Breed Spotlight: Beagles

Considering buying a Beagle? Here are some dog facts and information to get you started. Already a proud owner? Read more about our Beagle training in Brisbane.

Appearance

Beagles are handsome, compact dogs with a soft expression and distinctive drop ears. They come in a range of coat colours, with the most common being tri-coloured (black, tan and white). Whatever their colour, they are all bred to have a white tip of their tail. This was to help hunters to see their Beagle in tall grass, and you may find it useful too if your scent hound ever goes walkabout (more on this later!)

Beagles usually have a short stature of 35-45cm at the shoulder and an average weight of 10-15 kg. 

How long do Beagles live for?

The average life expectancy of Beagles is 10-15 years. Regular vet care, a high quality diet and maintaining a healthy weight will be key to ensuring that you can enjoy as many years as possible with your dog. 

Are Beagles good family dogs?

Beagles are affectionate, playful and full of personality, and they love the company of their family. They are much like toddlers themselves, so keep them out of trouble and away from objects they shouldn’t put in their mouth. Separation anxiety can become a problem if your Beagle becomes reliant on the presence of others. While we want to spend as much time with our dog as possible, there will be times where it is unavoidable that they will be away from you. Therefore it is important to regularly give them time on their own which is positive. For example, using treat-dispensing toys or scattering dry food in the lawn (within a fenced yard) for them to forage while you drop kids at school or go shopping. If your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety, contact us for Beagle training in Brisbane and we can set you up with a training plan. 

Are Beagles good guard dogs?

Beagles may be wary of strangers, but they are quickly won over. Therefore it would be more appropriate to say that they can be good watch dogs who sound an alert as a stranger approaches.  

How much exercise do Beagles need?

Beagles have a strong chase instinct and should not be allowed off-leash outside of a safe, fenced area unless they have a reliable recall. At home, they can become easily bored and require stimulation in the form of play time and regular exercise. It’s a good idea to walk them once or twice a day with the occasional longer adventure walk.  

With their insatiable appetite, Beagles are prone to weight problems if not portion-controlled and given enough exercise. We recommend speaking to your vet about your dog’s ideal weight and monitoring their meal portions to ensure that they stay healthy. 

Grooming

With a short, easy-care coat, Beagles require brushing approximately once per week and bathing once per month. If your dog likes to roll in dirt (or worse!), they may need additional brushing or bathing. 

Because of their drop ears, Beagles are prone to ear infections so it is important to keep their ears clean and dry, especially after swimming or bathing. We recommend talking to your vet about the best products to use to keep your dog’s ears in top shape.

Do Beagles shed?

Beagles generally shed their coat year round, with periods of greater shedding at the change of the seasons. A de-shedding brush or rubber curry comb can help to remove excess hair during grooming to minimise the hair that is shed around your home.

Are Beagles smart?

Beagles are smart, alert and curious. It is important to keep their mind and body active to prevent boredom (and naughtiness!) Walking in different areas and allowing them to sniff will fulfil many of their needs. Keep meal-time interesting with a variety of treat-dispensing toys, hand-feeding their meal as training rewards, or hiding food around the house or yard for your scent hound to sniff out. 

Training Beagles

Scent hounds can be stubborn or single-minded when it comes to following a scent, particularly if they think it might lead to something edible. This can make training difficult, unless you harness their motivation for all things delicious and build a strong relationship with your dog.

With the right training, Beagles can excel at dog sports such as Agility, Trick Training, Nose Work or Tracking. Even if you are not interested in competing with your dog, you can teach many of these skills at home on a lesser scale as a fun activity.  

Training may begin with a technique known as luring, where you show your dog food and use it to ‘lure’ them into the desired position or behaviour, but you must be careful that your dog doesn’t become reliant on seeing a treat before they will follow your cues. For tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your dog, enrich their life and build a strong relationship, we offer Beagle training in Brisbane, whether they are at a beginner, intermediate or advanced level.