The Beagle is a smooth-haired hunting dog, agile, with a cheerful disposition and a very good scent.
Key Information
- Breed name: Beagle
- Country of origin: UK
- Time of birth of the breed: XIV century
- Type: hounds and related breeds
- Weight: 12 – 18 kg
- Height (height at the withers): 33 – 40 cm
- Life Expectancy: 13 – 15 Years
Brief Description of the Breed
The Beagle is a medium-sized dog that is one of the most popular breeds in the world. This popularity is primarily due to the fact that it is very easy to care for the Beagle, moreover, these animals are great for any family because of their loyalty and lack of aggressiveness. Dogs of this breed are loving, energetic, and loyal.
Beagles have a variety of colors, most often consisting of three color combinations: black, white, and lemon. The coat of the dog is hard and thick, has an average length. Beagle is not prone to extensive molt. A distinctive feature of this breed is large, pennant-like ears.
It’s hard to resist not to admire the Beagle: it’s dark brown or hazel eyes and its good-natured appearance. These dogs are distinguished by their special sociability, good-natured character, curiosity, and decisiveness. But another hallmark of Beagles is also stubbornness. This characteristic becomes the cause of difficulties during pet training, which not all dog breeders can cope with.
Dogs of this breed can bark in different ways. Conventionally, the types of Beagle barking are divided into three groups: barking with elements of growling, ordinary barking, and barking, turning into a howl. A bark that turns into a howl, as a rule, is recorded when the animal wants to draw attention to itself. By the way, it is the seemingly unreasonable barking of these dogs that causes the troubles that often arise among the owners living in apartment buildings. Such troubles, naturally, are caused by numerous complaints from neighbors about the barking of a dog.
Beagles get along well with other animals, they almost always perceive them as new friends. But in order for your pet to always find a common language with its fellows, it is necessary to carry out an appropriate socialization process.
It is important to understand that the Beagle is a hound. The nose is the most important part of this dog’s body. Her head is always down, the pet is constantly looking for something. Beagles have about 220 million olfactory receptors. For comparison, it should be pointed out that people have only 5 million such receptors. This is why dogs of this breed have an unrivaled sense of smell.
Beagles can often be found at airports around the world. In 1984, the US authorities decided to use this breed of dogs at the Los Angeles airport to detect contraband. This solution turned out to be very successful. This is because these small dogs are very friendly, they do not frighten people in any way, they have excellent learning abilities, and, of course, an excellent scent. Dogs of this breed are able to identify specific products that are being smuggled. Today the Beagles are in service at more than twenty US airports, as well as at other border crossing points.
The Beagle is one of those dogs that are widely used to help humans in various fields of activity. At the same time, they remain excellent small game hunters. The American Kennel Club has even created a special institute to test dogs of this breed in the field of hunting. Similar establishments operate in many countries.
Due to their small size and friendly nature, Beagles can be called ideal dogs for an apartment, but in this case, the owner will have to walk with the pet several times a day in any weather. Beagles also need a lot of exercises (about an hour a day). If this is not done, then the dog’s behavior will deteriorate sharply. This is fraught with the fact that the decor and design items in your home may suffer. The dog may begin to gnaw them, run around the house, etc.
Origin Story
The Beagle appeared in England in the fourteenth century. The dog is a cross between the harrier and representatives of other English hound breeds of dogs. Hunters of foggy Albion used beagles to track deer and hunt hares.
The history of this breed is not fully known. The fact is that the period of Beagle development until the 19th century was practically unknown. Greek scripts dating from 400 BC describe Beagles as dogs that were bred by the Romans. They brought dogs of this breed to England for hunting rabbits. The crossing of Beagle dogs with local hounds has already begun here.
According to historical documents, the Beagles owe their appearance on the territory of modern England to William the conqueror, who brought them there during the Norman campaign in 1066. These dogs are considered the ancestors of the Foxhound.
Beagles became especially popular in England very early – during the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) and Henry VII (1485-1509). True, during this period the Beagles were much smaller, sometimes their size did not reach the size of a glove. Elizabeth I (1533-1603) kept whole flocks of pocket Beagles, whose height did not even reach 23 centimeters.
In various paintings, dogs of this breed of that period were depicted as very small, with short legs and a pointed muzzle. You can also see paintings depicting the process of hunting with the participation of Beagles.
In the eighteenth century, fox hunting became popular, the Beagle could not cope with them. The breed was preserved thanks to farmers in England, Ireland, and Wales, who continued to keep the Beagles to help them hunt rabbits and hares.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, active breeding of Beagles began in Essex, which became the direct ancestors of the modern Beagle. Thomas Johnson was in charge of breeding excellent hunting dogs.
