Charming in appearance and personality, the Beagle has been a popular dog among families and hunters for centuries. This breed’s high energy and keen sense of smell made it the perfect hound for tracking rabbits in England. Beagles continued to grow in fame after they arrived in America, appearing in various Norman Rockwell paintings and as Snoopy in the Peanuts comics. Keep reading to learn more about this classic and lively breed.
Breed History
The Beagle’s ancestors can be traced back to the 15th century but may have existed before this time. Some believe the Beagle is related to small pack-hunting hounds that lived in England before 55 B.C. Small hounds were popular in England for hunting rabbits and tracking small prey. The size of this breed made hunting more accessible to those who couldn’t afford horses as they could follow their packs on foot. Over time, these small hounds would become the Beagle breed we know today.
The Beagle soon made its way to the United States in the late 19th Century where its popularity continued to soar. In 1885, the first Beagle was registered with the American Kennel Club. Shortly after, the National Beagle Club was founded in 1888. While its exact origins are unclear, the Beagle’s natural abilities are obvious. Throughout history, these scent-hounds have excelled at following scent trails and hunting.
Beagle Characteristics
Appearance & Coat
Beagles are small-sized hounds with lean but muscular bodies, floppy ears, and long tails. These dogs generally weigh between 20 to 25 pounds and stand around 13 to 16 inches tall. The Beagle has a short, dense coat and sheds moderately. This breed’s smooth coat can come in many different color combinations; however, the brown, black, and white tri-color combination is the most popular. Other coat combinations can include lemon, red, tan, and blue.
Temperament
The Beagle has an easy-going, playful temperament that complements its social nature. Beagles are great family pets, doing well with both children and other dogs. Likewise, when trained young or raised together, Beagles can also live happily with cats. These dogs are wonderful companions and love spending time with their families. However, because of its social nature and background working in packs, this breed doesn’t like being left alone for long periods of time.
The Beagle is a bold and alert breed that is known to be quite vocal. With consistent training, a Beagle’s loud barking and howling can be controlled. These friendly and non-aggressive dogs may be barkers, but they love meeting new people and aren’t great guard dogs. They will send up the alarm when they see strangers but are just as ready to play and make new friends.
Health
When purchased from reputable breeders that perform health screenings, Beagles are normally very healthy and live around 10 to 13 years. These dogs are known for being hardy and resilient; however, they are big foodies that can be susceptible to obesity. Owners should keep an eye on how much food their Beagles have access to and monitor any weight gain. Additionally, both human and stored dog food should be kept out of reach of your Beagle.
Keeping your Beagle at a healthy weight is important to reduce joint pain and problems. While obesity-related health conditions are a concern with this breed, there are some hereditary conditions owners should be aware of. These health issues include epilepsy, hypothyroidism, allergies, eye conditions, ear infections, patella luxation, hip dysplasia, and steroid-responsive meningitis.
Caring for a Beagle
The Beagle’s Ideal Home
Beagles need homes where their owners have enough time and energy to go on one or two long walks every day. Additionally, this breed needs an owner who will spend plenty of time with it as it enjoys affection and company. While they can be stubborn and set in their ways, Beagles are good-natured dogs that are loved by households of all sizes. The Beagle is an adaptable breed that can thrive in any type of home, including apartments, as long as it gets enough exercise and training.
Training Best Practices
Beagles are dogs that are easily distracted and have stubborn streaks. These two traits can make training difficult. Owners will need plenty of patience when training their Beagles and be prepared with treats to reward good behavior. Training should start right away when your Beagle is a puppy and should follow a daily routine. For example, plan your Beagle’s bathroom breaks at the same time every day. When you keep a routine with training, your Beagle will adopt these actions as part of its routine.
Additionally, it’s recommended that Beagle owners crate-train their dogs. This breed gets bored easily and can become destructive when not given enough mental and physical exercise. Crate training can help prevent this while also providing your dog with a secure, cozy space.
Exercise Needs
Beagles are high-energy dogs that need plenty of exercise to stay content. Because the Beagle was bred for hunting and tracking, this breed has lots of stamina. Owners can expect their Beagle to need around an hour and a half of exercise each day. Because they are scent hounds, Beagles shouldn’t be left off-leash unless they are in a secure fenced-in area that is at least 5 feet tall and blocks underground tunneling. If left off-leash, a Beagle can easily get lost tracking scents.
Grooming & Hygiene
As mentioned earlier, this breed sheds moderately all year long. Owners will find their Beagles shed more in the spring and fall when the seasons change. Because of its moderate shedding, the Beagle is not a great fit for someone looking for a low-shedding or hypoallergenic dog. To reduce the amount of loose fur around your home, regularly brush your Beagle with a coarse bristle brush and de-shedding rake tool. Owners can expect their Beagles to need a bath once every 1 to 3 months. Additionally, Beagles will need their droopy ears regularly inspected and dried after baths to prevent ear infections.
Does the loving and playful Beagle sound like the dog for you? Browse Beagle puppies for sale nearby to find your new best friend.