| Beagles: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Beagle personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Beagle, including these excerpts:
"The Beagle of good breeding is happy, good-natured, and playful.
Though adaptable to a city lifestyle of daily walks, he is fast and athletic and really needs regular running.
However, unless trained for hunting, he should not be allowed off-leash, for he is an obsessive explorer who will follow his nose right across the freeway if that's where that fascinating smell went.
Your fences need to be secure, for he is prone to wanderlust and can be an adept climber.
Friendly with people and other pets, the Beagle does better in a home with another dog, for he is a sociable pack animal.
His stubbornness and tendency to gaze around at all the interesting sights and sounds call for early, consistent obedience training. Use food rewards to motivate him, but don't indulge too much or you'll end up with a portly Beagle. He is often found with his head buried in the garbage and he will cheerfully steal whatever morsels you leave within reach."
History
A scenthound from England, the Beagle trails rabbits, sometimes by himself, sometimes in packs, baying as he goes. His name comes from a group of old hunting hounds called begles.
Size
10-15 inches and 16-30 lbs |
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Beagles
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is conveniently small, yet sturdy and athletic
- Is completely natural in appearance
- Has a short easy-care coat
- Loves exercise and outdoor activities
- Is good-natured with people and other animals
A Beagle may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- An extremely careful search to avoid all the neurotic Beagles
- Slowness to learn and an independent "what's in it for me?" attitude toward training -- can be very stubborn
- Running away, oblivious to your calls, when an interesting scent catches his attention
- Slowness to housebreak
- Baying and howling
- Shedding
- A distinctive houndy odor
- Chronic health problems
A Beagle may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Beagle... |
My major concerns would be:
- Unstable temperaments. Beagles are a dime a dozen, and most of them are bred and offered for sale by people who don't have the slightest idea of how to breed good-tempered dogs. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of Beagles with neurotic behaviors, including biting, moodiness, mindless noise, and general nastiness.
- Stubbornness. Beagles are not Golden Retrievers. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. Most Beagles are very stubborn and can be manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Beagle to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Beagle Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Defensive reactions. I don't know why so many Beagles growl or snap when you correct them. They seem to have a heightened sense of "Hey, no fair!" As an obedience instructor, I'm always extra careful when putting my hands on a Beagle for a correction.
- Providing enough exercise. Beagles don't need to run for miles, but they do need more exercise than the typical slow walk around the block that many owners give them. Beagles who don't get enough exercise become obese, which puts stress on their bones and joints and causes more health problems. Beagles MUST have regular opportunities to stretch their legs and vent their energy, if you want them to remain healthy and fit.
| Beagles cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that emits an odor or runs. |
- Housebreaking. Beagles tend to resist being told what to do, and housebreaking is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent crate training.
- Noise. Beagles should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. The mournful baying and howling will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Beagle out of his yard so he'll wander away.
- Shedding and houndy odor. For such a shorthaired dog, Beagles shed much more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. Also note that Beagles have a distinctive "doggy" odor to their skin and coat that some people find offensive.
- Chronic health problems. Because of overbreeding and poor breeding practices, Beagles suffer more than their share of joint problems, ear infections, and skin disorders.
| To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Beagle Health Page. |
| Not all Beagles are alike! |
- There are energetic Beagles, and placid Beagles.
- Hard-headed Beagles, and sweet-natured Beagles.
- Serious Beagles, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Beagles, and Beagles who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Beagle puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Beagle... |
There are plenty of adult Beagles who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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