Beagle Insurance

Beagle dog breed

Curious and outgoing, Beagles make great pets. Learn about the hound with our guide. Information and advice.

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Beagle dog breed information and advice

Beagles are a favourite of the hound group. They were bred for hunting small animals, Beagles are always tracking a scent, making them good watchdogs. They can be quite mischevious, especially if left alone for long periods of time, but they're an easy-going dog with plenty of love to give.

This dog breed is a must-read for prospective Beagle owners. Their characteristics make them a fun, loving pet. They're not shy and easily make new friends. And while they're good with other dogs, they will need slowly introducing to any other pets. Beagle dogs have a hunting instinct so take care around smaller animals.

If you're yet to become a Beagle owner, this guide will prepare you for your new dog, from the Beagle lifespan and training to their characteristics. Make sure you buy your Beagle puppy from a reputable breeder. The price that you can expect to pay for an adult and Beagle puppy is included below.

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Beagle facts
Lifespan	12 – 15 years
How much	£500 – £1000
Size	33 – 40 cm
Weight	9 – 11 kg
Colours	Lemon and white, white and tan, tri-colour, chocolate, white and chocolate, red and white
Grooming	Once a week
Temperament	Happy, playful and loyal
Exercise	Around an hour a day

Beagles are determined scent hounds which means if they smell something, they'll have to track down the source. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidents.

The Beagle breed is also prone to developing certain health conditions, such as:

Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Obesity

So making sure your Beagle has dog insurance will mean you'll have a helping hand to cover any medication, treatment or even surgery your dog may need.

How to care for a Beagle

Your Beagle hound relies on you to give it what it needs. Make sure your dog is getting nutrition from its food and exercise to help it healthy. Whether it's a small or full grown Beagle dog, they have a reputation for being an energetic and exuberant breed. So, giving your hound the right training from when they're a puppy is important.

Feeding and nutrition

Beagles are greedy dogs and given the chance, they’ll eat nonstop. You’ll need to weigh your dog’s food to make sure they’re not overeating. Dog food packaging usually provides portion guidelines as well as nutritional information. If you have any doubt about your dog's diet, ask your vet for advice.

Split the daily food allowance between two meals, one feed in the morning and one in the evening. Your Beagle will then have two meals to look forward to and is less likely to beg for food. If your Beagle eats all the food at once, it can cause an upset tummy, especially if they eat fast. To make your dog eat slower, buy an anti-gulping food bowl that has grooves in it to make it harder for them to get to the food.

Grooming

When it comes to grooming your Beagle, a short coat that doesn’t need trimming is ideal. But this does result in hair that grows continuously and falls out. To avoid getting dog fur all over the house and furniture you’ll need to brush your dog regularly. This will also help keep their coat clean and shiny.

Most shedding will happen in spring because they’re getting rid of their winter coat. You may need to increase brushing to 2-3 times a week.

Exercise

How much exercise does a Beagle need a day? Ideally an hour, but the more you exercise them, the better. Beagles have a lot of energy, and you'll need to let them burn that off, so long walks and running off the lead is good exercise for them. Bear in mind, if your Beagle doesn't have good recall, make sure the area is secure so that they can’t run off. If you’re walking them on lead, you’ll need to walk them for longer.

Beagles love to play fetch, and it’s a great way for dogs to exercise. If you're sticking to the hour a day, a mix of a 30-minute walk and 30 minutes playtime each day should be enough exercise.

Training

Beagle training is essential as they’re known for not being the most obedient dogs in the world. Without training they’ll not respond to your call, so can’t be let off lead. The sooner you start training, the quicker your dog will learn. Start with house training to avoid any puppy toilet accidents and move on from there.

You can try clicker training , which uses noise to signify good behaviour. But for the most effective training, use food-based rewards. Training your dog and teaching them tricks is a fun way to exercise. It also builds on the bond between you and your Beagle dog.

Temperament and behaviour

Beagles have high energy levels and love to play, but they also love to sit on your lap and have a cuddle. This makes them great pets for children. But with their lively temperament, it is best to always keep an eye on them when they’re with small children.

As they were bred to hunt in packs, Beagles don’t like being left alone and will become vocal if they are. Giving them toys to play will keep them entertained and their separation anxiety to a minimum. Toys that you can stuff with dog treats will interest them the most.

Beagles were originally bred for hunting rabbits and this makes them likely to chase other animals to track down smells. Make sure you have a secure garden, or you may find them trying to find a way to escape.

Do Beagles shed?

Beagles have dense fur that continues to grow and moult. Grooming your dog weekly will reduce the amount of fur that falls out, which means less on your floors and furniture.

A Beagle dog's fur is short so won’t need trimming, and they’re clean dogs so won’t need bathing very often.

How to train a Beagle?

That burning question, are Beagles difficult to train? Unfortunately, they are. Beagles were bred as scent hounds and used for hunting. This means that they’re not very obedient. If your dog catches a scent of something, it will hunt it down and won’t listen to your calls.

Regular dog training will help to improve your dog’s obedience. Use treats in your training so they’ll learn that listening to you means a reward

Are Beagles good pets?

Beagles are good with children and their gentle temperament makes them great family dogs. They have a lively personality and like to play. They also love a cuddle.

They’re smart dogs and with regular training, they can easily learn commands. Smart dogs get bored easily, so give them lots of toys to play with.

Beagles are the perfect house dog for loud homes and will happily welcome your guests.

Life expectancy of a Beagle

The average Beagle lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. This is affected by their health, so it’s important to make sure they’re getting the care they need. That includes regular vet check-ups, daily exercise and the correct diet.

Dog and puppy insurance can also help with any unexpected medical costs.

So, is a Beagle right for you?

Your Beagle may be lively and playful, but will also have a calm nature. Their friendly and gentle characteristics make them loving companions.

Thanks to their easy-going nature, Beagles can be an ideal breed for a first-time dog owner. However, they can be more challenging to train, and they require daily exercise. So, if you can put the time in for proper socialisation, training and exercise, a Beagle dog could be the perfect pet.

Frequently asked questions

Are Beagles a good family dog?

Beagles are known for being lovable and friendly which are qualities that make them excellent family dogs. They love to be around other dogs as well as people and are very sociable.

Are Beagles difficult dogs?

Beagles are generally considered to be good first-time dogs due to their easy-going temperament and smaller size. However, they can be more difficult to train than other dogs due to their energetic and curious nature.

Is a Beagle a low maintenance dog?

Yes, Beagles are low maintenance compared to other dogs. They’re incredibly easy-going and generally happy, and their short coat requires minimal grooming, making them easy to care for.