Mackenzie River Husky vs Beago - Breed Comparison

The name Mackenzie River Husky was given to these huskies by those wanting to name the freight huskies of a certain area. The name took hold in the 1960’s, but the dog began to disappear with the introduction of snow machines.

They’re a mixture of native sled dogs - Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Staghounds and Wolf. As a mixed breed, they have always been regarded as classic sled dogs.

Made up of two purebred dog breeds, the Beagle and the Golden Retriever, Beago is kind of new breed. Some say that they were bred on purpose during the 1980s, in a desire to create a smart and loving dog that will be a smaller size than the Golden Retriever since this will make them ideal for indoor life.

The beautiful Mackenzie River Husky stands at 66 to 74cm in height and weighs between 29 and 47kg.

This deep chested dog has a long, straight coat with the colors being typically wolf-like – white, cream, black, tan, blonde and red. He has erect ears, long legs and a long, bushy tail.

Temperament:

This wolf-type dog is strong willed and independent and was always a pack dog. They wouldn’t be described as a good choice for the first time dog owner as they do seem to have some wolf traits and will require a strong, firm, level headed owner.

Beago is a medium-sized dog with a usually tri-coloured coat that can vary in some colours. They have usually short hairs because sometimes happens that they have longer hairs if the Golden retriever genes are stronger. Their hairs are soft to the touch and they don’t shed a lot and that makes them easy to maintain. They have dark coloured eyes, floppy ears, and they have the body shape of the Beagle, but they are very active and muscular like the Golden Retriever.

Your MacKenzie River Husky is such a likeable pet to have. True, he does tend to be a bit stubborn and independent but there is nothing that training and socialization won’t do for him. You’ll find him much more obedient and amicable, and he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

He is an intelligent dog too and very energetic so will require an owner who is active, firm and consistent. He thrives on human company and just wants to be around his owner all the time, ready to join in with any activity happening in his life.

He is therefore far more suited to life in the countryside than to the city. Loyal, devoted and loving, a MacKenzie River Husky isn’t only a beautiful dog to own, he promises to offer everything you want in a 4-legged friend.

Children friendliness

They are very good with children of all age.

Special talents

Hunting, search, rescue dog, agility competitions.

Adaptability

Beago will love living in a house with a bog yard. As well, he will have a happy life in the apartments as long as you take him out for his daily activity. They get along with other pets, so any other dog or cat will be great company for him. They are usually well mannered in public places, if you train them and socialize, but they will always bark if there is someone strange in your house. They are very good with children of all age.

Learning ability

Beage is very smart breed. They will pick up new tricks very quickly and remember it forever. They would love learning new tricks once you include treats as rewards, but you must be careful not to overfeed him.

Your MacKenzie River Husky, regardless of how healthy he is, can suffer with some common health problems that all dogs are prone to.

Perhaps one of the more common health problems that this particular dog breed has to contend with is cataracts, hip dyslasia and hypothyroidism.

Cataracts:

Many people associate cataracts in dogs with age, little realizing that there are many medical reasons as to why our pets develop cataracts. Cataracts can start as early as 6 months of age, although this is unlikely. They come about because of a disease which affects the lens of the eye, causing the lens to lose its transparency.

You’ll notice a whitish/grey shade in your dog’s eye and this can actually impair vision. Cataracts are particularly the lot of diabetic dogs. It can certainly help to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another fairly common problem with Huskies. It’s almost like a death sentence if your MacKenzie is a working dog because it can lead to lameness. The disease can lead to problems in the hip joint which cab be debilitating ad give your dog a lot of pain.

It doesn’t strike old dogs only, but can be the lot of young dogs too. Sometimes treatment will require surgery but there are non-invasive options too. You want to make sure that you don’t allow your pet to become overweight as this can contribute to developing hip dysplasia.

There are no general health issues with this breed. The health history shows that they have common health problems as any other active dog – problems with hips and elbows. Because of their floppy ears, they are prone to infections and diseases caused by lack of ear hygiene. Some of them have skin allergies. The best advice is always to make regular vet checks. Then you and your Beago can live a happy and long life.

Exercise:

Huskies like this one will require a good deal of exercise every single day. These are working dogs who have always had a job to do and you can certainly count him in when you do your hiking walks, swimming – you name it. The only thing he will object to is that he doesn’t do well in hot weather. Strong-willed, you’ll want your MacKenzie River Husky trained and socialized if you want him to be a companionable dog.

Diet:

Dogs need to be fed according to the size, their age and their lifestyle. If your MacKenzie River Husky is an active working dog, his food must be the very best and contain enough calories to cover the daily caloric expenses.

Quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals in the food is most important for a dog like this. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and not made up of fillers, and other bad stuff. Read the label and understand exactly what’s going into your dog’s stomach.

Simplicity with feeding is best for your pet. Treat him occasionally to cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables which can be added into his dry kibble. A dog like this will require some raw meat as well to ensure his coat and eyes are always shiny and bright.

Grooming:

Grooming of the MacKenzie River Husky must be done at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.

Diet tips

The best tip is to feed them with quality dry food. Canned food can be given once in week or less. They will love cheese and meat in their meal. Since they like to munch, they will eat almost any raw fruit or vegetables. Until you Beago is six months old, feed him tree time per day. Keep the feeding schedule unchanged to form a habit and avoid problems with metabolism.

Points for Good Health

Since they don’t shed a lot, grooming your Beago will be easy. They won’t need an everyday brush, but it will be good if you could brush him two times per week and bathe once in a month. Their floppy ears need regular care as well. They need to be cleaned with the ear cleaning solution at least once a week. They will need regular nail trimming as well. They need quality food because they are very active dogs. Make sure not to overfeed them. Daily activity is a must.

Games and Exercises

Beago is very active breed. They like to spend time outdoors, running, playing fetch, jumping. They will love visiting the dog park or any park that is close to your house. They are very good if taken hiking.