Beagle breed Information
Beagles | Ultimate Breed Guide: 2020
Are you looking for a companion for your children? Or maybe you’re looking for your first pet. Not only are Beagles adorable but they are smart and easy-going as well. The beagle dog breed falls under the medium breeds and the combination of a short coat, this makes them some of the best dog breeds to start with as they are low maintenance with care and grooming.
What are the Characteristics Of Beagles
The beagles have a signature look, with their adorable puppy eyes, floppy ears, and soft facial features, all this cuteness with a personality to match. They are friendly dogs and socialize well with other people and animals. Whenever choosing a pet there are some things to consider, such as their temperaments, how easy it is to train them, how to care for them, and how adaptable to different environments your pet is.
In the list below we discuss each of these based around the Beagle dog breed.
-
Adaptability
Beagles are known for their friendly temperaments and versatility, they love large gardens with plenty of space to run and play. However, should you stay in an apartment or plan on moving to one with your Beagle, you will need to be prepared to tire them out! With their fur being short-haired and water-resistant, they are suited to most types of weather, though they may need assistance if it hits extreme cold or a heatwave.
The Beagle breed has an average of 5/5 star rating for adaptability and they have rated 3/5 stars for apartment living as they have a tendency to bark frequently.
-
Temperament
Beagles are well known to be even-tempered dogs and love to get involved with whatever it is you’re doing. Owning a beagle can be great fun as they love to play and get up to mischief, they’re rarely timid or aggressive, this makes them great companions and they can be easily won over.
Beagles have a lot of energy and enjoy space to play, this means they are not huge fans of apartments unless you are prepared to go out for lots of walks, runs and many rounds of fetch, a great way to keep your kids busy.
In temperament, the Beagle breed averages 3/5 stars for intelligence and 5/5 stars for playfulness. With them being very friendly the Beagle has scored 4/5 stars with stranger friendliness but sadly this also means they have 1/5 stars when it comes to watchdog ability.
-
Health And Grooming Needs
Thanks to their short fur coat, Beagles are able to cool off easily in warmer climates, but it’s still thick enough to keep them warm during those chilly winters. This means that they only need a bath once every few months and a weekly brush.
Make sure to keep an eye on their weight with the beagle breed, because they are used for hunting. They are used to burning a lot of energy and when they are inactive or fed too much they tend to put on weight.
Vet recommends a high-quality dog food that is age and size appropriate for the beagle breed, it’s good to measure out the proper portions, the top foods to give your Beagle would be from Royal Caine, American Journey, or Wellness Core. These three brands are well known and have all the nutrients your Beagle could ever need. Below is a table you can use as a guide:
Beagle puppies can get tummy issues, this can be avoided by sticking to a feeding schedule and a solid daily routine. If ever you feel like you need to change their food, whether they’re puppies or adult beagles, it’s important to do it in stages to avoid upset tummies. Start with ¼ new food and ¾ normal food and each week increase the new food and decrease the old food until they have fully moved over. If you find any issues it’s okay to take more time changing over to the new food or you can consult a vet.
When it comes to grooming the Beagles score a 1/5 stars as they are low maintenance, they are easy care dogs who only need their nails trimmed once every few weeks. They do still shed with an average of 3/5 stars, a weekly brush will help keep this under control
-
Trainability
When taking your beagle puppy to training it’s important to remember that Beagles as a breed can be quite stubborn and strong-willed, that’s why it is a good idea to start when your puppy is between 3 and 6 months. Despite what others say, training your beagle is different from most of your other breeds, if not done correctly they can become stubborn, and destructive.
The first step is to understand that beagles have a certain type of personality that separates them from others and you’ll soon learn that your beagle puppy wants nothing more than to please you. Here are some tricks of the trade:
- Choose Your Training Area
At the end of the training you want your beagle to listen to you whether you’re inside or outside, it would be a good idea to start training inside in a space your puppy knows and where there are few distractions. Once your beagle pup gets the hang of things and you think they’re ready, move outside in a space that you know well either your local park or your garden.
