At A Glance
Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds in the US. They adjust in big and small families with ease.
Beagles are fun to have around and you can indulge in various activities together from hikes and hunting trips to just lazing around the house.
Last Updated on: Mar 03, 2022
Say hello to the Beagle. They are friendly, easy-going, and not too demanding either. Are beagles good pets? It wouldn’t be wrong to say that this breed ticks all the right boxes if you’re looking to bring home a pet.
Beagles possess an excellent combination of all desirable dog traits. Let’s check out all this breed’s amazing characteristics. But first, to answer the biggest question, ‘Are Beagles good pets?’ Given their adorable features and their amiable personalities, they are good to have around.
Did you know the word Beagle might have originated from the French word bégueule? The word bégueule translates to open throat. This probably explains the wide vocal range of this breed. A Beagle’s vocals include bark, bay (during hunting escapades), and howl.
Beagles have been AKC-recognized purebreds since 1885. Some of their key features include long floppy ears, round eyes, white-tipped tails, and cute faces.
Their friendly nature is one reason why they’re popular with young and old alike. According to AKC, Beagles are the fifth most popular dog breed in the US.
The average life expectancy of the beagle is 10 to 15 years.
Fully grown adult beagles, whether male or female, measure between 13 to 15 inches.
Adult beagles, male and female, can weigh anywhere between 18 to 30 pounds.
Beagles have a dense, smooth coat that is resistant to rain. The coat comes in as many as 25 different color combinations of black, white, tan, red, lemon, brown, and blue. A beagle’s coat may also have markings like those mentioned below:
Did you know that the white tip on a Beagle’s tail is a result of years of breeding? The Beagle was bred for hunting and hunters wanted their tails to be visible from a distance when out on a hunt.
Since the Beagle was fast on its feet when it came to tracking a target, it would soon be out of sight of the hunters. A white-tipped tail made the dog visible and helped hunters follow its trail.
Beagles look good, live long, and are medium-sized. But are Beagles high maintenance?
Not really. They are instead among the low-maintenance breeds.
They do not shed heavily and have a short coat length that is easily manageable. Thoroughly brushing their coats once a week is enough. If you hate hair on your couch and carpets, then brushing more often will help.
Beagles shed in the spring which necessitates brushing their coats at least thrice a week during this season.
Beagles are known to develop various skin issues, hence frequent bathing isn’t a good idea. Your beagle can be bathed once or twice a month unless it gets too dirty rolling in the backyard.
You should also set aside one day per week to check their ears and nails. Clean and trim them as necessary. And don’t forget to brush their teeth regularly.
Beagles are one of the most affectionate dog breeds in the world.
Their joyful nature helps them make friends with family members and (non-threatening) strangers quickly.
They are naturally curious and love to explore the world around them. Beagles exhibit the quality of independence. Keep an eye and a leash on your Beagle or it may wander off on some scent trail.
Beagles are protective of their family. However, once introduced, they are at ease with neighboring families and your friends. Beagles were bred as hunting dogs so they have a strong pack instinct. They’re loyal to the family when in need.
While their temperament makes them seem like they love being outdoors, do Beagles make good indoor pets?
Yes. Beagles are extroverts, but their needs are well-balanced. Their exercise requirements aren’t too high so they won’t jump around the house much. This breed isn’t like large dogs that knock over your furniture.
Surprisingly, Beagles enjoy sticking close to their humans for most of the time, indoors or outdoors. Overall, a Beagle can adjust very well in apartments. Beagles also love to cuddle in bed.
But, are Beagles good pets for those living in rural areas?
Beagles can thrive just as well in a rural town. They love open spaces and can easily make the most of whatever they get. What they don’t like is being left alone. Beagles are prone to suffer from separation anxiety. If a Beagle is upset because you left it at home, then it will reflect in its behavior.
Beagles are highly compatible with children. They don’t snap or bite during playtime or when kids carry them. They also exhibit a lot of patience when around babies.
Beagles bark a lot. They are a very expressive breed and aren’t shy or reserved in nature. Some of the reasons why Beagles bark is: anxiety, excitement, new strangers, whenever they sense danger, loneliness, boredom, confinement, any ailment, etc. However, you can train Beagles to bark less.
Beagles don’t adjust well to cold weather. Their short coats make them vulnerable to cold. Therefore, Beagles should be kept indoors during winter.
Are Beagles good with other dogs? Beagles are rarely angry or aggressive. They don’t mind playing with other dog breeds.
You’ll never find them snapping at other dogs. They are secure and playful even with dogs that are bigger or smaller than them.
Since they were bred to hunt, they know how to work with other dogs well.
If you’ve got cats at home then you’re probably looking for an answer to the question, ‘Are Beagles good with cats?’
The answer, however, is not clear.
With cats, Beagles show varied behaviors. Depending on their personalities, you will know if they’ll be tolerant towards one another. If you absolutely must have cats and Beagles living under your roof, then making them grow up together is a good idea.
Beagles with early socialization and training get along well with cats. But some Beagles might become shy and hostile if the cat is too aggressive.
Beagles need a good 60 minutes of exercise daily. They are prone to put on weight easily. Their sporty nature makes them accept any type of workout routine.
Did you know? Due to their strong sense of smell, Beagles are used to track illegal objects and work at airports.
Their strong sense of smell is one of the biggest advantages as well as disadvantages of owning a beagle. It helps them find their way to you or find the trail of a rabbit, game bird, or a fox. However, if you’re not on a hunt, then you may want to keep your beagle on a leash.
Beagles are good for first-time owners.
They can be trained once you learn how to tackle their stubbornness.
An extremely intelligent breed, Beagles learn the actions of their owners and other dogs quickly. Beagles often imitate the behavior of older dogs, other pets, or kids. They also need a healthy amount of mentally stimulating exercise.
Now you might be thinking, ’Are Beagles good pets for guarding the house?’
If they are trained right, then a beagle can become a great guard dog. Their loud barking will alert you of the slightest disturbance. However, they won’t be very useful in stopping the intruder.
Beagles are susceptible to the following health issues:
Beagles don’t have a particular diet that needs special attention. Just ensure you feed them the required amounts of a high-quality nutritious meal. They are healthy, happy eaters and just as prone to obesity as other dogs.
Feed them the required amounts of a high-quality nutritious meal. They are healthy, happy eaters and just as prone to obesity as other dogs.
If you’re ready to bring a beagle home, we hope to have resolved your queries about this breed. Having a good-natured pet doesn’t mean you can be lazy and inattentive. Beagles need as much attention as they give. Give them a healthy balance of playtime, nap time, and bonding time. Remember, your behavior will influence your pet.
Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
