Beagle

Origin and History

The Beagle is a long-established scent hound developed in England for tracking rabbits and small game. A hardy breed with strong tracking ability that works in packs, it has been used in hunting for centuries. Thanks to its superior sense of smell, today it also serves as a detection dog at airports and border crossings.

Appearance and Coat

It has a small-to-medium, muscular and sturdy body. With its long, soft ears and expressive eyes, it has an endearing look. Its short, dense, weather-resistant coat is usually tricolor or red-and-white; it is easy to care for but sheds moderately.

Temperament and Personality

The Beagle is cheerful, sociable and extremely curious. Because of its pack-dog background it is fond of people and other dogs and does not like being left alone. Its nose is extremely dominant; once it catches a scent it is easily distracted, which makes training a matter of patience. It is known for its characteristic "baying" howl.

Care, Exercise and Training

Its short coat is easy to maintain with weekly brushing. As an energetic breed it needs at least 60 minutes of walking and scent games a day. Because it has a very healthy appetite it is prone to obesity; portion control is a must. A reward-based, consistent and patient approach works best in training.

Health

The Beagle is generally a hardy breed but is predisposed to some hereditary conditions. These include epilepsy, hypothyroidism, eyelid problems (cherry eye), disc herniation (IVDD) and Musladin-Lueke syndrome (MLS), a breed-specific hereditary disease; a DNA test is available for MLS. Because of its appetite, obesity is the most common problem. Regular vet check-ups are recommended.

Who Is It Right For?

The Beagle is ideal for families and households with children looking for an active, sociable and patient family dog, who can offer it plenty of exercise and scent stimulation. It is not suitable for those who leave a dog alone for long periods or who want a very calm dog.