Beagles are a popular breed worldwide.
If you’re looking for a family pet or a canine companion, you may be considering a Beagle as a potential addition to your home.
Beagles are members of the American Kennel Club’s Hound Group, tracing their history back to 16th century England.
These energetic dogs overtook Rottweilers as the seventh-most popular dog breed in the United States.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of Beagles to give prospective owners a well-rounded view on the breed.
We’ll hear from some Beagle owners to provide us with detailed analysis of the dog breed.
Pros
Beagle shaking at the park (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Energetic
Beagles are relatively high-energy dogs that will thrive alongside a dog owner who likes to get out and explore. Whether you’re a jogger, regular walking, hiking enthusiast, hobby hunter or social butterfly, you can count on your Beagle to be by your side. Beagles will require at least an hour of exercise a day, whether that’s a long walk, a couple of short walks, training in the yard or mental stimulation inside the home.
Olesya revealed that Tosha (@tosha_the_beagle) likes to go for long walks.
I can tell that for Tosha there is no specific need to exercise, he is very happy to be outside and usually we do a very long walks about 7-10 km or even more but sometimes we can stay home even couple of days without walking and he is absolutely fine with it as long as he is staying next to his humans.
Low maintenance
For anyone with allergies to dogs, you’ll be disappointed to learn that Beagles aren’t hypoallergenic. They do shed quite a bit and will usually blow out their coats at the changing of the seasons. But there isn’t a lot of maintenance involved with this breed. Beagle owners can get away with a quick brush every few days. They can be bathed at home so you won’t have to spend money on professional groomers.
Sociable
Beagle howls at home (Photo: Adobe Stock)
If you’re a sociable person who likes to meet new people, hang out with other dog parents, go to dedicated Beagle meet-ups or go the dog park, this breed could be a good fit for you. The AKC rate Beagles as extremely good with other dogs and relatively open to meeting strangers.
Tosha the Beagle (@tosha_the_beagle) loves to meet new people.
Tosha has sweet and kind personality, he is very friendly with everyone he meets including cats, kids, other dogs or humans. He never growls, I’m not even sure if he knows how to do it. He is very calm at home, but very active outside, he loves to play with other dogs and explore new places.
Beagle Universe added:
They love to play with everyone. Every dog , child or even a burglar that jumps over your fence will be greeted with love. That’s how welcoming they are.
Adaptable
The Beagle breed is considered a highly adaptable dog breed. They’re quick to adjust to new surroundings, with a curious nature. This could be going about day-to-day life, strange noises or the weather. Beagles can excel in a variety of living conditions, whether you’ve got an apartment, a house in a suburban area or live on a farm. If this should change, your Beagle should be able to adapt. If you’re looking for a versatile dog, the Beagle could be the answer.
Family Pets
The AKC’s website rate the Beagles as five-star dogs in a family setting. They’re considered highly tolerant and patient dogs with children thanks to their family-friend nature. Of course, Beagle owners should never leave their canine along unsupervised with children. But overall, Beagles are a good breed to consider if you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family home.
Tosha (@tosha_the_beagle) certainly lives up to the stereotype.
Tosha adores kids, every time he is around them he is so happy and playful! And kids love him too due to big ears and his cute face, so I would definitely say that he is a great pet for a family.
Cons
Beagle howls at home (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Big barkers
If you think about the Beagle breed, you may picture Copper from The Fox and The Hound and his adorable howling. Beagles were bred to aide fox hunts and other game hunts. They would let out a howl once the target was spotted. Beagles have a reputation for being loud dogs, although this isn’t necessarily true of every member of the breed. It’s something to consider if you’re thinking about getting a Beagle. The AKC rate the Beagle as a very vocal breed.
Beagle Universe had some advice for Beagle owners.
If you walk them, play with them and make sure they don’t get bored…no they do not bark a lot. If they get bored, they can bark all day long.
Recall
Beagles were bred to have a high prey drive seeing as they were used during hunts. The modern-day Beagle will usually retain this high prey drive, which underlines the importance of recall training. It’s a good idea to start practising this particular skill from when your canine companion is just a puppy. A GPS dog tracker is probably a must!
Olesya explained that Tosha (@tosha_the_beagle) does have some issue with recall.
So far the main problem I have with him is that sometimes he likes to follow some wild animals and when he is following the trail, it’s almost impossible to stop him until he decides, but he always comes back to me in a little while. I also bought a GPS for him, so I always know how far and where he is.
Beagle Universe added:
They are hunting dogs so most of them use their nose to track down rabbits or other game when walking them. This can cause your shoulder to dislocate , that’s how hard they can pull on a leash.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety can affect any dog irrespective of breed or mix. Beagles aren’t immune to this chronic canine condition. As big barkers, it can become an issue if your Beagle is extremely vocal and struggles with separation anxiety. This problem could be exacerbated if you live in an apartment or townhouse.
Stubborn
Beagle (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Beagles are often stereotyped as a stubborn dog breed. There’s some truth to this but it can sometimes be a misconception. Just like separation anxiety, the level of stubbornness can vary from Beagle to Beagle. The AKC don’t rate the Beagle as particularly strong-willed dogs so with consistent training, you may end up with an obedient pup.
Olesya suggested that Beagle owners need to out-stubborn their dogs!
It’s true that people think that it’s a very difficult and stubborn breed and Ii can easily see why they say that, but I would say that it absolutely depends on the owners. Beagle needs a bit of strict education and most important is to be consistent, where no, means no at all times. So I would say its important to be more stubborn than a Beagle.
Escape artists
Beagles have a reputation for being escape artists as dogs that love to dig. Their digging can become a problem so it’s something to keep an eye on. With a high prey drive, you’ll need to ensure your home, garden or yard is appropriately secured to prevent your Beagle from escaping if they spot a squirrel, bird or rabbit.
