Beagle Stats
Group: Hound
Size: stand 13 – 15 inches (33-38 cm) at the shoulder
Weight: 18 and 30 lbs (8-13kg)
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Beagles make great family dogs. They are loving, loyal and kind. They can socialize easily with families and children of all ages, as well as other animals. They are hound dogs and they have a strong sense of “pack” mentality. They love to entertain their owners and be the center of attention. However, they are also known to be stubborn, especially when it comes to training. Training a Beagle requires lots of persistence, and consistency. Beagles also tend to bark a lot if they have not had sufficient bark training. This makes them less suitable for apartment living. They are most suitable for families who can give them lots of exercise when they are younger and enjoy a lap-dog as they age. A family who will care for their risk of weight gain as they age age and can tolerate their barking. Find out why Beagles make great family dogs.
Training a Beagle
Unless you are an experienced dog owner, professional training is suggested because Beagles are hounds they have a strong scent drive that over powers their ability to listen or pay attention, to the point where they put themselves at risk without being aware of it. Lots of exercise and fun games that pride the dogs ability to be a scent hound work great for encouraging trainability and keeping the dog more settled and obedient in doors.
Grooming a Beagle
The grooming needs for Beagles are minimal. Some regular brushing is about all, and a bath once in a while. However, this breed does shed a lot. You will probably spend more time cleaning your home from the shedding then actually grooming the dog. Not great for allergies to dog dander, so try to spend time around a Beagle first to make sure you don’t develop skin or eye irritation. Like any breed – there are great things about Beagles and maybe some not-so-good things, but as long as the great things out do the not-so-good things by a lot, that’s all that matters.
Beagle Exercise Needs
Beagles are part of the hound group, they so are very scent-oriented. They may be more challenging than other breeds to train a good recall and require owners that can take the time to train them well to keep them safe. Beagle enjoy a couple of brisk walks everyday. Beagles enjoy games and activities that involve scent tracking. As they age, Beagle owners report this breed tends to slow down, gain weight and become “lazy”, or require less exercise.
Beagle Health Promotion
Most Beagles will be born healthy, however they can be prone to inherit some health issues common to the breed. As your Beagle ages, it helps to know what they can become susceptible too so you can make plans for care. Some health conditions that Beagles may inherit are:
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) – a back problem where the dog loses the cushioning in between the vertebrate over time. This is a progressive process and can be very painful as non-cushioned vertebrate cause lots of pressure on the spinal nerves.
Cataract – Older Beagles and many other dog breeds are at risk of developing cataracts with age. Cataracts causes blindness and causes a cloudy appearance to the iris. Although dog’s rely much more on their other senses, they still enjoy seeing you and their toys. Although their scents of smell provides the most clues about their environment, and allows them to continue to function reasonably well.
Diabetes – Beagles are at risk of becoming diabetic, which means they cannot produce enough insulin from their pancreas to breakdown sugars in their food. The condition is manageable with frequent medical monitoring and daily medication. You may get a very specialized diet and exercise regime from your veterinarian.
Some dog owners enjoy using the FitBark to monitor their dog’s health and fitness. FitBark is wearable technology that syncs with your smart phone, watch and other devices for breed specific health and activity monitoring. Fitbark continuously monitors your dog’s activity, sleep and nutrition and gives you the measurable results! You may find it helpful to have daily results to discuss at veterinary follow ups and to plan breed specific health and fitness goals.
Again, most Beagles will be healthy and these are just a few conditions that you may want to prepare for. Other dogs are also at risk of these conditions as well, however, it is thought that Beagles have a bit more of a genetic pre-disposition to these issues. You know your Beagle best, if their behavior changes and you are concerned for any reason, please consult a veterinarian.
Do you own a Beagle? Tell us how they fit well with your family as a best family dog!