Introduction
The Beagle, also known as the English Beagle, is a breed of dog from the Hound Group. Beagles are instantly recognizable by their miniature foxhound look, and the most well known of all Beagles was Snoopy: Charlie Brown’s friend and companion. Beagles were recognized by the AKC in 1885 and AKC approved in 1957.
Beagles stand approximately 13 - 16 inches tall, and they weight between 18 – 35 pounds.
Temperament
The Beagle’s personality is one of a friendly, happy-go-lucky, but sensitive nature. These dogs are an excellent breed choice for homes with children and other pets as Beagles consider their family part of their pack. They need to be walked on a regular basis to ward of excessive weight gain which they can be prone to, but they are not high energy dogs.
They are not good guard dogs due to their friendly and welcoming attitude, but they do make good watch dogs and will often sound a howling alert when new people or animals are near the home.
Like other hound dogs, Beagles focus intently on tracking a scent they find. They need to be walked on a leash to prevent them from wandering in dangerous situations when they track, and they can be slow to follow commands if they find a scent they want to follow.
Health
They have a life expectancy of 12 - 15 years, but they do have increased risks for developing certain health conditions which owners should be aware of. Among the most common are epilepsy and hypothyroidism. Beagles are also prone to ear infections and eye problems such as cherry eye.
History
The exact origin of the Beagle is unknown, but they are believed to be a creation of crossing some breeds of English sight and scent hounds which were bred to track rabbits and deer. Today’s Beagles were created in the 1860’s after a Beagle line in England were brought into the U.S. to cross with the U.S. Beagles.
Beagle
Quick Facts
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Weight: 18-35 lbs
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Height: 13-16 in
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Coat: Sleek, easy-care, short coat
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Temperament: Friendly, happy-go-lucky, sensitive
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Lifespan: 12-15 years