At 4 to 6 months, they start to lose their puppy coats.
Their new fur will exhibit light tan markings, which will continue to darken as they age. It is not unusual for old Lemon Beagles to have lemon patches that are nearly the same shade of beige.
Are Lemon Beagles Rare?
Yes, Lemon Beagles are hard to come by. Their coat colour is a result of the rare MC1R genetic mutation.
For Beagle puppies to have lemon-coloured coats, they will need to inherit two copies of the MC1R’s recessive e allele from both of their parents.
Since the gene influencing the presence of the lemon colouration in the Beagle dog breed is recessive, it can be difficult to produce it unless breeders mate two Lemon Beagles.
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Is the Lemon Beagle Colouration Accepted by Major Kennel Clubs?
The Lemon and White Beagle is accepted by many major kennel clubs including the Kennel Club in the UK, the American Kennel Club (AKC), and National Beagle Club.
In general, purebred Beagles can either have two-toned or tricoloured coats, but never solid colours. It is called true hound colouring.
According to the breed standard, other official colours of Beagles include:
- Red and white
- Tan and white
- Black and white
- Black, tan, and white
- Blue, white, and tan
- Badger pied
- Hare pied
All white is accepted in the Kennel Club in the UK, but not in other organisations like AKC.
How Big Do Lemon Beagles Get?
Lemon Beagles possess the same size as any other Beagles. As stated on the UK’s Kennel Club website, they are the smallest amongst the British pack hounds.
So expect them to fit either of the two standard Beagle breed sizes:
- 13-inch variety: Lemon Beagles in this category grow below 33 centimetres (13 inches) and weigh under 9 kilos (20 pounds).
- 15-inch variety: These types of Lemon Beagles tend to stand around 33 to 38.1 centimetres (13 to 15 inches) and weigh between 9 and 13.6 kilos (20 to 30 pounds).
Are Lemon Beagles High-Maintenance in Grooming?
Lemon Beagles are not high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their short double coats require only brushing 1 to 2 times a week. However, it should be done more frequently whenever shedding season starts.
Bathing should be kept to a maximum of once a month unless they get extremely dirty and need extensive washing.
Other grooming activities to do regularly are daily tooth brushing and weekly nail trimming and ear cleaning.
Is the Lemon Beagle a Good Family Pet?
Lemon Beagles make great family pets because they are playful and jolly canine companions. They create a strong bond with children and other dogs if introduced at an early age.
Due to their hunting dog lineage, Lemon Beagles have a strong prey drive and may chase after small animals. So if you own small pets like rabbits, these canines are not the best choice.
Lemon Beagles tend to bay. Thus, being committed to providing them with proper training, socialisation, and exercise is a must to avoid unwanted howling.
Speaking of exercise, Lemon Beagles need at least an hour of it every day. Always have them on lead because their keen sense of smell may easily lead them off-track during outdoor excursions.
Supervision is also warranted whenever they are playing in the back garden. These dogs were bred to burrow underground when pursuing prey like foxes and rabbits. Therefore, they are clever escape artists that can dig through the fence.
Is the Lemon Beagle Easy to Train?
Lemon Beagles can be difficult to train just like many Beagles. They are prone to stubbornness and are easily distracted by the scent of their surroundings.
Keeping them focused can be challenging. Fortunately, these dogs are highly food-motivated. So integrate food rewards into their positive reinforcement training.
To prevent them from packing pounds, consider using low-calorie fruits and veggies as their training treats. Also, try out providing them with non-food rewards such as letting them play with their favourite toy.
Never resort to punishments if Lemon Beagles fail to do well during training sessions. Shouting or hitting them will give them a bad impression of you as their owner, which can lead them to develop behavioural problems down the line.
How Long Do Lemon Beagles Live?
Lemon Beagles can live between 12 and 15 years provided that they are well-cared for. They are relatively hardy and healthy, but vulnerable to several breed-related health issues such as:
Obesity
The affinity of Beagles for food makes them highly prone to obesity. Gaining an excessive amount of weight increases their chances of developing other ailments like diabetes.
Controlled feeding combined with ample exercise and regular weigh-ins will help keep Lemon Beagles stay lean and healthy.
Ear Hematomas
This condition takes the form of painful blood blisters and commonly grows between the skin and the cartilage of the ear flap. Dog breeds with floppy ears like Beagles are most likely to develop ear hematomas.
The best way to prevent this medical issue is to diligently clean your dog’s ears and regularly check for any signs of injuries and infections.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an ocular disorder that induces fluid build-up and pressure in the eyes. As a result, the retina and optic nerves deal damage, which can eventually lead to loss of eyesight.
The treatment of glaucoma will depend on the condition’s severity. In mild cases, medications that lower eye pressure will be prescribed. More serious forms of this eye problem may require surgery.
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FAQs About Lemon Beagles
What Is the Difference Between a Lemon Beagle and a Regular Beagle?
There is no big difference between a Lemon Beagle and a regular Beagle apart from the coat colour. The Lemon Beagle has a white base coat with rare light tan markings.
Although this colouration is uncommon compared to the popular tricolour, it is considered one of the official colour variations of the breed.
Are Lemon Beagles Hypoallergenic?
No, Lemon Beagles are not hypoallergenic dogs. Their double coats are prone to moderate shedding so they do not go well with individuals who suffer from dog allergies.
What Is the Rarest Colour Beagle?
Lemon is hard to find, but any solid colours are the rarest of all in the Beagle breed.
As we have said, bicolour and tricolour coats are naturally occurring in this small dog. Solid colourations, however, do not because the Beagle do not have the genes to produce it.
How Long Do Lemon Beagles Live?
Lemon Beagles can live up to 12 or 15 years if given a proper living environment and plenty of affection.
Despite their propensity to live longer lives than other dog breeds, they are still susceptible to different canine ailments. So be sure to provide them with the right diet, enough exercise, and regular vet check-ups to keep them fit and healthy.
Conclusion
Lemon Beagles are no different from regular Beagles. Although their coat colour is unique, they retain the temperament and personality of the Beagle breed.
They are fun-loving dogs with a stubborn streak. Training them can be challenging, but their weakness for food can aid in motivating them to work hard.
Are you thinking about getting a Lemon Beagle as a canine companion? Our article about “The Pros and Cons of Owning a Beagle” will help you determine if he is the right fit for you.