Merry and fun-loving, the Beagle is a dog match for those who love to have fun and play around. Ideal for children and adults alike, this dog breed needs as much exercise as possible because they are innately chasers and explorers. Learn more about Beagles in this guideline.
Is The Beagle A Good Family Dog?
Beagle Personality
- Gentle and fun-loving
- Ideal for families with small kids
- Perfect for apartments and condominiums
- Smart but can be hard to train
- Should be kept away from the trash or anything with strong scents
Beagles are gentle, fun-loving, and sweet. Sometimes, they can become stubborn and playful – which makes them an ideal dog pet for children. Children are innately spontaneous, and the same is true with Beagles. A perfect dog match? Definitely!
This dog breed is smart, curious, and affectionate – making them more of a family dog. Their size and easy going nature make them ideal for families in apartments and condominiums. However, since they’re explorers and chasers in nature, having ample space for them to run around and play is also ideal. If you do not have the needed space, you can take them for frequent walks on the street or in the park.
During Mondays, a #beagle is more likely to seek out habitats with soft fluffy pillows. #beaglefacts pic.twitter.com/FxolSeG6uC
— Beagle Facts (@beaglefacts) August 7, 2017
Regarding trainability, though Beagles are smart, they can be stubborn and difficult to housetrain. The ideal thing to do is to train them early on as a puppy so that you can start off with the right attitude expected from them inside the house.
Everything leads back to a Beagle’s nose. A beagle is one of the most popular scent hounds, and as a result, they may have an unusually strong sense of smell. They may dig into your trash or break into a dog bag in the pantry. However, when channeled correctly, a Beagle can make a good detector for termites and other pests in the house. Moreover, they make a great arson dog. Just remember that when their tiny nose is down and smelling something, they are most likely focused.
The American Kennel Club describes the Beagle as:
“Not only are Beagles excellent hunting dogs and loyal companions, they are also happy-go-lucky, funny, and—thanks to their pleading expression—cute. They were bred to hunt in packs, so they enjoy the company of other dogs and of people as well. Beagles love to follow their noses, which can sometimes get them into sticky situations…”
Size & Color
- Compact and sturdy
- Medium-sized
- Hound-type colors
Beagles are small and mid-size. They are conveniently-sized and are ideal for both apartment-living and a great home. A Beagle stands at 13 inches on average but can exceed up to 15 inches. Depending on their height, a Beagle can weigh between 18 and 30 pounds.
A Beagle can have any hound-type color including:
- Lemon
- Tri Color
- Red and white
- Lemon and white
- Orange and white
- Black and tan
- Blue tick and red tick
Health
- A lot of exercise
- Very active dog
- Some health problems
Though they are medium-sized, they need a lot of physical activities to keep them preoccupied. They can be destructive if they get bored and do not get the amount of exercise they need. It’s recommended to take your beagle on frequent, long walks because Beagles are energetic dogs.
This is me, Copper Dog and my younger brother from another mother Dexter, hoping to make new friends 🐶🐶 #beagle #beagleboys pic.twitter.com/GPIwUmaGTt
— The beagle boys (@Beagle_Boys_) August 5, 2017
Beagles suffer from various health problems. Also, their health problems can be inherited. Beagles are healthy but can suffer from certain health issues such as:
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Invertebral disc disease
- Spinal problems
- Heart conditions
When adopting a Beagle for the first time, it is important to choose a breeder that can guarantee the health of your puppy. Always ask for a health clearance of both the puppy’s parents and the puppy. This way, you are confident that the puppy has no inherited disease that could take a toll on their health later on. No matter how well you take care of your puppy, when your Beagle has a genetic disease, being ill is inevitable.
Feeding A Beagle
When feeding your Beagle, always remember the amount of food to give will depend on the age and size of your Beagle.
Since Beagles have a discriminating nose, this leads them to food and may lead to overeating. Being overweight may lead to various health conditions. Pack food and store it in places where your Beagle can’t reach.
Day 214 – Diner Time! #beagle #beaglemania #cutedogs #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/hCwTUyeBGh
— Dexter the Beagle (@beagle_dexter) August 2, 2017
Moreover, don’t provide food throughout the day because this may lead to overeating.
To keep your Beagle’s weight healthy, monitor their food intake and feed them creatively to engage their hunting skills somehow. It’s ideal to feed your Beagle twice a day, and the amount depends on the recommended daily intake on the food’s package.
Life Span Of A Beagle
On average, your Beagle can live between 12 to 15 years. The life span of your hound dog depends on their genetic makeup and how well you take care of them. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to keep your dog’s weight at healthy levels. Also, the life span of your Beagle depends on their genetic makeup or vulnerability to inherited diseases.
The common diseases that could influence the life span of your Beagle include:
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Cherry eye
- Glaucoma
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Distichiasis
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Beagle dwarfism
- Chinese Beagle Syndrome
- Patellar luxation
Beagle Grooming
- Short easy-care coat
- Dense double coat which is resistant to rain
- Weekly brushing
- Moderate to heavy shedding
- Don’t require regular baths
- Bi-weekly ear cleaning and nail trimming
Beagles have a smooth but dense double coat that is resistant to rain. The good thing is, their short coat is easy to manage and needs only weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush. Make sure you remove all the tangles and dead hair to allow for new hair to grow.
However, Beagles don’t need regular baths because frequent baths may strip off their skin from essential oils. Dry skin makes the Beagle prone to skin diseases and infections. Beagles have moderate to heavy shedding.
Beagles are prone to ear infections due to their drop-ears. Clean the ears twice a week to remove the buildup of earwax. For their teeth, you can brush them at least two or three times a week and trim their nails twice a month.
Price Of A Beagle Puppy
A Beagle puppy may cost between $800 and $1,500. The price of a Beagle puppy depends on their gender and family line. Males are more affordable than female puppies.
Buy your Beagle puppy from reputable breeders and don’t purchase overly cheap ones.
History Of The Beagle Breed
The history of the Beagle breed can be traced back to the 5th century in the Ancient Greece. During the 8th century, there was a dog breed called St. Hubert Hound, a type of scent hound.
From this breed, a newer dog was created – the Talbot Hound. By the 11th century, this new dog breed was brought to England and was believed to be produced with the Greyhound, creating the Southern Hound – the ancestor of today’s Beagle.
Fun Fact
The earliest dogs called “Beagles” were small hound dogs that were just 8 to 9 inches tall, and they fit in your pocket. They were dubbed as “Pocket Beagles.”
Dexter, youngest Gryffinpaw seeker 🐶⚡️#harrypotter #quidditch #beagle #beagles #dexterthedressupbeagle @jk_rowling pic.twitter.com/JuHKnyXYPj
— The beagle boys (@Beagle_Boys_) August 5, 2017
However, when hunting became increasingly popular in the mid-18th century, hunters preferred larger dogs. As a result, the small Beagles were overlooked, leading to their extinction by 1901. Eventually, they were again bred with larger dogs, creating today’s medium-sized Beagle.
What other dog breeds do you have in mind? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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