Beagle

These adventurous pups lead with their nose; they’re intelligent, clever, and always go where their sense of smell takes them. (It’s not that your Beagle is ignoring you; they just picked up a whiff of something fascinating in the other direction!)

Beagles are small hound dogs with a short yet muscular stature, a high tail, and floppy ears. They have a gentle, kind gaze that’s the epitome of “puppy dog eyes.”

Their feathered coats may be various shades of gold, from light to dark. As they age, some Golden Retrievers even develop a wise white-golden hue across their face.

1. Ears Beagle ears are long and hang low.
2. Eyes Their large eyes are brown or hazel and have a soft, pleading look.
3. Nose A Beagle’s nose ranges in color from light to dark, and they have large nostrils.
4. Coat Length Their coat is close to their skin, dense, and medium in length.
5. Coat Color Beagle colors are tricolor (white, tan, and black), lemon, red, or white. A lemon Beagle (one with a pale yellow coat) is the rarest color.
6. Tail Beagles have a high tail with a slight curve.

Beagles are delightful pups who usually get along well with everyone. They’re determined and adventurous, and their curious nature means they love to play and explore.

Beagle dogs need a lot of exercise and do well when they’re busy; they’re not content to sit around doing nothing. You’ll often see them with their nose to the ground, so an activity like scent work could be just what they need to thrive.

Know that at times, their nose can get the best of them. Your Beagle pup could pick up a scent they just can’t resist and run off after it. So, it’s a good idea to keep them on a leash if you’re somewhere that’s not fenced in.

If you haven’t met your Beagle’s exercise and entertainment quota, they’ll let you know. Their wholly unique “baying” is more intense than a bark but not quite as long as a full howl. Training can help them learn to quiet down, but it’s not it’s not in a Beagle’s temperament to be shy about using their voice.

Keep your pup’s social calendar full with scent work, agility training, or tracking classes, a noncompetitive activity where your dog can use their nose to trace targets.

Like most young dogs, Beagle puppies can be mouthy and chew things they shouldn’t, though most grow out of this by adulthood. Still, training with positive reinforcement can help to curb this tendency.

These social pups make great pets for active families, and they get along well with children. They also do well with other dogs but may need time to adjust to cats. It’s important for Beagles to learn that cats are not something to chase after—it’s an instinct they might hold on to, since Beagles were originally bred as hunting dogs.

R aising a Beagle puppy can be a fun and rewarding experience , even if they are a little mischievous at times. Grooming is fairly easy with these pups, but you’ll need to book extra time for training.

Grooming

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Bathing: Beagles usually need a bath only after they have a good romp in the mud or do anything else messy. Brushing: Beagles have short-to-medium hair that sheds seasonally in the spring and winter. They benefit from twice-weekly brushings during this time, though brushing may need to be daily if your Beagle is a very heavy shedder. Dental care: Dental disease is an issue with this breed, so brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week (and ideally every day) to stop plaque and tartar buildup. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year. Consider a dental chew or powder supplement to prevent dental issues (especially useful after cleanings). Ear care: Clean your dog’s ears once a month. Add a few drops of an ear cleaning solution , massage with a tissue or cotton ball (no cotton swabs!), and then let your dog shake their head to dislodge any debris. Nail care: Beagles need their nails trimmed every month or so . If nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear your dog’s nails tapping on hard surfaces.

Training

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Beagle puppies have earned a reputation for being difficult to train, but it’s not their fault if they’re distracted by every smell within a 5-mile radius; some might even say it’s a superpower! These gentle hounds respond very well to positive reinforcement training and are treat-motivated . However, even the best-trained Beagle may not be able to overcome their instinct to follow their nose, so training them to come when called is essential. Loose-leash walking is another skill that may take some time to master since they might try to follow everything they smell, no matter the direction (a typical Beagle trait). Teaching your dog when it’s time to sniff and when it’s time to walk can be very helpful. For example, training them to “leave it” and “let’s go” when it’s time to walk, and “OK” or “go sniff” when they’re allowed to sniff around, are useful cues. Beagles can be talkative. And hard as it may be, it’s important to not reinforce their barking or howling tendencies. So, if they’re trying to get your attention with baying, don’t engage until they quiet down. When they do, it’s time to shower them with treats and praise.

