Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Beagles.. And More!

Beagles are medium-sized hounds that are extremely vocal, loving, and friendly. Beagles are a well-known breed of dog that is often used for hunting, but they are also great companions as well. Beagles are highly loved by many pet owners and love to tag along for adventures. Especially ones that allow them to use their noses. 

Did you know that Snoopy from the well-known comic strip, Peanuts, was a beagle? If you want to dive a little deeper into the history and personalities of these hound dogs, continue reading below!

What is a Beagle

A beagle is a type of scent hound that was bred in the early 1800s. Beagles as we know them today were created in Great Britain from Talbot Hounds, Southern Hounds, and the Northern Country Beagle.  These breeds were all thought to be the ancestors of what we know as the Beagle. Each of these breeds is now extinct, so the exact lineage is not certain, only speculated.

The first breed that was thought to have been part of the Beagles lineage was the Talbot Hound. A Talbot Hound was a medium-sized hunting dog that was bred for its ability to find prey using just its nose during the Middle Ages in England. Although it is now extinct, it is believed to be the ancestors of many hound-type dogs across the world.

The next dog that people believe makes up the ancestry of the modern-day Beagle is the Southern Hound. The Southern Hound is another breed that is now extinct. The Southern Hound is believed to be from Southern England and Wales. The Southern Hound was a slow mover, but was very determined and would hunt relentlessly.

The last breed that experts believe Beagles descend from was the Northern Country Beagle. The Northern Country Beagle was believed to be an athletic dog breed with big, sturdy bones. They were able to hunt prey and run long distances. They were said to be strong-willed hunters that would follow a trail for hours.

Where Did Beagles Originate From? 

Beagles can be found all across the world today, but in the early, to mid-1800s they were only sought after in Europe. Beagles are said to have originated in Great Britain after they were bred with other hound-type dogs. Beagles were bred throughout England and were originally small enough to be kept in a person’s pocket. It is said that Queen Elizabeth had a pack of these miniature-sized Beagles.

It wasn’t until the 1870s that beagles were brought to the United States by a man named Richard Rowett to be bred. Rowett’s Beagles became the first recognized model by the AKC.

What Were Beagles Bred for?

Beagles are known as scent hounds and they are known for having an impeccable ability to sniff out almost anything. They were originally bred for hunting animals such as rabbits and hares. Their noses were and still are a big part of why they are still bred today. Beagles not only sniff out small prey but they are known to be able to trace large prey such as deer and boar as well. 

What Does a Beagle Look Like?

Beagles have a solid and sturdy build with a deep set chest. They have a double coat that is short, thick, and water resistant. Beagles are often tricolor with a black back, tan head, and white legs, stomach, and chest. Beagles can also be spotted in red and white, this coloration is called Irish Spotted.

A beagle’s eyes are large and round to almond-shaped and are hazel to brown in color. Their ears are long and floppy, the tips reaching the edge of their noses. The official name for a Beagles ear shape is pendant, also known as dropped ears.

A Beagles tail is usually long, ranging from 8 to 13 inches, and tapers to a point. However, some Beagles have shorter tails. Their tails extend from their spines and are angled in an upright position and almost always have a white spot at the end. Most Beagles have a straight tail, while a small percentage have a slightly curved tail that arches above their back. The white tip of a Beagles tail is to help it to be seen when hunting in the tall grass!

A Beagles snout is square and broad. Their noses are truly one of a kind with 225 million olfactory receptors! They can smell almost anything.

How Big Does a Full Grown Beagle Get?

A full-grown adult Beagle stands at a height of around 13 to 15 inches and weighs between 20 to 30 pounds. Males are often the larger sex, typically weighing a few pounds more than females. 

Different Types of Beagles 

According to the AKC, there are 2 types of Beagle, those that stand above inches and those that are below 13 inches. The standard Beagle is the larger of the two and is the only one recognized by the AKC. The pocket Beagle is the smaller version, standing at less than 13 inches. Many breeders will create crossbred Beagle mixes such as Puggles, which is a Pug and Beagle mix, or a Poogle, which is a Poodle and Beagle mix.

How to Take Care of a Beagle 

Beagles require specific attention and care to help them be happy and healthy. Below are the specific needs of a Beagle that allows them to thrive and flourish in your household.

Exercise

Your Beagle will need around an hour and a half of exercise per day. Walking and jogging with your beagle is highly recommended, and allowing them to lead the way can help give them an outlet. You should also have additional playtime with your Beagle on top of daily walks. Games like fetch and general free roaming in a fenced-in yard are great forms of exercise.

