Looking to adopt a pet? The beagle is one of the many hound breeds, which are bred as scent hunters. Although still an excellent hunting dog, the beagle has become equally sought after as a family pet. According to the AKC Registration Statistics (www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm), the beagle is currently the fifth most popular breed. Its even temperament, high energy and low maintenance make the beagle a good first pet for a child. The only precaution is to make sure it gets obedience training early in life, as this hound breed has a tendency to follow its nose, shutting out commands. In an overview on beagles, you will discover if the beagle is the dog for you.
Description
As one of the medium-sized hound breeds, the beagle has a square-shaped body and a medium-sized muzzle with a black nose. Its wide-set eyes are hazel or brown. Its white-tipped tail is called a flag. This tail has been purposely bred into the beagle so it can be seen during hunting excursions, when the beagle's head is down low, following a scent. The following is a descriptive overview on beagles.
- Primary color: tricolor (brown, black and white), red and white, yellow and white
- Weight average: 22 to 25 pounds (males) or 20 to 23 pounds (females)
- Height average: 10 to 16 inches
- Life expectancy average: 10 to 15 years
Personality
The beagle has a friendly and fun-loving nature. It gets along with people and other dogs (most times), making the beagle a good choice for a child’s first pet. It should not be raised with pets such as rabbits, gerbils, rats, mice or guinea pigs. It possesses the hound traits of independence and scent attention, so you will always have to use a leash when the beagle is outside. Your beagle will put its nose to the ground and follow a scent while ignoring your commands. This is a wonderful attribute for a hunter, but not for a family outing. The distinctive howl of the beagle is familiar to most people. It’s difficult to keep this under control if the dog is left alone a lot of the time. The beagle loves to be with its family.
Home
An overview on beagles recommends an adequate outdoor play area. However, a beagle can do well in apartment life if you take it on several long walks and make sure it has outdoor playtime every day. The beagle is at its best when it shares its life directly with a family. A beagle may get rather lonesome if it is expected to be an outside dog.
Grooming and health
This breed’s grooming requirements are minimal. Its short coat needs only occasional brushing and bathing. You must, however, check your dog's ears often for debris and infection. If you cannot easily remove the debris with your fingers or you notice an infection, you should have a pet-care professional check out your beagle. An overview on beagles advises to be on the lookout for common ailments of this breed: eye problems, heart disease, epilepsy, back problems and cleft lip (you would notice this in a puppy). Your beagle may not get any of these ailments, or it may contract other conditions not specific to the breed.
