Beagles are small-sized hound dogs originally developed for hunting rabbits or hares. History tells us Rev. Phillip Honeywood is responsible for the pack that created today’s Beagle. Sometime in the 1830s, he bred a pack of small Beagles that stood around 10 inches at the shoulder and were pure white in color. There were originally two different types – the smooth and rough-coated varieties. It is thought that by the beginning of the 20th century, the rough-coated type had become extinct.
The Beagle first came to the United States sometime in the 1840s; imported strictly to be hunting dogs. The AKC recognized the Beagle in 1885 and they are a member of the Hound Group. Although this dog breed may have originated in the United Kingdom, it has always been much more popular throughout the United States and Canada. Beagles have consistently been one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States for over 30 years and continue to be a widely adored breed throughout the nation.
Beagles are energetic, family-oriented dogs; often with personalities similar to that of playful children. These dogs are full of energy and enjoy nothing more than your love and attention. Well-socialized, these dogs get along fantastically with children and also other dogs. They are even considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds.
As hunting dogs, they do have high prey drives, which can be a challenge when it comes to other smaller pets in the household. They can do well with pets they have been raised and socialized with, but you will need to keep their high prey drives in mind and do some extra socialization and training around that.
Although well-socialized Beagles tend to be open and friendly to strangers, especially once they are introduced, these dogs are going to bark. They are hounds that are well-known for their barks, brays, and howls. You won’t be able to stop the alert barking, but you can socialize your Beagle well and train your dog to stop barking early on to help keep it from becoming out of control.
Beagles are moderately adaptable dogs. Although Beagles could adapt to apartment living, their high energy and loud vocals usually don’t suit well for apartments. These dogs are better suited to homes with fenced yards.
They do well in moderate climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. They also have short coats, so although they can handle some cold, you may need some winter dog products to help keep them warm while out on cold winter walks.
Their high prey drive and the urge to chase means these dogs should not be let off-leash unless they are in securely fenced areas. Exceptions to this rule are Beagles that have been trained to be hunting dogs and are on a hunt with their owners. In this case, it’s a good idea to outfit dogs with GPS trackers in addition to microchips to help prevent your dog from getting lost.
Potential health concerns to be aware of in Beagles can include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, luxating patella, cherry eye, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Beagle puppies.
Reputable breeders will screen their dogs before breeding to ensure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents.
You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. The National Beagle Club of America recommends a cardiac exam, a hip evaluation, a Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS) DNA test, an Opthamalmogist evaluation, and a thyroid evaluation at a minimum.
Beagles are intelligent and highly trainable dogs. They pick up things quickly and can be eager to please, but they are bored easily and have a lot of energy, which can lead them to be stubborn at times.
These things can be a challenge for first-time dog owners to handle alone. Puppy training classes or the help of a dog trainer are recommended to help owners stay consistent and clear during training and successfully redirect or channel a Beagle’s exuberance where it needs to go.
Beagles have a smooth double coat that is quite dense despite being short and is also resistant to moisture. These dogs will shed a decent amount year-round and will shed more as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is recommended and moving to daily brushing during seasonal shedding is helpful. Bathing is on an as-needed basis.
In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Beagle’s nails, ears, and teeth. Nail trims once or twice monthly are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Beagles can be prone to ear infections, so it’s important to check their ears weekly and to carefully clean them if needed.
Good dental care for dogs early and throughout their life is essential for preventing painful dental diseases later in life. Brushing daily with toothpaste made for dogs along with cleanings at the vet when needed is a good start.
These hound dogs may as well be considered a sporting breed because they have just as much energy. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and extra activity are usually enough for these dogs, but they will likely be up for more if you are.
Most of the time, they’ll just be happy for the chance to be near you while doing something active. Although Beagles are considered one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures, make sure puppies are finished growing before tackling high-impact activities to avoid damaging developing bones and joints.
Fully-grown Beagles usually stand 13-15 inches tall and weigh 20-30 pounds. There are Beagles that measure in under 13 inches. In the United States, these dogs are a different size classification than Beagles that fall within the 13-15-inch range.
Beagles generally live for 10-15 years on average.
One of the facts about Beagles is that all purebred Beagles have white-tipped tails; whether it’s a full white tip or just a white hair or two.
