Beagles are loving and loyal companions.
This hunt pack breed is full of energy but are also easy going so can fit well into family life.
Beagles are a dog breed that have been around for 100’s of years with first mentions of them dating back to the 1400’s. They are descendants of pack hounds that were used for hunting small prey like rabbits and foxes in England, Wales and France. The history of Beagles is an interesting one starting with the “Pocket Beagles”. This type of Beagles were smaller in stature, standing less than 10 inches tall. It is said they would ride in the pocket of the huntsmen.
With hunters eventually preferring larger dogs, these miniature dogs slowly disappeared as the Beagles we know today started to be the norm. The breed is still widely used for hunting to this day but is also now seen as a popular family pet. They can also be often seen as working dogs such as bomb sniffers due to their amazing sense of smell and as therapy dogs.
When going to choose a Beagle puppy to join your family there are some key things you should look out for.
Does it look healthy? Your puppy should have bright and clean eyes. Their friendly, curious nature should have them bounding over to you with excitement. If a pup is looking nervous or fearful they should be avoided.
Their coat should be clean and free of any ticks or fleas and should be nice and loose with plenty of space to fill as it grows.
It is important with any dog to make sure you buy from a trusted source. Ask to see the litter with their mother and father if possible.
Welcoming a puppy into your home should be a joyous time for everyone. By making sure your puppy is full of life and from a reputable breeder before you commit to them will decrease the chances of a negative outcome.
Although this breed is classed as a loyal and ideal family dog, puppyhood can be challenging. Their natural curiosity means plenty of patience and training is needed in the early years. Make sure you have time to commit to this.
Beagles are also more prone to separation anxiety due being bred as pack animals and loving the company of other dogs and humans. Early socialisation training is necessary to help them grow their confidence when alone.
Regular dog training as well as teaching social skills are key in the first 12 months of any puppy’s life to help keep unruly behaviour at bay.
Beagles are generally hardy, healthy dogs but as they get into their senior years it is important to keep an eye on their health.
They are classed as a senior dog at approximately 9 years old so senior checks should be carried out to ensure they have no underlying problems. Senior health checks can include:
Checks can start in the home by just observing their behaviour. If you see changes in things like their sleep, eating habits, weight, vision or hearing it may be time for a vet visit.
Extra care is also needed with their paws and nails. Due to senior dogs slowing down and not being as active, paw pads can become thicker and sensitive. Nails can become long and brittle so paw and claw checks every 3-4 weeks is recommended.
A Beagle’s coat is ideal for the outdoors. Double dense, water resistant and easily maintained with a daily brush. The tri-colour version of their coat is the most recognised with a black saddle on the back. However, Beagle’s can have a variety of colour combinations and markings.
Colour combinations can be a mixture of:
A beagle’s coat is easy to groom. Most days a quick brush will be enough to keep it clean and remove unwanted hair.
As with all dogs their eyes, ears, teeth and nails should be regularly checked. The occasional pampering session will keep your dog happy and healthy.
Dog grooming for a Beagle at Bruce’s doggy day care starts from just £35.
Beagles need a high quality, protein diet that fits their size, age and how active their lifestyle is. Lean meats such as turkey, chicken, fish are ideal or a high quality complete dry food. Avoid high fats and sugars.
How Much Should I Feed My Dog?
Adult Beagles require two meals per day. Puppies will require more frequent feeding to ensure they are getting enough nutrients to help them grow into a strong and healthy adult dog. Beagles can become overweight so it is important you work out the portion sizes specifically for your dog. A vet can always help with this if you are unsure.
Beagles are known for their friendly and sociable personalities. Due to a strong sense of smell, and natural curiosity they make ideal hunting dogs. As a family pet this can sometimes lead to them running off to explore their surroundings thoroughly so good recall training is worthwhile having.
They are a high-energy breed and require regular exercise to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Daily walks and playtime are important to keep them happy and healthy. Due to their love of people they love playing interactive enrichment games with their owners such as chasing toys and playing fetch.
Beagles are social dogs that often enjoy the company of other dogs so are great for families with other dogs or in a doggy day care surrounding.
Due to them being intelligent and slightly stubborn dogs a strong training schedule is needed.
Beagles love being around other dogs which mean they thrive in a doggy day care environment. At Bruce’s doggy day care we are lucky enough to have over 80 Beagles currently using our centres weekly. If you have or are looking to get yourself a Beagle come and take a look at one of our local centres and see for yourself how much fun your dog could have by enrolling with us. Here are some pictures to give you a sneak peak.
The love of this breed can be seen throughout history with the Royal Navy naming 8 of their ship HMS Beagle since 1804.
In later years this loyal breed was used to create Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s black and white doggy sidekick. The popular comic strip has since been turned into various movies including Snoopy Come Home (1972), as well as the Broadway musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1967) and the feature film The Peanuts Movie (2015).
Beagles are generally good dogs due to their loyal, friendly nature and even temperament. Many choose them as their first dog as they enjoy being around people and other dogs and are a nice size. They are slightly more difficult to train than other breeds due to their natural curiosity and energy.
Beagles were bred to be part of a pack which means they don’t do great when left alone for long periods of time. They can become prone to separation anxiety so training when they are young is key to try and combat this.
If a Beagle doesn’t seem to be the dog for you why not check out some other dog breeds:
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