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Dog Breeds

Beagle Dog Breed.

Beagle dog training, care, history, temperament, and characteristics

Group: Hound

Weight: 20 - 25 pounds

Height: 13 - 16 inches

Life Expectancy: About 12 - 15 years

Size of Litters: Average of 7 puppies, although this can vary from 2 all the way to 14

DBT highly recommends the How To Choose The Best Dog For Your Family ebook when choosing a new dog or puppy.

History

The delightful Beagle hails from England, where it likely derived from the Harrier, the Talbot Hound, the Southern Hound and the North Country Beagle. This breed is one of a variety of scent hounds developed for tracking rabbits, quail and pheasant. When used as a hunter, the Beagle performs its work both alone and in packs. The Beagle has long been one of the most beloved breeds of dogs the world over due to its sweet, merry disposition. It gained AKC recognition in 1884 and consistently places in the kennel club's top ten most popular dog breeds year after year. The Snoopy character in the popular Peanuts cartoons by Charles Schulz is perhaps the best known Beagle of all time.

Characteristics

The Beagle functions well in a family environment, and they are full of energy. They are wonderful companions for children given that they are socialized properly. These dogs are very lively and active. They are very alert and have a very good temperament, and should not show any signs of aggression or nervousness. Beagles can be quite naughty and very daring at times, so it is important to take proper precautions when training these dogs.

Temperament

The Beagle is known for its loving, dependable and even temperament. He is highly social, has a constantly wagging tail and is friendly with strangers and family alike. Additionally, the Beagle also gets along quite well with children. Accustomed to hunting in packs, this dog had no problem interacting with other dogs. Due to its background as a hunter, however, the Beagle may have a tendency to chase smaller animals. Socialization is necessary at a young age if you wish to introduce a Beagle to a household that also has cats as pets. Beagles do have a tendency to make a bit of noise, typical of other types of hounds as well. Their trademark baying sounds can prove to be an irritation to many suburban neighbors.

Care

The Beagle's short coat is easy to maintain. Regular brushing will keep your Beagle looking smooth and shiny. This breed does shed year round, so brushing will also remove loose hairs from the coat before they end up on your clothing or furniture. The coat is weatherproof and only needs bathing when necessary. For more detailed info, take a look at the Beagle Dog Grooming page.

Training

Beagles are cooperative learners, always willing to please. Training troubles with this breed usually involve the Beagle's active nose. Its excellent sense of smell can cause distractions and it is not uncommon to lose the Beagle's attention and find his nose plastered to the ground. This dog should not be left alone in an unenclosed area as it may wander off to follow a scent trail. It is an active breed, but a brisk daily walk around the neighborhood should keep its activity level in check. Beagles are often used in scent detection work all around the world.