Beagle – The Complete Breed Guide

Welcome to our guide to the Beagle.

The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Beagle breed of dog.

You can also help too!

If you can answer any of the questions below, then please add your comments to the box at the bottom of the page or you can email us at sales@dogexperts.info.

We would love to feature your dog and publish any photos or pictures of your Beagle you would like to email us.

Beagle Owner Interview

On this page, we feature an interview with the owner of Louie and Marie, a pair of beagles from Belgium.

Can you tell us who you are and where you live?

Louie and Marie the Beagles and we live in Belgium.

How long have you owned a Beagle?

Louie is my first beagle going on 5 years , Marie is now 1.5.

Where did you buy him and her from?

Bought him from one of the best breeders of The Netherlands. Louie’s daddy (dead now ) was international champion and Marie’s daddy is UK champion.

From your experience what makes this breed so special?

What makes this breed so special for me is what makes a beagle a beagle. Really smart dogs but if they don’t wanna listen they just don’t. So they are really really stubborn which causes a lot of fun times when you try and learn them something .

What type of personality/temperament do they have?

Also when they follow their nose, their ears stop working. They go after the scent and try to find their prize. They are also really loving and love to hug and get kisses. They can sleep for a long time but their energy level is also huge! Really need to be an active family if you want to make a beagle happy . Also their looks , short hair , tri-color and long soft ears made me fall in love.

I believe the Beagle is quite a popular dog on social media/Internet these days, can you tell us how this started?

Some world famous beagles have made them so huge on the internet. Snoopy , underdog and so on.

For Louie it all started with his first youtube video. Puppy Louie from 8 weeks to 8 months of age.

A big newspaper made an article about it and this started growing our page.

What are your feeding routines, such as how often and what types of food do you feed the Beagle?

Louie and Marie get Orijen dry kibble for breakfast and dinner. 2 times a day, 85 grams each.

Veggiedent dental sticks every 3 days.

Also Orijen treats and on a cold day with a long walk they get Orijen freeze dried with warm water! They love the taste and smell and it’s medium hot so makes them feel really comfy on a cold long day.

Have you encountered any health issues?

No health issues to worry about so far.

Only bacteria from drinking dirty water and eating wild cat poop on walks.

Obviously grooming is another major aspect of owning a Beagle, can you offer any tips, advice and popular accessories for your Beagle?

A beagle’s coat contains a layer of fat. Too much bath time will make it go away and that’s not healthy for their skin. I’m using a soft rubber brush and brush them every 3months. The more you brush them the more they will shed .

Accessories are nothing special. The usual rubbers brush , a good harness and a strong lead.

In my case I use a Julius K9 harness and Flexi 8m long cord leash so they can have some freedom when walking.

Any other useful tips and advice that you can offer to potential new owners?

Walking off the leash is always a risk with 90 percent of the beagles. They are hunting dogs so when they spot a rabbit you might have to go look for them. It’s in their nature so nothing to do about that. That’s about it for new owners.

They are a blast but you gotta drain their energy when they ask you for it. But how can you tell they need their energy burned? They start barking , howling, steal your clothes, destroy stuff you like and so on. Everything to get your attention. That means you need to take them for a walk or play with them.

Thanks for this wonderful interview and for sharing the photos of Louie and Marie. If you want to find out more, you can visit these links:

www.facebook.com/beaglelouie
www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ-oMIRggrNuzsWLtNFXBXw
www.instagram.com/thebeaglelouie
twitter.com/beaglelouie

Why Choose a Beagle?

What type of owners buy a Beagle?

What in your opinion are the best things about the Beagle breed?

Why do you think the Beagle is special?

What are your favourite things about the Beagle?

Are you glad you choose to buy a Beagle and not another breed?

How would you describe the Beagle temperament?

What advice might you give to people thinking about whether they should buy a Beagle over other breeds?

History & Origins

What are the history and origins of the Beagle?

About The Breed

What colors of Beagle are most popular?

What does the Beagle look like?

What are the pros/cons of the Beagle breed?

