Beagle: temperament, size, care and health

About the Beagle

The Beagle is a small hound built like a scaled-down foxhound, with a square body, a domed head, long soft ears and a tail carried high. Two height varieties were once recognized in American shows, and today dogs stand about thirteen to fifteen inches at the shoulder. The tricolor pattern of black, tan and white is the best known, but lemon, red and white and several other combinations are accepted.

It was bred to hunt rabbits and hares in a pack, following the track by nose and giving tongue as it goes. That job explains most of what a Beagle is today: a sociable dog with a remarkable sense of smell, a loud voice and a single-minded interest in food and scents. Beagles are also widely used as detection dogs, sniffing for contraband in baggage at airports.

Temperament and family life

Beagles are friendly, easygoing and good-natured with nearly everyone. They were bred to live and work in groups, and many dislike being left alone for long hours. A lonely Beagle will often howl, dig or find a way into the pantry. They tend to greet strangers with a wagging tail rather than suspicion, which makes them poor guard dogs.

They usually do well with children, taking noise and play in stride, and they get along with other dogs. Cats can live with a Beagle raised alongside them, though small animals outdoors are another matter, since the hound will follow their trail. A Beagle in a yard needs a secure fence, because the nose can take the dog over a road before it notices.

Exercise and training

The breed has plenty of stamina and enjoys walks of an hour or so, ideally on a leash or in a fenced area. Off-leash reliability is low: once a Beagle picks up a scent, a recall cue loses to the nose. Scent games, trailing and tracking sports use the breed's natural abilities and tire it out mentally.

Training is possible but takes a patient hand. Beagles are intelligent and driven mostly by food, so rewards are effective, though a dog that is fed well may lose interest. House training can be slow. A bored, under-exercised Beagle becomes noisy and destructive, and the baying carries a long way, which matters to neighbours.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is short and needs little work. A weekly brushing with a rubber mitt or a firm brush removes loose hair, and a bath every month or two is enough for most dogs. Shedding is steady all year with heavier periods in spring and autumn, and the short hairs tend to weave into fabric.

The long, hanging ears trap moisture and wax and are prone to infection, so they need a regular look and gentle cleaning with a product from the vet. Nails should be kept short.

Health

Beagles are generally sturdy, but they gain weight readily, and obesity worsens joint and back problems. Ear infections are common. Inherited conditions seen in the breed include epilepsy, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, intervertebral disc disease, eye problems such as glaucoma and a few rare inherited disorders. Responsible breeders screen for hip and eye problems and for several DNA-based conditions. What is written here about the Beagle is general, and only a veterinarian can advise on an individual dog.

History

Small hounds that hunted hare by scent are recorded in Britain for centuries, and the modern Beagle was shaped in the nineteenth century, when breeders in England and later the United States set a standard type. The breed arrived in North America and gained popularity as a rabbit-hunting dog and then as a family pet.

Is the Beagle right for you?

A Beagle suits an active household that wants a cheerful, sturdy dog and can supply exercise, a secure yard and company during the day. It is not a good match for someone who wants a quiet dog, a dog that comes reliably off leash, or a calm homebody.

If you like the look but want a bigger voice and more speed, compare the Harrier. For a slower, lower hound with the same easy temper, consider the Basset Hound, and for a smaller and bolder choice, the Dachshund.