Beagles have been a household favorite since the 16th century. And while they may not be used for hunting rabbits anymore, this breed has rightfully earned its place in the domestic home thanks to their loyal, outgoing, and joyful personality!
No matter why you find yourself here reading this article, it is safe to say that you had one question in mind: what are other dog breeds that look like a beagle?
There isn’t one dog breed that’ll be a true Beagle knock-off, but there are breeds that resemble the appearance of one closely. When considering breeds, you can also find shared personality traits that will remind you of a Beagle. Whatever your reason for finding a Beagle lookalike, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Let’s first take a peek at the history and characteristics of a Beagle so we know what we are comparing to. Then, we will look at other dog breeds that are similar to the Beagle in both appearance and personality to help you determine which pup you should pick!
What Makes A Beagle?
You probably already know what a beagle looks like thanks to the beloved Snoopy character in Peanuts! The droopy ears, big bug eyes, and colorful coat aren’t the only things that make this breed so appealing, though. Their long history has developed the beagle we see today: a merry ball of energy!
- Origin: Great Britain
- Type: small to medium
- Height: 13-15 inches
- Weight: 20-24 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
There are actually two modern variations of the beagle breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and one recognized by The Kennel Club (TKC) in the UK. Looking at the three next to one another, you’ll really only notice one difference: the dog’s mature height.
For “American” beagles, one group has a height of 13 inches or less while the other is a group for those 13-15 inches tall. “British” beagles are only one size classification with a height between 13-16 inches. At the end of the day, both types of beagles come from the same lineage and will therefore be similar in most aspects.
Beagles are believed to have originated in Great Britain in the 16th century, bred from a mix of Talbot hounds and other scenthounds, though there is no official record of the very first parents.
This breed was desired for the purpose of hunting rabbits and other small prey. They proved effective due to their small stature, excellent scent tracking, and uniform pack structure, ultimately making them popular with the masses.
This pooch thrives with having tasks to do because of their desire to please and high trainability. Beagles are the best of both worlds: useful for work life and lovable for home life.
They get along with anyone and anything you put in front of them (yes, including other dogs), and a smile always shines through their eyes! Be prepared for plenty of barking, however, as these dogs are vocal by nature!
It is understandable why this breed has remained widely famous across the world. They are an excellent choice for those looking to adopt their first dog because of their cooperative nature and happy-go-lucky attitude.
8 Dog Breeds That Look Like A Beagle
Now that you have a clear idea of what Beagles are like, it’s time to take a closer look at all the breeds that share striking similarities and a few differences with Beagles, be that their origin, size, and trainability!
1. Harrier
- Origin: Great Britain
- Type: medium
- Height: 19-21 inches
- Weight: 45-65 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
The Harrier is an underrated companion that is basically a Beagle on steroids! This dog was also bred with the intent of hunting down small prey such as hares and foxes, and their ability to work effectively in packs only made the situation more promising.
It is unclear which dogs the Harrier was born from, but there’s an ongoing debate on the correct lineage. This pup could’ve arisen either from a mix of Bloodhounds and the Talbot Hound or from a mix of Foxhounds, Fox Terriers, and Greyhounds. Whatever the backstory, these guys have been around longer than Beagles have (making them their own breed), but they have the same ancestral roots.
Hound dogs are also known for their incredible sense of smell, and Harriers (Harrier Hounds) use this to their advantage when working. In my opinion, this breed’s extra muscle, height, and power combined with this incredible sniffer make it one step above the Beagle!
But when it comes to personalities, these two breeds are strikingly similar. The Harrier is just as social, loving, amiable, and reliable as the Beagle. And yes, they are quite vocal characters too!
Harriers can often get mistaken for a Beagle due to the lack of significant differences in appearance as well. This breed sports a short tricolor coat and soft, long ears. Don’t even get me started on those irresistible puppy dog eyes, a shared quality between both breeds.
Now, one drawback to this dog is its availability. Harriers are rare in the United States, so it may be difficult to find a reputable breeder. They are, however, the most popular hound breed in Ireland, so if you’re dead set on bringing this pup into your family, get prepared to travel!
2. American Foxhound
- Origin: United States
- Type: medium
- Height: 21-25 inches
- Weight: 40-65 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
Another breed closely related to the Beagle (and consequentially looks similar as well) is the American Foxhound. However, don’t let the physical sameness fool you, as these pups are not recommended for beginning dog owners like Beagles are!
This breed originated in Virginia and Maryland in the early 18th century as George Washington helped breed this dog into reality! Mixed between the English Foxhound and French Staghounds, the American Foxhound was made to be leaner, faster, and have more endurance to allow them to hunt better in the New World terrain.
American Foxhounds will sport a short coat that can be either tricolor, white, white and tan, tan, blue, or red. They have pleading eyes and droopy ears, exemplifying their affectionate, sweet, and outgoing demeanor.
If you have a dog at home and are considering adopting a second, American Foxhounds are an ideal choice for a built-in best friend! They get along with kids, dogs, cats, and strangers alike, making them great to have at home!