What can a new owner expect in terms of differences between the Beagle and other breeds?

Do they attract a lot of interest and curiosity from the public?

What type of typical personality does the Beagle have?

Is it possible to describe a fairly typical Beagle?

What is the breed standard/description for the Beagle?

Were there particular colors people preferred and that maybe you focused on?

Are there any downsides to owning a Beagle that prospective owners should be aware of?

Is the Beagle breed of dog suitable for first-time dog owners?

Some breeds can be described as greedy and prone to weight issues, would this apply to the Beagle?

What are the key differences when compared to other breeds?

Is the Beagle breed suitable for a person or family that are out at work all day?

Some owners seek a breed suitable for barking and offering a guard dog role – how does the Beagle match up to that role?

Are there myths about the Beagle – in other words do new potential owners come to you with misconceptions about this breed?

We asked a number of breeders in the UK and America what essential advice they would give to new owners of Beagle puppies and this is what they said:

What types of questions do you get once owners get their Beagle home?

Can you tell us something most owners would not know – tips, secrets etc from your years of experience?

What is the typical temperament of a Beagle, so people know what to expect from their new pet?

When fully grown how much on average does a Beagle weigh?

When the Beagle is full grown in size what is the maximum height and length expected to be?

Is the Beagle ever crossed or mixed with other breeds of dog?

Does the Beagle smell or drool a lot?

Do you have a Beagle growth chart?

What breed group does the Beagle come under?

What type of coat do they have?

Can they swim?

What does the movement of the tail show, does it mean they are trying to ‘talk to us’ or give us some message?

Suitability

Are there some types of people that you can suggest the Beagle is not suitable for, perhaps families?

How is the Beagle with children?

Do you think the Beagle is suitable for families with young children?

How does the Beagle get along with other (existing) pets and do you have any tips or advice for new Beagle owners in terms of successful integration?

Is it better to buy one Beagle or two?

Should prospective new owners be aware of any differences between males and females?

Would the Beagle be suitable as a guard dog?

Can I leave my Beagle during the day while I go to work?

Lifespan

What is the expected average lifespan of the Beagle?

In terms of life expectancy, how long on average would the Beagle breed live to?

Food & Diet

Do you have any special feeding routines or diet?

Do you have any feeding advice or brands that you prefer?

How to handle the Beagle puppy to start off – how much food, what type, how often?

What feeding routines and types of food/supplements do you recommend?

What to buy in terms of equipment? Bowls etc

Do owners need to consider supplements for their Beagle?

How about for older dogs?

Buying – How Much Do They Cost?

How much did your Beagle cost to buy?

Can you offer advice to people looking to buy a Beagle and how much should they spend?

What advice would you offer new Beagle owners?

What types of people are buying the Beagle and why?

Where can I buy Beagle rescue dogs or find a Beagle for adoption? Please note that buying or searching for a ‘cheap’ Beagle can be false economy as they may have health issues that cost you far more in the long-term – always buy from a good and responsible breeder!

Do I need public liability insurance or a license?

Puppy

How would you describe the Beagle puppy to potential new owners?

What types of owners are best suited to owning a Beagle?

What colors and sizes are most popular?

Are there things new owners do that perhaps frustrate you?

What can people expect when they become a new owner?

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Beagle?

As a Beagle breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Are there specific times of the year that you breed?

Choosing a puppy from a litter, what advice could you offer potential new owners in terms of selecting ‘the one’?

How long does it take to housetrain/potty train a Beagle?

When can you take them out in public and how do you handle them around other dogs?

Will they run off – when is it safe to let them off the lead?

We invite you to email us your Beagle’s pictures, in particular we are looking for photos showing Beagle puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks old as well as early pictures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 months old to a year old.

Do they have any nicknames or does the Beagle have popular names?

If my Beagle is pregnant what might the litter size be?

Could the Beagle be dangerous around young children?

Problem Behaviors

How do you deal with a problem barker – any tips and advice to new owners?

How do you prevent a Beagle biting?

How do you prevent a Beagle chewing?

