Labrador Retriever vs. Beagle

Both Labrador Retriever and Beagle were originally developed as hunting dogs. Labradors were bred to hunt ducks or fish while beagles were used to hunt hare. Dogs of both these breeds are very energetic and human-friendly. Similarly, they have some uncommon traits that must be analyzed to choose the right pet for your family. Keep reading to get a detailed comparison between Labrador Retriever and Beagle.

Labrador Retriever

This breed originated in Canada, in 1700 AD. Historically, these retrievers were bred as companions to the fisherman. This is because these working dogs have high expertise in retrieving or hunting fish. Nowadays, they are considered one of the best family dogs due to their friendly nature and intelligence (easy to train).

Labrador Retrievers come in large sizes with a straight double coat. Coat colors may vary between black, yellow, and chocolate. Due to their high energy levels, owners should schedule their exercise daily. It is important to burn their extra energy to keep your pup happy and healthy. These dogs are often called Labrador (or Lab) for convenience.

Beagle

This breed originated in England and was originally bred for hunting rabbits and hare. Later on, they turned out to be excellent family dogs because of their friendly nature and love for kids. These medium-sized canines are intelligent, gentle, and even tampered. Many people tend to go for this breed because these pooches are relatively easy to train.    

Beagles are less energetic and need a moderate amount of exercise to stay healthy and happy.  They have a smooth double coat with a straight texture. Mostly their coats have multiple colors with combinations of lemon and white, white and chocolate, and white and tan. Similarly, you can also find orange and white and red and white beagles.

Differences Between Labrador Retriever and Beagle

The following are some important differences between Labrador retriever and Beagle.

Characteristics	Labrador Retriever	Beagle
Origin	Canada	England
Height	21 to 24 inches	13 to 16 inches
Weight	55 to 80 pounds	20 to 35 pounds
Lifespan	10 to 12 years	10 to 15 years
Coat	Straight	Smooth
Energy	High	Moderate
Trainability	Very easy to train	Easy to train

Similarities Between Labrador Retriever and Beagle

Both these breeds have a lot of common traits and some of the most common ones are discussed below.

Purebred – Both of these breeds are not the combination of any other breeds and are considered to be purebred.

Hypoallergenic – Both Labradors and Beagles shed heavily and are not hypoallergenic.

Temperament – Both of these canines are even-tempered and quite friendly. They do quite well with kids, other pets, and even with strangers.

Apartment Living – Both Labrador Retriever and Beagle have great adaptability skills. Due to this reason, they are equally comfortable with apartment living and large backyards.

Intelligence – Both these dog breeds have a hunting background and are known for their high level of intelligence and smartness.

Health Problem – Both these pups have some common health problems, like Epilepsy, Hip Dysplasia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Grooming – These dogs require minimal grooming as they are low-maintenance breeds.

Owner Experience – Both of them are great for inexperienced owners as they are friendly, easy to train, and require minimal grooming.

Barking – Labrador and Beagle have a high tendency of barking and will bark quite often. Some common reasons for their barking are loneliness, pain, hunger, and danger.

What is Better about Labrador Retriever?

Labs have a lot of qualities that make them great working as well as family dogs. They are obedient, friendly, and quite intelligent. These traits are responsible for making Labradors quite easy to train. These pooches always love to please their owners or family with their adorable acts.

Labrador Retrievers can stay alone for some time and require less attention than Beagles. Due to their large size, they love and prefer backyard living. However, they can also do quite well in apartments or indoor houses because of their adaptability.

What is Better about Beagle?

Beagles have moderate energy levels and require less exercise than Labradors. Price is another factor that makes Beagle a better breed. They cost around $500 to $800 while the price of Labradors ranges from $1000 to $2000. These swift pups can do quite well in certain dog sports because of their fast pace. They can run at a speed of up to 28 mph, which makes them one of the fastest dog breeds in the world.

Who Should Get Labrador Retriever?

Labradors can adapt to all types of livings. Therefore, owners with big houses (with a backyard) or apartments can both get them. However, owners living in apartments must manage the extra energy of their pooches by fulfilling the daily exercise needs. This will keep the dog happier and healthier.

Labradors are quite friendly and love to be around kids and other pets. They also gel well with strangers, so anyone who has other pets or has daily visitors can adopt a Labrador. These pups are very easy to train and require minimal grooming. Hence, it is an ideal breed for new or inexperienced owners who are looking for an adorable companion.

Who Should Get Beagle?

This breed is suitable for people with large backyards because these canines love to run around. They can also adapt to apartment living if their exercise needs are being fulfilled. However, this energetic breed is not recommended for small backyards.

Beagles are easily trainable and don’t require much effort in handling. Hence, new or inexperienced individuals can also adopt this dog. They just need to be a little patient because some members of this breed can be a little stubborn.