Beagles are friendly dogs that look like miniature foxhounds. They are available in two size varieties, 13 inches and 15 inches, and in tri-color, red and white, and lemon and white colorations. These dogs have a coarse coat of medium length, raised tails, and long, floppy ears. Their dark brown eyes always appear to be begging. Beagles typically weigh 20 to 25 pounds and can live up to 15 years with proper care.
They are beloved for their merry, fun-loving personality and cute appearance, and they make excellent companion animals.
These dogs live to use their noses and are superior hunters. They are beloved for their merry, fun-loving personality and cute appearance, and they make excellent companion animals.
Snoopy from the comic strips "Peanuts" is the most famous Beagle in history. This character contributed to making Beagles one of the most popular dogs in America.
Beagles are happy, outgoing, friendly, and easy-going dogs that make excellent family pets. Their compact size makes them suitable for single family homes and apartment life, and they enjoy the company of humans and other dogs.
Curious, comedic, and often naughty, these dogs tend to get into mischief if not well supervised.
Beagles are adaptable, affectionate, intelligent, and playful dogs, and they do well anywhere, including smaller cities, rural areas, farms, and ranches. They are great for families with children, but they also do well with singles and couples, especially those who love outdoor activities. The breed is also a good choice for active seniors because of their loyalty, gentleness, and slow pace.
Beagles are friends to everyone, including strangers, and therefore do not make good watchdogs. However, some individual dogs become protective of their homes, and these dogs may bark when unfamiliar people approach. Additionally, their tendency to sing along with sirens may result in conflicts with neighbors. Don't leave them outside unattended for long periods; these dogs need to be an active part of the family.
Beagles are generally healthy, but the breed is more likely than other dogs to suffer from hip dysplasia, which is a genetic malformation of the hip that leads to pain and lameness. Heart conditions, seizure disorders, diabetes, allergies, hypothyroidism, and cataracts are also known to affect Beagles. These dogs are also prone to anterior cruciate ligament tearing, an injury that may require surgical repair.
Less common disorders seen in Beagles include hemophilia A, dwarfism and deafness. Some breeders may attempt to sell beagle puppies with dwarfism by calling them "pocket Beagles," but these puppies should be avoided; dwarf Beagles often suffer from shortened necks, chronic arthritis, crooked legs, and other deformities. The Beagle's lust for food and need to hunt can lead to poisoning and injury. Eating fatty scraps out of the trash increases the risk of enteritis and pancreatitis.
With routine vet care, attention to diet and exercise, vaccinations, and weight management, Beagles often live 12 to 15 years.
Beagles are intelligent dogs and not easily trainable. They become bored and destructive without mental and physical stimulation, and these dogs tend to bark excessively. Fortunately, they are generally well behaved, but the breed can benefit from early training and socialization.
These dogs have excellent problem-solving skills, which can be a bonus at times, but it also means they can figure out ways around any obstacles you place between them and what they want. The best approach to training these dogs is to turn everything into a fun game; if you push these dogs, they will push back harder. The breed is known for finding and stealing food, and everything edible should be stored well out of reach of Beagles. Their love of food can be used during training, as these dogs will do just about anything for a food reward.
Once Beagles catch the scent of something more interesting than their human companions, they are off to follow the scent trail. Because they are ruled by their nose, they may lose track of everything else going on around them. This puts them at risk outdoors. For their safety, keep these dogs inside a fenced yard or on a leash at all times when they are not indoors.
In general, Beagles are a low-maintenance breed. However, these dogs shed year-round, a trait that may be unappealing to some people. Brushing their coat with a hound mitt once or twice each week is usually sufficient to remove dead hair and manage shedding.
There's no need to bathe these dogs more than once every few months unless they roll around in something stinky or sticky, which is always possible considering the breed's affinity for getting into garbage cans. The nails need trimming every couple of weeks or more often if they begin clicking on the floor.
The breed's droopy ears are prone to infection and must be kept clean and dry at all times. They should be cleaned with a veterinarian-approved otic cleanser and care must be taken during cleaning to prevent wax, dirt, and other debris from being pushed more deeply into the ear. The ears should be wiped with a dampened cotton ball.
In the 1500s, Beagles accompanied English gentlemen on hunting expeditions, with larger hounds tracking deer and smaller hounds tracking rabbits. The name of the breed is likely derived from the French "be'geule," a term that refers to the baying voice of hound dogs when pursuing game. The term may also refer to the small size of the hounds.
The first mention of the breed in the United States was in 1642. Once Beagles made their way to the United States, they became instantly popular and beloved. These dogs have even resided in the White House.
Because of their excellent noses and friendly personalities, the breed is used in American airports as scent detection dogs; they are able to search for drugs, food, and weapons without alarming or upsetting passengers like larger and more aggressive breeds tend to do. They are also widely kept as companion animals.
The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Beagle in 1885.