These pups are, however, more independent than the Harrier or Beagle. Stubbornness and destructive behaviors will come about if not trained from a young age and kept a firm grip on.
It is important to assess all factors before taking this dog under your wing so you know what you’re getting into and form a plan to manage these behaviors. A well-trained American Foxhound makes an excellent companion!
3. English Foxhound
- Origin: Great Britain
- Type: medium
- Height: 21-25 inches
- Weight: 60-75 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 10-13 years
All it took was combining a Greyhound, Fox Terrier, and a Bulldog in the 16th century for the English Foxhound to appear. This dog proved effective at hunting small prey (hence “fox” in the name), and their muscular physique made them perfect for the countryside in England.
English Foxhounds share more personality traits with American Foxhounds than with Beagles, understandably due to their close relatedness. This dog fares best with plenty of yard space, a diligent owner, and a rigid schedule thanks to their high energy levels and autonomous nature.
Don’t be surprised if this breed wants to fight back against training sessions, as they are used to following their instincts first!
Despite some personality differences, English Foxhounds give the appearance of a bulkier, taller Beagle. We’re seeing a tricolor coat trend here, and the British version of the Foxhound is not excluded! They’ll come either in tricolor, solid white, or a handsome tan and white swirl.
So, if you’re searching for a larger beagle-type dog but willing to deal with a stubborn, independent streak, then the English Foxhound is a perfect alternative for you!
4. Basset Hound
- Origin: France
- Type: medium to large
- Height: 11-15 inches
- Weight: 40-80 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 12-13 years
Around for longer than the other breeds on this list thus far (since the 6th century), the Basset Hound has since captured the hearts of millions and wasn’t created in a typical fashion. Instead, it is agreed that these hounds were brought into this world through an accidental genetic mutation, resulting in a scent hound with stocky legs, big bones, and oversized paws.
Packs of Basset Hounds were quickly utilized for tracking small prey, and for good reason. Their scent-tracking ability is considered the second best, just below the Bloodhound. An excellent sniffer, full of endurance and persistence, it’s no wonder why these “sad clowns” were brought along as loyal partners in the hunt!
Loyalty is one of several qualities that the Basset Hound shares with the Beagle. Being amiable and good-tempered is also right up this hound’s lane as they are able to get along with pretty much everyone they meet!
Coloring is also similar for these two breeds, both sporting the classic black, brown, white tricolor coat, lemon and white, white and chocolate, and a few other paired color combinations.
While Bassets stand low off of the ground, their presence is mighty! They are gentle giants and prefer lounging around, receiving pets rather than letting out a case of the zoomies. Always have a towel nearby too, so you don’t leave drool puddles unattended for too long!
These pooches really work those droopy ears to their advantage as they are significantly longer (and arguably more irresistible) than those you see on a Beagle. Some owners even resort to tying the pup’s ears back at feeding time, while others have to tell their pup to stop using those ears as chew toys!
If you’re looking for a wrinkled, saggy Beagle lookalike that has plenty of love to give, Basset Hounds would be your best bet!
5. Hamiltonstovare (Hamilton Hound)
- Origin: Sweden
- Type: medium
- Height: 19-24 inches
- Weight: 40-75 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 14-17 years
This regal breed came to be in the latter half of the 19th century with its Foxhound roots brought to Sweden. The Hamiltonstovare, also known as the Hamilton Hound, is a scenthound that adapts to many different lifestyles.
Originally utilized to hunt foxes and hares alone or in pairs, these dogs also play an impressive role in dog shows, agility, service work, and even home life! Hamiltonstovares are rugged animals, bred to thrive and work in harsh weather conditions.
Additionally, they have an independent personality largely due to their high prey drive, and the hound genes make them stubborn. Despite this, Hamilton Hounds make excellent family pets as they have just as much love for their owners as they have the persistence to track animals!
A lovey-dovey attitude isn’t the only thing that this breed has in common with Beagles either! Intelligence, openness to strangers, and playfulness are found in both dogs, giving you the chance to have your own hyperactive pooch dealing out kisses everywhere he goes!
The intellect that Hamiltonstovares possess allows them to learn behaviors easily, but they will not always obey. Be sure to stay consistent with your schedule and training to ensure that this pup doesn’t get into things you don’t want him to!
As you’ve seen in the video above, this breed’s looks are comparable to a Beagle, too. Hamilton Hounds have a short, tricolor coat with minimal shedding. Of course, we can’t forget about the floppy ears that have been a staple so far in this list!
6. Drever
- Origin: Sweden
- Type: small
- Height: 12-15 inches
- Weight: 35-40 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
If you want a Beagle’s pleading eyes and velvet ears but are unable to acquire a Beagle itself, then the Drever is an alternative to consider. Be prepared for an active lifestyle with this pooch around!
Drevers get their name from the Scottish language, derived from “draver” which means “driver of livestock”. And that’s exactly what these pups were meant to do!
