Beagle

also known as English Beagle

Pros History


The Beagle is a small hound breed with a long and rich history. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where small hounds were used for hunting small game. These early hounds were known for their keen sense of smell and were used to track rabbits, hares, and other small game. The modern Beagle, as we know it today, is believed to have originated in England in the 16th century.

During the 16th century, the popularity of hunting small game, such as hares and rabbits, was on the rise in England. As a result, there was a demand for small hounds that were specifically bred for this purpose. The Beagle was developed by crossing various small hounds, such as the Harrier and the Talbot, with the goal of creating a small, yet powerful hunting hound. These early Beagles were known for their excellent sense of smell and were used to track hares in the open fields.

In the 19th century, the Beagle's popularity spread to the United States where it was used for hunting small game such as squirrels and raccoons. They were also used as pack hounds, hunting in a group with larger breeds. Additionally, Beagles were also used in field trials, competitions in which they were judged on their hunting abilities.

During the 20th century, the Beagle's popularity grew as a companion dog. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and are now one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities, making them great family pets. They are also used as therapy dogs and in search and rescue operations, due to their keen sense of smell.

Breed Information


Type

Is Beagle a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Beagles originally used for?

Tracking Dog

Lifespan

How Long Do Beagles Live? What is average life expectancy for a Beagle? How long can Beagles live?

12-15 years

The average Beagle lifespan is somewhere between 12-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Beagle Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Beagle?

What is the average height of a Beagle? How big is a Purebred Beagle height? Beagle dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 14-16 inches (35.6 - 40.6 cm) 8.0 inches (20.3 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm) 15.0 inches (38.1 cm)
Female 13-15 inches (33 - 38.1 cm) 8.0 inches (20.3 cm) 12.0 inches (30.5 cm) 14.0 inches (35.6 cm)
What is the average weight of a Beagle? How much should Beagles weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 20-30 pounds (9 - 14 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg) 21.5 pounds (10 kg) 26.0 pounds (12 kg)
Female 18-25 pounds (8 - 11 kg) 12.0 pounds (5 kg) 20.0 pounds (9 kg) 23.5 pounds (11 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Beagles get fat easily?

They are known for having a strong tendency to become overweight. It is important to find a balance between providing enough exercise and controlling their food intake. To maintain a healthy weight, it is recommended to increase the frequency and duration of daily walks and to engage in more playtime with the Beagle.

Hypoallergenic

Are Beagles Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Beagle is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Beagle personality? What are Beagle dogs best known for?

Friendly
Independent
Lively
Sweet
Gentle
Intelligent
Loving

Shedding Level

Are Beagles heavy shedders? How Much Does a Beagle Shed?

Beagle dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Beagle. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Beagle dog?

The Beagle breed is one of the worst choice if you want a good watchdog.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Beagles come from?

England

Ancestry

What are Beagles descended from?

Talbot Hound, North Country Beagle, Southern Hound

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Beagle breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Beagles first bred? How old is the Beagle breed?

1300s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Beagle?

Hound (AKC:1885)
Scenthound (UKC)

Beagle Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Beagle eyes?

Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Beagle nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Beagle coat be naturally?

Pied
White
Brown
Red
Black

Coat Length

How long is a Beagles coat?

The coat of a Beagle dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Beagle Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Beagle?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Beagle have in a litter? How many puppies can a Beagle have in her first litter?

12-15 puppies per pregnancy

A Beagle can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Beagles are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Beagle Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Beagles have a lot of health problems?

The Beagle is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Beagle?

Intervertebral Disc Disease
Congenital Heart Defect

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Beagles?

Patellar Luxation
Glaucoma
Epilepsy

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Beagle breed?

Eye
Hip
Heart
MRI
Full Body Physical Examination

Beagle Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Beagles have a lot of energy?

Beagles are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do Beagles need socialization? How social are Beagles?

Beagle have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Beagles get?

The Beagle dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Beagle have? Do Beagles sleep a lot?

Beagles dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Beagle drool a lot?

The Beagle is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Beagle dogs bark and howl frequently, they are not a good fit for quiet homes.

Territorial

Do Beagles exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Beagle dogs are not known for their protective nature and may not be the best choice as guard dogs. They do not have a strong drive to defend their territory and may not be inclined to provide protection.

Mouthiness

Are Beagles mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Beagle running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Beagle dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Beagles enjoy doing? How do I keep my Beagle busy?

Walk, Run, Hunt, Walking, Petting, Running, Sniffing, Pets, Sniff, Relaxing, Eating Snacks, Sniffin, Cuddles, Barking, Playing, Howling, Jumping high, Belly rubs, Cuddling, Play, Frisbee, Parks, Exploring, Fetch, Sleeping, Shake, Tracking, Searching, Tag, Tug-of-war

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Beagle? How much energy does a Beagle have?

Medium

Beagles are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Beagle walk each week? How many miles should a Beagle walk every week?

12 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Beagle, it's at least 12 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Beagle should exercise a day? How much activity does a Beagle need?

60 minutes

In general most Beagles usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Beagle?

The Beagle is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Beagle?

Weekly

Beagle should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Beagles?

Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Beagle eat?

1.5 cups

For an average 20-30 pound (9 - 14 kg) Beagle feed 1.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Beagle Cost Daily?

$1.40 - $2.10 / day

The average cost of a Beagle is somewhere $1.40 - $2.10 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Beagle Cost Per Month?

$35 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of a Beagle is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Beagle Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Beagle?

The Beagle have below the average degree of obedience intelligence among other breeds. However, calling them “dumb dogs” is unfair. Where Beagles lack in obedience & working intelligence, they make up for it with their keen ability to understand human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Beagle dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Beagle dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Beagle do well in apartments? Are Beagles good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the Beagle in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Beagles living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are Beagles good with kids? Are Beagles good around children?

A Beagles typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Beagles good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Beagles good with cats? How friendly Beagles are toward cats?

Beagles are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Beagle dogs get along with other dogs? Are Beagles OK with other dogs?

Beagles are very friendly towards other dogs. This breed typically have a happy and affectionate temperament around dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Beagle dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Beagles friendly with strangers?

Beagles are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.

Playfulness

Do Beagles like to play? Are Beagles playful?

Beagles are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Beagle for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are Beagle easily trained?

Beagle dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Good with children and other pets
    Making them a great family pet
  • Boat Dog
    It is common for the Beagle breed to enjoy being on boats.
  • Service Dog
    This breed is well-adapted for the demands of service dog work.
  • Affectionate
    Loyal towards their owners, making them great companion dogs
  • Therapy Dog
    This breed is well-adapted for the demands of therapy dog work.
  • Active
    Enjoys participating in activities such as hiking and hunting

Cons

  • Odor
    The Beagle is likely to have an unpleasant odor.
  • Tendency to gain weight
    Beagles are at a high risk of becoming overweight.
  • Barking
    The breed of this dog is known for its loudness.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Beagles may not thrive in an office setting
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    The non-hypoallergenic nature of Beagles can lead to allergic reactions in people prone to allergies.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Keeping a Beagle inside the home is not recommended.