Beagle
The Beagle
The Beagle is one of the more popular choice for family dog. Its small size and loving nature makes it easy to nurture. Beagles have no problem socializing with other pets in the home. They can live along side most animals. They are extremely energetic and require ample space to run around and play. They make good watch dogs as they may bark when they sense danger. However, they make poor guard dogs as they seldom attack and are not aggressive by nature.
Origin & History
The Beagle is a relatively old breed and could trace its history in England from as early as the 14th century. They were initially bred as scent-hounds for tracking down hunts such as rabbits, hares, birds, quails, and other small animals. Early Beagles resemble small foxhounds. The predecessor of the modern Beagle breed was a crossbreed between Harrier and other types of English Hounds. The earlier crossbreeding produced two breeds – the Southern Hound and the North County Beagle. The Southern Hounds are heavyset and lack agility. But their stamina and their keen scent makes them ideal hunting companions. Contrariwise, the North Country Beagle have a smaller build and greater agility but have a less sensitive sense of smell. In the mid 19th century, the Southern Hound and North Country Beagle were crossbred to produce the modern Beagle.
Details & Specifications
Beagles have short muzzle and strong jaws. Their ears are long and taper towards the cheeks. Since Beagles are scent-hounds, they have strong developed necks that make it easier for them to bend down to pick up a scent. Measured from the withers, Beagles generally measure between 13 to 16 inches. They weigh around 18 to 25 pounds.
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Characteristics
Beagles are non-aggressive dogs. They are even tempered and easily won over, even by strangers. They may bark or howl at someone unfamiliar but they almost never attack. They are pack animals and prefer company of fellow dogs. They sometimes suffer from separation anxiety when taken away from familiar company. As a hunting dog, they are easily excitable and extremely energetic.
Training Beagles
Beagles are single-minded and easily distracted making them hard to train. Faint scents can distract them and once they pick up on it, it may be hard to make them obey unless they have fully explored the scent. While training a Beagle, use rewards instead of punishment. Reward the dog with tasty treats for good behavior. However, since Beagles are prone to obesity, it is advisable to give them small servings of treats at regular intervals.
Caring & Nurturing
Beagles have moderate to high rate of shedding, thus regular brushing and bathing is necessary.
Common diseases
Some Beagles are prone to hypothyroidism, epilepsy, heart disease, Intervertebral Disc Disease, Chondroplasia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
Food, Equipment & Games
Beagles are energetic and burn a lot of calories. This is why it is important to consider the caloric content when buying dog food. A good daily Beagle diet is one or two cups of dry kibble. Beagles should not be overfed as they are prone to obesity. They have the tendency to eat just about anything that is edible on sight so be sure to keep away harmful substances.