Beagle
Breed summary
The beagle is a breed of small hound that is similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound, that’s why called a miniature Foxhound. Beagles are muscular, solid, and big for his inches, with a slight domed skull. Their muzzle is squarish and the nose broad. Ears are long and droopy. Their chest is deep, back is straight and they have a moderately long tail that is carried high.
Health care
The Beagles are a healthy breed without any exceptions. Responsible breeders need to screen their breeding stock for several health conditions such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, luxating patella (a dislocated kneecap), and eye disorders like glaucoma, retinal atrophy, etc. As with all breeds, a Beagle’s ears should be checked weekly, and their teeth should be brushed regularly to avoid dental diseases.
Nutrition
Adequate nutrition provides the best health care for your Beagles. The Beagle should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog becomes over-weight. Supply clean and freshwater regularly.
Coat
Length: Short
Characteristics: Flat
Colors: Any true hound color
Overall Grooming Needs: Low
Training
As with all dogs, early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended for all breeds, but given the Beagle’s bountiful energy, intelligence, and penchant for mischief, they are a necessity. Their training is easy and they love treats that give huge aid in training. Beagles do not respond well to harsh techniques, but patience, positive reinforcement, and even a little creativity will win out in the end.
Exercise
Beagles are active, energetic dogs who need at least an hour of exercise every day. They were bred to work in packs and are happiest to get the human companion. This breed can be highly destructive and bark excessively if left alone. This can be avoided if he has a companion (whether human or canine) to play with. They are escape artists, so an exercise area must have a fence at least five feet tall that extends underground to prevent their escape. A Beagle should never run loose, because they have an instinct to hunt, and the dog might not be able to resist the urge to run off on a chase.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 6 of 196
AKC Classification: Hound
UKC Classification: Scent hounds
Exercise Requirements: 20-40 minutes/day
Height: Female: 13 inches; Male: 15 inches
Weight: Female: 18-30 lbs; 18-30 lbs
Physical traits: Small, Solid, Muscular
Personality traits/Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Merry
Energy Level: Average
Tendency to Drool: Low
Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: High
Tendency to Dig: Low
Social/Attention Needs: High
Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
Fun fact
Unlike humans who have only about five-million scent receptors, Beagles have about 220 million.