Diet

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Every dog, Beagles included, needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO nutritional standards . Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage ( puppy , adult , or senior ). You can also find dog food made specifically for Beagles . Beagles come in two sizes, so their ideal weight varies from under 20 pounds for dogs up to 13 inches tall and 20–30 pounds for dogs 13–15 inches tall. This breed has a reputation for loving food (can’t blame them), but they need enough activity to work it off, just like the rest of us. Because they’re already on the short and stocky side, it’s important to watch their weight to make sure they don’t become obese. If you look at your pup from above and see a cute (albeit troubling) potato shape, talk to your vet about starting a doggy diet and exercise plan . Your vet might say to slowly increase their exercise by talking a slightly longer walk each day , possibly building up to an hour daily with either one long walk or two shorter jaunts. Remember that dog treats count as calories, too. Be mindful of how many goodies you’re giving your Beagle, or consider switching to something healthier, like raw green beans . You can even use a probiotic chew as a treat (under your vet’s guidance!), which is both low-calorie and good for gut health. As for regular treats, they should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake, no matter how irresistible your Beagle’s puppy dog eyes seem.

Exercise

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Beagles are high-energy pups and need regular exercise—about an hour or so every day—to keep them entertained and out of mischief. Because they lead with their nose, scent work (where you train a dog to find a certain smell) is a fun option for these dogs. You can sign up for scent work classes, but it’s easy to do at home as well. To start, grab three boxes, put a treat under one of them, and let your Beagle sniff it out. Always use the same box as the “treat box” and gradually make it more difficult by adding boxes, stacking them, and hiding them around the house. This is just one of many games you can play with your dog . Agility trials are another great way to burn off that Beagle energy, and you can set up an agility course in your backyard if you have the space. Just don’t let your Beagle off-leash in spaces without fencing; their instinct to follow a scent is so strong that they can easily run off. If it’s a literal rainy (or snowy) day with limited outdoor time, play indoors. Try hide-and-seek, a puzzle toy , or training drills.

Environment

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Beagles need somewhere to exercise, and a fenced yard is ideal—but it’s not a dealbreaker if you don’t have one. The only reason they might not live their best life in an apartment is because they tend to bark and howl; however, with the right training (and understanding neighbors), it’s possible. They make great family dogs with pet parents who are deeply involved in their life. Beagles love being entertained, and they’ll need a packed schedule of hikes and fun adventures, or even just at-home scent work or agility trials. Without lots of social interaction, exercise, and mental stimulation, Beagles won’t be happy (and neither will your neighbors when they hear your pup complaining).

The Beagle lifespan is 10–15 years. Here are some health issues to be aware of so that your Beagle can live as happy and healthy a life as possible.

Be familiar with potential health problems so you can recognize and treat them quickly.

1. Cherry eye Cherry eye is the common term for prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. It isn’t usually painful, but it can be irritating for the dog and often requires surgery to fix.
2. Dental disease Beagles tend to experience more dental disease than other dogs their size. Start brushing their teeth when they’re puppies, as dental disease can lead to teeth loss and even more serious issues like heart, liver, and kidney disease.
3. Epilepsy: Beagles are prone to seizures caused by epilepsy , a neurological disorder that typically begins in dogs between 6 months and 5 years old. It’s treated with oral medication.
4. Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia develops during puppyhood when the hip joint doesn’t align well and becomes looser than normal. Signs include limping, and treatment might involve weight loss, reduced activity, joint supplements , physical therapy, pain meds, or, in severe cases, surgery .
5. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders in dogs. It can be diagnosed with a blood test, so thyroid levels should be a normal part of screening blood work as your Beagle ages. Hypothyroidism commonly causes skin infections , ear infections , weight gain, and sluggishness. It can be managed with oral meds.
6. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) IVDD is a neurological condition caused by a bulging or slipped disc. It can be very painful, and your dog may be suddenly paralyzed or unable to use their back legs. Keeping your Beagle at a healthy weight helps prevent IVDD. You can also set up ramps or stairs so they don’t have to jump on the furniture.
7. Luxating patella Beagles can develop luxating patella , where the kneecap slips out of place. You might notice that they do a little bunny hop or skip while walking—this could be a symptom. It may be treated with supplements and meds, if mild, though surgery may be necessary.

While the breed’s origins aren’t exactly clear, reports of small hounds that hunted hares in Great Britain date back as far as 55 B.C.E. As time went on, larger hounds were bred for tracking down deer, and smaller hounds were bred for rabbit hunting.

Modern Beagles are most likely descendants of smaller hunting hounds from the 1500s. Around that time, Beagles became popular as “foot hounds,” meaning that—unlike with larger hound breeds—one could hunt with a pack of Beagles on foot instead of on horseback.

Beagles arrived in the U.S. after the Civil War, and aBeagle named Blunderwas the first to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885. Today, Beagles are one of themost popular dog breeds in the U.S.

A Beagle puppy can cost up to $1,500. If you choose this route,pick a responsible breeder.

You can also adopt a Beagle from a Beagle rescue group likeHappy Life Beagle Rescue, keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter, or searchChewy’s database of adoptable dogsin your area.