With over 300 different dog breeds in the world, it can be a challenge to pick which one will be right for you and your family. Dogs are classified into seven recognized American Kennel Club (AKC) groups; sporting, non-sporting, herding, toy, terrier, hounds, and working. 

Each group contains dog breeds that are bred for specific tasks and purposes. In this article, the focus will be on the labrador retriever and the beagle. While both would make an excellent companion, each has something different to offer. Each breed will be highlighted to show traits such as temperament, health, and training ability as well as pricing and availability.

Overview of Beagles

The beagle first originated in ancient Greece in the 5th century. They were brought to England in the 11th century. Throughout the 1800s, breeding programs in Great Britain established what the Beagle is today. 

Beagles became a recognized breed by the AKC in 1884 and are a member of the hound group. Today, they are ranked the sixth most popular dog breed in the United States. There are two sizes of beagles, the under 13 inch height and the 13 to 15 inch height. The average weights are under 20 pounds for the 13 inch and 20-30 pounds for the 13 to 15 inch. The most common color of the Beagle is tan, black, and white. 

Due to their short stature, beagles are considered scent hounds. With a powerful sense of smell and strong tracking skills, they were mainly bred for hunting hare.

Overview of Labrador Retrievers

The labrador retriever, often referred to as the lab or labrador, is the number one most popular dog breed in the United States. They originated in Newfoundland in the 1500s. The labrador was then brought to England in the 1800s. Becoming well known for hunting skill as well as temperament, they became recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1903 and the American Kennel Club in 1917. 

Labradors are members of the sporting group, meaning they are primarily bred for hunting in water and woods. Specifically, they are bred to locate waterfowl and retrieve the game for the hunter. The lab comes in three different colors, black, chocolate, or yellow. The chocolate can range from medium to dark brown and the yellow can range from cream to fox-red. 

The average height for males is 22.5 to 24.5 inches and can weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. The average height for females is 21.5 to 23.5 inches and can weigh between 55 and 70 pounds.

Beagles Vs Labs

• Temperament and Behavior

Both the beagle and the labrador are known for their excellent temperaments. The beagle is described as even tempered, neither aggressive or timid when identifying new people. They are merry and gentle and are easily won over by strangers. This quality does make them lack in the guard dog department. Beagles generally get along well with children and other dogs. However, they are pack animals and are prone to separation anxiety. 

This can cause them to chew and destroy items when left alone. The beagle loves exercise but does not require full workouts in order to rest. Due to their scent hound nature, the beagle can be hard to recall once they are on the trail of a desired scent, which can make them prone to escaping frequently.

The labrador is known for being kind, pleasant, and outgoing. They are great with children and other animals and boast a perfect family temperament. The Lab is also known for its high energy, especially as a puppy. 

They do not fully mature until around three years of age and often are referred to as hyper. Labradors may bark at noise especially when unseen but tend to not be very noisy. They are very trusting of strangers, making them not as ideal as guard dogs. 

The lab is curious by nature and can be single-minded at times, which also makes them prone to escaping. Both the labrador and the beagle are very similar as far as temperament is concerned. Even-keeled, pleasant, and family oriented, both breeds score high in this category. 

However, with their hunting nature, both breeds need to be closely monitored outdoors if off leash.

• Intelligence and Training Ability 

When it comes to trainability, both the labrador and the beagle stand out for different reasons. 

The beagle is a highly intelligent breed but is underrated due to its single-minded nature. They require consistent training right from the start. The beagle has pack mentalities and will take any opportunity to become the leader. Strong leadership, guidance, and fairness are necessities when training a beagle for this reason. 

Additionally, they are food motivated which can be helpful in the training process. It is important to remember that the beagle’s breed characteristics cannot be untrained. They are natural trackers and can always become distracted by desirable scents. The beagle also needs early socialization with other dogs to learn etiquette, as pack mentality can cause negative behaviors such as food aggression, growling, and disobedience.

The labrador is one of the easiest breeds to train. They are people pleasers and will match their trainer’s demeanor. It is important to stay enthusiastic in the training process and give rewards when earned. 

The lab has a fearless attitude so firm handling techniques may be needed. It is best to start training with the lab early as they grow exceptionally fast and can become harder to handle on a leash. 

Early training also helps them develop good social habits. Labradors have a plethora of energy and love to play retrieving games. It is important to establish a difference between playtime and training time. 

All in all, both breeds are relatively trainable. The beagle requires a more extensive training program, making it not the best choice for the first time dog owner. The labrador can be fun and easy to train as long as the owner makes the process fun.

• Price and Availability 

When purchasing a beagle or a labrador, price can vary by numerous factors. On average, the beagle can cost anywhere between $400 to $1000. Price is determined on certain characteristics the dog was bred for. Beagles bred for show can cost $1500 or more depending on the blood line. 

Companion only Beagles can be on the cheaper side, some costing only $300. Beagles are a very popular breed and are fairly easy to find in the United States. On the National Beagle Club website, there are 30 states that have at least one beagle breeder listed. California, Florida, Texas, and Washington have the most breeders listed.

With the labrador being the most popular breed in the United States, they are easy to find. 

The average cost ranges between $800 and $1200. A lab that was bred for show can cost up to $2500 if the blood lines are champion. 

The concern with a less expensive labrador can be the origin. Because labs are so sought after, puppy mills try to produce a large quantity of dogs without proper care. It is always important to check breeder sources when purchasing a labrador, and always opt for rescuing over puppy mills and backyard breeders. 

On the National Labrador Retriever Club website, there are 33 states with at least one breeder listed. 

Both the beagle and the labrador also have numerous rescue groups throughout the United States. There are also options for these breeds in shelters as well. The beagle and the labrador are readily available for adoption in the United States and are an affordable option for a family companion.

• Health and Lifespan 

The beagle has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They can have some health conditions that can be concerning. Epilepsy is common among beagles but can be managed with medication. Due to their long ears, the beagles can be prone to ear infections as well. 

Beagles are known to have eye problems such as glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, and retinal atrophy. Cherry eye, a condition of a prolapsed gland in the third eyelid, can sometimes occur but can be corrected with surgery. 

It is important for working dogs to be up to date on flea and tick prevention as the beagle can pick up parasites in the field or woods. Lastly, the beagle is known for weight problems but is easily manageable with proper exercise.

The labrador has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years. Like many large dog breeds, the lab is prone to hip dysplasia. They also can have knee dislocation problems. Labradors can have various eye problems such as cataracts and retinal dysplasia. 

They often suffer from exercise induced collapse, a condition that causes weakness, hyperthermia, and disorientation after short bouts of exercise. 

The lab can also suffer from deafness, either at birth or later in life. The most common health problem associated with labradors is obesity. The breed is known to have a specific gene mutation that is responsible for appetite control. 

Proper exercise and diet can help manage the Lab’s weight. Both the Beagle and the Labrador are relatively healthy breeds. Weight management and regular eye checks are necessary for each breed to lead a healthy life.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the beagle and the labrador retriever would make great family companions. 

The beagle is an intelligent, skilled tracker that could be a challenge to train for the first-time dog owner. They are overall healthy and are good with children and dogs and cats. Beagles are easy to find and are loyal to their families. 

The labrador is a people pleasing dog that will always be ready to play. Though they have some health concerns, this breed will live a long life if cared for properly. Easy to find and extremely popular, the labrador is an excellent choice for families with children. 

Whichever breed you choose will surely be a great addition to your family.