Grooming

Beagles have a thick double coat of smooth fur that sheds regularly. Beagles shed more during the winter months and should be brushed regularly with a bristle brush or grooming mitt. Beagles need to be bathed every few weeks with quality canine shampoo to keep their skin and coat healthy. 

Beagles also need regular eye maintenance to wipe away any discharge that may come from their eyes. Always have eye wipes available to clean away your Beagle’s eye drainage. 

Diet

A Beagle requires a protein-rich diet that is free from fillers and artificial flavors. Your Beagle should consume about 45 calories per pound of body weight. For example, if your beagle weighs 25 pounds it should consume 25 x 45 = 1,125 calories per day. Depending on the food consumed, this could measure to be between 2 to 3 cups. 

For the best results, you should always feed your Beagle twice per day. Feeding your Beagle once in the morning and once in the evening helps prevent excess gas and bloating. 

Common Food Allergies

Beagles, like other dogs, can have various allergies to ingredients in dog food. Common foods that Beagles can be allergic to are soy, meat proteins such as beef or chicken, eggs, gluten, corn, or artificial colors such as red #40.

Are Beagles Easy to Train?

Beagles are not easy to train. If you want to train your Beagle start at an early age for the best results. Beagles are easily distracted and often have very stubborn personalities. They can be misled by their inquisitive nature and taken away by their ability to smell everything. 

Are they Easy to Potty Train?

Beagles are not the easiest breed to potty train. Many owners have reported that it can take months and up to a full year to completely potty train their Beagle. Crate training is recommended to prevent accidents.

What is the Beagles’ temperament?

Beagles are loving and friendly with most people and pets. They are relatively calm but do have a lot of energy. They don’t like being alone and will howl or bark when they want attention or a companion.

Does this breed do well with children?

Beagles do well with children but should be trained to limit nipping. Beagles nip at their hands and fingers with their mouths as a way to get attention or to play. Even though Beagles are known to do well with children, it should be noted that they can become upset during mealtime if they are teased or if their food is moved. The limit alone time between your child and your beagle if they aren’t trained to follow the rules. 

Do Beagles do well with other pets?

Beagles are pack animals and love having other dogs to play, hunt, and interact with. A Beagles temperament with other pets, including cats, is loving, friendly, and caring.

Are Beagles Aggressive?

Beagles are not naturally aggressive dogs, they are usually friendly and enjoy the company of people and of other dogs. However, if a beagle is scared, in pain, or protective it can become aggressive. Always act with caution around new dogs that you are unfamiliar with.

What Environment is Ideal for a Beagle?

Beagles are natural-born hunters. They love the outdoors and having plenty of space to roam and sniff out whatever catches their nose. While they don’t need a ton of space, inner-city apartment living is not ideal for this breed. Beagles should have a large enough backyard to roam around a bit and expend their energy. Farm life is ideal for Beagles because they can explore freely and hunt the way they were bred to. 

Beagles do fairly well in the summer months and don’t overheat as easily as snub-nosed breeds, although you should still provide your beagle with shade and water when the temperature is above 70 degrees. Beagles don’t tolerate frigid temperatures very well and their outdoor play should be limited when the weather is too cold.

What is the Average Life Span of a Beagle

The average lifespan of a beagle is quite long if they are kept healthy and active. Many beagles live to about 15 years of age, while the average lifespan is around 12 to 13 years. 

Beagle Common Health Issues

Eye Problems

Beagles can suffer from a few eye problems such as Cherry eye or glaucoma. Cherry eye occurs in the gland under the eye, when your Beagle has Cherry eye it protrudes out and often needs to be removed by a professional. Glaucoma is another eye disease that causes pressure to form within the eye from a lack of proper drainage of the inner liquid called aqueous humor. Glaucoma is painful and can damage the optic nerve resulting in blindness.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common ailment that Beagles can have. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes body convulsions and abnormalities known as seizures. 

Mites

Many Beagles contract mites which are small parasites that burrow under your dog’s skin and create inflammation and cause irritation. There are many types of mites, Demodex mites attach to the hair and cause a condition called mange. Other types of mites include Sarcoptes scabiei mites, which attach to your dog’s skin and cause scabies, and Otodectes cynotis mites, which cause itchy ears.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is an unfortunate condition that Beagles often suffer from. Beagles often are plagued with a type of heart disease known as Pulmonic Stenosis. This type of heart disease causes a narrowing of the major artery in the heart which often leads to death.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disorder that causes other complications such as epilepsy, obesity, lethargy, hair loss, and hyperpigmentation. Hypothyroidism occurs in the thyroid gland and can be treated with medication and an alternative diet.

How Much Does a Beagle Cost?

