The Truth About Beagles
Beagles are wonderful dogs!
Beagles are friendly, smart, loving, curious and fun. They are typically happy, outgoing and good with children, making them a great addition to any family. However, they are also independent, stubborn, mischievous, not particularly obedient and can be singularly focused, especially where food or critters are involved.
Beagles, unlike retrievers have been bred to go out ahead of us and hunt prey. They have been bred to not only work independently, but to problem solve and make decisions independently. They have been bred to keep their nose to the ground and follow a scent with abandon.
It is often said when the nose is down, the ears are off
Make no mistake, they hear you screaming for them. They just don’t care. They have been bred to ignore all outside stimulus that might distract them from their “job” of following the scent. In short, they don’t really need us. In fact, the white tip on their tails was purposefully bred into beagles so owners could find them during and after the hunt.
Beagles can be quite vocal, especially when on a scent
Beagle lovers adore the deep bay of a beagle, but for some people, it is like nails on a chalkboard. Their vocalness makes them less than desirable for apartment living although some do quite well in apartments and condos. They are fantastic watch dogs, alerting you to everything they think you should know about, which is everything they see!
“Silence is golden—unless you have a Beagle. Then silence is very, very suspicious.” – Anonymous
If you are looking for a great workout, walk a beagle!
You will surely get in extra steps as they zig zag following different scents along the way. Due to their prey drive, they can pull quite a bit so it is not recommended to have young children walk them. Additionally, they should be walked on a harness to avoid stress on their esophagus while pulling on the leash.
Furry fur babies
Although beagles have short fur, they are NOT hypoallergenic. They are moderate shedders, but during shedding season it becomes heavy. Other than an occasional brushing, their coat doesn’t require much maintenance. Just a bath once in a while is all they need.
Beagles make for great family dogs
Beagles are extremely loving, quite comical at times and are generally great family dogs. They are pack dogs meaning they thrive in multi-dog homes. That is not to say they don’t do well as only dogs, but it is dependent on the dog’s personality.
These traits are who they are
It is very difficult to change their behaviors. Successful beagle owners embrace their personalities and adjust to it. For example, homes with beagles typically have trash cans that are covered and fences with extra protection around the base. If their personality traits don’t seem like something you are willing or able to live with, a beagle is not the right breed for you. Not only is it unfair to try to change their innate behaviors, it will be extremely frustrating and most likely fruitless.
“You can't un-beagle a beagle, no matter how hard you try!” – Debbie Zorn
Training a beagle
This is a bit of a joke in the beagle community. Many a beagle have been asked to leave training classes. It would appear they would be easy to train because they are so food motivated. However, their stubbornness often outweighs the desire for food. Basically, beagles listen to commands when they feel like it. That is not to say they can’t be trained. It takes perseverance, but can be done. However, if you are looking for a well behaved, trained dog that will listen to you the majority of the time, a beagle is not the best choice.
Beagle health issues
As with any breed, beagles have some common health issues. See www.beaglepro.com/beagle-health for information on some health issues that could arise. If you have further questions or concerns, you should consult your veterinarian before looking to adopt a beagle.
Keeping a beagle safe
Beagles require extra care and vigilance to keep them safe. They can be diggers. Fences and fence lines must be checked regularly for holes or gaps your beagle can escape through. They should not be left unattended in a fenced area as they tend to get into trouble when bored.
Beagles will eat ANYTHING, so dangerous items need to be kept out of reach. Their noses can find many undesirable bits of trash so they need to be monitored when outside.
Leashes need to be secure at all times. The best way to accomplish this is to put your hand through the handle and wrap the leash around your wrist a few times. It is not uncommon for a beagle to see something and jerk the leash right out of an unsuspecting owner’s hand.
The bottom line
Some consider a beagle too much to handle, so if all of this sounds like more than you want to deal with, you are not alone! However, if you are up for the challenges that come along with owning a beagle, we would be happy to help you find your new family member.