The beagle is one of the most recognizable medium-sized dog breeds, known for their large, expressive eyes, floppy ears, and upright, white-tipped tail. They have a short, tricolored coat typically dominated by white and varied shades of brown. Beagles are scent hounds, hunting and tracking their prey by ground-scenting, and their keen sense of smell ranks with bloodhounds and basset hounds.

Learn more about the history, characteristics, and care needs of the beagle.

Characteristics of the Beagle

Beagles are energetic, carefree, and optimistic dogs, and they are considered one of the most popular breeds for active households. They can be wonderful companions and great family dogs when properly trained and socialized. Having been bred to be in packs, they also get along well with other dogs, and most do well with cats, especially if raised together.

History of the Beagle

Beagles were originally bred in 16th-century England as rabbit-hunting hounds. They were also used as gun dogs, flushing game for hunters. Over time, the breed was developed in England and, later, in North America. Beagles became more refined and widely recognized in North America by the late 19th century, eventually becoming one of the most popular breeds.

Though still used in packs for hunting today, beagles are more commonly seen as companion and family dogs. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885.

Snoopy from the Peanuts cartoons is a beagle, reflecting the breed's popularity at the time Charles Schulz began to draw the comic strip in 1950. President Lyndon B. Johnson owned several beagles while in the White House. Beagles are even used by the United States Department of Agriculture for detecting contraband food items in luggage.

Beagle Care

These fearless hounds are well-suited to both hunting and companionship, but they need adequate daily exercise, regular grooming, and proper training. They require human companionship or the companionship of other pets throughout the day, so they might not be the best fit if you spend most of your day outside the home. Because beagles get along with other dogs, freestyle running in a properly enclosed dog park can be fun exercise for both of you. Beagles instinctively will bay and bark when they detect an interesting scent, but they may also become problem barkers due to boredom or separation anxiety, and training may help.

Exercise

Though they may sometimes act lazy on the surface, beagles have loads of energy and need regular exercise. Otherwise, the dog can get bored and unfilled and might release that mischievous nature inside. Walk your dog once or twice daily and give them plenty of chances to run and play to result in at least a full hour of exercise a day.

Grooming

Beagles have short, water-resistant coats with a moderate to high rate of shedding. Routine basic grooming is all that is typically necessary to keep beagles looking their best. Luckily, their coat doesn't pick up much debris, so they won't need frequent baths (unless they roll in mud or something stinky).

Be sure to keep their floppy ears clean to prevent ear infections. Also, remember to trim the dog's nails regularly to prevent overgrowth, which can affect the gait. It is also good to brush your dog's teeth at least a couple of times per week to maintain good oral health and prevent certain diseases.

Training

As scent hounds, they enjoy sniffing everything along your walks, which exercises their minds as well as their bodies. However, you will need good leash control and training, so you can control your dog if he gets a scent that he wants to track.

Without proper training, beagles can become unruly and defiant due to their strong-willed nature. They are known to be more difficult to train due to their stubborn, hound nature, and you have to make it fun and interesting for your dog to pay attention to you rather than their environment.

Common Health Problems

Responsible breeders strive to maintain the highest breed standards as established by kennel clubs like the AKC. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to inherit health conditions. However, some hereditary health problems can occur within any breed. In general, beagles are usually healthy dogs, but you should watch out for these conditions:

• Epilepsy: A neurological disease that causes seizures
• Hypothyroidism: A condition caused by insufficient thyroid hormones
• Intervertebral Disc Disease: A condition that occurs when the discs between vertebrae bulge and press on nerves
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A genetic disease characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina

Diet and Nutrition

Beagles love to eat and are notorious for detecting, raiding, and eating anything they can find. You should provide two meals a day of up to 3/4 cup of high-quality dog food per meal. The amount will vary by the dog's size, age, activity level, and other factors. Keep the dog food and your human food well-secured against this hungry canine. Because of their omnivorous appetites, you will have to monitor your dog's weight and take action if you see it is becoming overweight. Discuss your dog's needs with your veterinarian to get recommendations for the right food, feeding schedule, and amount.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Beagle

Before adopting or buying a beagle, remember this dog needs a family that can genuinely and consistently offer a lot of time and attention. Check your local animal shelter to see if there's a beagle in need of a home. If you decide to get a beagle from a breeder, thoroughly research the breeder to avoid puppy mills or backyard breeders.

Check state and regional rescue groups, which include but are not limited to:

• New Jersey: SOS Beagle Rescue
• Midwest: Midwest Beagle Rescue, Education & Welfare
• North Carolina: Triangle Beagle
• New England: Beagles of New England
• Southern California: Beans Beagle Rescue
• Pacific Northwest: Cascade Beagle Rescue

Beagle Overview

Beagles are wonderful dogs and make great companions for active people and families. However, their frequent barking and scenthound genetics might not make them the best fit for all situations.

Pros of the Beagle

• Great family pets
• Gets along with other animals
• Basic grooming needs

Cons of the Beagle

• Loves to dig
• Loud, howling bark
• Sheds regularly
• Can be hard to train

18 Scent Hound Breeds Who Follow Their Noses

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you think the beagle is right for you, be sure to do plenty of research before you get one. Talk to other beagle owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more.

If you’re interested in similar breeds, look into these to compare the pros and cons:

• Harrier
• Dachshund
• Basenji
• Bluetick Coonhound
• Redbone Coonhound
• American Foxhound