Beagle

Beagle Basics

There are two varieties of Beagles recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The distinction is based on the size of the dog breed. The two varieties are:

• 13-inch, for hounds measuring less than 13-inches in height at the withers
• 15-inch, for hounds measuring between 13 and 15-inches in height at the withers.

However, the United Kennel Club (UK) and Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) affiliated clubs recognize a single type, with a height of between 13 and 16 inches at the withers. The typical litter for this breed is from 2 – 14 puppies, averaging at 7 puppies per litter.

Temperament and Personality

Good natured and friendly, Beagles integrate well into family life. Being a pack dog, they will want to fit into the family hierarchy in their own way. They can be quite strong willed and stubborn, so it is important that they are handled with firmness and consistency during their early years. With the proper motivation, which for this breed is food, they are pleasant and fun to train. They are extremely loyal and make good companions for children and other pets, cats included, provided they are properly socialized at a young age.

Among the not-so-desirable traits: These dogs can take to excessive barking or howling and making noise in general if left alone or if distressed for some reason. They can be trained not to bark while in your presence but teaching them to be quiet when you are away can be a challenge.

Beagles were originally bred in the United Kingdom as hunting dogs and are prone to taking off to follow a scent. This trait makes it crucial that you train your pet to return when called. Even with a solid recall, it is still a bad idea to ever let one off-leash unless in a fenced in area. His nose has an estimated 220 million scent receptors, whereas a human has about 5 million. Imagine how we must smell to them!

These floppy-ear dogs are also adept escape artists and are apt find a way out of any confinement if they want to get out for any reason.

Protection Instincts

Beagles will bark to indicate a stranger, but most will also do anything for a treat, no matter who it comes from, which makes them a poor choice as a watchdog.

Color and Coat

The most common Beagle color is called tri-color. The three colors are brown, black and white. Other breed colors are reds - with a red and white coat, lemons - with a tan and white coat, black and tans - with a black and tan coat, blueticks - with a heavily-freckled (actually called ticking) black and brown coat. The rarest color is blue. Blue Beagles are bluish-grey and white.

These dogs have a short, smooth coat that requires no trimming. A daily brushing should be sufficient to remove loose and dead hairs from your dog. You may also want to treat your pet to a seasonal bath.

Cost of Ownership

Average Food Cost

Adult Beagles are not fussy eaters and can be fed twice a day. They do have a tendency to overeat, though, and care must be taken that they do not become obese. Average food costs will be in the range of $7-8 per week. As puppies, it is best that you feed them as per the recommended diet of your breeder. Past this high growth phase, one can adjust their diet to two meals per day.

Average Puppy Price

Puppy prices vary from $500 to $850 each.

Daisy Mae

Rescue Groups

The rescue groups listed below operate out of private foster homes. They do not have public kennels. Most have detailed application processes. Beagles end up in rescues because they have been found wandering the streets or when hunters realize the dog cannot hunt. These dogs make excellent family dogs and usually easily transition into pets.

• Triangle Beagle Rescue rescues North Carolina and neighboring states.
• BREW rescues in the Washington/Baltimore area (northern Virginia) and also have an affiliate that serves the Mid-West region.