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The Beagle is a scent hound completely ruled by his nose. They are born and bred to hunt small game like rabbits and hares in packs. When in pursuit, they will follow a scent wherever it leads with no thought to busy roads or distance.
Due to a beagle’s love of chasing down a smell, they require a fenced in yard. Beagles are escape artists, so the fence should be at least five feet tall and extend underground to prevent tunneling. They are diggers as they were bred to dig rabbits from warrens and will escape under the fence if given the chance.
They should always be on a leash when on a walk to prevent chasing off after a scent. They love to go on long walks allowing them to sniff to their heart’s content. They do require additional exercise like playtime in the backyard to stay mentally and physically fit. An hour of playtime or other exercise is recommended daily, preferably with a friend.
Beagles were bred to hunt in packs and prefer companionship, both canine and human. They generally enjoy company and do not like to be alone. It is good to have another dog in the house or plan to have them as a constant companion. They can suffer from separation anxiety if left all alone.
They make great family dogs. They are friendly and happy. The Beagle breed does well with small children and other animals. However, small animals may invoke their strong prey drive. While they are affectionate family dogs, they will take off after a scent without warning or thought. For this reason, some don’t think them loyal.
Beagle Stats
There are two size varieties of the Beagle recognized by the American Kennel Club, or AKC. The smaller of the two is 13 inches and under and weighs under 20 pounds. The larger of the two weighs 20-30 pounds and stands 13-15 inches tall at the shoulder.
Beagles have a smooth short double coat which requires minimal grooming. Although they are considered low maintenance, they do shed in the spring and require extra brushing during that time. Regularly, just a weekly brushing with a grooming mitt and an occasional bath, when needed, will do. Of course, keep up with routine nail trimming as well.
Beagles possess a large personality for their size. They are sturdy, muscular dogs. They appear to be a smaller version of the Harrier, measuring 19-21 inches at the shoulder, or the English Foxhound, measuring 21-25 inches. They do not have “doggie odor”, drool, or shed much. They do have a tendency towards baying, as opposed to, barking. This behavior should be corrected at an early age to keep the neighbors happy.
Early socialization and puppy training is crucial for this breed. They are strongly food motivated and train best with positive reinforcements, such as treats. Negative techniques do not have favorable results. They can be challenging to train but rewarding positive behaviors will win out in the end.
Their History in America
In the early 1870’s, General Richard Rowett from Illinois began importing Beagles from England to establish a quality bloodline in America. Rowett’s dogs were models for the first American standard Beagle. Beagles were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884 and have been the only breed to rank in the top ten since their registry. Today they rank number seven on the AKC’s Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2021 list.
This breed had long been used at airports to sniff out weapons, drugs, and illegal food. Their diminutive size and friendliness towards strangers are less likely to make passengers nervous. This type of work was first introduced at Los Angeles International Airport in 1984. The US Department of Agriculture used Beagles to sniff out contraband food items. This has expanded and now Beagles are used in more than 20 international airports across the United States.
Although a scent hound bred for hunting rabbits, the Beagle has proven itself a wonderful family companion and admirable working dog. Either size variety of the breed will require a medium size Plexidor Dog Door. Should you have any questions on our doors please contact Customer Service or call 888-PET-DOOR.
