Mary Allen
Beagles are the purest sweethearts. If you want a peaceful and largely uncomplicated dog, the Beagle is the right choice.
The Beagle is a hunting dog from Great Britain, which is more likely to be assigned to small dogs.
If you are interested in the lovable four-legged friend, you have come to the right place, because in the following text we will give you an overview of everything you need to know about the beagle. You will learn, among other things:
- what makes this dog
- how he ticks
- what you have to consider when keeping and caring for the beagle and
- what costs you will incur.
How big is a beagle?
The average size of a Beagle male is about 36 to 41 cm. Bitches reach a size between 33 and 38 cm.
In terms of physical size, the Beagle is more in the field of smaller dogs. But he still has a huge heart!
How heavy is a beagle?
Males also differ from females when it comes to the weight of the Beagle. On average, males weigh between 10 and 11 kg. Bitches of this dog breed weigh around 9 to 10 kg.
Of course, how heavy the Beagle really is or becomes also depends on diet and exercise. However, the above values are a good guideline. You can use it as a guide to check whether your furry friend’s weight is within the normal range. If necessary, you can then adjust the diet for the dog.
What does a Beagle look like?
The Beagle has a short and close-lying coat that is weatherproof. Common coat color combinations for this hunting dog are:
- Tan and White,
- Red with white (“Red and White”),
- Lemon yellow with white (“Lemon and White”) and
- Black with brown and white (“tricolor”).
The dogs have short legs that look massive but don’t appear fat. The beagle’s tail is strong and of medium length. It is always tipped with white regardless of the rest of the beagle’s coat color. You can find out why here: Why do beagles have a white tip on their tails?
The beagle’s eyes are dark with varying shades of brown. The ears are long and hang down just below the eyes almost to the tip of the snout.
How old does a beagle get?
The average life expectancy for the Beagle is between 12 and 15 years. Of course, the age that the dog actually reaches, as with us humans, depends on the level of fitness and any diseases that the animal may develop over the years.
It is always advisable to offer the beagle a diet that is as species-appropriate as possible, e.g. B. is the case with BARF.
What character and nature does a Beagle have?
Not only do Beagles look lovable, but they also have big hearts. Beagles are sympathetic creatures who basically mean no harm to anyone.
They like to live in society and are therefore also well suited to living in a family. The Beagle is therefore quite rightly one of our top 5 family-friendly dog breeds.
As a rule, the fur noses behave tolerantly towards other dog breeds. They also usually get along well with other pets such as cats.
Confident and always hungry
However, one should not ignore the enormous self-confidence of this dog. This often develops in puppies. The Beagle is a hunting dog. As a result, the little fur nose is very sure of himself and has a real stubborn head. That’s why he’s often considered one of the dumbest dogs in the world. Of course, that’s not entirely fair.
In addition, Beagles are constantly hungry or hungry. So if you leave food on the table unobserved, it could well be that your animal friend will help himself to it in an unobserved minute and will not leave any of it for you. The right upbringing will help to avoid such surprises.
The beagle belongs to the so-called pack dogs. During the hunt, the animals show stamina and you can rely on their nose. This should be taken into account in both housing and nutrition.
To describe the character quickly, the following six adjectives would be suitable:
- adorable,
- peaceful,
- stubborn,
- greedy,
- clever and
- active.
Where does the beagle come from?
The beagle was first mentioned in ancient times, more precisely in the Tudor period. The dogs were also often used at royal courts for hunting, for example, rabbits.
The ancestors of the Beagles come from France and were taken to their own country by the English – who were able to win the 100 Years’ War at the time. There they were crossed with local dog breeds.
Unfortunately, there is no clear explanation as to how the name Beagle came about. There are assumptions that the naming is due to the French word “bégueule”. The term means something like “loud mouth”. Another approach would be the word “beag”, which used to be an English, French, and Welsh term for small.
The dog breed has been recognized and known under the official name Beagle since 1890. It belongs to FCI Group 6: Hounds, scent hounds, and related breeds.
In its original form, the Beagle used to be a pure hunting dog. That has changed over the years. Although the dogs still have a hunting instinct, they are also family dogs.
Beagle: the right attitude and upbringing
Beagles are small dogs. As an owner, you don’t necessarily need a large house to be able to keep this lovable breed. Of course, as with all dogs, a garden adjacent to the house would be ideal.
It is then important with the Beagle that the outdoor area is sufficiently secured. Due to its nose and the pronounced hunting instinct and stubbornness, the dog could otherwise pay a visit to the neighbors or check in the forest or on the street or go looking for treats. If you do not want to endanger your animal or other living beings, fence the garden in an escape-proof manner.
Beagles don’t like to be alone. Therefore, before you buy it, ask yourself how long you would have to leave the dog alone every day and whether you can still exercise it sufficiently mentally and physically. As mentioned above, Beagles are very intelligent. Brain work is just as important to them as physical exercise.
Varied walks with strange smells make the Beagle’s heart beat faster. The same applies to fetching.
Dogs of this breed are kind-hearted, but they should not be underestimated. A good education for the puppy, clear rules, and loving consistency are the prerequisites to ensure a good relationship between humans and animals.
The Beagle should therefore not be purchased as a beginner’s dog. Inexperienced dog owners could be overwhelmed with training – especially with a puppy.
What care does a Beagle need?
Grooming the Beagle’s coat is very easy and uncomplicated because the dog’s short coat is not very susceptible to dirt.
However, you should keep an eye on the animal’s ears when caring for them, because the floppy ears tend to become infected. However, these can usually be treated well.
A dog of the Beagle breed always has an appetite and is therefore prone to obesity, which sooner or later has a negative impact on its health. A treat in between is of course no problem, but make sure that your little furry friend – depending on gender – does not exceed the weight recommended above.
Excess weight leads to sluggishness and can also cause pain in the joints. In extreme cases, it can also shorten life.
What typical diseases does the Beagle have?
Basically, the Beagle is one of the dog breeds that are very robust and less susceptible to disease. He is mostly in good health. This makes the posture particularly uncomplicated.
Hound ataxia, a neurological disease affecting the spinal cord, can sometimes occur, however.
In addition, of course, even with the best care, the Beagle is not immune to tumors, hormonal problems, or ulcers. However, there is no pronounced vulnerability.
Make sure your furry friend gets enough exercise and doesn’t become overweight, which could damage bones and joints. In this way, you lay a good foundation for the health of the animal.
How much does a beagle cost?
Similar to other pets – e.g. B. with cats – the Beagle also has its price: In addition to the costs for leash, collar, feeding bowl, food, and dog basket, you must calculate the purchase price for the animal itself. It is between 800 and 1,200 euros.
In addition, you need to keep in mind regular costs for dog training and vet visits (vaccinations, etc.). Of course, the possible costs for the veterinarian depending on the health of your animal.
We wish you a lot of joy with this wonderful dog breed!