So you think you want to own a beagle? There are few puppies as cute as a tiny black and white beagle! Beagles appear in movies as the perfect family pets. Beagles make great family pets, but as with any purebred dog, it’s important to learn a few things about the breed before purchasing one.
Beagles are generally a friendly dog breed. They get along well with children. Beagles are naturally curious. If you see a Beagle, chances are you’ll see them nose to the ground and chasing something. Because they were originally bred to be hunting dogs, Beagles are constantly chasing things. This can pose a problem for the Beagle owner as Beagles tend to dig out of the yard and chase after something they are chasing. Vets usually recommend that beagles have ID chips implanted as they have a tendency to come out.
Beagles were bred to hunt in packs and they become lonely easily. A lonely Beagle can become destructive, chewing on furniture, digging up gardens and destroying belongings. A lone beagle will often howl as well. If you have picky neighbors, a Beagle may not be the best option as they bark and howl at times and Beagles have a very distinctive howl. Beagles need plenty of exercise to keep them from getting bored.
Beagle owners need to be careful about how much they feed their dogs. Beagles will eat anything offered, no matter the quantity. It’s not uncommon for Beagles to become quite obese. Beagle owners must monitor food intake. Beagles cannot have unlimited amounts of food available because they overeat.
Beagles are easy to groom because they have short hair. Their coat is traditionally tri-colored—brown, black, and white. The tip of the beagle’s tail is almost always white. They were bred this way so hunters could easily spot them in tall grass when hunting small game like rabbits. Beagles shed a lot and a weekly brushing is a good grooming idea. As with all droopy ear breeds, Beagles need to have their ears cleaned. Commercial ear cleaners are available for this purpose. If the owner doesn’t keep the dog’s ears clean, he can get an ear infection or ear mites. For indoor dogs, bathing once a month is usually sufficient.
The average lifespan of Beagles is twelve to fifteen years. Before buying a pet, make sure you are willing to make a lifetime commitment. As a breed, Beagles can be stubborn and difficult to train. The best training method is to use food rewards. A Beagle will do almost anything for food! Beagles are one of the most affectionate and fun dog breeds. Their energetic personality and persistent curiosity is a constant source of joy for their owners. Beagles love to be around people and get along very well with children. Most Beagle owners fall in love pretty quickly and become Beagle owners for life!
