Beagle Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

9-10 kg

Height

36-41 cm

Lifespan

13-15 years

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About the Beagle

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Beagle is one of the most popular dog breeds… and with good reason. Beagles are friendly, intelligent – and they adore being around humans and other canines.

The purpose of this comprehensive guide is to provide you with all the information you need concerning a dog breed that an English writer once described as being a “foot hound of our country, indigenous to the soil”.

What is the history & origin of the Beagle?

The ancestral history of the modern Beagle is a mystery. Ancient Greek documents from 400 BC provide us with descriptions of Beagle-like dogs. However, when William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, he took with him Talbot Hounds (which were probably used as hunting hounds). This breed of dog is now extinct – but they were the ancestors of the Foxhound, Southern Hound (also extinct) and the modern-day Beagle.

During and after the late medieval period, people kept Beagles as hunting dogs because Beagles have a strong hunting instinct. For instance, Glove Beagles were a popular breed during the reign of Edward II, Henry VII and Elizabeth I (the latter kept Pocket Beagles as pets).

But by the 18th century, fox hunting became popular in England. Consequently, the humble Beagle had to make way for the bigger and stronger Foxhound. However, Beagles remained a popular hound dog amongst farmers in England, Wales and Ireland.

After the Civil War, Americans started to import Beagles for rabbit hunting. In 1887, the National Beagle Club of America was established.

Beagles have even managed to reach the White House – President Lyndon Johnson had two Beagles named Him and Her.

What is a Beagle breed?

The American Kennel Club recognizes two varieties of Beagles, based on height:

The “13-inch” variety has a maximum height of 13 inches (33.02cm);
The “15-inch” variety has a height range between 13 inches and 15(38.1cm) inches.

In Australia and the UK, all Beagles are categorised as having a height between 13 inches and 16 inches.

In terms of colour type for the categorisation of Beagles:

In America, there are 25 colour groupings. These include combinations of black, white, tan, blue, brown and lemon.
In Canada, a Beagle can have any colour.
In the UK, there are 19 colour groupings – though the Kennel Club is open to creating new colour categories.
In Australia, there are 11 colour groupings. New colour categories will not be considered.

Learn more about: Beagle Colours

Who is a Beagle best for?

Beagles are fantastic family pets. They are certainly the right dog for potential owners who:

Have young children.
Already own other dogs or animals.
Live in a house that has a garden.

Beagles are ideally suited for people who want a playful family pet that enjoys human interaction (e.g. learning new tricks, dog sports) and a loyal companion who will always be keen to go for a run or walk.

Beagle Grooming & Shedding

Grooming Beagles on a regular basis is necessary to remove their dead fur and to encourage the growth of new fur. Beagle owners should brush their pet (e.g. with a hound glove) at least once a week.

Beagles have a dense double coat that is smooth and soft. A Beagle’s coat is also resistant to rainwater.

In general, Beagles are clean animals. So you only need to wash them once every 4-6 weeks.

Learn more about: Beagle Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Beagles bark a lot?

Beagles are communicative dogs – so they have a tendency to bark for many reasons. For instance, a Beagle will bark when it is:

Happy (e.g. when its owner returns home from work).
Excited (e.g. when it sees other animals in the park).
Worried (e.g. when it is suffering from separation anxiety).

What is the average weight & height of a Beagle dog?

Beagles are medium-sized dogs that usually weigh around 10 kg /22 lbs (male Beagles weigh slightly more than female Beagles). But Beagles tend to put on weight with age because they become less active. So it is important to exercise Beagles frequently.

Learn more about: Beagle Size & Weight Chart

Are Beagles easy to train?

A Beagle dog can be stubborn and independently-minded. This can make it difficult to train the dog – but it is not impossible, especially through the use of obedience training whilst the Beagle is young (e.g. with puppy training classes).

Learn more about: Beagle Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Beagles behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Beagles are voracious scent hounds. Once a Beagle picks up an interesting scent – it will chase after the scent with a frantic level of focus and determination.

But Beagles are also very friendly canines. They are excellent family dogs and they thrive on human interaction. This delightful aspect of the Beagle temperament can be best summed up in the following lovely adage: “First they steal your heart, then they steal your bed”.

Learn more about: Beagle Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Beagle have any common health issues?

There are a few health problems that are unique to Beagles:

A Beagle’s ears are large and droopy. This makes for poor air circulation. Therefore, at least every two weeks, owners of Beagles must inspect their pets for ear infections and excessive earwax.
Hip dysplasia is a common inherited disease amongst Beagles. The disease leads to the improper development of hip joints. This then leads to arthritis.
Cherry eye is a disorder whereby a red mass/lump starts to develop within the inner corners of a Beagle’s eye. This ailment can lead to complications like conjunctivitis.

Learn more about: Common Beagle Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Beagle?

The average life expectancy of a Beagle is 13 years – though this can be extended to 15 years (depending on genetics and how well the owner cares for the dog).

How much does a Beagle need to be fed?

Beagles have an insatiable appetite! They eat everything and anything, all day long – even beyond the point of vomiting! So portion control is vital.

A puppy Beagle should eat two cups of dry dog food per day across two servings (i.e. breakfast and dinner).

An adult Beagle should eat one cup of dog food per day across two servings. Also for any adult dog, dog treats should never account for more than 10% of the dog’s daily food allowance.

Learn more about: What to Feed a Beagle? Diet & Feeding Chart

How much can you expect to pay for a Beagle in Australia?

In Australia, the average price for a Beagle is around $500 to $600. However, if you want a puppy with a superior Beagle lineage, then you might have to pay more than $1,500.

Learn more about: Beagle Prices In Australia

Beagle FAQs

Are Beagles suited for a family with other dogs?

Yes, they are! Beagles are pack animals – and as such, they enjoy the company of other dogs. However, Beagles must be socialised at an early age (7-14 weeks) to live with other canines.

Beagles are particularly fond of Labradors, Golden Retrievers – and of course, Beagles love other Beagles!

Will a Beagle puppy require a lot of attention and training compared to other dog breeds?

Beagle dogs tend to require more attention than other dogs. This is because they are intelligent animals that need constant stimulation.

Compared to popular breeds like the Pug or English Bulldog, Beagles need more exercise (Beagles must exercise at least 60 minutes per day in a large park).

Beagles also need more training to improve their obedience than other hounds like the Bassett Hound or Dachshund.

Does the Beagle dog breed make poor guard dogs?

A Beagle would not be a good guard dog. This is because they are keen to show affection and fondness to new strangers (including potential intruders).

However, a Beagle can be an excellent watchdog – because they become excited when something is out of place (e.g. the sound of an intruder’s footsteps).

Where can I find Beagle puppies?

You can acquire Beagle puppies either from a reputable breeder or a local animal shelter.

A reputable breeder will:

Never try to sell Beagle puppies that are younger than eight weeks;
Allow you to meet the dam (mother) and sire (father) of any given puppy;
Provide the necessary documents regarding veterinary care, vaccinations, pedigree and legal registration.

If you plan to adopt a puppy from an animal shelter, then please note the following:

Before a puppy can move into your house, the shelter might want to give the puppy an item of your clothing, like an old t-shirt. This will give the puppy a chance to become accustomed to your scent.
You should make sure the puppy has been microchipped, neutered and vaccinated. Also, the puppy needs to have received up-to-date treatment for fleas and worms. The animal shelter will complete all these checks for you. The cost of this service is a one-time adoption fee of around $440.