How do you stop a Beagle jumping up?

Does the Beagle have an issue with excessive digging?

Why does my Beagle keep growling and barking?

Is there a reason my Beagle dog is often scratching excessively?

Do they suffer from separation anxiety and how can I prevent this?

Exercise

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what can you say about the Beagle and their exercise needs and do you have any tips or advice for new Beagle owners?

As a breeder of the Beagle , do you prefer a collar or harness?

As an expert of the Beagle breed do you prefer a standard leash or retractable?

Can you offer any dog walking tips for Beagle owners?

Playtime & Tricks

What games and toys can you recommend for the Beagle?

Are there toys you suggest avoiding?

How intelligent is the Beagle compared to other dog breeds?

How much can they understand?

Grooming

Do you have any special grooming routines or tips and advice for new Beagle owners?

How much time is involved?

What accessories are required to be purchased for grooming a Beagle?

Any advice/tips you can give concerning maintenance of nails?

How much do Beagle shed and how do I maintain their hair and how often?

How can I prevent or cure ear infections?

Do you have any tips for eye care?

Is the Beagle a hypoallergenic breed?

Bathing

Any advice/tips you can give concerning cleaning and bathing your Beagle?

Can you offer new Beagle owners advice concerning fleas and maybe products you use in treatment and prevention?

Showing

What advice and tips could you offer to owners who might wish to follow your path in showing the Beagle?

What started your interest in showing the Beagle?

If a new owner perhaps wanted to meet other owners or find out more – perhaps they have an interest in joining a local club or maybe they wonder how they can start showing their Beagle – where would they begin?

Can you offer any advice to others who may be wondering if they can also start showing?

How would an owner know they have a show-quality Beagle and how would they start off?

Can you give away any of your secrets?!

Is showing very expensive and why do you think people like to do it?

What do judges look for in a winner?

Breeding

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Beagle?

What official organisations are there for the new Beagle owner and what benefits or services do they provide?

In buying a Beagle, can you offer advice and tips to new owners?

How did you go from being an owner to getting into breeding?

Do you think the breed’s popularity has increased, decreased or remains the same?

How did you progress to becoming a breeder and why focus on breeding the Beagle out of all the breeds you could have chosen?

What do you think makes the Beagle special to you?

Are there things that you see owners doing that frustrate you?

As a breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Training

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what is it like to train a Beagle and do you have any tips or advice for new Beagle owners?

How should new owners approach bringing a new Beagle home, any advice and tips you can give?

Should I allow my Beagle to sleep in my bed or elsewhere in the house?

Do you recommend crate training and how long does this take?

Should my Beagle sleep in a kennel or crate?

Health

Health is always a major concern when buying a dog, do you have any advice for new Beagle owners to be aware of in particular?

Are there any health-related tips you can give to owners?

What sort of health issues should owners be on the lookout for?

What is the recommended schedule for vaccinations for your Beagle?

Can you offer any advice on how to treat and prevent worms?

What type of health issues can a Beagle have and how do you deal with preventing these?

Why does my Beagle have diarrhea?

Do they suffer from itchy and sensitive skin and if so why?

Why is my Beagle vomiting and do I go to the vets?

When should I take my Beagle for vaccinations and which ones do they need and how often?

How often will my Beagle be in heat?

Should I consider getting my Beagle spayed or neutered and when and how much does this cost and what are the benefits?

My Beagle is limping, what should I do and should I go to a veterinarian surgeon?

Do they suffer from allergies?

Why is my Beagle not eating?

How much does it cost to insure my Beagle?

What healthcare issues or diseases might be excluded from companies that provide Beagle dog health insurance?

Old Age

What age would you class as an ‘older or senior’ Beagle?

Do you notice any changes in their behaviour?

What changes in food and diet would you suggest making for an older Beagle?

Do you feed any supplements to an older Beagle – or anything else which helps them as they age?

Are there any health issues particular to a senior Beagle dog?

Do you have any advice for owners of an older/senior Beagle or tips you can pass on?

Here is an interesting video on the Beagle.