Beagle is a small, compact, and hardy dog, which is a perfect companion for kids and adults. This breed is known for its loving and fun behavior, but sometimes it can also build stubborn behavior. So, they require a patient and creative training during their early age. Beagle dogs love to follow the interesting scent with their nose, which guide them throughout their life. That's why they were originally bred as scent hounds to track small game, mostly rabbits and hare. Even today, they are used for this purpose in many countries, including the United States.
The most important thing about beagle puppies is their nose. They always keep their head down to search for interesting trails to follow. They have almost 24 percent more scent receptors than humans, which helps them to pick up scents. You may have seen the Beagle puppies are working at airports in the USA. They are very popular in the United States for sniffing out the contraband food brought to the Los Angeles International Airport.
History
There is not any confirmation
about the Beagle dog name. It's though that the word Beagle is derived from the
French word begueule, which means open throat. Many people also believe that it
is derived from the English word beag, which means small. The history of this
breed is also cloudy, like their names, as the breed we know today didn't
develop until the 19th century. It's believed that the Talbot hounds
are the ancestors of the Beagle, which was brought to England by William. This breed became popular in England during Edward
II's reign when these were known as Glove Beagles due to their small size.
These small size beagles are easily held in the gloved hands.
From 1533 to 1603, Elizabeth was known for keeping the pocket beagles, which stood only 9 inches tall. These small dogs were known for their short-legged and pointed noses, which they used for hunting. In the 1800s, the American breeders start importing beagle puppies from England. They start breeding them to get small size beagles for the smaller rabbit hunting. In 1884, the American Kennel Club was founded, which began to register the beagles in the same year.
Size
There are two varieties of Beagles, recognized by the American Kennel Club. The first one has 13 inches in height at the shoulder and bred for hounds. The second variety has 15 inches in height at the shoulders. These varieties can have 18 to 30 pounds weight depending upon their height.
Personality
Beagles are known for their gentle, sweet, and funny personalities. They can suddenly laugh at you due to their naughty behavior. Most Beagle people love to spend their maximum time with their dogs.
But make sure the early socialization of your beagle dog like many other dog breeds.
Try to expose them to different people, sights, sounds, and experiences when they are young. The early socialization of the dogs makes sure that they are well-rounded when they grow up.
Health
Beagles are also having some health issues like many other dog breeds. If you have a plan to buy a beagle puppy, you need to know about these health issues.
The main health concerns of beagle puppies include intervertebral disk disease, hip dysplasia, cherry eye, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, distichiasis, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, beagle dwarfism, Chinese beagle syndrome, and patellar luxation.
The patella luxation is one of the main issues of all the small dogs. It's mainly due to the misalignment of the patella, which has three parts, including the femur, patella, and tibia. The dogs feel the lameness in the leg or an abnormal due to patella luxation. So, whenever you are going to buy a beagle puppy, try to see the health clearance from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Care
A small fenced backyard is necessary for all the scent hounds like the Beagle. Whenever you take your Beagle dog outside, make sure your dog is securely confined and supervised. They love nature; so, they can escape from your hands.
Make sure your beagle dog has an identification tag on its collar or microchipped.
Many people also use the underground electric fence, but they don't prevent your yard from other animals. But like many other dog breeds, you can use obedience training and positive reinforcement techniques to properly train your Beagle puppy. They are full of energy and need some activity to burn this energy. You can take them for short walks daily; a good run across a field is even better. But make sure to wait until 18 months to start these types of repetitive exercises.
Feeding
The feeding of any family dog is very important to keep them healthy and in good shape. The ¾ to 3/2 cups of dry food daily is recommended for beagle dogs. You can split this amount into two meals for the best results. But exactly how much your adult beagle will eat is mainly depends upon its activity level. Dogs are individuals like humans and can have different amounts of food needs. The quality of the dog food you are providing to your dog also matters a lot.
Coat Color and Grooming
Tricolor is the most common
color of the Beagles, with a black saddle, white legs, chest, belly, and a
white tip on the tail. They also feature the tan on their head and around the
saddle. The other most common color of the Beagles is red and white in an Irish
spotting pattern on the face, neck, legs, and tail tip. Their white tip of the
tail is helpful for the hunters to identify them while hunting in the tall
grass.
Their beautiful coat is
resistant to rain, which should be brushed with a medium-bristle brush or hound
glove. Make sure to brush their coat at least once a week to remove the dead
hairs as it encourages the growth of their new hairs. Although beagles shed,
but it's not noticeable due to their short coat. Usually, the Beagles are very
clean dogs and don't need frequent bathing like many other breeds.
