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 While
most people know the Beagle has long been used for
hunting, and that the breed makes a great family
pet, there are still things that potential buyers
should know. While this is an amazingly smart dog,
one with a lot of energy and tons of personality, we
wanted to provide you with some additional
information so you can determine if this is in fact
the best breed for you.
1. What exactly is a Beagle?
The Beagle is a breed of dog that originates from
Great Britain. This dog has long been used for
hunting, which is why it falls within the “hound”
group of dogs. In fact, the official classification
for the Beagle is “Group 6-Scenthounds”, which are a
compact but strong dog.
2. What is the life expectancy of this breed?
This medium-sized dog reaches between 13 and 16
inches from the withers and around 35 pounds. Liters
are usually not overly large, often consisting of
just five to six pups. However, if the Beagle is fed
a proper diet and exercised on a regular basis, life
expectancy can be anywhere from 10 to 15 years.
3. How much exercise do Beagles need?
Because the Beagle has hunting instincts, energy
level is medium to high. Therefore, it is important
to exercise this breed at least an hour a day.
Otherwise, you could end up with a bored dog that
develops destruction behaviors. Long walks, jogging,
or just playtime in the backyard or park is
excellent. As far as training, keep in mind that the
Beagle is strong willed so you need to be patient
and consistent. The only downfall with the Beagle
and training is that housebreaking can be a slow
process.
4. I’ve heard there are actually two varieties of
the Beagle – is this true?
The answer is yes. One variety of this breed is
recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the
other through the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).
Although the two are very similar in structure,
coloring, and temperament, the main difference is in
height. For instance, the variety with the AKC is
usually between 13 to 16 inches at the withers while
the CKC variety is a little bit shorter, often less
than 13 inches.
5. From what I’ve read, the Beagle dates back to
medieval times, what is the story on this?
Actually, some believe the Beagle dates back even
further. However, this breed had a great history
during medieval times when it was actually known as
a Pocket Beagle due to its small size, being able to
fit into a pocket. In addition, hunters would use
this smaller variety for hunting, placing them in
the horse’s saddlebag. The history is that the
larger variety actually would run after prey on
ground at which time the smaller Pocket variety
would be let loose to get under low-lying brush.
Another fascinating aspect of this breed during
medieval times was that Queen Elizabeth I would
place this smaller variety on the table when guests
were dining, letting the dog serve as the day’s
entertainment.
6. Are there any serious health concerns
associated with the Beagle?
Fortunately, this breed is considered an overall
healthy breed. However, as with all dog breeds,
there are a few considerations, which are typically,
minor. For instance, this breed can have problems
with the eyelashes turning inward. You also need to
make sure the inside of the Beagle’s ears are dry or
the dog could get an infection, which can be treated
with medication. For this, the veterinarian would
simply remove the eyelashes. Other less common
problems include various forms of cancer. Other than
this, the Beagle is relatively healthy.
7. Do Beagles bark or howl?
They do and in fact, this breed is actually one of
the more vocal dogs. Keep in mind that some Beagles
are more vocal than others are. When still a puppy,
you would likely hear some level of whining and/or
yelping, especially when the puppy is placed in a
kennel. In addition, males that are not neutered
will often bark and howl at other animals. The key
here is to train the Beagle from a young age that
watchdog type barking is fine but nothing more. For
instance, you will need to teach your Beagle that
the sound of sirens does not give it free reign to
begin howling.
8. What should I expect from a Beagle puppy?
A properly bred dog will have lots of energy, be
playful, and like to chew, especially during phases
of teething. Typically, a Beagle puppy will love to
be around people and eager to show affection. One of
the most important aspects of buying a Beagle puppy
is working with a reputable breeder so you know that
proper socialization has been provided.
9. Besides hunting and being used as a family
pet, is the Beagle used for anything else?
Because this breed has an exceptional sense of
smell, we see more and more being used in the
service field. In this case, the dog might be used
at an airport to sniff out drugs or illegal food,
used for search and rescue in finding lost
individuals,
10. I was recently told that the Beagle is often
used as animal testing – was this information
correct?
Sadly, the answer is yes. Because the Beagle is so
passive and loving, they have been used for
scientific procedures, primarily for pharmaceutical
companies, medical schools, and commercial
facilities. As you can imagine, this is a very
difficult subject and highly controversial. However,
keep in mind that overall, as many as 100 million
animals are used each year for animal research or
testing.
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