Are you looking for a super humble yet naughty, annoying yet cute, and playful yet great watchdog breed—the Beagle is the one for you!
They are not just wonderful with families but will bring a lot of positivity to whichever place they live. Below, we have covered all this dog breed’s personality traits and everyday needs. So let’s get started, woof!
Overview
| Height | 13 inches |
| Weight | 20-30 lbs |
| Life span | 12-15 years |
| Exercise needs | 1 hour daily |
| Temperament | Extrovert, Curious, Barks a lot |
| Grooming | Moderate maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Origin | Great Britain |
Origin of the Beagle
The story begins with the origin of the Beagle’s ancestors in Greece. Later, only in the 19th century, beagles came to Great Britain and gained recognition. When we look back at their ancient history in Greece, it is believed that breeds like the Talbot Hound, the Southern Hound, and the North country beagle were the ancestors of the breed we know today as Beagles.
Even the Harriers are believed to have their part in forming this magnificent breed. The name originated from the French word “bégueule,” which translates to “gaped throat” and refers to their barking style. They often howl, whine, and bark around the house, making their name even more relevant to their personality.
Beagles were used for hunting small games like rabbits and hares. From scaring the animals away to scenting and hunting them down—Beagles were best at this game. Their scenting skills are remarkable and were also a reason why hunters made Beagles their companions. With their playful nature, they could also chill down the “seriousness” of hunting fields.
Appearance of the Beagle
Beagles has a distinctive appearance, that can make anyone go- “Aww”. So here are the features of the Beagle dog breed in detail.
1. Height and weight
A Beagle is a medium-sized dog that is often adored for its appearance. They have the perfect “puppy eyes,” and size fit nicely in an apartment. The beagle dog breed stands up to 13 inches and weighs about 20- 30 pounds. Generally, the size differs, as females are smaller than males.
2. Coat
Compared to other hound breeds like Afghan Hound, Beagles have much shorter fur coats. It is soft to the touch and does not grow over an inch or so. Due to their rich history, the fur is also water resistant. Now, coming to the most distinctive feature of beagles- the coat colors.
Usually, they are covered in three color combinations: black, tan, and white, whereas sometimes the tan is missing. It is now rare to find black and white beagles, but the tri-color ones are prominent.
3. Special features
Like other hound dogs like Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie, American foxhounds, and Artois hounds, Beagles also have floppy long ears. These ears have the purpose of storing the scents so they can track and hunt their prey. Rest, Beagles have a stump tail and are perfectly sized for cuddle companions.
Personality and Temperament
Now that you know about their origin and appearance let’s dig deeper into the traits of the Beagle dog breed. Here are all the temperament and personality traits of Beagles:
1. Fun-loving
Beagles are the most fun dogs to be around. They love unlimited playtime with their owners or even alone. If you keep a house party, we are sure they’ll be dressed in all the extra props and colors. Especially if the kids are invited, beagles will spend most of their time goofing around with them.
2. Extroverts and vocal
A Beagle is a highly expressive dog breed. Be it being excited about treats or sad after you scold them- they never fail to miss any expression on their faces. In fact, this dog breed is empathy-driven and can connect well with their human emotions. They are extroverts and can make friends easily.
3. Energy bombs
The Beagle dog breed is full of energy. The last thing you want is a lazy and couch potato beagle. They are always ready to run errands, train, or play. However, this is also one of the reasons why Beagles can be challenging to handle for first-time owners.
4. Curious and alert
Not only are the Beagles cute, but they are also very alert. Due to their rich hunting history and instincts, they are super aware of their surroundings. However, they are not THAT good with guarding duties like Airedale Terriers. But Beagles can be good watchdogs as they can bark and wake the whole neighborhood up if they spot a thief.
5. Bark…a lot
If you are someone who has an ick with dog’s excessive barking—Beagles may not be a right fit for you. Being vocal dogs, Beagles bark all day long and have startling cries. You may often find them whining or barking at some random stranger, and we agree that—it can be a bit annoying. So, for this, you can always train your dog to bark less with the help of positive reinforcement techniques or behavior training.
If you want a dog that does not bark or bark less, we suggest Basenjis, as they are barkless, and Azawakh, as they bark only to alert.
6. Not aggressive
Beagles are very kind, affectionate, and passionate about the people and things they love. Their curiosity and determination may often look very competitive and aggressive, but they are not aggressive. Even with strangers, Beagles tend to be very kind and welcoming. Their welcoming style may include the following:
- Running around on top of the sofas and beds.
