Beagle

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Breed Snapshot

Life Expectancy:

10 to 15 years

Size:

Small

Maintenance Level:

Medium

Shed Level:

Low

Temperament:

High-EnergyIntelligentLoyal

Coat Color:

TricolorLemonRedWhite
Blue Ribbon

Best For

Beagles, small and friendly, thrive on activity and companionship. With an affectionate nature and keen sense of smell, they make excellent family pets. They're ideal for those seeking a playful and energetic canine friend who flourishes with love and outdoor adventures.

Beagle Traits

Beagle Temperament

The Beagle’s temperament is generally joyful, determined and adventurous. They’re spunky dogs who typically get along well with others, and their curious personality means they love to play and explore.

Couch potatoes they are not! In fact, they need a lot of exercise and thrive when given a job to do. They were originally bred to track and hunt game, and you’ll often see them with their nose to the ground. At times they can be too driven by scents. Don’t be surprised if they smell something interesting and take off!

Known for their intelligence, a bored Beagle may get themselves into trouble. Don’t worry—Beagles are happy to tell you when they need more stimulation with their attention-getting vocalizations. A cross between a bark and a howl, the unmistakable Beagle “baying” is sharper than a bark but not as drawn out as a howl. Beagles love to join in when they hear other dogs howling or when they want to express themselves with their “Beagle noises.”

Agility training, scent work or tracking classes might be good activities to explore with these smart, strong-willed dogs. (Psst, the National Beagle Club is a good resource for events and other activities for this breed.)

While a Beagle puppy can be mouthy and chew things they shouldn’t (just like any other puppy!), the Beagle breed isn’t expected to have aggressive tendencies as an adult. These social, family dogs get along well with children and are great for active families. And since they were originally bred for hunting in packs, they also do well with other dogs, although they may need more time to adjust to cat households.

How to Care for a Beagle

Beagles are always up for a good time. While that might sometimes translate into your pup being a little mischievous at times, raising a Beagle can be a fun and rewarding experience. That being said, it’s always helpful to know what you’re getting yourself into ahead of time, so the following Beagle information is our primer on the basics of caring for this sweet and gentle breed.

Beagle Health

Several health problems are commonly seen in Beagles. While you won’t necessarily come across these in your dog, it’s good to know what to keep an eye out for—from eye issues to joint concerns—so your Beagle can live their life as happy and healthy as possible.

  • Cherry Eye: Cherry eye is the common term for prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. It’s usually due to a weakness of the connective tissue that normally holds the gland in place, and appears as a pink or red bulge in the front corner of the eye. It is not usually painful but can be irritating for the dog, and often requires surgery to fix. It is not preventable and can happen to dogs at any age, but it most often occurs in dogs younger than 2 years old.
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): IVDD is a neurological condition that occurs when one or more of the discs found between the vertebrae of the spine slip or rupture, causing the disc material to press on the dog’s spinal cord. It can be very painful, and your dog may be suddenly paralyzed or not able to use their back legs. Weight control is one important way to prevent this from happening.
  • Dental Disease: Beagles tend to experience more dental disease than other dogs their size. It’s recommended to start dental care when they are puppies, as periodontal disease can lead to teeth loss and even more serious issues like heart, liver and kidney disease.
  • Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs as a dog grows, causing the hip joints to develop improperly. The result is instability or looseness of the hip joint, and eventually leads to cartilage wear and degenerative arthritis over time. Arthritis can further lead to muscle weakness and joint stiffness, as well as pain. This condition is typically diagnosed with x-rays. Treatments range from the nonsurgical, like weight reduction and physical therapy, to surgical, depending on the severity. Because hip dysplasia has a genetic predisposition, affected dogs should not be bred.
  • Luxating Patella: Luxating patella (kneecap) is a condition that occurs when the groove that holds the patella in position is too shallow, allowing the patella to escape its normal position when the knee joint bends and straightens. This condition is seen more commonly in smaller breeds and does not always cause discomfort. but it can lead to other painful problems, like torn cruciate ligaments, arthritis and more.
  • Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects the brain and results in recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is diagnosed when all other causes of seizures have been investigated and ruled out. Epilepsy ranges in severity, with some dogs experiencing seizures very rarely and others as often as daily. Depending on the severity, medications are available to control the seizure activity.
  • Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders in dogs and is caused by decreased activity of the thyroid gland due to inflammation or atrophy. Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed through blood testing, so thyroid levels should be a normal part of screening bloodwork as Beagles age. This condition can be managed with medications.

Beagle History

While the breed’s exact origins aren’t exactly clear, reports of small hounds hunting hares in Britain date back as far as 55 B.C. As time went on, larger hounds were bred for tracking down deer, and smaller hounds were bred for rabbit hunting. Modern Beagles are most likely descendants of smaller hunting hounds from the 1500s. Around that time, Beagles became popular as “foot hounds,” meaning that—unlike with larger hound breeds—one could hunt with a pack of Beagles on foot instead of on horseback.

Beagles arrived in the United States after the Civil War, and “Blunder” was the first Beagle recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. The breed has always been popular among rabbit hunters and is one of the most popular dog breeds among families today, ranking as the seventh-most-popular dog by the AKC.

Looking to make a Beagle part of your family? You can find a list of reputable breeders on the AKC’s website. Working with a reputable breeder usually means you’re getting a puppy who’s been screened for health issues and temperament. Depending on the breeder, a Beagle price can range from $350 to $1,500, with an average of about $500 to $850. Propsective pet parents can also adopt from Beagle rescue groups, keep an eye out for the breed at their local animal shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area. .

FAQs

Are Beagles hypoallergenic?

No, Beagles are not hypoallergenic. Like many working dogs, the breed has a double coat, which means they have a soft undercoat and coarse outercoat. This helps keep them warm but also means they shed seasonally in the spring and winter.

Do Beagles bark a lot?

Beagles are known for barking and howling to express themselves. Keeping your Beagle busy and ensuring they get enough exercise is the best way to reduce their vocalizations. You can also train them to learn “quiet” as a command, but controlling their environment will help (not leaving them alone in the yard for long periods, etc.).

Are Beagles good with cats?

Beagles may require some training to learn they aren’t supposed to chase cats. If a puppy grew up around the cat, it probably would be fine. But bringing in an older Beagle where they’ve never had a cat might take a little bit of work.

What are the most common beagle mixes?

Note: These are not purebred dogs but mixed breeds.

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Top Takeaways

Beagles make great pets for active families who have the time and energy to invest in this breed. Beagles are smart, curious, and fun to have around. But they can be destructive and loud when left to their own devices. It takes some effort to train them properly, but you will be rewarded with a loyal family member for life.

Expert input provided by Dr. Mandy Boos, a veterinarian at Laurel Veterinary Clinic in Broomfield, Colorado, and Calisse Basada, training manager for Noble Beast Dog Training in Denver, Colorado.

Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.

The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.

Search for Adoptable Beagles Near You

Top Beagle Names

These are the top Beagle names as chosen by Chewy's pet parents!

Female Names

  • Daisy
  • Bella
  • Lucy
  • Luna
  • Bailey
  • Molly
  • Penny
  • Sadie
  • Willow
  • Maggie

Male Names

  • Cooper
  • Copper
  • Charlie
  • Milo
  • Max
  • Buddy
  • Tucker
  • Hank
  • Rocky
  • Oliver