The Beagle dog breed is a big blast in a small package. These compact canine companions are among the cutest and most curious of dog breeds. Beagles make the best cuddle buddies but are also independent and active. Don’t be fooled by their pleading eyes and small size; they hunt hounds and are among the most active breeds.
Beagle Dog Breed Basics
13-15 inches tall
20-30 pound weight range
Coat type: short and flat
Size of the breed: medium
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
The Beagle’s Nose Knows Everything
Despite their small size, the Beagle dog breed is from the hound family, and they do what hounds love to do: they smell. They have 220 million olfactory receptors, making them great for identifying smells. They are bound to follow a scent if they get attracted to it. Their sense of smell is so strong that they are often used for security purposes by airport security and other security organizations.
The beagle dog breed is built to be a scent-sniffing machine. Beagle’s soft velvety ears also serve a purpose in improving their sense of smell. They use their ears to create micro air currents, which stir up the scent particles on the ground and bring them closer to their nose. Their tiny legs help to keep their nose close to the ground, making it easier for them to pick up the scent.
Because the Beagle dog breed is from the hound family, they cannot simply turn off their hunting and sniffing instincts, but regular training can help them keep these instincts in check.
Beagles are little adventurers.
Since beagles were bred for hunting, beagles are bound to have a lot of stamina. Beagle puppies love to follow scents and can just go on their own adventure when following an attractive scent. They are so dedicated to searching for the scent that they do not care about their surroundings, owners, or what they say.
They have a one-track mind when it comes to following scents, and it is hard for you and them to control these tendencies, so it is easier to control their environment. Removing any source of the smell can attract your beagles’ attention. Give them obedience training using treats with an attractive smell and fence your yard so they do not escape by following a smell.
Beagles are affectionate with family and friends.
Affectionate and gentle, beagles are great canine companions. Beagles make excellent lapdogs due to their lovable, easygoing temperament and love of cuddling. Beagles are perfect companions for people who are couch potatoes, and their curious and playful personalities make them the perfect playmates for your children.
Beagles love to make new friends, so they will be an instant hit among your friends and family, and their friendship is not limited to just humans. They love making other animals their companions as well. So, they can quickly bond with your other or your friend’s pets.
Beagles are outgoing, affectionate, and have pleasing personalities, making it easy for them to make new friends. However, this also makes them unsuitable to be guard dogs because they might just end up befriending the burglars who try to steal your stuff.
Beagles have shiny, pleading eyes.
Beagles are equipped with a pair of big sheepish eyes that give them a gentle and pleading expression. Their eyes give them a feeling of helplessness, and with this look, they will always pop up around you when you eat. Their eyes give them the demeanour that they are suffering in silence and make you believe that they are starving. But be warned, beagles use their eyes to tempt you to give them table scraps, and if you do not keep track of their calorie intake, they can become obese. Beagles love to eat, and they have no control over their appetite, so it is their owner’s job to keep them happy and healthy.
Beagles are pretty vocal dogs.
Beagles are known for their expressive voices. They use a variety of sounds, from whining and howling to crying and begging, to communicate their feelings to us. Compared to other dogs, their bark is unique. Like humans, they are very vocal and can express themselves clearly.
As per AKC, the name Beagle comes from the French term “begueule,” which means “open throat,” so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to owners when they use their open throat to grab your attention. Even though their intentions are pure, their excessive barking and baying can sometimes annoy you or your neighbors. As a result, beagle puppy owners must train their puppies to control their excessive barking and howling.
Beagles require less grooming.
Beagles belong to the breed of hounds, so their coat is well equipped to repel dirt and debris. Their coat is short, smooth, and dense. Moreover, their bodies secrete oils that prevent dirt from sticking to them for too long, making it easier to clean them with just a simple bath. They shed a little, but since their coat is small, it is barely noticeable.
Since their fur always looks clean, owners often neglect to take care of it. Their bodies regularly secrete oil. These body oils keep accumulating for weeks. They also trap the fur that the Beagle has shed. All these elements combined will start producing a horrible smell. Thus, they should be bathed every 2-3 weeks. It not only removes dead fur and excessive oils, but it also prevents their skin from getting dry, removes dirt and debris, and adds a layer of protection by using good products.
The Beagle dog breed is considered low-maintenance as they do not need expensive grooming for their coats. A simple bath is more than sufficient. Their nails must be filed every 5–6 weeks or they will start curling inwards and hurt them. But cutting their nails is no hassle and can be easily trimmed.
Beagles are available in impressive sizes.
Beagles usually come in 2 sizes: some are 13 inches or less, and some are between 13 and 15 inches. There also used to be pocket beagles; as their name suggests, they were so small that they could fit into your pocket. They were 8-9 inches in size and would make an amazingly adorable toy pet. They were popular in England; even Queen Elizabeth adored them and was a big fan of these little pups. To entertain her guests, she often let them romp around on the table and called them the “singing beagles” for their distinct howling. Pocket Beagles (also called Teacup Beagles)
Beagles are great detectives.
Beagles are often referred to as the Sherlock Holmes of dogs because they are excellent at detecting smells and are quite intelligent. This makes them an excellent choice for security dogs at international airports, where they would be able to detect anything suspicious while letting other passengers pass.
Beagles make great apartment dogs.
Being small in size, they make great apartment dogs. They are friendly in nature, so they will have a great relationship with others in your building. They are moderately active dogs, so they will be calmer in your house and require less exercise. Grooming is not a big issue as their coat is small, and all they need is a bath every 2-3 weeks. The only disadvantage is their howling; they can bother your neighbours a lot without proper training.
Beagles are intelligent and need smart owners.
Beagles are an intelligent dog breed, even though it may seem unlikely initially. Every time they pick up a smell that they find peculiar and exciting, beagles shift to a single-minded mode and are bound to follow the scent till they reach its source. They often ignore their owners’ commands or take their shouting as an encouragement to try harder. While this can seem like a big challenge, their tendency to follow scent can be controlled with food-reward training.
As beagles are hunting dogs, they are constantly faced with hurdles when tracking a scent. This develops their problem-solving skills to overcome these hurdles. Beagles are an intelligent and understanding breed, so they do well with brilliant owners.
The beagles hate being left alone.
Beagles make for the most lovable companions and are a favorite choice as a family pet because they are pack animals and consider us a part of their pack. Being social animals, it is hard for beagles to settle alone. They can end up having separation anxiety if left alone for a long time, leading them to turn destructive and causing a lot of danger for you and them. So it is crucial to take care of them, be regular with their walks, spend time playing with them and always make sure they are with someone from your family whom they love and trust.
Beagles are your best buds.
The Beagle dog breed is among the most popular dog breeds, and deservedly so. Their size, their eyes, and their demeanour make them a favourite with everyone. They love socialising and will be a sure hit with family and friends.
