Meet the Beagle

Who doesn’t know the Beagle? Thanks to Charles M. Schultz, the Beagle is the most famous dog in the world—or so thinks the lovable Snoopy! Even before the launch of the Peanuts comic strip in October 1950, everyone in the Western world recognized the merry little hunting hound with the one-of-a-kind name. The Beagle was, in fact, the country’s top breed for most of the 1950s, according to American Kennel Club registration statistics, and the first choice of families from coast to coast. Who can resist those soft pleading eyes, those cute droopy ears, and that nonstop wagging tail? All dog people—whether hunters, field-trial enthusiasts, dog show folk, or just dedicated pet lovers—easily fall prey to the Beagle’s down-to-earth charm, natural charisma, and joy-filled attitude toward everyone he meets.

A top choice among dog lovers and hunting enthusiasts since the turn of the century, Beagles are family-friendly, energetic hounds with a nose for adventure.

ARE YOU CUT OUT FOR THE BEAGLE?

Charisma and cuteness certainly go far, but there’s more to a Beagle than his smiling face and waving tail. He requires a special owner, one who has time and energy to share. A happy, easygoing approach to life and a strong desire to have fun qualify you as a likely Beagle person. The Beagle is a pawn-sized hound with a king-sized zest for living, and he doesn’t like playing alone. Everything is more fun with a friend—or thirty! If you don’t mind this little foxhound looking upon you as a human member of his pack, then perhaps a Beagle is for you.

The Beagle is bred in two different heights: 13 inches and under and 15 inches and under. The breed is separated into two sizes for hunting ability in different types of cover. Both sizes make perfectly wonderful urban or field companions.

As a family dog, the Beagle excels. He’s not a one-man dog, but considers the whole family—young and old, and everyone in between—his pack. Teach your children how to handle pets and to respect all animals, and the smaller members of your household will most certainly become Beagle people, too. Beagles take to children like rabbits to the field!

BEAGLE CHORES

For all his muddy glory, the Beagle is a wash-and-wear kind of hound, and you won’t waste countless hours grooming your dog or styling his coat. A once-over with a grooming glove or a natural bristle brush and a quick ear-cleaning is all your Beagle requires. It takes about two-and-a-half minutes per day to groom a Beagle’s coat, though you’ll have to devote another ten or fifteen minutes to vacuum the shed hair left around the house. Yes, Beagles shed, so if an immaculate house is of paramount importance to you, invest in a good Hoover or a reliable cleaning service—or choose a nonshedding breed!

Luckily, the Beagle’s a small dog, so house-cleaning chores are minimal compared to those for a Golden Retriever or a Newfoundland. During the winter, your vacuum will get a break as the Beagle’s coat thickens up for the colder months and sheds less. Your mop, however, doesn’t get a vacation, as Beagles can get just as muddy on a summer hike as they can on a snowy romp. And the mop will come in handy during the first few house-training months, too.

Did You Know?

A popular hare used in Beagle field trials is the snowshoe hare, so called because of the size of its hind feet, found in forests or shrubby swamps across much of Canada and the northern United States, from Alaska to Maine. Unlike rabbits that burrow into the ground when chased, hares run farther, longer, and straighter, making for better sport for Beagles.

Top Dog

The Beagle has ranked in the nation’s top ten dogs according to AKC registration statistics consistently from the 1880s to the present. In the 1940s, the Beagle was the number-two dog in the nation, out-done only by the Cocker Spaniel, and then rose to the number-one position in the 1950s, a pinnacle the breed has not reached since. In 2011, the Beagle rose one notch to grab the number-three spot, behind the Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd Dog.

Speaking of mud and all that goes with it: don’t be afraid to give your Beagle a bath! The easiest way to tidy up a muddy Beagle is with a quick, warm bath. It’s likely you won’t have to do this too often, but a good bath once a month will keep your Beagle smelling fresh.

A VOICE OF HIS OWN

Beagles prefer owners who have patience and a good sense of humor, especially when it comes to commands. In the Beagle’s mind, the silliest command of all is quiet. Beagles know they’ve been blessed with a gift to bark, to bay, to howl, to sing! Would you ask Lady Gaga not to give voice to her music? Of course not!