- Verbal Reinforcement
Beagles love impressing their owners, so using the tone of your voice is an important way to communicate with your beagle puppy. Using consistent language and the appropriate tone, such as “good” and “no”, the use of treats to reinforce good behavior works wonders. A combination of consistent language and praising will help your puppy’s training go a lot further.
- Keep It Short and Sweet
Just like with any child, a beagle puppy’s attention span is quite short and tends to lose focus quickly. It’s important to keep your training sessions quick and to end them on a positive note, give them an easy task or instruction you know they have done before to end the session. It will also help to have a daily schedule for training to help both you and your puppy, for example, Monday you’ll spend 10 minutes teaching them to sit and the next day can be 10 minutes learning how to heal.
- Don’t Train on a Full Tummy
After a meal, your puppy will be sleepy and less inclined to work for their treats. Training would be best just before mealtime when they’re getting munchy. In our household, we would train our dogs to sit before we put their food bowls down for them.
When it comes to training they have a low score of 2/5 stars, but if you follow those simple tricks with your beagle puppy and you will notice a big difference in their behavior and trainability.
Different Types of Beagles and Their Most Popular Cross Breeds
The beagle is a great species known for their intelligence and loyalty so it is not surprising that breeders are constantly finding new varieties of this species to offer. Here we have the top 8:
-
The Beagle
The modern Beagle only has two different types of beagle breed, they both have the same big brown eyes, and the same long, floppy ears. The only difference you’ll find is their height, the one is 13-inches and the slightly taller version at 15 inches. The most common coat pattern to find with these beagles is black, red, and white.
-
American Eagle
The American Eagle is a cross between the Beagle and the American Eskimo, they have the body of the American Eskimo and the head of the Beagle. With the males, the fur around their necks can be so thick that it resembles that of a lions mane! The American Eagle is a small to medium-sized breed, who is affectionate, loving, outgoing, and confident personality, the best of both breeds. Their coats are longer than that of your average Beagle breed and do need to be brushed every day to help control the shedding and to keep their fur from getting tangled.
-
Sharp Eagle
The Sharp Eagle is a cross between the Beagle and the Shar-Pei and like their Shar-Pei ancestry, the Sharp Eagle’s coat has a black, brown, or tan colors. Like the Beagles, this breed has a lot of energy and enjoys hours of play, and like the Beagle, they get anxious and can become naughty if they get bored or don’t get enough exercise.
-
Poogle
The Poogle is a crossbreed between a Beagle and a Poodle, they are small in size and their faces resemble that of the Poodle. They have a wavy fur coat, round eyes, floppy ears, and their coat color pattern come in white, brown, black, and tan. Poogle is a friendly, smart, and outgoing breed and it’s these characteristics that make them a popular family dog.
-
Peagle
The Peagle is a hybrid that resulted from breeding a Beagle and a Pekingese. They have lovely silky coats and can be both long and short, depending on which breed is more dominant. The Peagles love being the center of attention, they’re affectionate and smart dogs who love playing with humans and other dogs alike. It’s these characteristics that make the Peagle popular among families and owners who have other pets in their homes.
-
Labbe
The Labbe is a cross between the Beagle and a Labrador, they are also known as Beagador, and the Labeagle. They have become very popular hunting companions, with the nose of a Beagle and the intelligence of the Labrador. They look very similar to the Labrador, only smaller in size, their coats can be white, brown, black, tan, or even tricolor!
-
Bogle
The Bogle is a cross between the Beagle and Boxer, although they seem like an odd combination, this crossbreed has become popular. They have a strong, muscular, and athletic build that is low maintenance that only needs a simple daily brush just to control the shedding of fur. The Bogle is loyal, affectionate, and has a great sense of smell.
-
Puggle
The Puggle is a cross between the Pug and the Beagle, they have become some of the most popular cross breeds today. They are playful and very friendly, with their smaller, solid builds. They have the energy of a beagle and as such, they need a lot of exercises and playtime, though it’s good to keep an eye on them around other dogs, the Puggle can be too friendly and it can irritate other dogs who aren’t used to it. The Puggle’s coat is normally straight with white, fawn, tri-color, and black patterns on their coats.
