Beagle
Published on 1 Jun 2021
As the saying goes, follow your nose – and that’s exactly what the cheerful Beagle does!
Bred to hunt hare in 18th century Great Britain, the Beagle is a compact hound ranging in height between 33 to 41 cm and weighing between 8.2 to 15.9 kgs.
Dog Breed Facts & Characteristics
Origin | Great Britain, 1800’s |
Bred for | Scent hound – hunting hare |
Size | Height 33 to 41 cm, Weight 8.2 to 15.9 kgs |
Weight range | 8.2 to 15.9 kgs |
Colours | Tri colour and shades of tri colour, two colours with tan, red, brown, black on white |
Life expectancy | 12 to 15 years |
Coat | Short and thick; sheds |
Temperament | Cheerful, stubborn, vocal and excitable |
Exercise requirements | Medium, need daily exercise, has a lot of stamina |
Best suited for | Active households, experienced dog people |
Apartment friendly | Not recommended |
Personality
Beagles are popular for families with children due to their happy go lucky and friendly disposition. However, they can be stubborn and difficult to train, so they may suit experienced dog people best. It can be difficult to get their attention when they have found an interesting scent.
They enjoy being around other dogs and people and may suffer from loneliness and separation anxiety in a household where people are out a lot of the time.
As Elvis Presley famously sang “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, Cryin’ all the time”, Beagles tend to be “talkative” with a distinct sounding voice. They are probably better suited to larger properties where they have plenty of room to sniff and play, rather than small apartments.
Daily exercise is essential for Beagles as they are energetic and have a lot of stamina. Socialising Beagle puppies from an early age means getting them used to other dogs, animals, people and different environments. This helps them grow up to be well adjusted adults.
Grooming
Their coats are short and dense, and they frequently shed. Regular brushing is recommended, but the coat is fairly low maintenance. By removing loose hairs and stimulating blood flow to the skin, this will help keep the coat in top condition.
With large floppy ears, regular ear care including cleaning should also be part of your normal grooming routine.
Feeding
When choosing a food for your Beagle, select a premium food appropriate to your dog’s age and life stage. Beagles love their food and can become overweight, so ensure that you follow the recommended feeding guides on the food appropriate to your pet's size.
A calorie restricted diet could be a good choice if your Beagle is overweight.
Make sure your Beagle always has a supply of fresh, clean water available.
Common health concerns
Most common pet insurance claims for this breed(PetSure data, 2020*)
| Rank | Condition | Average cost for single treatment (average pet insurance claim amount) | Highest cost for single treatment (highest pet insurance claim seen for this condition) |
| 1 | Gastrointestinal problems, including gastritis and colitis | $369 | $2,293 |
| 2 | Urinary tract problems, including kidney disease and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) | $220 | $2,012 |
| 3 | Foreign body or toxin ingestion | $779 | $7,031 |
| 4 | Cancer, including Mast Cell Tumour and Lymphoma | $550 | $3,685 |
| 5 | Neurological problems, including seizures and vestibular disease | $264 | $7,621 |
Disclaimer: Reimbursement for these claims would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider.
As ear and skin problems are common, checking the coat, skin and ears daily to catch any signs of infection early. Also ensure your flea protection is up to date.
Cleaning the ears with an ear cleaner can help keep the ear canals free from debris.
Most popular Beagle names
Common names (PetSure data, 2020)
- Milo
- Daisy
- Charlie
- Bella
- Bentley
- Hunter
- Archie
- Frankie
- Bailey
- Benji
Most common female names
- Daisy
- Bella
- Frankie
- Lola
- Molly
- Rosie
- Bonnie
- Cleo
- Millie
- Poppy
Most common male names
- Milo
- Charlie
- Bentley
- Hunter
- Archie
- Benji
- Bailey
- Max
- Toby
- Bruno
Did you know?
Beagles are the most widely used breed of dog for experimentation in research facilities. There are organisations dedicated to rehoming these dogs, so if you are looking for a Beagle, consider adopting an ex-research facility dog.
Where can I get a Beagle?
As mentioned above, there may be ex-research Beagle’s available for adoption, as well as breed specific rescue organisations. Also be sure to check your local pet rescue shelters where you might just find your new best friend!
References
- American Kennel Club, Beagle, accessed on 04/11/20
- Wikipedia, Beagle, accessed on 04/11/20
- Beagle Freedom Australia, accessed on 04/11/20
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