Breed History:

The Beagle was bred as a rabbit-hunting dog in ancient England in the 16th century. Descendants from England's hunting hound, beagle dogs used their smell to catch scents and stags. The word beagle is believed to come from the French word beguile, which was used to describe smaller versions of these hunting dogs. Smaller versions of these dogs were called pocket beagles, which were popular among wealthy Englishmen.

Beagles were initially used as hunting hares and also for flushing games for hunters and gun dogs. The breed was developed over time in England and later became a widely recognized and refined breed in North America by the end of the 19th century. Today's Beagles are still used in hunting and are considered good family dogs and companions.

Size – Medium-sized 

Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Breed Appearance: 

Looking like Foxhounds, Beagles come with the same strong jaw, expressive eyes, soft floppy ears, short hair, and tri-coloured coat, the only dissimilarity is their smaller size. Their tricolour coat has white, light brown, and black spots. Its tail is also white, straight, and pointed. Beagle colours also vary as they can include red, brown, white, lemon, black, blue, brown, or black. Being scent hunters, they are good at hunting and smelling the ground.

Breed Type - Family/guard:

 If you can be an active pet owner and are willing to meet your pet's exercise needs, the Beagle will be an excellent dog for you. Since beagles suffer from loneliness anxiety, they may destroy objects when left alone for long periods. They can get along well with child-free families or those with older children.

Another thing about beagles is that they are considered to be excellent watchdogs, they bark at any suspicious, unusual activity. However, once the thief is inside the house, they love to play with him, so don’t rely on them to safeguard your house.

These are ideal companions for families who want an affectionate, active, cheerful furry friend who loves to engage in activities and games but who is able to handle reliable recall and a lack of obedience with their special approach.

Training:

Beagles are quite stubborn, food-motivated, small, and easily unfocused by smells. Because they are fond of scent, train them in a distraction-free, quiet environment along with stability. Further, keep your pet's training sessions short to keep your beagle focused, and be sure to give your beagle rewards and praise to encourage his good behaviour.

With adequate obedience training, this breed of dogs can become defiant and unruly due to their willful nature. They are extremely difficult to command and train, and as an owner, you have to make it interesting and fun for your pet to pay attention to your desires.

Tip to keep in mind: When training your beagle, make sure he has an empty stomach so he doesn't get distracted. Since this is a smart dog, it is often helpful to keep them mentally stimulated with puzzle toys.

Health & Care:

Beagles are typically healthy dogs, however, they can still cause health issues, including hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and eye conditions. Consult your dog's vet to get suggestions for the feeding schedule, the right food, and health tips to keep him active, healthy, and happy.

This fearless dog breed is well-suited to both companionship and hunting, but they demand regular grooming, plenty of exercise regularly, and the right training. Beagles need companionship with their owners or other pets during the whole day. 

Since the breed mixes well with other dogs, regular running in a fully large dog part can be a fun activity for you and your pet. Beagles unconsciously may bark and bay when they find an interesting scent, but they might also become trouble barkers due to separation anxiety or boredom. Only training may help with it. 

Living Condition:

Considered the most energetic dogs, beagles are perfect for long hunting trips. Whether you live on a farm or a small place like an apartment, they will demand regular exercise, particularly long walks. 

As with other hounds, beagle dog breeds are joyful in the countryside because they love the fragrances and open spaces of the large outdoors. A medium-sized house with an enough sized well-covered yard is a must, and this will make your beagle happier. 

Exercise:

This is one of those dog breeds that demands plenty of exercise about 2 hours a day. However, they may sometimes act lazy, beagles have tons of energy. Walk your pet daily and offer it enough chances to play and run. The best move to keep your beagle well-exercised and happy is to let him use his exceptional nose and play scenting games with him. 

Grooming:

Beagles have moderate to high amounts of shedding, due to their water-resistant, short coats. Regular grooming is everything that is generally required to keep your beagle looking perfect. Fortunately, beagles' coats don't accumulate much dust and debris hence you won't require frequent cleaning up or baths. 

Make sure your dog's floppy ears are clear off so that he stays away from ear infections. Further, be sure to trim the pet's nails regularly to prevent growth. It is important to brush your beagle’s teeth at least twice or thrice per week to ensure healthy oral health. 

Advantages:

• Excellent family companions

• Don’t require much grooming

• Generally friendly with other pets

• Typically healthy dog breed

Disadvantages:

• Howling, loud bark

• Hard to train sometimes

• Requires a large garden