Beagle

Beagles enjoy being part of the family as long as their needs are met. They’re a tolerant, affectionate breed that love to play. Something to note down is their love of toys, Beagles adore them, it doesn’t matter if it belongs to them, or one of the kids’. Generally, they’re even tempered and tolerant of most family scenarios, busy environments or excessive noise doesn’t seem to faze them. 

They’re good with children of all ages as well as other dogs and pets if introduced correctly. One thing’s for certain is, they’re notorious lovers of food, and not afraid to attempt to steal whatever they can get their paws on. 

Beagles were bred to live and work as part of a pack, so they thrive in the company of others. They’re extremely affectionate and often prefer to sit on you rather than next to you! This affectionate side of their personality isn’t always obvious to those outside of the family. On walks or dog friendly parks, they’re usually far too busy sniffing to say hello to strangers.

They are strongly bonded to their family members which means they’re likely to struggle with being alone.

Beagles love nothing more than a game of chase with another Beagle while howling in delight. As much as a joy this is to watch, it can be quite noisy. They love to be on the go and enjoy a game of fetch or tug-of-war, just don’t expect them to share or return the ball. 

As is the case with Beagles, they get very easily distracted by interesting scents and can quickly lose focus on a toy and wander off to follow their nose. 

Oh yes! A Beagle's voice is very distinctive. In fact, the word ‘Beagle’ is thought to come from a French word that means ‘gaped throat’ - they certainly live up to this by barking at any given opportunity. 

They make good watch dogs, but they’re more likely to search any intruders for food than anything else! Whilst they’re a ‘talkative’ breed, this shouldn’t be a problem so long as all their other needs are met.

A bored, frustrated Beagle will bark constantly, cause destruction in the home, dig up your garden and try to escape.

They have a keen sense of smell and when something grabs their attention, nothing else matters until they get to the source of that smell. Some may think they’re just being stubborn, but it’s just a Beagle being a Beagle!

A Beagle has many unique talents, they can open doors, climb to heights you would never believe possible and empty bins quicker than you can fill them!  You need to have a good sense of humour to live with a Beagle. 

 Exercise is important, they have lots of stamina and can cover long distances, but that doesn’t mean you need to walk for hours at a time. Giving them lots of opportunities to use their nose will wear them out and keep them out of trouble in the home. 

As a breed, they love to be with their own kind, so allowing them to socialise with other dogs will provide a great deal of mental stimulation. Beagles thrive in family’s where they have multiple people to love and care for them, above anything, they need time and patience and in return will become a true part of the family.

Beagles need lots of exercise to keep up with their level of stamina. Adult Beagles need a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise a day. Owners should be prepared to do lots of walking, jogging or even running with their Beagle, if they see something they want, they’re off! 

The use of a harness and long line will help to give them more freedom. Even better, if you have access to a secure field, your Beagle will enjoy free running. 

Scent games are essential for this breed, they must use their noses to fulfil their desires.

All puppies need to learn how to be around people, pets, and other dogs, in a calm and polite way (known as socialisation). They also need help to feel calm, comfortable, and confident in everyday situations like travelling, the sound of traffic, and being in busy places (known as habituation). This is essential to prevent tricky behavioural problems in the future, and you'll be off to a great start with your ongoing training.

Beagles are intelligent, there is not denying it. They’re fabulous problem solvers and if you think leaving a cookie out of their reach will stop them getting to it, think again.

Just because they’re intelligent, doesn’t mean it's easy to train a Beagle, they’re strong willed - so be prepared for a challenge.

Make the most of puppyhood as they’re more open to learn new things at this stage. They are obsessed with food, so it’s extremely easy to motivate them with tasty tidbits. 

Focus on recall training (teaching your dog to come when their name is called), although it’s unlikely to be reliable, it’s worth trying as it’s very important with a Beagle. Walking on a loose lead may be a challenge as they love investigating all smells. Another thing to mention is the strain of adolescence, but keep going with the training, you will reap the rewards one day.

Beagles are classed as moderate shedders, they have a double coat made up of a soft, thick undercoat to keep them warm and a slightly coarse topcoat to protect them from the elements.

A good brush once a week should keep their coats healthy. The odd bath won’t go amiss either - Beagles aren’t afraid of getting wet and muddy.

Regular grooming will allow you to check your dog over for lumps, bumps, cuts, or scratches as well as fleas and ticks. 

Responsible breeders should get litters and parents checked for health conditions the breed is vulnerable to.

For a Beagle, this includes hip dysplasia, epilepsy and eye conditions.

This breed can also suffer from luxating patellas (a condition where the kneecap dislocates from its normal position) and other skin conditions.

Their big floppy ears mean that they are prone to ear infections and due to their love of food, Beagles are also at risk of developing weight related health issues. Helping your Beagle lead a healthy, fulfilled life, with quality food, exercise and regular health checks will ensure you both have many happy years together. and you will have a lovely companion for many years.