A brave, athletic dog that needs a strong hand in their early training. They love to follow a scent and can jump walls and dig under fences in pursuit of its quarry – and can be very vocal when doing so!
Facts & advice
Beagle
A loving family companion always keen to be part of the action
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small to medium |
| Coat: | Short and glossy, requires weekly grooming |
| Exercise | 2+ hours a day |
| Life span: | 9+ years |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, friendly, excitable |
Beagle temperament & personality
Beagles are adaptable, versatile dogs with loving, curious natures
- Ideal for first time owners.
- Even-tempered, curious and keen to be part of the action.
- Owning a Beagle is great fun, as they are sociable and mischievous, and their natural desire to please makes them easy to train.
- They get on well with other pets and people but may need some supervision when playing with small children, as they can get carried away with playfulness.
Beagle training & exercise
Beagles are inquisitive and energetic dogs who need plenty of exercise and stimulation to help keep them happy.
Training tips
- Start training at 3 to 6 months old.
- Socialise Beagle puppies from an early age by introducing them to as many new people, dogs and experiences as possible.
Exercise
- Puppies need short sessions of daily playtime and walks to protect their growing joints and bones.
- Fully grown Beagles need at least 2 hours of exercise a day.
- Watch out for signs of tiredness such as excessive panting or thirst.
Keeping them happy
- Beagle love attention. If they are alone, leave some games for them to keep them entertained or have someone check in on them.
- Naturally Beagles have a strong impulse to bark and can be very noisy. Good training and age-appropriate play will keep this in check but this can’t be trained out completely.
Game ideas
- Allow lots of time for sniffing!
- Try a game of hide and seek – hide their favourite toy and let them sniff it out.
Common Beagle health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect Beagles more frequently than other dogs. To help you be prepared for these issues if they should arise, we’ve taken a look at some of our recent claims data to see what conditions affect Beagles more frequently than other dog breeds. Choosing a reputable breeder or rehoming organisation should be the first step to having a happy and healthy dog.
Beagles can suffer from conditions that affect the brain, spine and some nerves. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results in seizures or fitting, which may begin in dogs as young as six months old. Epileptic seizures look painful, but generally aren’t. However, depending on the severity, they may need to be controlled with medication for the dog’s entire life to ensure a happy, normal existence.
Beagles are prone to a variety of tumours, cysts and growths, including mast cell tumours. Mast cells are normal skin cells that help dogs respond to trauma and damage by releasing histamine. However, these cells can sometimes replicate into a serious type of tumour called a mast cell tumour. They vary widely in size and shape, but most take the form of a solitary lump within the skin. Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumour but almost always involves surgical removal.
Like all dogs, Beagles are susceptible to various forms of skin problems, often involving the skin within the ear. The ear canal can become irritated by objects such as grass seeds, or by parasites, allergies or infections. This can lead to a condition called otitis, which simply means ‘inflammation of the ear canal’. It causes an intense itch, leading the dog to shake its head, flap its ears and scratch them using its back paws. If the otitis is due to an allergy, treatment is required for the lifetime of the dog.
The cruciate ligaments are found inside the knee joint and hold it stable. Cruciate ligament disease means that this ligament slowly frays and gets weaker and can get worse over time. Treatment for cruciate ligament disease usually is surgery to help stabilise the knee joint. However, like all dogs Beagles can also develop arthritis from this condition, and long-term treatment is often required to keep them active.
Beagles are more prone to issues and pain with their spine and neck than other dogs. We see a mixture of issues ranging from back pain to slipped discs also known as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This occurs when the discs between the vertebrae (backbones) become damaged and brittle with age or general wear and tear. This makes the discs prone to rupturing, moving (‘slipping’) and pressing against the spinal cord itself. Treatment depends on the cause and location of the problem but may include medication, rest and possibly even surgery to help the dog live a comfortable life.
Beagle grooming
Beagle grooming is low-maintenance, as their fur is short and waterproof, providing protection from the elements.
- Beagles commonly have mottled coats, with a mix of white, black and light brown colours throughout.
- Whilst a Beagle’s coat is easy to clean and care for, they should still be groomed at least once a week.
- Grooming can be a good time to check your dog for any lumps or signs of parasites, as well as their ears for signs of infection such as brown or black wax and a strange smell.
- It’s also important to brush your Beagle’s teeth regularly to reduce the build-up of tartar, and prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Beagle nutrition
Vets recommend that the best food for Beagles is a high-quality pet food.
- Beagles can be prone to putting on weight, so keep an eye on portion sizes!
- Beagle puppies occasionally have tummy trouble so stick to a fessing schedule and good daily routine to avoid mishaps.
- Introduce new foods with small portions and slowly increase whilst decreasing previous food to help avoid problems.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Beagle
Considering welcoming a Beagle into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember.
- Beagles’ friendly and outgoing nature makes them great family pets, but they can be boisterous so, like all dogs, it’s wise to supervise them around small children.
- Beagles are eager to please and highly intelligent so will love plenty of training and mental stimulation.
- Sociable by nature, Beagles get on well with other dogs and can get on with cats as well, but their hunting instinct means care should be taken if you have smaller pets.
- Friendly and fun, Beagles love other people, but they can be very vocal if not well socialised from a young age.
- Choose a licensed and reputable Beagle breeder if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Like all dogs, Beagles can suffer from a range of health conditions so always look carefully at the veterinary cover provided when shopping around for pet insurance as not all policies are the same.
Beagles frequently asked questions
Beagles are considered a moderate shedding breed. They are prone to shedding all year round, but this can be particularly heavy in the spring time when a Beagle loses its thicker winter fur – something known as “blowing coat”. There’s nothing you can do to stop shedding, but brushing your dog regularly will help to remove some of that loose hair and keep your Beagle’s coat in tip top condition!
As they shed more than other breeds, Beagles are not recommended as suitable for allergy sufferers. It’s important to remember that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, but some breeds are better for those with allergies than others.
Beagles are inquisitive, energetic dogs who love to discover new things. However, their curious streak, strong sense of smell and hunting instinct can make them easily distracted. Beagles need a training approach of clarity and consistency with areas such as the recall and general good manners and it’s best to start training at a young age to make lessons stick.
Dogs in general are loyal pets who love the company of their “pack”, but some breeds are more independent than others. Beagles are fundamentally pack dogs and don’t tend to enjoy being alone for long periods. They are happiest in the company of their owners or other pets (as long as they are properly introduced).
Due to their sociable nature, Beagles tend to get on well with other pets in the household, including cats. However, Beagles have a strong prey drive and may be prone to chase cats, which could cause them distress. Proper introductions from a young age will help ensure your Beagle and cat get along.
Beagles are generally considered to be good first-time dogs due to their smaller size and even-tempered personality. They are adaptable and fit well into most environments. However, they can be more difficult to train than other dogs due to their curious and energetic nature.
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Beagle insurance considerations
Choosing the right insurance for your Beagle can help keep them happy and healthy whatever happens. Conditions that we see they are prone to are not always covered as some other providers’ policies limit what they’ll pay for certain conditions, like cruciate ligament injuries. Others won’t cover your pet for dental illness or injury, or for congenital and hereditary conditions. With Petplan’s Covered for Life® dog insurance we have no additional limits for specific conditions or diagnostic tools.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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