Your Beagle contends that he was born this way, and he’s absolutely correct. Beagles were bred to bark, signaling the location of prey in a hunt. So when your Beagle is excited, he rightly voices his joy and passion. Even though your Beagle will likely not encounter a fox around your home, there may be a jogger passing his fence, a mail truck slowing down at the corner, or a maple leaf falling from a nearby tree without permission! Sometimes the Beagle’s bark is a good thing: you will never be surprised by delivery people or strangers.

A hunting dog by birth, a Beagle won’t hesitate to follow his nose toward excitement. Instill strong obedience training in your Beagle from puppyhood.

Beagles are happy to be outside in any weather, but take special care that he is protected in especially harsh climates.

A BUNDLE OF ENERGY

If you’re a jogger, your Beagle will be dancing every time you reach for your sneakers. Beagles will happily accompany you on your morning jog. Because the Beagle’s idea of running is following a scent and chasing rabbits, he won’t be impressed by your chosen route, but he’ll nonetheless keep stride with you. You must always keep your Beagle on leash or else he’ll abandon your course the moment he eyes a passing squirrel or smells a hot dog vendor. While your Beagle is young, avoid strenuous exercise. A swift walk or a moderate jog around the block is fine for a young dog, but wait until he’s a year old before you attempt a long-distance run.

Physically fit owners are ideal for the Beagle, as exercise accomplishes two important goals for this hound. It keeps him trim and lean, and at the same time it relieves boredom. A Beagle with gallons of energy to burn will be boisterous and barky. If you live in an apartment or condo (or have close neighbors), then you must commit to a good morning and evening exercise routine with your Beagle. Sticking to a schedule provides your dog with structure. All dogs are creatures of habit and prefer knowing what to expect from day to day. On sunny days, you can enjoy a nice leisurely walk with your Beagle, but be sure you’ve got the right gear for those rainy days, too. Beagles are all-weather dogs, and they don’t mind walking in the rain, sleet, or snow. Be prepared to get out there with your rain slicker or snow boots, hat, and gloves!

Your Beagle may seem apartmentsized on the outside, but he is a country dog at heart. If you live in the city, keep your Beagle on a strict exercise and training schedule to keep his abundant energy in check.

COUNTRY, CITY, OR SUBURBS?

Although the Beagle has been climbing the AKC registration stats nationally—number three in 2011—city folk rarely choose this energetic hound. With the exception of a few cities in the South, the Beagle isn’t in the top five breeds of any of the largest forty cities in the United States. With their natural propensity for open fields and country life, Beagles may prove a challenge in an urban setting. Even though the Beagle is ideally sized for apartment living, a city Beagle will take more training to keep that recognizable howl in check, and a Beagle owner must do his or her part to keep this hound mentally active and physically exercised. Think about your home environment and habits before bringing a Beagle into your life. Do you live in an apartment or condo with little access to the outdoors? Do you work long hours? Are you physically active every day of the week? Consider these questions and ask yourself if a Beagle is right for you—and more importantly, are you right for a Beagle?

If you live in a rural area or in the suburbs with a fenced yard, your Beagle will enjoy romping and playing outside, but keep in mind, he’s not a self-starter. On inclement days, you’ll be tempted to let him outside by himself to do his business, which is fine and much more convenient than walking in the rain. But remember that there’s a difference between backyard visits and necessary daily exercise. Your Beagle needs his personal trainer—you—to get him motivated. Take your Beagle on at least two brisk walks a day. If you can accommodate a second dog in your household, think about providing your Beagle with a playmate. Beagles love company, and another canine in your home will provide you and your Beagle with plenty of companionship and entertainment.

If you have a fenced yard, you must remember that not every fence is Beagle-proof. Even though he may only be 15 inches in height at the shoulder (and maybe twice that when standing on his back legs), a Beagle can jump and climb with the near dexterity of a cat. Although Beagles weren’t bred to go to ground like a terrier, the sight or smell of a varmint (or friendly neighbor) on the other side of the fence will be more than enough inspiration for him to escape. Beagles are as determined as any terrier, so if going over the fence is a problem, they will simply—and swiftly—dig under it. To prevent a Beagle bust-out, you are well advised to install a 6-foot fence and make sure that it is trenched at least 6 inches into the ground. No matter how determined, bored, or tempted your Beagle becomes, a solid fence discourages him from trying to escape.

Get to Know the AKC

The country’s leading canine organization, the American Kennel Club