The cost to purchase a Beagle from a breeder can vary dramatically depending on where you live and who you buy them from. On the low end, a beagle can cost about $300. If you are only paying a few hundred dollars for your Beagle, it could be a less than the desired breeder. A purebred Beagle from a breeder with higher standards will cost between $1,000 and $1,500. If you choose to adopt a Beagle from your local shelter, the cost will be around $300 depending on its location.

Once you have paid for your Beagle, you will also have to pay for other things such as bedding, bowls, a dog kennel, food, treats, toys, leashes, and collars. These items will cost anywhere from $200 to $500+ depending on where you buy them and how much you are willing to spend. 

You must also factor in the cost of veterinary care such as vet appointments, flea and tick medicine, vaccinations, and the cost to spay or neuter your Beagle. The cost of vet care varies but each appointment could cost between $200 to $500. 

Your monthly cost of dog food, dog treats, and preventatives will cost between $150 to $300 per dog. Before you make such a permanent choice of pet adoption, be sure to budget the cost of sustaining a pet. 

Other Similar Dog Breeds

Beagles are a great dog to have in your household, but if you just are not convinced that a beagle is right for you, here are a few other breeds that you may want to consider. 

Basset Hound 

A Basset Hound looks similar to a beagle, both are similar in size and have similar coloring, but a basset hound has much larger ears and shorter legs. Both breeds love to howl and will let their voice be heard.  Basset Hounds are known to be stubborn, and should be trained early on to help offset that trait!

American Foxhound

An American Foxhound is larger than a Beagle, often weighing between 60 and 70 pounds. American Foxhounds are independent dogs with a lot of energy. They love to hunt and will need a large backyard to explore and fulfill their needs. Similar to Beagles, the American Foxhound loves to bark and howl, so if you are looking for a quieter breed, this may not be the dog for you. 

Bloodhound

A Bloodhound is a large dog that can weigh more than 100 pounds. They are just as friendly as a Beagle and they both have similar energy levels. Bloodhounds are laid-back dogs that have the best noses out there, they love to sniff around and let their noses lead them to find new discoveries. Bloodhounds are well-behaved and loyal companions, but they can be a bit stubborn (especially when they want to explore a new scent).

Labrador Retriever

A Labrador Retriever is a friendly and loving dog breed that is great with families with children and other pets. Labs are a large breed of dog that weighs upward of 70 pounds. If you want a dog that isn’t quite as vocal as a Beagle, then a Lab may be the best choice for you. Labs are gentle and intelligent which makes them a great alternative to a Beagle. 

Finding the Right Breeder

Whenever you decide that you are ready to take the big step into pet adoption, especially when it comes to purchasing your new pup from a breeder, you want to verify a few things first. You want to make sure that they are humane in the way that they breed and raise their dogs, and that they are honest and trustworthy. Below are a few tips that will help you choose a reputable Beagle breeder. 

Tip 1. Ask As Many Questions As You Can

Before you can choose a breeder you want to ask them questions about their breeding process. Ask the breeder about the health of their dogs, including the parents and litters of pups for sale. Ask the breeder if they complete health tests to test for genetic diseases, and find out if the pups have any history of sickness. Asking questions will help you decide if a breeder is right for you. If at any time the breeder refuses to answer or can’t back up their answers with proof, they may not be an honest breeder.

Tip 2. Visit The Breeder In Person

I always visit the breeder in person, at their facility, when I purchase a new puppy. In-person, visits can help you see the conditions in which the puppy was raised, and how well the facility is organized and kept, and it also lets you visit with the parents to see their health and temperament. Watch how the breeder interacts with their dogs, this will help you see if they are good caretakers of their animals. 

Tip 3. Get The Pedigree Papers

Once you have a breeder in mind that you have visited and like, ask them for the new pups pedigree papers. The pedigree papers are a certificate that verifies information about your new dog. The pedigree papers will list the dog’s parents’ names and birthdates, as well as the information about your puppy.

Things To Avoid

Never trust a breeder that prohibits you from visiting their facility or won’t meet you in person. Any breeder who is responsible and trustworthy will allow you to meet with the parents and let you see the litter in person. People who won’t meet in person or who ask you for money before you have seen the puppies are more likely to be scammers who will steal your money. 

Also, avoid any breeder that could be running a facility known as a puppy mill. Puppy mills are inhumane dog breeders who use sick and unhealthy dogs to make as many puppies as they can. They force sick females to breed and have multiple litters back to back. They are kept in small, dirty cages without the proper love or medical care needed. 

Is a Beagle the Right Dog for You?

A Beagle is a unique dog breed that loves to hunt and explore. They are great for families who live on farms or have large backyards where they can let their instincts lead the way. Beagles are adventurous and loud, which means they should only be adopted by people who know what they are getting themselves into.