Character
Beagles have a cheerful and good-natured disposition, they love to play and frolic. They just adore small children and can become their caring nanny and loyal friend. Beagles get along well with other pets, with the exception of small animals like hamsters or rabbits – after all, hunting instincts take their toll.
Representatives of this breed are very smart and quick-witted, but sometimes they can get naughty and turn the whole house over, chasing through the rooms. Beagles are very curious dogs, so not a single corner of the apartment will remain unexplored. Do not leave dogs alone for a long time: missing the owner, they can loudly bark and whine, annoying neighbors, or gnaw furniture.
Conditions of Maintenance and Care
When starting a Beagle, remember that this is a hound dog, and therefore needs daily walks with the opportunity to run and frolic in plenty.
It is worth noting that Beagle molts all year round, especially in spring. It is necessary to carefully comb out the pet’s hair, otherwise, it will accumulate throughout the house. Beagles are very clean dogs, so do not bathe them too often, washing off the protective grease from the coat. Although, if after the next walk your pet gets very dirty, then arrange for him extraordinary water procedures. It is also worth regularly cleaning the ears from the accumulated sulfur and dirt with a special solution and wiping the eyes with antimicrobial drugs if the dog is worried about discharge and watery eyes.
Feeding
As for food, remember the main rule – never overfeed the Beagle, even if he is sitting at the table with the hungriest look. It is better to choose a professional dry food in which all proteins, fats, and carbohydrates will be balanced. If you prefer to feed the dog “from the table”, then 70% of the diet should be boiled meat and offal, boneless fish, and only 30% – porridge. You can include cottage cheese, fermented baked milk in the diet, but if your dog has a digestive disorder, give up these products.
Training
Beagles are very intelligent and quick-witted dogs, but at the same time, they can be distinguished by enviable stubbornness. Training should begin at an early age, encouraging success with affection and treats. Forget about punishments: any manifestation of aggression can cause resentment in the dog, and you will have to forget about training. It is unlikely that you will be able to teach your pet to sleep in a certain place: most often, Beagles fall asleep where they are tired.
If you suddenly decide to take a Beagle with you to hunt, remember that this breed is intended for hunting only small animals, such as hares and rabbits. They will easily pick up the trail and chase prey by giving a voice. Beagles should be accustomed to blow-up not earlier than nine months of age, best of all in September – when hares are most active.
Health
Beagle dogs can be classified as centenarians. Their average life expectancy is about fifteen years. At the same time, do not forget that all this time your pet will demand elementary attention and tenderness. Beagle is a breed of dog that is not prone to various serious diseases, however, certain nuances need to be known. Quite often, dogs can develop hip dysplasia, which can lead to lameness and arthritis. Another common condition in these dogs is achondroplasia. This ailment involves degeneration of the forelimbs. Sometimes Beagles may have another serious problem: epilepsy, although it is extremely rare.
How to Choose a Puppy?
Get to know the puppy’s parents and make sure there are no defects. Choose the biggest and boldest. “Your” puppy will come up to get acquainted, will not be scared, will demonstrate humility and the best qualities of this breed – curiosity and friendliness.
The best age to pick up a puppy is 2-2.5 months. A puppy taken at this age will absolutely fit into your household hierarchy. You can take an older puppy, 3-6 months. In this case, you will get a ready-made researcher who will definitely try to find holes in your defense.
Interesting Facts
- Due to the fact that Beagles are very energetic, they need regular physical activity in the form of various exercises and walks.
- Today, dogs of this breed are widely used to find drugs and identify illegal items in luggage.
- Beagles are not easy to educate. Some owners claim that this can take up to two years. But for beagle dogs, this is considered the norm. For the successful training and education of dogs of this breed, it is recommended to contact a professional trainer.
- If the Beagle is not provided with a large amount of exercise, then he will become bored, and he will begin to look for entertainment for himself. More often than not, this behavior will become destructive in relation to your apartment.
- Leaving a dog of this breed in the yard unattended, you risk that the pet will start digging holes, howling, or looking for a way to escape from the yard. Therefore, it is best not to leave your dog unattended in the yard.
- The most common problem for Beagle owners is barking. Very often neighbors make complaints about this. Be prepared to deal with excessive barking from your dog.
- Beagles are very often attacked by intruders who try to steal pets in order to sell them to various research institutions and laboratories for research.
- Dogs of this breed have a very developed sense of smell, so Beagles often follow by smell.
- Beagles are prone to overeating. It is necessary to carefully monitor the pet’s diet. You also need to control so that food debris is not in an accessible place. Otherwise, the beagle will sniff out and eat food.
- If there are children in the family, then it is necessary to teach them so that they do not approach the dog during a meal, so as not to cause aggression in the pet.
- Hounds are not dogs designed for protection or guard, as they are very friendly and sociable.
