The Beagle is a small scenthound that originated in England.  One of the smallest of the hunting hounds, the Beagle is a popular dog in the United Kingdom, France and the United States.




Beagles can vary in size from country to country, and in the United States they have been separated into two height classes.  Generally it stands between 12-15 inches and weighs between 18-30 pounds.  Their coat is short and dense, it can be any hound color, including tricolor, orange and white, and brown and white to name a few examples.  They have long, typical hound ears that hang down to their cheeks, and a long erect tail. The Beagle has a very distinctive howl when they are tracking or hunting.


Beagle-like dogs have existed in Europe since the 1300s.  They were small pack hounds, often used to accompany rabbit and small game hunters on foot.  The modern Beagle is believed to have been developed in Essex in the 1830s, with dogs that were known as North Country Beagles and Southern Hounds.  By the late 1800s the Beagle was not only recognized in its homeland, but in the United States as well.


Beagles are gentle and friendly dogs, highly intelligent and loyal.  They were bred to hunt, and can tend to be single minded, making them sometimes difficult to train.  Generally obedient and eager to please however, if they pick up an interesting scent it can be hard to regain their attention.  They do well with children and other dogs, being from a pack ancestry they are highly social, which can sometimes lead to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.  Beagles do not normally get along with non-canine pets, unless they have been socialized with the animal at a very young age.


In rare cases Beagles can develop immune mediated polygenic arthritis, even at a young age.  This causes the immune system to attack the joints. They are also prone to heart disease, epilepsy, eye and back problems.  They can also suffer from chondroplasia, a dwarfism that gives them warped front legs, similar to a Basset.  The life expectancy of a Beagle is about 13 years.

Beagles can live in an apartment, but only if they are allowed plenty of time outdoors.  They can be fairly active indoors, and do best with at least a small yard.  Beagles, like all dogs, require daily walks; they possess great stamina and are very difficult to tire.

The coat of a Beagle is easy to care for; therefore they require little care for grooming.  A watchful eye should be kept on their long ears for any sign of infection.