Bright, boisterous, and bubbly: The Beagle

By Lauren Rey

The Beagle

Beagle – Fast Facts

A hound with a heart of gold, the Beagle is a spirited breed, known for its lively nature and irresistibly charming and cheerful personality. Beloved for their adorable droopy ears, soulful eyes, and pleading expressions, Beagles have won hearts all over the world. Their compact size and easygoing nature also make Beagles great family dogs, but they are known to get themselves into a bit of mischief from time to time.

While Beagles are undeniably a fun breed, they can be a challenge for some. Here’s an in-depth look at owning one of these happy little hounds!

History of the Beagle

Like many hound breeds, it is believed the Beagle descended from the Talbot hound, an extinct scenthound that was used for tracking in medieval Great Britain. During the 14th century, there were reports of small hounds known as Beagles throughout England, they were even mentioned in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Around the 16th century, the modern Beagle began to take shape. They were bred for pack hunting and spread throughout Europe. By the 19th century, Beagles had made it all the way across the pond to North America.

During the 1950s, the Beagle became the quintessential family dog. Thanks in part to Norman Rockwell, who featured the Beagle prominently in his artwork, and Charles Schulz, who created the beloved cartoon character, Snoopy. Today, the Beagle is still a family favourite and is also used in working roles where their keen sense of smell helps sniff out illegal products. The Beagle Brigade, as they are known, puts their powerful noses to work in airports and border inspection points across North America.

Beagle traits and characteristics

There are several unique attributes that help define the Beagle breed. Here’s what you can expect from a purebred Beagle.

Beagle size and appearance

Beagles are compact, medium-sized dogs that typically weigh between 20 and 30 pounds and stand 13 to 15 inches tall. They have a smooth, dense, double-coat that comes in a variety of bi-colour and tri-colour variations. The most common Beagle colouring variation is black, red, and white. Their eyes are typically brown or hazel.

Hallmark signatures of the Beagle breed include their elongated hound snout, soft expressive eyes, and long, droopy ears. Of course, they are also known for producing a distinctive sound known as baying – a deep, prolonged version of a howl.

Key traits of a Beagle

Beagles are friendly, social, and loyal. They love to spend time with their families and typically get along great with children and other dogs. They can also be quite adventurous and playful and enjoy time spent outdoors. Beagles make great hiking companions, as long as you keep them leashed so they don’t wander off after a scent!

As scenthounds, Beagles are also incredibly curious and clever and will often want to “investigate” things, whether that be new sights, unusual sounds, and especially, new smells! They will follow their nose wherever it takes them which can sometimes lead them into mischief.

Because of these tendencies, Beagles need good training and a watchful owner. Once a Beagle is determined to do something, they’ll find a way. This can lead to destructive behaviour like digging and chewing. Beagles need safe outlets to express their natural instincts like snuffle mats, nose work games, and puzzle toys.

Beagle health and lifespan

The Beagle is a generally healthy breed with a long lifespan of 10 to 15 years. However, like all purebred dogs, Beagles can be predisposed to certain health conditions such as:

Because Beagles are quite determined and food-motivated, they can also be at a bit higher risk for gastrointestinal problems and toxicities. They have been known to get into the trash, steal food left within reach, or even eat foreign objects at times. Extra caution should be taken to keep things out of their reach that can cause harm.

While not every Beagle will be impacted by a health condition or injury, pet insurance is always a good thing to have to help keep your pet protected. Especially in cases of emergency. Protect your Beagle with a pet insurance plan.

Living with a Beagle

Being the friendly, playful, and adventurous dogs they are, Beagles are best suited to active owners who enjoy lots of outdoor time. Beagles love to walk, play, and of course, sniff! They also generally do well with children, being energetic yet gentle.

As social as they are, Beagles can also have a stubborn and independent streak. They need an owner who is patient and dedicated to training. Beagles may try to take off if they capture an intriguing scent or catch sight of a small animal. Because of this, Beagles are unfortunately one of the top breeds reported missing.

Avoid leaving your Beagle off leash or unattended outdoors, you’d be surprised how quickly they can dig under a fence or dart off after a squirrel! You can also protect your Beagle with a microchip and a 24Petwatch Lifetime Protection Membership with access to lost pet recovery specialists and the largest microchip data registry in North America.

Grooming-wise, Beagles are a fairly low-maintenance breed, but their coats do shed and require a weekly brushing. Care should also be taken to keep their ears clean as they can be prone to infection.

Life with a Beagle also means dealing with some noise. Like all hounds, beagles also bark, howl, and bay. Training can help curb excessive barking, but most Beagles will still make noise, it’s just in their nature!

Top things to consider before owning a Beagle

Beagles are wonderful companions, but as with all breeds, these dogs are not suited for everyone. This breed can be a challenge for some owners so it’s important to make sure you are prepared before bringing one home. Here are the top things to consider if you’re thinking about adopting a Beagle:

Overall, Beagles are delightful dogs, but potential owners should remember that they are scenthounds, so they need lots of training and safe ways to satisfy their natural instincts. They are also highly social dogs and can get lonely. If your lifestyle requires long hours away from home or frequent travel, a Beagle might not be the best breed for you.

Beagle FAQs

Are Beagles good family dogs?

Beagles are known to make excellent family dogs. They are typically gentle and patient with children of all ages and love to play. In general, Beagles are known as one of the top 10 best breeds for families. As with all dogs though, interactions between children and dogs should be supervised, regardless of breed.

Are Beagles good with other pets?

In general, Beagles are great with other dogs, they are pack animals after all! Beagles have also been known to get along fine with cats although some situations may require some time and training. Small pets like rabbits or hamsters should be kept away from Beagles as these may incite their natural hunting instincts.

Are Beagles hard to train?

Beagles are known for having a bit of a stubborn streak that can, at times, make training difficult. The good news is that they are very food-motivated so incorporating their favourite treats and using some positive reinforcement training techniques can help set your beagle up for success. If you’re adopting a beagle puppy, it’s best to start early with a puppy training plan.

Do Beagles bark a lot?

Beagles are a very vocal breed, they will bark, howl, and bay – a prolonged deep howl produced by hounds. While training and making sure they are getting enough exercise can help curb excessive barking, a Beagle, like all hounds, will still be noisy at times.

Can Beagles live in apartments?

An apartment can sometimes be a tricky living situation for a Beagle. While they’ll typically do just fine in smaller spaces as long as they get enough walks and playtime, it’s noise that becomes an issue. In an apartment building where noise tends to carry over to your neighbors, your Beagle's impressive ability to carry a tune might not be appreciated.

Ready for a Beagle?

Owning a Beagle comes with a lot of responsibility but also a lot of rewards. These happy little hounds will keep you on your toes and provide loads of laughs. Just be sure you have the time to dedicate to the special needs of the breed!

With 15 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Lauren is well-versed in the world of pet health. She’s a content writer for several online pet publications and loves to help pet parents stay informed. When not researching the latest pet news, you’ll probably find her off on an adventure with her rescue dog Pickles.