Swedish breeders in the early 20th century were looking for a dog that could aid them in hunting the deer population as the terrain was too difficult to navigate. Once Drevers came about, their short legs and elongated body made them ideal candidates for chasing the deer into the open and straight toward the hunters.
A mix of a German dog the Westphalian Dachsbrake and a Swedish hound, this breed is adaptable, calm, and motivated. They are good-natured, which can make them a great companion inside the home. However, they are extremely enthusiastic about being outside and hunting since this is the purpose they are widely owned for.
Kept mostly as a working dog, it isn’t as common to see this pup as a companion pet. That doesn’t mean they don’t do well at home, though! Given enough mental stimulation, training, activities, and exercise, this breed can thrive in a home setting.
Around the same height as a Beagle, Drevers have more weight to them but still look relatively the same. Both breeds can be found with a coat that is either tricolor, black and white, or fawn (light brown) and white.
This dog is rarer than a Harrier in the United States, but they are one of the most common pups found in Sweden. If you’ve researched more on this breed and desire to adopt one, find a reputable breeder if possible. Otherwise, you might have to take a trip out of the country. It would be worth it for these fluffy friends!
7. Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Origin: United States
- Type: medium to large
- Height: 20-27 inches
- Weight: 50-70 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 12-13 years
After watching the video, can you guess where this breed got its name?
A descendant of Walker Foxhounds and an unidentified hound, this Coonhound was created in Virginia in the mid-1700s to hunt and chase raccoons. This pup is known for chasing its prey into trees (not just raccoons) where the human can quickly secure the animal.
With their long legs, outstanding endurance, and vocal habits, Treeing Walkers proved themselves in the field and became “the people’s choice” among the Coonhound breeds!
Treeing Walker Coonhounds will remind you of Beagles with their personality and lifestyle. Not only superb family pets, but these canine companions also have high energy and can play for what seems like hours! They get along will really any dog, kid, and adult alike and will never shy away from a good cuddle session.
Being so clever, Treeing Walkers are easy to train and will often listen to your command with ease. This also means that they can get bored quickly, so be prepared to provide a variety of entertainment for these pooches.
And yes, this breed physically looks somewhat similar to Beagles as well! The popular tricolor coat can be worn by this breed as well as black and white. You might even be able to find this coonhound with a brindle pattern!
8. Bloodhound
- Origin: Belgium
- Type: large
- Height: 23-27 inches
- Weight: 80-110 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
The largest breed on this list, the Bloodhound lives up to its scent-tracking reputation. These pups have been around for an impressive amount of time and have been both working and family dogs for the entirety of their existence!
Arguably possessing the strongest (and most accurate) nose, Bloodhounds are relentless until they find what they were tracking. This stubborn streak does come with an upside though, as these docile beasts crave attention and love from their owners.
They also make magnificent family dogs and don’t have an excessive amount of energy to expend each day! Being joyful, inquisitive, and vocal makes the Bloodhound seem like that much more of a Beagle (at least personality-wise).
While they don’t exactly resemble a Beagle in appearance, Bloodhounds do have long, saggy ears. In fact, most of their face is droopy! This large breed is mostly seen in black, tan, and red.
So, if you’re looking for a large breed dog that resembles a Beagle’s personality more than appearances themselves, then the Bloodhound could make the perfect companion for you!
What Would Be The Large Version Of A Beagle?
We’ve explored some dog breeds that are similar to the Beagle, both in appearance and temperament. If you’re looking for an alternative to the Beagle that is larger overall, then this list is a great place to start!
A few dogs that are larger in stature are as follows: Bloodhound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Basset Hound, American and English Foxhounds, and the Hamiltonstovare.
Being taller and heavier, these breeds will give you more dog to love! And while each of these pups looks similar to a Beagle, the Hamilton Hound resembles the look of a Beagle the most as well as sharing the affectionate, pleasing personality traits that make these dogs downright adorable.
If you’re looking for the largest breed on this list, then consider the Bloodhound. They may look the least like a Beagle on the surface, but shared trait characteristics will give you the same lovey-dovey, merry pup you’re searching for in a family-size portion.
Just remember, however, that these breeds are going to have a greater prey-drive instinct and be more stubborn than the easygoing Beagle. This isn’t to say that Beagles don’t have a prey drive, but they are less likely to stick to their nose when you call for them.
Read more on your breed of interest to see if it is right for you and your family to ensure that the dog gets a fulfilling life just as much as you will!
Closing Thoughts
This list gives you an idea of some dog breeds that will be similar to a Beagle. Whether you can’t find a reputable Beagle breeder in your area or you are wanting a dog of more substance, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from that will still give you a similar companion.
Depending on what you’re looking for, there’s a dog breed for everyone. Finding a Beagle lookalike will be relatively easy with this list as you can pick breeds from the same lineage. As for personality, you will find shared traits in each breed mentioned, though no dog will be exactly like another.
Consider all aspects of owning the dog you are interested in. Some are purely working dogs, so they wouldn’t be suited for apartment living. Others are great for beginner owners due to their trainability and mellow temperament. Whatever your situation, ensure that you are ready to bring a dog home and are able to meet its needs!