History Of The Beagle Dog Breed
The Beagles have been bred throughout Europe for centuries, during the reign of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth I the Beagle breed had wirehaired fur coats and were small enough to fit in the pocket of a hunting jacket! These little Pocket Beagles can still be found today, though they are very uncommon.
The Beagles were a highly sought after breed, especially among the hunter community, the Beagles has just as many scent receptors as the German Shepherd. Their great noses aren’t the only reason they made good hunting dogs when hunting rabbits or foxes. It is expected that the dog drives the prey towards the hunters and Beagle made this seem effortless. The Beagle has a unique bark that hunters are able to recognize and follow deep within the woods and the Beagle is always on high alert. As a hunting dog the Beagle must know which prey to stay away from and be careful so the hunter doesn’t confuse them with the prey either, their intelligence helps them keep their bearings in the heat of the hunt.
Beagles were so popular as a hunting hound that they have a hunt based around this breed alone, it’s known as Beagling. Hunters will gather packs of up to 10 hounds and send them after hares and rabbits, this was enjoyed by “retired” hunters or those who could no longer ride a horse. It’s also for those who are learning how to handle their hounds before joining the fox hunt.
As fox hunting grew in popularity a new breed, the foxhound, stole the limelight. It’s thanks to organizations such as The Beagle Club who was founded in 1890 and set the breeding standards for the Beagle. It was only in the late 1960s that the Beagle breed started gaining in popularity again.
Today the Beagle is used not only as hunters but also with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service which hires scenthounds such as the Beagle. The dogs are trained to detect contraband in airports and in the police, Beagles have a 90% success rate and can recognize nearly 50 distinct odors. The use of Beagles as scent hounds for contraband started in the US in 1984, using Beagles to detect illegal foods being brought into LA Airport.
How Big Is The Beagle Breed
The Beagle breed is known as a medium-sized breed, the two different sizes that are common amongst this breed the 13-inches and the 15-inches, this is measured from their wither (the tips of their shoulders) to their feet. A male beagle can weigh up to 11 kg whereas the females only weigh up to 10 kg. As with most medium-sized breeds, their life expectancy can vary from 12 - 16 years old, keep them on a healthy diet with regular exercise and you’ll have one happy doggo!
Is The Beagle A Family Dog
When looking at adding a new pet to the family the first thing people think of is if they are child friendly and if they get along with other pets. Beagles are pack animals and love to be around other people and other animals too. They are friendly and very affectionate!
Are Beagles Good With Children And Other Pets?
Beagles are able to bond with others very quickly, they spend a lot of time playing and enjoying exercise. Beagles do have a unique habit of playing by picking up objects with their mouths, this can be seen as biting especially with younger children who don’t know any better. It would be best to train your Beagle early on how to use this behavior appropriately to avoid any confusion.
Beagles are well known for their friendliness and being a good pack dogs, these traits have scored this breed an average of 5/5 stars for dog friendliness and 3/5 stars for cat friendliness, but with their score of being child friendly they have 5/5 stars! They love to run and play, who better than to play with kids?
What Are The Common Health Problems That Could Affect Beagles?
Unfortunately with every breed, you get there are always health issues, Great Danes and German Shepard’s battle with their hips, and it’s safe to say that the Beagles have their fair share of health issues.
-
Otitis
This is an inflammation of the ear canal and like all dogs, Beagles are susceptible to different skin issues, often inside the ear. Otitis is a condition caused by objects irritating the inside of their ears, things like grass seeds, parasites, allergies, or infections. The Beagles are known for their cute floppy ears, but these floppy ears are difficult to clean and as a result are more susceptible to Otitis. This disease will cause an intense and uncomfortable itch, causing them to shake their heads and constantly scratch at their ears. Otitis is treatable, but if it’s caused by an allergy the treatment will be for the dog’s lifetime.
-
Epilepsy
Beagles can suffer from ailments that affect their brains, their spines, and some of their nerves. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures and fits and is seen in dogs as young as 6 months old. These seizures, depending on the severity, can be treated and controlled with medication, however, they would need to be on this medication during their entire lifetime. The medication can help your dog live a normal, happy life.
