Beagle

The origins of this ancient breed have been the subject of speculation for centuries. Some experts say it derives from the Gaelic word for “little” while others believe it was taken from the French term for the sound hounds make while hunting. 

There are reports of small pack hounds employed to hunt rabbits and hares in England before 55 B.C. By the 1500s, these packs of small dogs became so common that almost every Englishman owned one. Unlike larger pack hunters, the Beagle could go on hunts without a horse, appealing to a wider array of people who could easily keep up with them on foot. 

The breed began arriving in America in the years following the Civil War. Beagles are famous for their great nose, musical voice, and enthusiasm. 

The ideal owner of a Beagle is home most of the time, enjoys being active in their pet’s enrichment, and is willing to put in the necessary time into training that the dog requires. They should enjoy spending time with their canine companion and should have a large yard or land for their Beagle to roam around.

Beagles are naturally energetic and adventurous. They love exercise. Owners should note that this does not entail just letting them out into the backyard, as they will shortly discover that their Beagle easily gets up to no good or will turn right back around and ask to come back inside without someone to play with. Beagles are happiest when they have company. They also have a reputation for being escape artists who can easily tunnel under fences. To keep them happy and preoccupied, play with them and give them scenting games to put that exceptional nose of theirs to work. Daily walks on a leash are encouraged as well.

Like most hounds, Beagles are happiest in the countryside or suburban areas where they can roam and be free. They love scent work and open spaces to carry out their work. A medium-sized house with a well-fenced yard is a must. It’s also important they get out of the house and go for daily walks.

Beagles have a smooth, short-haired coat that gets heavier in winter. This breed sheds all year, but the hair loss picks up in spring. Regular brushing is encouraged to remove loose hair and promote healthy hair growth. They do not need to be bathed too often unless they get into something messy (which can happen occasionally, given their curiosity). Since Beagles have large, floppy ears, it’s important to check them to ensure they are clean and free from infection.

Training Beagles can be a challenge because of their natural scent-hound instincts. They were developed to find a trail, investigate it, and not get distracted, which means your Beagle can easily be preoccupied when its nose is firing! It’s important to understand this is a natural impulse and not view it as disobedience. 

Recall is also a challenge for Beagles, and while time should be spent teaching them to come when you call their name, one can’t always rely on that when dealing with a Beagle. Once they have their sights on something it’s very challenging for them to deviate. 

Leash training is critical. If they are roaming freely on walks and something catches their attention, it will be difficult for them to not dart off in search of it, especially if it’s an appealing scent. 

If you’re looking for a great family dog, it doesn’t get much better than this furry friend. They are happy, gentle enough to be around children, and active enough to join games and family activities. They generally get along very well with others and love kids. Beagles are very adaptable and love to be around other dogs. However, if living with cats, they need to be exposed to them at an early age. Small furry pets like hamsters or gerbils are never a good idea to live with a Beagle, as the dog’s instincts can easily take over.

The cost of a Beagle from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.