Beagle FAQ

FUN FACT

Did you know the height limit in the United States is 15 inches and in England 16 inches?

Did you know that the 15 inches is divided to those under 13 inches and those over 13 inches and at or under 15 inches.

The rarest type of beagles is the lemon beagle. Lemon beagles will have a coat that is almost a solid white with spots of a lemon coloring. All lemon beagles are considered purebred beagles.

Beagles are so much work but so worth the work.

HOW LONG DO BEAGLES LIVE?

The average beagle lives anywhere from 12 to 15 years. Some have even been known to live until age 20!

HOW BIG DO BEAGLES GET? 

There are two standard beagle sizes recognized by the American Kennel Club, the 13" and the 15". So-called 'mini' beagles are not typical and are not recognized as part of the breed. Beagles can vary in weight from 20 to 35 pounds. 

DO THEY NEED A LOT OF EXERCISE?

Beagles LOVE food and are prone to chubbiness. Frequent walks or running play are necessary to keep beagles fit and at the right weight. Exercise can also keep the mischievous beagle out of trouble – after all, a tired beagle is a well-behaved beagle!

WHERE DID THE BEAGLE BREED COME FROM? 

Beagles were imported from England. They were originally bred to hunt and track small game such as rabbits and hares by scent.

WHAT IS A 'SCENT HOUND'?

Any hound that uses its nose to track. Beagles are scent hounds – they will literally follow their nose anywhere! Into the trash, out a hole in the fence, into the laundry hamper.  Some beagles will ignore everything else to follow their nose.

WHAT COLORS ARE BEAGLES?

The American Kennel Club and National Beagle Club of America recognize "any hound colors" as acceptable in a beagle. These include the familiar 'tri' coloring of brown, black and white as well as yellow and white (also known as 'Lemon'), black and tan, blue and grey and so on. Black 'saddles' on the back and blue ticking on the throat are common also.

DO BEAGLES NEED TO BE GROOMED A LOT? DO THEY HAVE A 'HOUND' SMELL?

Beagles have a short coat so hair trimming is not necessary. They do, however, shed a lot, particularly in the spring and autumn months. Brushing a couple times a week is a good idea as are occasional baths. Beagles' ears, like all dogs with hanging ears, can be a problem area as they are prone to infection. It's important to make sure their ears stay clean and dry to prevent infection. 

Beagles do not have any kind of unique odor. Like any other dog, they can smell if they've been in something smelly or if they have tooth decay. Normal grooming and dental care can prevent these problems.

ARE BEAGLES NOISY? HOW DO I KEEP MY BEAGLE FROM BARKING SO MUCH?!

Like all hounds, beagles have a distinctive 'baying' howl or 'roo' rather than a traditional bark. Some beagles like to bark a lot, others not so much – just like any other dog.

If you find your beagle has become a nuisance barker, there are many steps you can take to correct the problem. First and foremost, make sure your beagle receives enough attention and stimulation throughout the day to prevent boredom. Second, citronella collars, which squirt citronella in the dog's nose if the dog barks for an extended period of time, are a humane option should barking become a serious problem. 

ARE BEAGLES GOOD WITH KIDS? OTHER ANIMALS?

Beagles are very much social pack animals and are happier when they have a pack to call their own. That means your family becomes the dog's 'pack.' If left alone a lot, beagles pine for attention, either canine or human. Beagles, if properly socialized, can be wonderful with children and other animals. However, like all dogs, children and dogs should be supervised when in each other's company. 

ARE BEAGLES HARD TO HOUSE TRAIN? ARE THEY STUBBORN? 

Beagles are no more difficult to house train or more stubborn than other breeds. The key is gentle, consistent training and patience. Crate training is an excellent way to housetrain your beagle. The idea behind crate training is that the crate provides a safe, warm 'den' for your dog that he will not soil.  Bear in mind, however, that you should never leave your dog in his crate for longer than four hours. When you bring any dog home for the first time, expect some accidents. And don't forget to praise your dog profusely when he 'goes' outside! This positive reinforcement will help him remember this good behavior! If you have general training questions about your beagle, please email us at information@soazbeaglerescue.com and we'll try to assist you.

SHOULD I TAKE MY BEAGLE TO OBEDIENCE CLASS? WHEN SHOULD I START?

Absolutely! All dogs can benefit from obedience training. First, it gives you the opportunity to work with your dog and get to know him. Second, it teaches your dog that you are the 'alpha' – the Boss – of the family, making training and obedience easier. You don't need to take your dog to a formal class to teach him. There are a number of great books on the market designed to help you train your dog at home. And you should start as soon as possible, even if your pup is just a few months old. He might not have a long attention span yet, but he can still learn basic commands like sit, come and stay. 

Dogs end up in rescues for many reasons. A lot of the time, it is because people are unaware of breed characteristics and the dog is not a good breed for their lifestyle, which is why we created this FAQ document! Below are some of the reasons why Beagles end up in rescues. They are also the same reasons why people really love beagles. It just depends on who you are and what you are looking for in a dog.

HOW MUCH EXERCISE DOES A BEAGLE NEED? 

Beagles are active, energetic dogs who need at least an hour of exercise every day. Backyard play doesn’t count as exercise for a beagle.

Beagles are scent hounds and they always will follow their nose. Whether that means barrelling towards an open front door/gate, tunneling under fencing, leaping from an open window in a parked/moving car, using something as a springboard to jump over a fence, squeezing through a narrow slit in a fence or fence gate – think of a scenario and a beagle is capable.

Fencing, especially for young dogs, should be at least 5 ft. Chain link fencing should be extended underground in concrete to prevent digging under the fence. Any variation to this will be listed in a dog’s bio.

Beagles have the right paw size that will roll down electric windows like those in a car. It is always advisable to have the children lock on for the children and for the dog.

Almost all beagles are capable of howling. It is how they let their hunters know they are on a scent. Some are more vocal than others, but when they bay, it is usually LOUD. Because of their loud voices, we generally do not recommend beagles as apartment dogs, or dwellings that share a wall with a neighbor.

Most Beagles love to eat. So much so that they can become overweight very easily. They are also driven by their noses. They will find your trash can and invade it. Cabinet locks and locking trash cans are typical in beagle homes. If you have food on your counters, your Beagle will find it. We call that counter surfing. Don’t be surprised if you come home to find your beagle on your table or counter, especially if you have a young Beagle. For the safety of your Beagle, please leave all medications in high or locking cabinets.

Yes! Most beagles do well with children and people in general. But as always, dogs should never be left unsupervised with children.

ARE BEAGLES STUBBORN? 

In general, yes. As hunters, they have to figure out how to solve problems, and sometimes they think their way is the best way. That said, they are smart enough to be well trained and a well trained beagle is a wonderful companion.

ARE BEAGLES GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS? 

They are individuals, in this regard. However, because they are bred to hunt in packs, most beagles get along with other dogs.

ARE BEAGLES HYPOALLERGENIC? 

Beagles are not considered a hypoallergenic breed. They are moderate shredders and produce both dander and salvia. Neither the AKC or the United Kennel Club list beagles as a good fit for someone allergic to dogs.