Beagle
#8 Most PopularLast updated
A merry, food-loving scenthound that is great with families and ruled entirely by its nose.
Is the Beagle Right For You?
YES, if you are…
Active, patient families who want a friendly, sociable dog, can provide daily walks, and have a securely fenced yard. Great with kids and other dogs.
NO, if you are…
Apartments with thin walls, people who want off-leash hiking companions, owners who are away all day, and homes where food can't be kept out of reach.
Fun Facts about the Beagle
- Snoopy from Peanuts is the world's most famous Beagle.
- The USDA's 'Beagle Brigade' uses Beagles at airports to sniff out prohibited food and plants in luggage.
- The AKC recognizes two Beagle sizes: under 13 inches and 13 to 15 inches tall.
- President Lyndon B. Johnson kept Beagles named Him and Her at the White House.
Common Misconceptions about the Beagle
That Beagles are low-maintenance because they are small and friendly. They need plenty of exercise, are hard to keep off food, and can be vocal. Another misconception is that a Beagle that doesn't come when called is being disobedient; it is following its breeding, so secure fencing and leashes are the answer.
Quick Facts
20-30 lbs
13-15 in
10-15 years
Short
Tri-color, Red and White, Lemon
Moderate
High
Moderate
Vocal
Yes
Beagle Temperament
Merry, Friendly, Curious
Exercise & Grooming
Exercise Needs
60 minutes daily with sniff walks
Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming Guide
The short coat sheds moderately and needs weekly brushing. Check and clean the ears weekly, since long ears trap moisture and debris. Trim nails regularly and brush teeth several times a week. Bathe when they find something smelly to roll in, which Beagles often do.
Beagle Health
Common Health Issues
Epilepsy, hypothyroidism, intervertebral disc disease
Diet & Nutrition
Measure meals and count treats; Beagles will eat almost anything and gain weight quickly. Use puzzle feeders or scatter feeding to slow them down and give them something to do with their nose. Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, and medications well out of reach.
Health Care
Ask breeders about hip evaluations, eye exams, and DNA tests for Musladin-Lueke syndrome (MLS) and other breed-specific conditions. Idiopathic epilepsy occurs in the breed; seizures usually start between one and five years old and can be managed with medication. Hypothyroidism, intervertebral disc disease, cherry eye, and ear infections are common, the latter because of their long, floppy ears. Obesity is a constant risk given the breed's appetite, and it worsens back and joint problems.
About the Beagle
History
Hounds resembling modern Beagles have existed in England since at least the 1500s, when noblemen kept packs of small scenthounds for hare hunting on foot, a more accessible sport than mounted fox-hunting. The 'Pocket Beagle,' standing only about 9 inches tall, was popular at the court of Elizabeth I. The modern Beagle was largely developed in 19th-century England, where Reverend Phillip Honeywood's pack in Essex established the foundation for the breed as we know it. American breeders later refined the type, and the National Beagle Club was founded in 1888. Today the Beagle remains the most popular hound breed in the United States and serves widely as a detection dog in agricultural inspection at airports, same nose, different job.
Personality
The Beagle is a scenthound packed into a compact, kid-friendly body, and most of what makes Beagles delightful and most of what makes Beagles maddening trace back to the same hardware: their nose. A Beagle on a scent is functionally deaf to recall, leashed or not. They are not stupid, they are not stubborn, they are simply running a process that evolution has prioritized over your voice. In the house they are merry, gregarious, and genuinely good with children and other dogs (Beagles were bred to hunt in packs, so dog-tolerance is wired in). They are vocal, the breed has three distinct vocalizations including the famous bayed 'song', and that vocalization is not easy to train out. Food is the other Beagle universal. They are food-motivated to the point of mischief; a Beagle will counter-surf, garbage-mine, and reverse-engineer cabinet latches in pursuit of calories. That same food drive makes them highly trainable when training is structured around it.
Living With a Beagle
Beagles are cheerful, social dogs that get along with almost everyone, including children and other dogs. They were bred to hunt in packs, so they dislike being alone and may howl or bay when bored. Neighbors in apartments or townhouses may notice. Their nose runs their lives. A Beagle on a scent can ignore you completely, so walks happen on leash and yards need secure fencing (they dig and squeeze through gaps). They are notorious food thieves: secure the trash, counters, and backpacks. Long 'sniffari' walks are the best exercise, because sniffing tires a Beagle out like nothing else.
Training
Beagles are smart but independent, and their nose often outranks your voice. Food rewards work very well; keep sessions short and fun. Recall is the hardest skill, so practice in enclosed areas and never rely on it near roads. Scent games, tracking, and nosework channel their instincts in a healthy way. Crate training helps with house training and prevents raids on the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Beagle
Are Beagles good family dogs?
Yes. Beagles are friendly, playful, and gentle with children, and usually get along with other dogs. They do best with families who are home often and enjoy walks.
Do Beagles bark a lot?
They can. Beagles bark, bay, and howl, especially when bored, lonely, or following a scent. Enough exercise and company reduce it, but they are not a quiet breed.
Can Beagles be off leash?
Rarely safely. Once a Beagle catches a scent, it may follow it for miles and ignore calls. Use a leash or long line outside fenced areas.
How much exercise does a Beagle need?
About an hour a day, ideally including walks where they can sniff. Scent games at home are a great way to tire them out mentally.
Are Beagles easy to train?
They are clever and food-motivated, which helps, but their independence and nose make some skills, especially recall, challenging. Short, rewarding sessions work best.
How long do Beagles live?
Beagles typically live 10 to 15 years. Keeping them at a healthy weight is one of the most important things owners can do.
Related Breeds
Recommended Products for Small Dogs
4-Legger Organic Hypoallergenic Shampoo
USDA-certified organic dog shampoo with aloe and lemongrass. Free of synthetic detergents, parabens, and artificial fragrance.
Bocce's Bakery Training Treats
Limited-ingredient, soft training treats baked in Brooklyn with whole foods like peanut butter, banana, and oatmeal — no preservatives.
Earth Rated Compostable Poop Bags
USDA-certified plant-based, home-compostable poop bags. Leak-proof, lavender-scented or unscented options.
Found My Animal Rope Leash
Hand-spliced cotton rope leash made in Brooklyn, NY. A portion of every sale funds shelter and rescue partners.
Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Recipe
Pasture-raised beef recipe with humanely-sourced meat, non-GMO produce, and traceable ingredients you can look up by lot number.
Pet Honesty Multivitamin Soft Chews
10-in-1 daily multivitamin chew with glucosamine, omega-3s, probiotics, and antioxidants. NASC-certified facility.