-
Thyroid Disease
The thyroid glands, that secrete the thyroid hormone, is found in your dog’s neck and when this gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormones it’s known as Hypothyroidism. In Beagles this slows down their metabolic rates and they gain weight, their heart rate slows and they become intolerable of the cold. This can be treated with thyroid hormone replacement medication that you can add to their food, but this medication has to be taken for the rest of their lives.
-
Mast Cell Tumours (MCT)
Mast Cells are normal skin cells that help Beagles respond to any trauma or damage done by releasing histamine. Sometimes these cells duplicate themselves into a serious type of tumor which is known as a Mast Cell Tumour or MCT. Unfortunately, Beagles are prone to a variety of tumors, cysts, and growths; MCT being the most common. MCT can vary in size and shape but it's mostly identified by a solid lump within the skin of the Beagle. Treating any Beagle for MCT depends on the size of the tumor and where it’s located, but in almost all cases the tumor can be removed surgically.
-
Gastrointestinal Disorders
The Beagle, like most dogs, can suffer from something called gastrointestinal (GI) tract, this is a long winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with many curves, twists, and turners in-between. It is important to watch what your dog eats, especially puppies, any stones, cloth, or string can cause gastroenteritis also known as an obstruction in their bowel. This can commonly cause vomiting or diarrhea and treatment would depend on what is actually their bowel, but when caught early on your beagle would make a full recovery. This is why it’s so important to feed your beagle on a regular schedule, when they’re hungry or bored they’ll chew on things they know they’re not allowed to, especially beagle puppies.
Even though these health issues seem scary and worrisome, the beagle averages 3/5 stars because even if they get one of these issues they are still able to love happy lifestyles with the proper medication.
Beagle Care, Coat Color And Grooming Needs
The most common Beagle color pattern is a mix of white, black, and light brown, their fur is short and water-resistant, mainly to protect themselves from all weathers when they are out hunting. Beagles are low maintenance when it comes to grooming, and grooming once a week will be enough to keep your beagle’s coat healthy. It’s a good thing that most beagles love a good brush! They just love all the extra attention and one-on-one, this will also give you a chance to have a good inspection of your beagles body, check for any lumps, sores, and parasites. This time would also be good to check their ears for any parasites or infection, take note of the wax ( as gross as it sounds), brown or black wax, or any strange smells could be a sign of infection in your beagle’s ears.
The Beagle is a low maintenance breed to care for but it still scores high on exercise needs with a 4/5 star average, needing plenty of walks and playtime to keep them happy.
Beagle Breed Organizations In Australia
-
The Beagle Club Of N.S.W Inc.
The Beagle Club of N.S.W Inc. was founded in 1964 and they have open membership for anyone who is a Beagle lover. They offer many different activities for both dogs and owners, they have created a space for owners to swap out advice on how to handle their different Beagle’s personalities. Beagle Club also does rescue and rehoming of Beagles, normally helping out those who have been abandoned or surrendered while also aiming to help educate any would-be Beagle owners on to properly handle and care for their Beagle.
-
Western Australian Beagle Club Inc.
The Western Australian Beagle Club Inc. was founded to help promote the welfare of Beagles and to provide advice to train your Beagle. They offer basic obedience training to their members, informative articles, and other fun activities that you could do with your Beagle. They promote the breeding of Beagles at exhibitions or dog shows, as well as for family pets, they follow a strict guide set by the Breed Standard.
Beagle Rescue Groups In Australia
-
Beagle Freedom Australia
Beagle Freedom Australia is a well known Beagle rescue organization, their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome Beagles that were used in laboratories, as well as any other animal that was being tested on. This organization was launched in 2013 and acts as an extension of Beagle Rescue Victoria (BRV) INC.
-
Beagle Rescue Victoria (BRV) Inc.
Beagle Rescue Victoria Inc. is a charity that’s based in Melbourne, their mission is to rescue Beagles from all kinds of circumstances, whether it’s from surrounding shelters, laboratories or abusive homes. They rehabilitate these rescues and find the perfect home for them. Each adoption has a process to go through, the main aspect is to see whether the new families are equipped to take care of a Beagle and its unique quirks.
Beagle Photo Gallery
