Dog Breeds: Beagle Dog

Brief facts about the Beagle

• Size: 33-40 cm at withers
• Average lifespan: 12-14 years
• Weight: 10-15 kg
• Colour: Usually three coloured (black, brown, white) or two coloured (yellow and white). Available in all hound colours except liver.
• Traits: Friendly, brave, active
• Common diseases and injuries: Epilepsy, hypothyroidism (thyroid problem) and hip dysplasia
• Breed group: Driving dogs and search and tracking dogs (group 6)
• Country of origin: England

Where does the Beagle come from?

The Beagle originates from England and is one of the oldest breeds of hunting dogs. The breed has been used for hunting since the Middle Ages, but the modern beagle was developed in the 19th century in England. Beagles were originally used to hunt in groups, a so-called beagle pack that usually consisted of 10-30 dogs but have since been retrained as solitary hunting dogs. Different from their close relative's harrier and foxhound, they hunted on foot and not on horseback, which is called beagling. The beagle primarily hunts hares, but also other small game such as foxes and deer.

Beagle temperament

Beagles are known for their friendly and happy nature. They are also persistent, brave, intelligent, and active. That, in combination with a very stable temperament, makes them an excellent hunting dog. If the breed is given an outlet for its natural needs, the beagle is also your perfect cozy companion who will gladly curl up with you on the sofa. Since the breed was originally bred to hunt in groups, it often gets along well with other dogs.

Beagle appearance and size

Beagles are known for their distinctive appearance with their short multi-coloured fur, white tail tips, long ears, and kind eyes. Most people quickly recognise the breed in black, white, and brown, but it is also available as two-coloured, then often yellow and white. The beagle is approved in all hound colours except liver. The fur is dense to protect the dog against all types of weather.

How old does a Beagle get?

A beagle has a life expectancy of around 12-14 years, but this can vary depending on the individual's health and lifestyle.

Care of the Beagle

A beagle's fur is easy to care for and requires minimal grooming. The coat wipes easily with a cloth and does not require much more than an occasional shower if it is very dirty. The breed sheds hair all year round, but not in enormous quantities. But remember that the short straws are experts at getting stuck in clothes, sofas, and carpets.

Some beagles also lack a sense of satiety and like to munch more than they need. Therefore, keep an extra eye so that your beagle does not become overweight.

As the beagle is originally bred to hunt in groups, it is not always very keen to be left alone. And it can also express its displeasure quite loudly. Focus on training the beagle puppy to reduce both barking and howling.

As the breed is both stubborn and independent, it is important to remember not to let the dog hunt too hard and for a long time before it is mature, both physically and mentally.

Not to be forgotten is that the beagle is a natural problem solver and that needs to be included in their everyday life. Hide toys and treats and your beagle will find them!

Beagle training

Beagles are intelligent and quick learners, but they can also be stubborn. Then add a large dose of independence and you can have problems if you are not clear in your communication and training with your beagle. It is best to start training the beagle when it is a puppy. Work with both everyday obedience and recall as the beagle is inclined to follow scents, no wonder as it has a strong hunting instinct. The Beagle will go where the nose says, so if you want to give your dog the freedom to be loose, run freely and sometimes escape the restriction of a leash, you must be prepared to spend time and energy training and maintaining this.

As we previously described, the breed is highly active and wants to do what it was bred for. The best exercise, both physically and mentally, is to let your beagle hunt. Before and after hunting season, activities such as swimming, running, and tracking can be appreciated by the breed and keep your beagle in shape.

Regardless of what and how you train, positive reinforcement and reward-based training is what works best, not just for this breed. And as we mentioned before, the beagle is a real guinea pig, use it in your training! Its love of food makes training much easier.

Beagle health status

At Agria, we collect statistics on all dog breeds that are insured with us. It gives us unique injury and disease statistics that provide insight into which diseases and injuries affect specific breeds.

Beagles are a healthy breed. However, they may still be prone to certain health problems. The three most common breed-specific diagnoses are:

• Epilepsy
• Hypothyroidism (thyroid problem)
• Hip dysplasia

Why do we love the Beagle dog?

The Beagle is a lovable breed in many ways, but here are some of the things we like most about them:

Friendly in both manner and appearance: Beagles are known to be friendly and social dogs who love to be around people and other dogs. You can almost see their kindness shining through in their beautiful kind eyes.

Their playful personality: Beagles are very playful and love to romp and run. They are also very hardy and will love to accompany you on many long walks and hikes.

Their Intelligence: Beagles are highly intelligent and quick learners. They are also very independent and good problem solvers.

What you need to know when choosing a Beagle

The Beagle is a great breed, but as with all breeds there are a few things you should know before getting one:

High energy levels: Beagles are active dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. If they don't get enough of this, they can become bored and develop unwanted behaviours. Make sure to train both bud and body. Brain exercise as well as physical exercise are on the schedule daily if you have a beagle.

Hunting Instinct: Due to their hunting origins, beagles have a strong hunting instinct and may be inclined to follow scents and go where their nose points. This can make it difficult to have them loose if you do not practice this often and a lot.

Bark, bark and howl: Beagles can be quite vocal and may bark or howl, especially if they are bored or left alone.