Beagles are fun and active pets for people of all ages. Although this type of dog is happy and fun-loving, they belong to the family of hounds, which require a little bit of extra persistence and ingenuity when you train them.
Their noses lead them through life, and there is no time when they are happier than when they are tracking an intriguing scent. Beagles were initially developed as scenthounds, mostly to pursue smaller games, such as rabbits and hares.
Beagles can do well in apartments due to their small size and gentle nature. If they stay in an apartment, though, their owners must be ready to take them on multiple walks throughout the day in all types of weather. They require a lot of exercise, at least an hour a day. Beagles can become destructive if they are neglected and don’t get to fulfill their exercise needs or sufficient mental stimulation.
Fast Facts About the Beagle
- Origin: England
- Weight: 18-30 pounds
- Height: 13-15 inches
- Life span: 10-15 years
- Breed group: Hound dogs
Appearance
Beagles are sometimes confused with the similar-looking Foxhound. They have the same floppy ears, powerful jaw, short hair, and (typically) multicolored coat. However, Beagles are smaller, and the Foxhound’s body is a lot more slender. A Beagle’s legs are also significantly shorter, which adds to its stockier appearance.
The majority of Beagles are tricolored, bearing white, black, and light brown spots. Their black spots may fade to dark brown as these dogs grow older. Conversely, their brown spots may only develop fully between 1-2 years of age.
Most dog owners will find this breed requires little grooming. Although Beagles, like other dogs with a double coat, shed their undercoat either once or twice a year (or year-round in temperate regions.) Weekly brushing should be sufficient for maintaining a short coat.
Their head is typically dome-shaped, and they have a muzzle that is wide and somewhat square-ish. The long floppy ears are their most iconic feature. They are extremely smooth to the touch and are rounded at the end. Their eyes are oftentimes hazel-brown and particularly large and wide, making it extra difficult to turn them down when they demand a treat or a cuddle.
Habitat and Distribution
Beagles are high-energy dogs that can keep up even during the longest hunts. They require a substantial amount of exercise on the daily, ideally in the form of long walks, whether you reside in an apartment or on the countryside.
It is advisable to barricade the doors and windows to prevent your Beagle from escaping in search of the scent. Check your yard for any hidden entrances or exits that your dog could use to slip away after catching a whiff of something delicious, and close them off if you find any.
Due to having a consistent disposition of mildness toward kids, these canines are ideal companions for families. In addition, they get along great with other pets in the house, like cats.
The ideal owner for a Beagle is physically active and willing to meet their pet’s daily need for exercise. Additionally, they will have plenty of time to spend with their pet. They suffer from separation anxiety and will become unhappy if left to their own devices over long periods of time. Separation anxiety or insufficient exercise may lead to unwanted behaviors, such as escaping, digging, or howling.
Diet of the Beagle
Three-quarters to one and a half cups of premium dry food daily split between two meals is highly recommended to keep your dog happy and in good shape.
Your adult dog’s calorie needs will vary according to age, size, build, metabolism, and degree of exercise. A dog with a higher activity level will, of course, have greater dietary requirements. How much dog food you have to shake into your dog’s bowl depends on the quality of the dog food you purchase; higher-grade dog food will go further toward sustaining your dog.
The Beagle is one of the sneakiest scavengers of food. If given the opportunity, these dogs will gorge themselves daily if granted access to your kitchen or kitchen trash. Maintain their health by giving them measured meals twice a day instead of free access to food.
Give them the eye exam and the hands-on test if you have any doubts about his weight. Ideally, a waistline would be visible. Then, put your hands on their back with your thumbs down the spine and your fingers splayed below them. It shouldn’t take much of a squeeze to feel the ribs, but you should not be able to see them. Read more about this useful and convenient test here.
Mating and Life Cycle
The average length of a heat cycle is between two and three weeks. On average, a beagle will go into heat twice a year, between 5 and 7 months apart. A female Beagle can have this for most of her life unless she is spayed. As dogs age into seniorhood, they stop experiencing heat – similar to menopause in human females.
Therefore, spaying a female as soon as possible is strongly advised. Studies demonstrate that spaying your dog before she goes into heat significantly decreases her risk of infection and mammary cancer and removes the chance of ovarian cancer. Spaying your dog at any age, including later in life, will improve her quality of life and extend her lifespan.
Endangerment
At this time, Beagles have not been considered a threatened or endangered species. On the other hand, considering the widespread appeal of this particular breed of dog among people worldwide, it is reasonable to assume that there is no chance that these canines will ever become extinct in the foreseeable future. If people continue to have the same affection for Beagle dogs as they have in the past, the Beagle dog breed will likely survive for a very long time.
Testing
Due to their docile and friendly nature, Beagles are sadly the type of dog that is most used in animal testing. In 2004, 97% of dogs used for animal tests in the UK were Beagles. Thankfully, since then, legislation has been passed which especially protects dogs and cats, and also states that mice should rather be used when possible.
On a yearly basis as much as 65,000 Beagles are subject to testing, mostly connected to cosmetic products, in the United States. Various activist groups lobby against this and have over the years been responsible for rescuing and granting hundreds and hundreds of Beagles their freedom.
Sense of Smell
Along with the similar-looking Basset Hound, the Beagle has been granted the title of the dog with the absolute best sense of smell. In a study conducted in the 50’s these dogs were able to locate a mouse placed in a one-acre field in less than one minute. For comparison, Fox Terriers took a whole 15 minutes before locating the mouse, whereas many breeds couldn’t even find it at all.
Fun Facts and Interesting Features About Beagles
#1 Bred for hunting
When it comes to hunting rabbits and hares, beagles shine. They have incredible noses and seemingly unlimited energy.
#2 Can smell pregnancy
Beagles can also identify the presence of pregnancy in polar bears, albeit this is a far less typical use for them. A two-year-old Beagle named Elvis was trained extensively to discern whether a polar bear was pregnant by sniffing her excrement.
#3 The Beagle’s Tail Is a White Flag
The tails of many beagles are white at the tip. Beagles were given their distinctive white snout tip so hunters could easily spot them even when the dogs had their noses to the ground.
FAQs
After a short pregnancy, Beagle moms often welcome a litter of six bouncing bundles of joy into the world. A newborn Beagle puppy only weighs a few ounces.
The lifespan of a Beagle, depending on the breed, can range anywhere from 12 to 15 years on average. They will typically enjoy a longer life if they’re spayed and if their weight is kept in check.
Beagles are known for being friendly, gentle, and excellent family pets. They are very affectionate, loyal, and friendly. This makes them great companions for both children and adults. They likewise enjoy the company of other animals and will gladly share a home with a cat.
Beagles are known for being very vocal dogs, but they don’t bark excessively. They will alert you when something is amiss, but they are not known for being nuisance barkers.
Conclusion
Getting a Beagle is easy, but you should be ready for it. Getting a puppy means committing a significant amount of time to train it in the basics of obedience, introducing it to other people and dogs, and helping it learn essential behaviors like staying asleep through the night and using the outdoor potty.
Thank you for reading this article!
For any feedback please message to Feedback@animalsaroundtheglobe.com
- Wild Dolphin Brings Diver an Amazing Gift - September 18, 2024
- Piranhas Devour an Alligator in a Savage Feeding Frenzy - September 18, 2024
- Full-Grown Lion Hangs Out In Living Room Like a Normal Pet Cat - September 18, 2024