Beagle: description of the breed, character, pros and cons, training, features of care and maintenance

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, almost every family has a pet that gives its owners positive emotions. The Beagle breed is a hunting dog. As a rule, its representatives have an active and mischievous character. They are very mobile and incredibly smart, get along well with both adults and children. For more than a hundred years, this breed has occupied a leading position in the list of the most popular. How did the beagle conquer the hearts of dog breeders? Let's try to figure it out.

History of the breed

The first mention of the beagle species dates back to Ancient Greece. But for the first time, the selection of this breed was still engaged in Britain. That is why it is considered that the breed is English. The name of these miniature hounds comes from the word beagle, which means "small". There is also a version that the name comes from the word begueule, which is translated from Frenchmeans "tinned throat".

At one time the breed was on the verge of extinction. Officially, only a few individuals remained in England. However, the threat of extinction was averted. Beagles began their victorious march around the world in the second half of the 19th century. The breed was officially registered in 1873.

Where does it meet?

Until now in the UK, these dogs are used not only as pets, but also as professional hunters. In other countries they are often used for partnership cooperation. You can meet the beagle and in a responsible position. Very often, representatives of this breed work at customs and at airports.

Appearance

If you are interested in the beagle, a description of the breed will certainly come in handy. The size of an adult dog at the withers can reach 40 cm. The weight of the animal ranges from 8 to 14 kg. Beagles live on average 12-15 years. The physique can be described as stocky. The coat of the animal is smooth and short. It adheres tightly to the skin. The dog has a moderately long head of medium width. There is a small bump on the back of the head. The ears of this breed are rounded and hanging. The eyes are quite voluminous, but not too protruding. Lips droop a little. Beagles have a small tail of medium length with a white tip. It does not flex or curl.

Color

The biggest doubt is the color of the coat. What color should a beagle be? The description of the breed speaks of a characteristic tricolor color - white, black, red. They may also meetbicolor individuals. Any color is possible speckling. But the obligatory attribute remains unchanged - the dog must have a red mask on its face. Black and white and pure white beagles are quite rare. More often the dog has a variegated color, black and red spots are usually combined.

Varieties

There are two types of beagles - European and American. Dogs of the second species have a muscular body, angular features and high growth. The European type is characterized by a miniature physique. They are slightly shorter than their American counterparts.

Character traits

Let's dwell on this issue in more detail. What to expect from the Beagle breed? The nature of such dogs can be called quite balanced. The dog is moderately friendly and inquisitive. Beagles rarely show aggression. However, they do not tolerate loneliness well, which can be a disadvantage for some. The dog can run around the territory for hours, you should not hope that the pet will someday ask to go home after a walk. A distinctive feature of this breed is curiosity. The dog will enjoy every little thing, whether it's a ball or a butterfly.

The main advantage of the breed is optimism. A beagle puppy will be an excellent cure for depression. He will never let his owners get bored. The dog can become the real soul of the company. He will always be in the spotlight and delight your guests with his friendliness.

Many choose the Beagle breed because of the lack of aggression. This dog is very good with children. However, his mild character will not allow him to claimguard dog role.

If you are interested in how the beagle gets along in an apartment, then it is important to consider that dogs of this breed cannot stand loneliness at all. From boredom, the dog may begin to gnaw furniture, ruffle pillows and clothes of the owners.

Beagle: skills and abilities

No description of the breed can be considered complete without considering the characteristics of character and abilities. Beagles are very active and determined. For this reason, they require serious training. What should a beagle learn? Training should be built in such a way that the dog understands that it is not he who occupies the leading position in the process of education. The owner of the dog plays the main role. The dog needs to be taught commands regularly. At the same time, it is important that the classes are rich and interesting. If you are persistent, then as a result of training, a beagle can turn out to be a devoted and intelligent assistant. A dog always needs attention.

It is worth mentioning that beagles are still hunting dogs. Their scent is very subtle. Having found an irritant, they may stop responding to the host's commands. Often, the manifestation of this behavior can be injuries as a result of a collision with a car. In addition, the pet can simply get lost. Therefore, it’s better not to let the dog off the leash when walking.

Beagles are great for hunting small animals such as hares. The dog has an excellent sense of smell. It is for this reason that the breed is often recruited to search for weapons, explosives, smuggling and drugs.

Containment conditions

Beagles are veryclean dogs. Caring for them will not cause any problems to the owners. To make the dog feel comfortable, it is necessary to go for a walk with him 2-3 times a day. The total time spent on this should be 1.5 hours or more. After a walk, the pet's coat and paws can be wiped with a damp towel. Bathe the dog no more than once every three months. Every week it is recommended to wash the eyes, clean the ears and comb out the fur. During the molting period, it is better to use a furminator for this purpose. Try to inspect the dog as often as possible. This will allow timely detection of infection with internal or external parasites. Perform deworming regularly. Monitor the general condition of the animal. At the first sign of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately.

