Beagle

Beagle Hair & Coat

Beagle Health & Care

Beagles are considered to be one of the sturdiest and healthiest dog breeds and very rarely any serious problem or health issue may inflict them. However, some of the common disorders that may affect your Beagle are:  

Beagle Pain Syndrome or Steroid Responsive Meningitis is one of the most difficult neurological disorders that inflict your dog. A rare combination of meningitis and polyarthritis, this disorder can be extremely painful for the dog.Cervical pain, weakness, body pain, severe muscle spasms and loss of appetite are some of the common symptoms of Beagle Pain Syndrome.  

Epilepsy is another disorder that may inflict Beagles. Beagles may experience mild or severe seizures followed by frantic and abnormal behaviour such as running or falling or even being unable to move their limbs. No real cause of epileptic seizures is known.  

Hypothyroidism is a malfunction of the thyroid gland and cause alopecia / hair loss, skin infections and poor development. Medical help will have to be sought for proper diagnosis and cure.  

Cherry Eye is a condition where the gland under the eye protrudes and looks like a cherry. In case of a cherry eye, surgery will be required to remove the infected gland.  

Glaucoma is another disorder that may inflict a beagle. In case of a glaucoma, the pressure in the eye increases manifolds as a result the disorder is extremely painful for the dog. In case medical intervention is not taken in time, the increased pressure may damage the eye and the optic nerve rendering the Beagle blind.  

Before getting a Beagle, do check on the medical history of its parents to be sure that there is no genetic disorder that your new puppy might be suffering from.     

Beagle Behavior

Beagles have an even temper and a gentle disposition and are friendly, happy breed. Beagles are an extremely good with families,kids and even other dogs and love company, though they can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. Like all dogs, pet parents will have to socialise their Beagles pups from early on.

Beagles are an intelligent breed and a little stubborn one as they are easily distracted by scents around them. Beagles are also high on stamina and energy and require mental and physical stimulation.

Regular exercise and Pet parents to a Beagle will have to be patient and use food as a reward to training as Beagles are extremely eager to please and love food. Beagles are easily bored and distracted so will have to be trained to keep them busy.

Regular exercise will keep them healthy and away from become obese.

A beagle is apt for apartment living as well as for large houses. Large houses will ensure that your pet beagle has a lot of space to explore and stimulate his / her sense of smell.

For small apartments, Beagle work great because of their small and compact size.

However, pet parents who are living in apartments will have to ensure that there is a regular exercise regime so that their pet does not become hyperactive or destructive.

Beagles are extremely loud dogs and have a characteristic howl. If you live in apartments, your neighbours might object to the loud howling at unusual hours.

Also, you will have to be careful when you take your Beagle out for a walk. Since they are easily excited by new scents, they tend to wander off exploring, many a times on their own.

If you have a house with a yard, you will have to ensure that there is a fence that cannot be dug under else you will be forever running after your pet Beagle to stop its explorations.

Beagles are a very intelligent breed. Their excellent sense of smell combined with athleticism and stamina have historically made them excellent hunting dogs and as time progressed their contribution as working dogs has increased by leaps and bounds.

Currently, Beagles have been trained to assist as bomb detection dogs. In many airports Beagles and their keen sense of smell is being used to detect contraband food articles i.e. food articles that are banned in certain countries.

Beagles are also being trained to sniff termites and bed bugs especially in Australia where the infestation is known to destroy assets and infrastructure worth thousand every year. Due to their small and compact size and passive nature Beagles are also trained to be service and therapy dogs.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has recently employed a Beagle to help their Lost and Found department return possessions to their rightful owners. 

Beagle Breeding

Beagles are a healthy and sturdy breed and become mature by the age of 16 - 18 months. If you are going to mate and breed your Beagle, make sure that you understand thoroughly the medical histories of his / her mating partner and also the medical history of the beagle’s parents so make sure that they are not suffering from any serious genetic disorder that may be deterrent to the overall growth of the new puppies.  

If you are a first time pet parent, seek medical advice to ensure that the mating and breeding process is comfortable for both the dogs.

An average litter size of a Beagle varies between 2 - 7 puppies with an average life expectancy of 12 - 14 years. When born, the Beagle puppy may not show its characteristic fur markings. As they grow older, the markings become more prominent.   

When the puppies are born, it will be imperative to vaccinate them and to train them from early own as they are extremely active and if not monitored may destroy furniture and other things that might catch their attention.

Beagle Appearance

A full grown adult male Beagle stands anywhere between 36 - 41 cms and weighs between 10 - 11 kgs while a fully grown female Beagle weighs stands anywhere between 33 - 38 cms and weighs between 9 - 10 kgs.  

The most common colour for a Beagle is a tri - colour i.e a black or dark brown saddle, white legs, chest and belly and a straight tail. the tip of the tail is usually white while the base may be shades of black and brown.

Beagles have a short and dense coat and short legs. The paws have soft pads that help the Beagle move swiftly while hunting.

The ears and the nose of a Beagle are its most distinctive feature. The ears are long and droopy while the nose is black or dark brown.

The nose and ears work in sync, the ears help trap the scent and help the Beagle in tracking. The nose and ear of a Beagle are also called Batman and Robin.

The eyes of a Beagle are shades of brown, but usually a beautiful hazel colour eye is a trademark of a Beagle.