Small, compact, and hardy, The Beagle is playful, friendly companions for both kids and adults. However, they can also get stubborn and need creative training techniques. They have a thing about trusting their noses, and this guides them all through their lives.
Originally, Beagles were bred as scent hounds to track down small game such as hare and small rabbits. Even today, they are still used for this purpose in many places. Interestingly, Beagles have about 220 million scent receptors which are way more advanced than the 5 million in humans.
The breed grows up to 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulders and can weigh between 18 and 30 pounds. They have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years and have an appeal that is difficult to resist. Their hound nature makes them determined, curious, and focused on feeding. You are advised not to tease them with food and teach your children to respect your Beagle during feeding times.
Being small and friendly, the Beagles will not intimidate people that are afraid of dogs. The breed is often used in airports to sniff out contraband without intimidating the passengers. They remain superb hunters of small game and great at catching hares. They can live well in an apartment if they can be taken for walks several times a day.
A Rewarding Breed To Own
Beagles require plenty of exercises and are known to become destructive whenever they are left alone without exercise. Their stubborn streak means that obedience training is required to grow them properly. They are known to overeat whenever they get a chance. You must control the amount of food that you give them.
There is so much to love about this family friendly dog breed. They are the ideal dog to introduce as part of the family and will quickly become a loyal best friend.