We challenge anyone to gaze into the soft brown eyes of the Beagle and not melt instantly. A medium-sized dog with fabulously floppy ears, an unusual baying bark and a background in hunting, this breed is known for its calm temperament, dignified energy and eagerness to please. Beagles make brilliant family pets and socialise well with other dogs – but with this hound’s hunting instinct, you’ll need to take care around other animals.

History

Beagles have been around for quite a while. They date back to around 1300 and the breed name came into common usage in the year 1475. The Beagle’s keen sense of smell made it a popular hunting companion in France and England. The Beagle exists in various sizes, including – adorably – the ‘Pocket Beagle’.

Health

The Beagle has an average lifespan of 12-15 years.

Most Beagles don’t get anywhere near enough exercise! This means you’ll often see Beagles on the chubby side. Though they’re naturally quite a sprightly breed, other health problems can include epilepsy, heart disease, deafness, mast cell tumours and eye and back problems. Beagles can also suffer from short, warped front legs.

Characteristics

The 100% sweetheart

Beagles are always happy to see you. They’re brave, playful and clever little dogs that adore families and companionship. They need a decent amount of exercise and plenty of time outdoors to filful their inquisitive hunting instincts.

Easy grooming

Your Beagle won’t cause you a world of pain when it comes to coat care. The short hair requires an occasional brush to look its best, but generally it takes care of itself. A quick wipe-down with a sponge is all that’s needed after a muddy walk.

Follow your nose

Like most hunting dogs, Beagles have a keen sense of smell and are prone to wandering off during walkies whenever they pick up an interesting scent. You’ll need to keep a close eye on your Beagle when out and about and take care not to let it off the lead unless you’re in a safe area.

Training

Beagles are strong-willed little dogs but are renowned for being easy to train with the right approach. You won’t find it difficult to make the most out of your Beagle’s keen instinct to learn and please its owner.

Housebreaking

Anecdotally, Beagles are a little difficult to housetrain, but with appropriate training there’s no reason why they should be any harder to housetrain than other breeds.

Where to find Beagles

Beagle Groups

Looking for a few fellow Beagle-lovers? Find a Beagle breed group below.

The Beagle Club
Beagles UK
The Beagle Association
West Mercia Beagle Club
The Welsh Beagle Club
The Scottish Beagle Club
Four Counties Beagle Club

Do you own a Beagle?

Source

If you own a Beagle, let us know in the comments below and upload your picture to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram tagging @DogBuddyCo.