Average Height	Average Weight	Average Life Span
13-15 inches	18-30 pounds	12-15 years

Beagles 101 Breed Information

Also known as the English Beagle or “Jelly Dog,” the Beagle is an easily recognizable small foxhound that is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Along with the Bloodhound, the Beagle is one of the smallest British pack-hound breeds. Beagles are generally friendly, compact little hounds that have a unique howling bark, a trait attributed to their ancestors. They have a high rating in the fields of friendliness, affection and intelligence.

Beagle Breed History

The Beagle first originated in England, although how they got their name is still a mystery, and they were generally used to hunt deer and small game. Similar hounds were used for hunting as far back as the year 1475 and they have a habit of baying when they catch a scent.

In their early days, Beagles would look different depending on the terrain in which they hunted on. Beagles who came from the rugged terrain of Scotland were often more agile with high level of endurance. In the early 1800s, breeders began to standardize these dogs so that they would all have a similar appearance and temperament. Due to this selective breeding, Beagles in the modern age look very similar to how they did over 200 years ago.

Beagles began to be imported from England to the United States and instantly became a popular breed of dog. They started to make their way in popular culture, one even residing in the Whitehouse alongside Lyndon B. Johnson, and perhaps the most famous Beagle is Snoopy from the comic strip Peanuts.

Beagle Physical Appearance

Don’t let their smaller size deceive you, Beagles are built for hunting and navigating various terrains. According to the American Kennel Club, they remain the most popular hound breed for hunting in the United States. Beagles are sturdy and squarely build, with a short and easy to maintain fur coat. These dogs can resemble English Foxhounds, however, they have much shorter legs and wider heads than their distant cousins.

Beagles have a very straight muzzle and rounded, square floppy ears. Their eyes are brown or hazel in color with a brow that makes them look like they want something from you. They have straight tails that are carried high and erect at all times. The only color variations that Beagles come in are tricolor, red-like or white.

Typical Beagles are small and only range in height from between 13 and 15 inches from shoulder to ground. In the United States, Beagles are separated into two varieties, those who are shorter than 13 inches and those who are between 13 and 15 inches in height. The average Beagle weighs between 22 and 33 pounds, while sometimes the larger varieties can exceed 15 inches in height and weigh up to 35 pounds.

Beagles may have a short coat, but it is comprised of very dense fur that helps them cope with wet weather. They are easily recognizable by the color of their coats which is always comprised of a black saddle area with a white chest, belly and usually their tails have a white tip as well. These hound dogs will usually all have a similar pattern to their colors. The white tips on their tails are a characteristic that was inherited and it makes it easier for hunters to identify them in thick brush or woods.

Beagle Personality and Temperament

Beagles tend to have very affectionate, curious and playful personalities. In addition to making ideal hunting dogs, they also make a very good family pet due to their easy going attitudes and being good with children. These dogs also tend to have a lot of energy and enjoy staying active with their families. They love to explore, discover new scents and run out in the open. If you live in a small enclosed apartment or an area without a yard, then you may want to consider a different breed of dog, since Beagles are happiest when running out in the open.

Despite their compact size, Beagles will desire a lot of exercise. Due to their smaller size they may seem like the ideal pet for an apartment, but if you don’t have a fenced yard for them to run around in, be sure to walk them regularly and take them to the park to satisfy their need for running. This activity will also keep them from becoming overweight. Since Beagles were first bred to be hunting dogs, they enjoy staying active and love being outdoors. Experts will recommend taking them for several long walks a day if possible and allow some time to let them run to expend all their built up energy.

Beagles can have a reputation for being stubborn and training should take place as early in their life as possible. They respond best to training that is done with rewards and positive reinforcement. Punishments tend to cause them to attempt avoiding a task, rather than completing it. Remember, Beagles adore affection, and will respond positively towards any showing of it.

Beagle Behavior

Since Beagles are pack animals by nature, they tend to become extremely attached to their human family. This makes them well suited for families of any size and especially good for spending time with children. Due to the Beagle’s small size and steady temperament they also make ideal pets for the elderly who like to walk and seek a low maintenance companion.

With the right combination of exercise and family time, these dogs can live happily in any environment, from a large farm to an urban apartment. They aren’t well suited to be confined to a backyard or doghouse every day. They enjoy spending time with their families when they are indoors.

When taking your Beagle for a walk, they will likely spend a lot of time sniffing out new scents. Because they are natural trackers they may be inclined to pull their owners along while on a leash. Once this dog becomes use to their environment after time, they will be less likely to aggressively pursue a scent. An owner should take steps to train them in proper leash behavior and take them for walks at an early age, that way they can become accustomed to the area where they spend time daily.

It’s important to be aware that a Beagle’s traits can cause them to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. They may act out by excessive barking or destructive behaviors (chewing). These actions can be reduced by exercising them regularly and taking them for a walk before leaving the house. If a Beagle tends to bark or howl repeatedly it will often mean that they are bored. Ensuring that they have chew toys or bones to occupy themselves with can work wonders in these situations.

Because Beagles have such an advanced sense of smell they are known to sometimes disregard the commands of their owner, even if they have been properly trained. Their highly adept sense of smell makes them some of the best hunting and tracking dogs available, but if they catch a particularly alluring scent, they may dart off in an undesired direction and disregard any commands. Because of this, Beagle trainers recommended to not let them off the leash immediately when they enter a new area that is unfamiliar to them.

Beagle Health

The average longevity of Beagles is between 12 and 15 years. This is a common lifespan for dogs of their size and breed. Beagles are generally healthly, but like any dog, there are certain health problems that are more prevalent with their breed.

Beagles are sometimes prone to epileptic seizures, but this can be controlled with appropriate medications. They are also prone to hypothyroidism and several types of dwarfism can occur in this breed. Be wary of any breeders who attempt to sell you an unusually small Beagle puppy and market it as the runt of the litter. It may not be a natural occurrence in their smaller size, but instead a genetic deformity.

In other cases Beagles can be afflicted by diabetes, cataracts and allergies. Hip dysplasia, which is a genetic deformity of the hip socket, can also be a common occurrence in these dogs. In rare cases, Beagles can suffer from neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration. Puppies that are affected by this condition are slow, lack co-ordination, may fall more often and tend to wobble when they walk.

Since Beagles have long floppy ears, they will not receive as much air flow through their innermost ear canal. This can cause moister to become trapped inside and may cause inner ear infections. It’s important to dry their ears thoroughly if they have been swimming in a pool of water.

In regards to their eyes, Beagles may be affected by glaucoma and “cherry eye.” This condition is a disorder of the nictitating membrane, also called a third eyelid in dogs and cats, in which is becomes un-anchored from its base and causes a protrusion in the animals eyelid. It is very noticeable as a red mass in the eye, but if caught early, it is entirely treatable.

Beagle Grooming and Care Requirements

Since Beagles have short hair they are easy to care for and do not need a lot of grooming. Simple light brushing of their coat a few times a week will ensure that you don’t have much hair to worry about on your furniture. Although shedding tends to be minimal, Beagles do shed year round and will grow thicker coats in the winter, causing spring time to be the heaviest shedding period for these dogs. Brushing these dogs during this time can help keep their coat healthy and vibrant.

Beagles are naturally clean dogs and do not require frequent baths. They do, however, tend to get into messy situations due to their adventurous nature. They may run through mud or dirt if they are tracking a scent. They also have a habit of rolling in messy substances if they are attracted to the smell. These occurrences can be managed by simply keeping an eye on your Beagle and where he is heading off too, especially if he picks up a scent.

'', 'after' => '')); ?>