While most people picture the typical tri-colored beagle in their minds when the
topic of beagles arises, there are actually many other colors and shade
variations of beagles. Some people search high and low to find these unique
beagles because they like to be different, or stand out in a crowd.
Having a uniquely-colored beagle is an excellent way to start up a conversation
with strangers. While walking one of our khaki/mocha/lilac beagles, I'm often
stopped and questioned about her color.
Ok, you guys...I know what you're thinking right now. You're thinking,
"Wow...that would be like a chick magnet!" :-) True, but of course
make sure you only adopt a beagle if you're ready to care for a new dog.
To learn more about beagle colors, visit our
Beagle Colors web page.
Lilac
(aka
Khaki, Mocha, Blue Fawn)
Beagles
The correct term for this color, according to a major breed
association, is lilac. However, some beagle breeders have
over the years described it as mocha or khaki or
blue fawn, and the
terms have stuck. This color is a diluted chocolate milk shade, and
is my personal favorite!
Some dogs with similar coloring in other breeds can have a skin
condition called blue alopecia. It is extremely rare in beagles of
these colors, however, and some claim it doesn't occur in the beagle
breed. Most likely it can occur, but is so rare as to not be known
of.
Blue Tri (Silver Tri) Beagle Colors
Some blue beagles (aka silver beagles) are almost as dark as regular tri-colored
beagles, but that is not always the case. Some blue beagles do lose most of
their silver back color as they mature. Others have a charcoal-colored saddle
at maturity. Silver beagles' heads will have a bit of a
different color when compared to regular tri-colored beagles, and their noses
are dark blue-gray.
Some dogs with similar coloring in other breeds can have a skin
condition called blue alopecia. It is extremely rare in beagles of these colors,
however, and some claim it doesn't occur in the beagle breed. Most likely it can
occur, but is so rare as to not be known of.
Tan and White (Hare Pied)
Although these puppies are labeled a tan and white, they are most likely very
rare (extremely rare!) "hare pied" beagles. Hare Pied beagles have
black tips on the hairs down the middle of their backs, and have a 'butterfly
nose' (liver in the middle, dark on the outer edges).
To learn more about beagle colors, visit our
Beagle Colors web page.
Chocolate and Liver Tri
Chocolate and Liver tri beagles are similar to the standard tri-colore beagles
in color. The main difference is that the back is a chocolate or mahogany color
instead of black. At birth, it is difficult to predict whether the puppy will be
chocolate or mahogany on the back.
Lemon and White
Lemon beagles are born nearly pure white.
This adult lemon (above) shows the typical golden patches of a lemon beagle. Her white
areas might be slightly off white (a light cream), or may be clear white. Her
back is uniformly gold in her color patches, without any black hairs or
black-tipped hairs. Her nose is black.
Merles
Purebred beagles do not come in merle. Anyone making such a
claim has probably introduced another breed into their beagle
lines (such as dachshund), or has bought a puppy from a breeder
that has done so. This practice is seen in the so-called "pocket
beagles," where small dog breeds have been crossbred with beagles
to reduce size. In addition to introducing non-beagle colors, this
also introduces health problems found in those other breeds.
Additional Information about Beagle Colors
Note that different resources have
conflicting information about the uniquely-colored beagles, such as
hare pied and lemon beagles.