Beagle

This dog comes in two varieties: one is 13 in (33 centimeters) high in the shoulder and the other between 13-15 in (33 and 38 centimeters). The smaller type of Beagle weighs under 21 lb (9 kilograms) and the bigger type weighs between 20-31 lb (9 – 14 kilograms).

FUN FACT: Snoopy - a cartoon Beagle was named the top dog in pop culture.

Grooming and care

The Beagle has a dense double coat that is weather resistant. His coat is easy to take care of. They shed moderately all year and you should brush your dog weekly to remove dead hair and to keep his coat clean and healthy. Because their coat gets thicker during the winter, they shed more in the spring.

Any hound color is acceptable by the breed standard, but the most common color is tricolor. They don’t need to bathe often, only if they get into something messy. Because they have dropped ears, they can easily get ear infections because the air doesn’t circulate well.

Check up his ears every week to make sure there are no infections or wax build-up. Beagle nails should be trimmed once or twice a month. Brush his teeth regularly to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

Energy level

This is a very active and energetic dog who needs a minimum of one hour of exercise daily. They always need to have company because they were bred to work in packs. They have tendencies to become destructive if left alone for too long. They always need a human or canine companion to play with.

It is a well-known fact that Beagles are escape artists, so if you let them free there must be a fence so they can’t escape. Always walk your dog on a leash because they have strong hunting instincts and he will use every opportunity to go and pursue a compelling scent.

Barking

What makes this breed perhaps the most famous is their loud barking. This is one of the loudest dogs, which is why some owners quickly start to bother with it. Their barking can easily be controlled by training, but it takes a lot of exercise and effort.

Their barking is the main thing why some people give up on getting a Beagle.

FUN FACT: The Beagle and Collie are the nosiest dogs.

Are Beagles good dogs?

The Beagles are ideal pets for first-time owners. They are gentle, cheerful, and sweet dog that has a natural desire to please, but like every other dog, they need early socialization. Expose Beagles to many different people, sounds, and sights while they are young to ensure a well-rounded dog. Training is also essential.

These dogs will do anything for a tasty treat. They don’t respond well to harsh treatment, so training with positive reinforcement is recommended.

FUN FACT: Beagle builds friendly bonds very easily with strangers, and because of that he is not a very good guard dog.

Beagles and kids

As already mentioned Beagles are pack animals. They get very attached to their family and especially love children. The Beagles go along well with other pets also. They love playing with children but they need to be supervised because they can be rambunctious when playing.

You should also teach your child how to approach the dog and make interaction.

Health problems

This is a generally healthy dog breed with a life expectancy of 10-15 years. They are prone to some health conditions such as

• hip dysplasia,
• hypothyroidism,
• epilepsy, 
• cherry eye,
• glaucoma (a painful disease in which pressure in the eye becomes abnormally high),
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA - degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness),
• Beagle Dwarfism (a condition where the dog is smaller than normal),
• Chinese Beagle Syndrome (CBS - a condition that is characterized by a wide skull and slanted eyes),
• luxating patella, e
• ye disorder,
• Intervertebral Disk Disease.

There are a few recommended health tests you should perform to ensure the dog is healthy: Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, and MLS DNA Test.

Beagle breeders

These are very popular dogs, so be careful when you decide to buy one. Find a responsible breeder that will show you all the up-to-date health certifications of the puppy’s parents. Ensure you are not buying a dog from someone who puts profit above the welfare of dogs.

Finding a reputable Beagle breeder will ensure you get a puppy with the best genetic traits possible. 

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World Dog Finder team

The Beagle is one of the oldest dog breeds, and their origin and name are a mystery. Some people think that the name derives from the French term „be’geule“ (sound hound make while hunting), while others say it derives from the Gaelic word „beag“ meaning little.

In England, before 55 B.C., most English gentlemen used Beagles as hunting companions. The larger hounds were used to track deer, and the smaller hound to track hares. Beagle, as we know it today, is an ancestor of the smaller version.

The Beagle dog breed is known as „foot hound“ because they could hunt on foot – no horse was necessary. They were popular among people who couldn't afford to feed and stable horses. After the Civil War was imported to America and gained immediate popularity among US rabbit hunters. The First Beagle was registered in the American Kennel Club in 1885.