Beagle Dogs Overview
Beagles were bred to hunt in packs, so most enjoy company and are generally easygoing. They are cheerful, curious and led by their nose, which is a big part of their charm and most of their mischief.
At a Glance
- Size - small to medium. Two height classes in the US standard, up to 13 inches (33 cm) and 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm).
- Weight - under 20 pounds (9 kg) for the smaller class, 20 to 30 pounds (9 to 14 kg) for the larger.
- Life expectancy - about 10 to 15 years.
- Coat - short, dense double coat.
- Exercise - high, at least an hour a day.
Size figures are from the American Kennel Club standard. Other kennel clubs' standards can differ slightly.
Temperament and Training
Beagles are sociable and usually get on well with people and other dogs. They don't respond well to harsh methods, but patience, rewards and a little creativity work well. Food is a powerful motivator, so treats make training much easier.
Like many scent hounds, plenty of Beagles are vocal, and a bored or lonely Beagle may bay or howl. A Beagle left alone for long periods tends to become destructive, so they suit homes where someone is around for much of the day, or where they have another dog for company.
Exercise and Space
Beagles are active dogs that need at least an hour of exercise every day, and letting them out into the yard or garden is not enough on its own. They are escape artists, so any outdoor area needs a secure fence at least five feet (1.5 m) tall that goes below ground to stop digging under it.
Keep walks on a leash or lead. With such a strong hunting instinct, a Beagle that catches an interesting scent may simply follow it and not come back.
Grooming and Shedding
The coat sheds moderately all year and more heavily in spring. A weekly brush with a hound glove or rubber grooming mitt keeps it in good shape. Check the ears weekly, brush the teeth regularly and keep the nails trimmed.
Weight
Some Beagles gain weight easily, so weigh their food, count training treats as part of the daily allowance and keep food well out of reach.
Health Checks to Ask About
Responsible breeders screen breeding dogs for conditions such as hip dysplasia, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), epilepsy, kneecaps that slip out of place (luxating patella) and eye disorders.
In the US, the national breed club recommends these tests for breeding dogs:
- Hip evaluation
- Heart (cardiac) exam
- Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
- Thyroid evaluation
- DNA test for Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS)
In the UK, the British Veterinary Association runs hip, elbow and eye screening schemes that are open to all breeds. Ask any breeder which tests the parents have had and to show you the results.
Who the Beagle Suits
Active, sociable households with a securely fenced yard or garden, where someone is home for much of the day. A Beagle is less suited to long days alone, or to owners who want a dog that will reliably come back off the leash.
See also Feeding Puppies and Dogs by Age, Puppy Training Basics and Finding a Puppy.
Sources
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