Tri-color beagles are a variation of the popular and friendly beagle breed, They are known for being fantastic family friendly pets, displaying both great energy and temparement.
What is a Tri-Colored Beagle?
A tri-colored beagle is a type of beagle that has three distinct colors on their fur, this is in contrast to effects which only affect areas such as the mask. There are a large amount of recognised colors with more still unrecognised. The genetics of a tri-color beagle van range from those with common combinations to those needing a large number of genes to align.
What Colors Can a Tri-Color Beagle Be?
Tri-color beagles can come in several different coat color combinations, including:
Black Tan & Bluetick Beagle
A Black Tan & Bluetick Beagle has a coat that is predominantly black, with tan markings on its legs, face, and tail, and with a bluetick pattern throughout the black fur. The bluetick pattern is made up of small, dark blue or black spots that are dispersed throughout the fur. This effect is not seen across many breeds and helps bring uniqueness to the Beagle breed.
Black Tan & White Beagle
A Black Tan & White Beagle has a coat that is predominantly black, with tan markings on its legs, face, and tail, and with white markings on the chest and belly. This is one of the most commonly seen colors seen on a Beagle. This is one of the reasons that the Beagle remains such a popular breed. Unlike many breeds with a single color being the most common this unique and varied color will be seen on most of our Beagle friends.
Brown White & Tan Beagle/Chocolate White & Tan Beagle
A Brown White & Tan Beagle (also sometimes referred to as a Chocolate White & Tan Beagle) Whilst these may appear to be the same dog they actually have different genetics. Chocolate refers to genes which are referred to as Cocoa in genetic testing. This is a recessive gene meaning both parents need to pass on a copy for the color to appear. Brown on the other hand refers to the B gene which also is recessive. Whilst different genetics lead to this effect there are no discernible differences.
Blue Tan & White Beagle
The Blue Tan & White Beagle color pattern is the result of the interaction of several genes. The blue color is caused by the recessive melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene, which regulates melanin production and distribution in the fur. The tan markings are controlled by the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) gene, which determines which hairs will express the tan color and which hairs will express the black color. The white markings are likely influenced by multiple genes, but the specific genes responsible have not been identified. The unique combination of these genes in each individual Blue Tan & White Beagle determines its specific coat color and pattern.
Black Fawn & White Beagle
The exact genes responsible for the Black Fawn & White Beagle color pattern are not well understood, but it is known that multiple genes are involved. The black color is likely due to the expression of the dominant Eumelanin (EM) gene, which codes for the production of black or brown pigment in the fur. The fawn color is thought to be the result of a recessive gene or a combination of genes that modify the expression of the EM gene. The white markings in this breed are likely influenced by multiple genes, but the specific genes responsible have not been identified.
It is important to note that the genetics of coat color in dogs, including beagles, is complex and not fully understood. It is likely that multiple genes interact with each other and with environmental factors to produce the unique color patterns seen in different beagle breeds, including the Black Fawn & White Beagle.
Black Red & White Beagle
The red color seen in the Black Red & White Beagle is thought to come from the expression of a recessive gene or a combination of genes that modify the expression of the dominant Eumelanin (EM) gene, which codes for the production of black or brown pigment in the fur. Unlike the dominant EM gene, which results in black or brown color, the recessive gene(s) results in the expression of red pigment in the fur. The specific gene(s) responsible for the red color in Black Red & White Beagles have not been identified, but it is known that multiple genes are involved in determining the color of a dog’s coat.
The specific combination of colors in a tri-color beagle is determined by the interplay of multiple genes that control coat color. Understanding the genetics of coat color can be complex, but it is known that certain gene combinations result in the different tri-color patterns seen in beagles.
Lilac Tan & White Beagle/Isabella Tan & White Beagle
The lilac color seen within a Lilac Tan & White Beagle relates to a combination of two recessive genes. The first relates to the genes responsible for Chocolate/Brown. There are two different sets of genes which lead to this color and the specific gene is the differentiator between Lilac/Isabella. Lilac relates to a gene referred to as Cocoa whilst Isabella will have the Brown gene present. Either of these combined with the diltuion gene responsible for the Blue color will lead to this beautiful rare Tri-color Beagle.
Are Tri-Color Beagles Rare?
Tri-color beagles are not particularly rare, but they are a unique variation of the beagle breed that may be harder to find than the traditional beagle coat colors. The rarity of tri-color beagles can also depend on where you live, as some areas may have a higher concentration of these unique beagles.
How Much Does a Tri-Color Beagle Cost?
The cost of a tri-color beagle can vary depending on several factors, including the breeder, location, and individual pup’s markings and traits. On average, you can expect to pay between $800 to $1,500 for a tri-color beagle puppy. It’s important to always do thorough research and choose a reputable breeder when considering adding a new pet to your family.
