Beagle

Also known as: Pocket beagle, Laboratory beagle

The Beagle is one of the oldest and most popular hound breeds in the world, tracing back to England, where small hunting dogs used for hare were already documented at Queen Elizabeth I's court in the sixteenth century. Its nose ranks among the strongest of any breed, which is why Beagles are widely used at airports to detect food or contraband. An adult male weighs around 11 kilograms, compact yet tireless, built to follow a scent for hours on end. The short, dense coat needs little more than regular brushing. Its baying voice is among the loudest of any small breed and can go on at length once it catches an interesting scent. Once locked onto a smell, a Beagle often tunes out its owner entirely, making off-leash walks risky. Temperament is friendly and sociable with other dogs, a legacy of working in packs. A tendency to overeat is a well-known trait in the breed. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Beagle: how old in human years?

33–41 cmHeight
9–11 kgWeight
12–15 yrsLife expectancy

Basset Hound

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 161
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 36–41 cm

Females 33–38 cm

Weight

Males 10–11 kg

Females 9–10 kg

Life expectancy

12–15 yrs

Coat

short, dense, weatherproof (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Beagle's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 5/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 4/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Beagle's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Beagle's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 1/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Beagle's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Beagle

A sandwich on the coffee table lasts exactly as long as it takes you to walk to the kitchen and back. The Beagle was bred in Britain to hunt by scent in a pack, and its nose still runs the rest of the dog: when it catches something interesting, the ears go offline for a while. It is cheerful, good-natured and quick to learn, provided learning smells of treats, so short, rewarding sessions get much further than stern commands.

Beagles have energy to burn and need somewhere to put it: at least two long walks a day with time to sniff, plus scent games at home where a treat has to be found nose-first. An unfenced field is an invitation to vanish over the horizon after a hare, so the lead and a secure fence are not formalities. A flat can feel cramped, especially if the dog is left alone for long; that is when it barks and bays in a melodious voice the whole stairwell will hear.

A Beagle likes almost everyone: patient with children, happy to meet other dogs, greeting visitors like old friends, which rules it out as a guard. As a pack dog it doesn't do solitude well and is happiest in a family where someone is usually home, ending the day curled up next to you after a long day full of smells.

Grooming and coat

A Beagle's short, dense coat shrugs off weather and mud and asks for little: a weekly once-over with a rubber brush or grooming mitt, a bit more during the moult. You will still find hairs on the sofa, just short ones and not in drifts. While you brush, check the skin, especially the belly, armpits and between the toes: redness or constant licking means something is bothering it, and that is worth showing your vet.

The long, soft ears are the breed's pride and your weekly chore: lift them and check that the inside is clean, pale and free of any unpleasant smell, particularly after a bath or a wet walk. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft damp cloth when needed, and brush the teeth with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste a few times a week; start early, while your Beagle still thinks it's a game.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Beagles are sturdy, compact dogs with a life expectancy of twelve to fifteen years. Their main health questions sit right next to their greatest passions: long ears that brush the ground, and an appetite that never takes a day off. If something seems unusual, see your vet, who can work out what is going on.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Ear infections

An ear infection is inflammation of the outer ear canal, where bacteria or yeast have started to multiply. You might see your dog shaking its head, scratching at an ear or rubbing it along the carpet, and catch a sweetish or sour smell from inside. A Beagle's long, hanging ears close the canal off from the air, so look inside them regularly and show any redness or discharge to your vet.
Obesity

Obesity means carrying too much body fat, which strains the joints and heart and shortens a dog's active years. The signs are a waist that has disappeared when you look from above and ribs you can no longer feel under your palm. A Beagle follows its nose even when the smell is coming from the bin or a guest's handbag, so ask your vet what a healthy weight looks like for yours.
Limber tail syndrome

Limber tail is when the tail suddenly hangs limp from the base, or sticks out a few centimetres before drooping, and moving it hurts. You may notice it after a long run, a swim or a cold day: the tail that normally flies like a flag hangs down, and your dog doesn't want to sit. Since a Beagle's tail is its mood meter, you will spot the change at once, and your vet can assess what's behind it.
Allergies (food, skin and environmental)

An allergy is the immune system overreacting to something basically harmless, such as pollen, dust mites or certain food ingredients. It shows up as itching: licked paws, scratched armpits and belly, reddened ears. A Beagle's short coat doesn't hide red skin, so you are likely to see changes early, and your vet can help track down the cause.
Cherry eye

Dogs have a third eyelid with a tear gland in it, and when that gland slips out of place, a round red lump like a small cherry appears in the inner corner of the eye. It can turn up suddenly, sometimes in one eye only, and your dog may start pawing at it. With those big, open Beagle eyes it is hard to miss; if you see it, have your vet look at the eye.
Epilepsy and seizures

Epilepsy is a condition in which bursts of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain cause repeated seizures. A seizure can look like a fall onto the side with paddling legs, or a short spell in which the dog freezes and doesn't respond. Note when it happened and how long it lasted and tell your vet; a seizure that goes on for more than a few minutes, or seizures that follow one another, need a vet immediately.
Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland makes too little hormone, and the whole body slows down. You might notice weight gain without extra food, tiring quickly, seeking out warm spots and a thinning coat. In a Beagle, whose batteries normally never run flat, sudden sluggishness is a sign worth your vet's attention.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (11 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 165 g of dry food a day, from €9,10 a month For a neutered, normally active 10 kg dog. Calculate for your dog