The beagle is one of the most recognizable medium-sized dog breeds, known for their large, expressive eyes, floppy ears, and upright, white-tipped tail. They have a short, tricolored coat typically dominated by white and varied shades of brown. Beagles are scent hounds, hunting and tracking their prey by ground-scenting, and their keen sense of smell ranks with bloodhounds and basset hounds.
Learn more about the history, characteristics, and care needs of the beagle.
GROUP: Hound
HEIGHT: 15 inches or less in height at the shoulder, with two varieties: those under 13 inches and those from 13 to 15 inches
WEIGHT: 20 to 25 pounds
COAT: Short
COAT COLOR: Tricolor combinations can include tan, black, white, reddish brown, and pale lemon
LIFE SPAN: 10 to 15 years
TEMPERAMENT: Active, companionable, keen, attentive, fearless
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: England
Beagles are energetic, carefree, and optimistic dogs, and they are considered one of the most popular breeds for active households. They can be wonderful companions and great family dogs when properly trained and socialized. Having been bred to be in packs, they also get along well with other dogs, and most do well with cats, especially if raised together.
Beagles were originally bred in 16th-century England as rabbit-hunting hounds. They were also used as gun dogs, flushing game for hunters. Over time, the breed was developed in England and, later, in North America. Beagles became more refined and widely recognized in North America by the late 19th century, eventually becoming one of the most popular breeds.
Though still used in packs for hunting today, beagles are more commonly seen as companion and family dogs. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885.
Snoopy from the Peanuts cartoons is a beagle, reflecting the breed's popularity at the time Charles Schulz began to draw the comic strip in 1950. President Lyndon B. Johnson owned several beagles while in the White House. Beagles are even used by the United States Department of Agriculture for detecting contraband food items in luggage.
These fearless hounds are well-suited to both hunting and companionship, but they need adequate daily exercise, regular grooming, and proper training. They require human companionship or the companionship of other pets throughout the day, so they might not be the best fit if you spend most of your day outside the home. Because beagles get along with other dogs, freestyle running in a properly enclosed dog park can be fun exercise for both of you. Beagles instinctively will bay and bark when they detect an interesting scent, but they may also become problem barkers due to boredom or separation anxiety, and training may help.
Though they may sometimes act lazy on the surface, beagles have loads of energy and need regular exercise. Otherwise, the dog can get bored and unfilled and might release that mischievous nature inside. Walk your dog once or twice daily and give them plenty of chances to run and play to result in at least a full hour of exercise a day.
Beagles have short, water-resistant coats with a moderate to high rate of shedding. Routine basic grooming is all that is typically necessary to keep beagles looking their best. Luckily, their coat doesn't pick up much debris, so they won't need frequent baths (unless they roll in mud or something stinky).
Be sure to keep their floppy ears clean to prevent ear infections. Also, remember to trim the dog's nails regularly to prevent overgrowth, which can affect the gait. It is also good to brush your dog's teeth at least a couple of times per week to maintain good oral health and prevent certain diseases.
As scent hounds, they enjoy sniffing everything along your walks, which exercises their minds as well as their bodies. However, you will need good leash control and training, so you can control your dog if he gets a scent that he wants to track.
Without proper training, beagles can become unruly and defiant due to their strong-willed nature. They are known to be more difficult to train due to their stubborn, hound nature, and you have to make it fun and interesting for your dog to pay attention to you rather than their environment.
Responsible breeders strive to maintain the highest breed standards as established by kennel clubs like the AKC. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to inherit health conditions. However, some hereditary health problems can occur within any breed. In general, beagles are usually healthy dogs, but you should watch out for these conditions:
Beagles love to eat and are notorious for detecting, raiding, and eating anything they can find. You should provide two meals a day of up to 3/4 cup of high-quality dog food per meal. The amount will vary by the dog's size, age, activity level, and other factors. Keep the dog food and your human food well-secured against this hungry canine. Because of their omnivorous appetites, you will have to monitor your dog's weight and take action if you see it is becoming overweight. Discuss your dog's needs with your veterinarian to get recommendations for the right food, feeding schedule, and amount.
Before adopting or buying a beagle, remember this dog needs a family that can genuinely and consistently offer a lot of time and attention. Check your local animal shelter to see if there's a beagle in need of a home. If you decide to get a beagle from a breeder, thoroughly research the breeder to avoid puppy mills or backyard breeders.
Check state and regional rescue groups, which include but are not limited to:
Beagles are wonderful dogs and make great companions for active people and families. However, their frequent barking and scenthound genetics might not make them the best fit for all situations.
If you think the beagle is right for you, be sure to do plenty of research before you get one. Talk to other beagle owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more.
If you’re interested in similar breeds, look into these to compare the pros and cons:
Beagles are known for their tendency to vocalize, especially with their signature bay, which is more like a howl than a bark. Some beagles vocalize out of boredom, but many bay just because they want to, no matter how much activity they get. Be fully prepared for this before bringing a beagle into your home.
The comical and even-tempered demeanor of this breed makes it a great choice for families with children. They are excellent with children as long as the child is old enough to treat a dog with respect and tolerate the high energy the beagle may display. Also note that these dogs are considered to be mouthy, so they may mouth a child's arm to play, which can be frightening. Remember, however, that not all dogs get along with kids, regardless of the breed.
In general, beagles are well-behaved, but they can be a bit stubborn, and they are known for their persistence, especially if they catch the scent of something interesting. They will dig furiously under a fence to find a way to escape to catch what it spots. A yard with a physical fence is preferred to one with an electronic fence, but be sure your dog has an identification collar or microchip for your little escape artist.
Because they tend to bay at random times throughout the day, not just when they sense someone walking by, Beagles don't make the best apartment dogs. You might have to deal with some unhappy neighbors who do not enjoy the sound of a dog barking throughout the day.
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