All About the Beagle: Floppy-Eared and Friendly

Known for their keen ability to hunt rabbits, high intelligence, and distinctive howling, beagles are loyal companions with so much love to give. This friendly and active breed has been featured in entertainment for decades, whether you’re familiar with Snoopy from the Peanuts comics or the 1980s TV series The Wonder Years. If you’re considering bringing one of these floppy-eared hounds into your home, it’s important to know what to expect. Let’s learn all about the beagle breed, including why beagles make excellent pets.

Brief History of the Beagle Dog

Dating back to the 1400s, beagles are a type of small scent hound that looks alot like larger foxhounds. While their exact origins remain unclear, they were believed to be originally bred in England to hunt rabbits and flush game for hunters. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885 with a dog named Blunder being the first beagle to ever be registered with the AKC.

Beagles are best known for their incredible sense of smell, making them popular detection dogs. They have been used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help track down prohibited items. The United States Department of Agriculture has also utilized these animals’ powerful noses to detect contraband food items in luggage.

Today, the beagle is one of the most beloved breeds on the planet. They can be found in homes throughout the world, from high-rises in New York to flats in London. If you’re considering bringing a beagle home, choose carefully. Some breeders will advertise their dogs as “pocket beagles,” but there is no such thing. Avoid unethical breeders who try to breed these dogs to an unnatural size or falsify the age of puppies.

Beagle Personality

Beagles are known to be good-tempered and gentle. They can be excitable, especially when playing or meeting new people. They tend to warm up to strangers fairly fast, which makes them poor guard dogs. However, they have other great qualities to make up for their lack of dominance. They are often recommended to families as they are often loving to children. With proper training, they can also coexist peacefully with other dogs.

Exercise for Beagles

While the beagle is a fairly small breed, they need plenty of room to play and relieve excess energy. Their exercise needs are fairly intense, averaging about an hour and a half per day as adults. Long walks can help your pet get the daily exercise it needs to remain happy and avoid boredom. With proper training, you can bring your hound dog to the dog park to play with other canines of a similar size and temperament.

Beagle Temperament

As beagles are bred to hunt alongside other dogs, they tend to get along well with other pets. They seldom get into squabbles with other dogs and tend to be laidback overall. While they can get rambunctious when in a playful mood, they also have a calm side that allows them to lounge in the sun or sit beside you on the sofa for hours. However, they can become destructive if left alone for too long.

Beagle Training

Beagles are very intelligent animals but can also be stubborn, making training a bit of a challenge. Training should always be done in a quiet and distraction-free environment. It’s important to be consistent with training to gradually improve behavior and prevent setbacks. Beagles are food-motivated, meaning small treats can be useful during training sessions.

Beagle Health Concerns

While beagles are a relatively healthy breed, there are some problems that can develop over time. Some of the most common conditions include epilepsy, dwarfism, cerebellar cortical degeneration, hypothyroidism, immune-mediated polygenic arthritis, disk diseases, and eye conditions like “cherry eye.” Due to the size of their ears, beagles are also more likely to develop ear infections compared to other breeds.

Grooming for Beagles

Beagles are fairly low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They have medium-length coats that only require the occasional bath with dog shampoo. Bathing your pet too often could result in dry, itchy skin, so limit baths to about once a month. Use a natural bristle brush to gently brush your beagle’s coat about twice a week. You’ll also want to do regular nail trims, clean their ears, and when needed, express their anal glands.

Average Lifespan of a Beagle

The lifespan of a beagle is similar to that of similar-sized canines. Beagles live 12 to 15 years on average, but some can live 20 years or longer with exceptional care. Many factors can contribute to a Beagle’s lifespan, such as their size and weight. A healthy beagle weighs about 20 to 30 pounds and is about 14 inches tall. Breeding can also increase a beagle’s risk of developing health problems.

Bringing a Beagle Home

Whether you live alone and are looking for a furry companion or have children and want a family pet, a beagle may meet your needs. However, there are some things to consider before adopting. Ensure that you have adequate time, money, and patience to devote to a strict exercise and training routine. Beagles, especially when young, require supervision and plenty of attention. As beagles have a high food drive, you’ll need to avoid overfeeding and stick to a healthy diet. By understanding the breed and its unique characteristics, you can find a wonderful pet to bring home.