What to feed the breed in question

Beagle hunting dog knows no limits in food. It is for this reason that owners need to carefully monitor the amount of food consumed and the frequency of meals. Starting from 2 months, puppies can be fed 5-6 times a day. From six months it is worth transferring the dog to three meals a day. Dogs over a year old should be fed twice a day. The beagle's daily diet should include marine fish, lean meat, offal, turkey, dairy products, eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cereals. Since the breed tends to be overweight, eating fatty foods should be avoided. It is also recommended to remove smoked and spicy delicacies from the diet. They can impair the animal's sense of smell and cause indigestion.

Advantages and disadvantages

Should I get a beagle dog? Pros and cons can be determined by reading the reviews of the owners. Most of them claim that this is a kind and faithful dog. Best of all, the beagle will suit a family where a he althy lifestyle is held in high esteem. If there are other animals in the house, the dog will get along well with them. He will charge all family members with positive energy. Beagles are suitable for families with children. The dog can play with them around the clock.

But the breed has its drawbacks. Firstly, even an adult beagle does not tolerate loneliness. Left alone, he can misbehave in the house: scatter things, break furniture. Another not-so-good character trait is stubbornness. The dog can do what he wants and at the same time not pay any attention to the commands of the owners. The dog needs a strong hand, so it is not suitable for soft and indecisive personalities. Beagles have a loud and clear voice. They can bark at home and thereby cause discontent of the neighbors.

What else is worth knowing about the Beagle breed? An adult dog should walk regularly. The dog is not suitable for workaholics and lazy people. But if the owner is willing to spend a lot of time and energy on caring for the animal, the beagle will become a real favorite. The main thing is to properly educate and train him. Only in this case will you be able to ensure comfortable living together.

Possible problems

Beagle is prone to obesity. As previously mentioned, dogs of this breed love to eat. At any opportunity they will try to pull off the tablesomething tasty. It is almost impossible to see a beagle full. Owners often think that the dog is hungry and increase the portions. If you notice that the pet is gaining weight, despite a fairly active lifestyle, then most likely you are overfeeding it. This often happens when using natural food. If you decide to cook food for the dog yourself, then keep in mind that cereals should make up no more than a third of the total diet. In addition, the dog must be given dairy products. However, for dogs that have not been accustomed to such food since childhood, dairy products can cause stomach upset.

Hunting with your favorite pet

Today, few people use the beagle hunting breed for its intended purpose. The size of the dog makes it possible to keep it in an ordinary city apartment. But the animals have not forgotten about their past. They can set off on the trail of "prey", forgetting about the owner. This often leads to dogs getting lost.

Adult beagle can be used to hunt small game such as hares. The task of the dog is to find the trace of the beast. Going for prey, the dog gives a voice until the hunter reaches it. This is the dog's perseverance, the beagle will pursue the beast to the end.

If you decide to use the breed for hunting, then the drive can be carried out from 9 months of age. A beagle puppy on the hunt will not be very useful. It is best to start classes in September. The dog has an innate ability to seek out and track down the beast. So don't be surprised when your dog, without any training, startssniff out the hare and follow its trail.

Choose a puppy

How to do it right? If you decide to purchase a Beagle puppy, then when choosing, you should consider for what purpose you need a dog. If you just need a companion, you can search the Internet or newspapers for sale ads. For a family with children, a beagle girl is better suited. She is very affectionate and playful.

Those who have decided to seriously participate in exhibitions and breed beagles, the description of the breed should be learned by heart. Before buying, you need to find all the information about the nearest nurseries. Ardent fans of the breed can even try to contact foreign breeders and purchase a puppy from a foreign kennel. The breed, of course, is not the most common, but not too rare. So you can easily find a puppy.

What advice can I give on choosing a puppy?

1. Research the breeder's reputation.
2. Check out the pedigrees of the puppy's parents.
3. Examine the animal for abnormalities. It should be borne in mind that a beagle puppy can change its color up to three months of age. Blackness from the head and ears may fade over time.

Conclusion

Activity, positive and friendliness - all these are the character traits of every beagle. The description of the breed makes it clear that such a dog will not let you get bored. This is a hunting dog with a long history. Beagles have earned a reputation as companion dogs over the long time they have lived with humans. They areget along well in families with small children. However, starting such a breed, one cannot but take into account some of its characteristic features. Beagles need to move. If you are unable to provide your pet with 2 hours of a full walk daily, then you better reconsider your decision on choosing a breed. Beagles can't stand being alone. A long absence of owners can provoke a dog to hooliganism. Do not be surprised when you come home to find gnawed shoes and damaged furniture. For this reason, the beagle needs a training course. Particular attention should be paid to the diet. If you are satisfied with all the features of this breed, you can safely buy a beagle.