- Circling the guest’s feet.
- Licking them.
If you are wondering, “I have seen this dog somewhere, but I cannot point where?”—Snoopy was a Beagle. That’s where!
Grooming Needs of the Beagle
Despite how well-maintained Beagles look, it actually takes effort to keep them looking flawless. Here’s how:
1. Brushing
It would be best to start grooming dogs early so they don’t throw tantrums later in life. And believe us—brushing and grooming Beagle puppies is no less than therapy! It would be best if you brushed their coat at least twice to thrice a week.
Although they have a soft and short coat, there can be hair tangles and loose hair. As the Beagle dog breed is not hypoallergenic, you can expect quite a hair-shed mess on your couch IF not appropriately groomed.
2. Bathing
As their coat is water and dust-resistant, there are fewer chances there will be too much dirt. You should bathe Beagles on a need-to basis. If they have played too much in the dirt and started looking dirty and smelling foul, they need a bath immediately. Otherwise, Beagles can easily pass a month without bathing.
3. Skin infections
Cleaning regularly is essential. As Beagles have floppy, long ears, skin infections are likely due to ear wax build-up. Also, eye boogers are a common health problem in dogs that owners often ignore. To avoid moisture or debris build-up, you should use a damp cloth to clean their wrinkles, hanging ears, paws, and eyes.
Moreover, you should always have all the dog supplies ready whenever you groom or train them. For example, a soft slicker brush for grooming and leashes for training.
Exercise and Training Needs
The Beagle dog breed is an active dog that requires daily training. You must provide at least 1 hour of training every day. You can break it into two sessions or do it all at once! Here is what you can include in their training modules:
1. Daily walks
Walking is one of the most essential things to do before you start exercising. Beagles require at least 20-30 minutes of walking with a human companion. This will prepare them for the day and keep your dog active. If you cannot make time for your dog, hire a professional dog walker to ensure your dog’s fitness.
2. Leash and obedience training
During walks, we highly recommend teaching your dog leash training. This will help your dog to navigate and adapt to follow the commands. At this stage, you can also teach them basic obedience training, which can play a massive role for the Beagle dog breed at this stage. Especially you should start this training at an early age. You can teach your dog basic commands like—”sit” or “stay.”
If they do not follow the commands, you can motivate them with treats like blueberries or regular dog treats.
3. Mental stimulation
A Beagle is an independent dog who thrives on its creativity. As a responsible dog owner, you should encourage this behavior. You can enroll them in agility classes to make it exciting and interactive for your dog. Here, they will stimulated not just physically, but mentally as well. It is good to be in a healthily stimulated environment that helps dogs stay alert and quick in their actions. Not doing so can make Beagles depressed and trigger unwanted behaviors.
Conclusion
To sum it up, Beagle is an excellent breed for first-time dog owners. If you live in an apartment with family, these dogs will add extra charm to your home. They need people around who can play with them and be as excited as they are for treats. So, if you are willing to make an effort—Beagle can be an excellent first-time breed. The only catch is to keep them busy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you live in an apartment or a regular house, Beagles can fit in very easily. They can also live with multiple family members, as it is a fantastic family dog breed. The only catch is that you must fulfill all their training and daily needs. You should have access to open space for daily exercises and walks.
Beagle is a low-maintenance dog in comparison to other breeds. In fact, these dogs do not require much effort in terms of grooming. And for training, you only need to make 1 hour a day. You do not have to provide them with rigorous exercise. Also, as the Beagle dog breed is very active, they do not throw tantrums while going for training.
Yes and No. Beagles are always up for training sessions and going outdoors, so they will not be couch potatoes throwing tantrums about not going out. However, their high energy levels can take a lot of work to keep up with their instincts and curiosity. They do not want rigorous training but need lots of playtime and body movements.
No, The Beagle dog breed is not aggressive. They are neither calm nor assertive; they would rather be too determined and curious. Their excitement can often be associated with aggression. If your Beagle barks a lot or shows aggression, this can be a behavior problem. It would be best if you contacted a professional to eliminate unwanted behavior.
No, Beagles are not a hypoallergenic dog breed. Even though they have a small, soft fur coat, they shed quite a lot during shedding seasons. If you or anyone in your family is sensitive to allergens, this breed might not be for you. Also, to reduce shedding, you can groom Beagles now and then to ensure no loose hair sheds on their body.
