Beagle: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

September 11, 2023

Curious, merry, and heart-warming, the lovable Beagle belongs to the hound group of working dogs. Beagles may have been bred to hunt in packs at the behest of their English gentleman owners a few hundred years ago, but today this small-sized purebred has become a hardy companion dog. 

Thanks to their huge brown eyes, large velveteen ears, and adorable disposition, Beagles are beloved family dogs that get along with other dog breeds and children of all ages. The high energy level of Beagles and their playfulness along with their small size make them a great match for children.  

In this blog, you’ll discover why a Beagles will be a loveable, loyal, happy-go-lucky addition to your home and household. 

PERSONALITY & TEMPERAMENT

Beagles are known for being affectionate, charming, and playful. As hounds, they’re naturally curious and won’t resist exploring a new scent, no matter where the trail takes them. This can at times manifest as a mischievous streak, but Beagle fanciers can’t help but love their hounds despite this. In fact, Beagles have distinct, humorous personalities that endear their owners. Who can resist those big brown eyes that yearn for snuggles? Beagles are high energy dogs that need a decent amount of mental stimulation every day. They do best with owners who can be with them throughout the day. When left alone for long stretches of time, a Beagle will be prone to howling and other behavioral issues. 

APPEARANCE, SIZE & LIFESPAN

As a small size purebred dog, the Beagles actually come in two distinct size and weight categories. The first group is slightly larger at 13 – 15 inches and weighing between 20 – 30 lbs. The other group is shorter than 13 inches and weighs under 20 lbs. When you get your Beagle puppy, be sure to ask which size he will grow to be. Beagles have a short, smooth double-coat of fur. Their shedding is moderate, and they rarely drool. The life expectancy of a Beagle is between 10 – 15 years. Caring well for your Beagle by feeding him nutritious dog food and brushing his coat will result in a healthy and “shiny” looking dog.  

TRAINABILITY

Beagles are smart and very curious, which can be challenging traits when you’re training your Beagle puppy. Beagles will quickly pick up on commands but are also prone to losing interest in training, which manifests as disobedience. Keeping your training sessions short, between 5 – 8 minutes, is ideal when teaching your Beagle basic commands and obedience. Given the energetic nature of the Beagle, it can help to incorporate exercise-intensive games into your training method. For instance, by training your Beagle outside in the yard via a game of fetch that requires your Beagle “come,” “stop,” “lie down,” and “drop it” throughout the game will be far more effective than a general indoor treat-based training session. 

EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS

Beagles are active, energetic dogs that need at least 1 hour of outdoor exercise per day. If a Beagle is all by himself outside, he won’t be motivated to run, play, or exercise. This breed needs its owner to be actively involved in the exercise. Taking your Beagle for a long walk or an off-leash hike on a secluded trail are ideal forms of exercise for this purebred hound. If you have other dogs for the Beagle to play with, then letting your Beagle out into the backyard with the other dogs will keep him active. Taking him to a dog park if he’s your only pooch is also a great way to provide his daily exercise requirements and playtime. 

GROOMING NEEDS

Even though Beagles have a short coat of fur, their grooming needs aren’t entirely low maintenance. Your Beagle will need to be brushed every few days to remove loose fur. This will keep your Beagle’s coat shiny and healthy, as the brushing process will also distribute healthy, protective oils throughout the coat. We recommend using a deshedding tool so that the loose fur is captured and not scattered on your furniture and floor. Your Beagle’s nails will need to be trimmed every 5 – 6 weeks, which is roughly when you’ll need to give him a proper bath. Many Beagle owners prefer to take their Beagle to the professional dog groomers every 6 weeks, and in the interim they brush their Beagles at home throughout the week. Lastly, you will need to clean your Beagle’s ears about once per month. Their large, floppy ears are prone to dirt and grime build up that needs to be removed regularly. 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Due to their small stature, Beagles can be prone to becoming overweight when their owners feed portions that are too big or reward their Beagles with too many treats. To keep your Beagle healthy, keep an eye on his weight. Feed him age-appropriate dog food (puppy food, adult food, or senior dog food) that’s nutritious. Also, be sure to regularly take your Beagle to the vet for his check-ups. The vet will monitor your Beagle’s weight and be able to make dietary recommendations if it looks like he’s getting heavy.

That’s everything you need to know about Beagles! Now you know why we love Beagles. Petland Miami has many heart-melting Beagle puppies who would love to meet you! Stop by any of our Florida locations and our pet counselors will introduce you to your forever love puppy.