The Beagle: Everything you need to know

Curious, loving, energetic, affectionate… need we go on?! Enter: the Beagle. 

Hailing from Old Blighty, Beagles are loving, people-pleasing pooches. Scent hounds at heart, they are happiest when in the company of their loving pack - or in pursuit of an interesting scent!

Popular not only with pet parents and sitters alike, but also with royalty (more on that later). From their adorable, pleading eyes (that’d give Puss in Boots a run for his money) to their impressive scent hound skills, there’s a lot to know when it comes to these sprightly pups. 

So, if you’ve fallen head over heels with the cute Beagle dog (and who could blame you?), read on! Here, we’ll be sniffing out their personality, hunting out their history, and tracking down everything you need to know about these adorable doggos (see what we did there?).

Breed characteristics

Origin: Great Britain

Size: Medium size breed, standing between 13-15 inches high and weighing around 18-20 pounds on average. 

Character: Friendly, active, and highly sociable. They make great family companions and get along well with children and other pets. 

Health needs: The breed is prone to certain health problems, including epilepsy, ear infections, tumours and cysts, eye problems, ligament disease, and back, spine and neck issues (including hip dysplasia and intervertebral disk disease).

Grooming: Their smooth, dense coat needs minimal grooming - a weekly brush and regular nail trimming is all this pooch needs to stay looking tip-top.

Training: They are clever canines that are eager to please - but they can have a stubborn streak! Beagle puppies will benefit from lots of training and early socialisation. 

Energy levels: They are super active - a fully grown pooch will need at least 2 hours of daily exercise.

Intelligence: They are a curious and clever breed, and their detection dog background means they have a great concentration span to boot. 

Lifespan: 12 - 15 years.

Noise levels: These pups have a strong desire to bark. While you won’t be able to curb this completely, training methods will help to keep their howling under wraps.

Beagle looks & appearance

First things first: this is one seriously cute pooch (and that's a fact). Small yet hardy, they’re a medium-sized breed with floppy ears, a broad head, and kind, pleading eyes that will hit you right in the feels. So much so, we'd fully believe you if you told us it was the Beagle that inspired the phrase 'puppy dog eyes'. 

When it comes to all things ‘fur’, the most common is tricolour, with white, black and light brown patches. However, you can also find Beagle colors that come in just two shades, such as the white and lemon Beagle. Mostly, their coat is medium length, dense and smooth - and waterproof to boot. 

You may have also heard of Pocket Beagles. These are the same purebred dogs we know and love, but are typically much smaller than your standard Beagle pooch.

Beagle personality

The Beagle temperament is next to none. Sweet, affectionate and merry, they make great companion dogs for the right family, and get along well with just about everyone. 

With the right socialisation and training, you'll have a loyal, loving, and playful dog by your side for many years to come. Hey - it's no wonder they are one of the most popular breeds in the United States! 

Make no doubt about it, though: Beagles can have a stubborn streak - making training a must! - and would benefit from a pet parent who can give them lots of time, love, and attention. 

They are hound dogs that were originally bred to hunt in packs. Today, that pack mentality lives on - as such, they adore company and generally dislike being left on their own. 

What's the ideal home for a Beagle?

These easy-going pups are pretty adaptable, and so don't require a huge amount of living space as long as their daily exercise needs are met. That means an apartment should be a fine abode for these little cuties. 

Be aware, though: these pups would happily follow their nose to the end of the Earth (almost) in pursuit of their quarry. This means securing the exits in your home and garden is a MUST, to avoid your Beagle buddy going AWOL.

What's the ideal human for a Beagle?

Good news for families: Beagles are a great family pooch and get along well with children as well as other pets. That said, they have a strong hunting instinct, and so should always be supervised around smaller animals. 

They are great for first-time pet parents and experienced owners alike, thanks to their highly adaptable and sociable nature. That said, they are best suited to pet parents with an active lifestyle, who can meet their energetic needs. 

Beags are prone to separation anxiety, and being left alone can lead to destructive behaviour (RIP your slippers). So, they’ll need somebody who can give them a lot of TCA (time, care, and attention), and provide them with the early training and socialisation they need to thrive. 

Tips for training Beagles

A quiet environment, free of distractions will be your best bet when it comes to training your Beagle. As with most breeds, consistency is key - they are independent and can be stubborn, but are highly food motivated. They respond best to positive reinforcement and treats will play a big part in training your Beag. Puppy training and socialisation classes are highly recommended for this dog breed.

Of course, how often you should walk your dog (and for how long) can vary depending on breed and size. But Beagles come with buckets of energy, and will require long walks and at least 2 hours of exercise a day to thrive and keep any destructive, boredom-prone behaviour at bay. 

Grooming Beagles

Good news - this good-natured pup is relatively easy to care for when it comes to grooming. 

Beagles shed throughout the year, but mostly during the spring which is when they cut loose their thick winter coats. 

A weekly groom with a medium natural bristle brush will remove any loose hair and keep your prize pooch looking tip-top. Other than that, like most dogs, these pups will need to have their nails trimmed regularly. 

Beagle history

These little cuties originate from England - originally descending from small pack-hounds. The name itself - "Beagle" - comes shrouded in mystery, although it's believed that it comes from the French word begueule, meaning 'open mouthed'.

They were originally bred for hunting, and their sharp sense of smell was used for tracking prey such as stags and rabbits. They were first recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885, but have been a popular breed for centuries.

The Pocket Beagle in particular was a hit Elizabeth I, who kept packs of these tiny little dogs. The royal connection doesn’t end there, either! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently welcomed their own Beagle rescue: a 7-year-old pup named Mamma Mia, who was one of 4,000 Beagles recently rescued by The Humane Society of the United States, from a breeding facility in Virginia.

As well as being a much-loved furry companion, today, Beagles continue to bring home the metaphorical bacon, working in roles such as sniffer dogs, therapy dogs and more. 

Getting a Beagle

Pet parentship is a big deal, and it pays to be prepared. If you're getting thinking about getting a Beagle puppy, keep in mind that you’ll need to invest a lot of time and effort into your new pup’s early training and socialisation. 

While we’re sure our Beagle breed guide has given you lots of useful information, a great way to see if you will mesh with a particular breed is simply to spend some time around them. Why not check if there are any Beagle parents searching for dog sitters nearby? This is a great way to get acquainted with the breed and feel what it’s like to be a real pet parent to one of these adorable pooches. 

Once you’re confident that you’ve found the right breed for you, consider adoption. While there are reputable breeders around, there are plenty of pooches waiting in shelters. So, it’s worth taking a look around your local adoption centres first, to find out if you can offer a loving Beagle-in-need a forever home.

About to welcome home one of these happy little hounds? Check out our list of the best Beagle names that are perfect for your new floppy-eared fellow.