Beagle

Back during the nifty 1950s, Beagles were America’s most popular purebred. Now they rank at No. 5 on the American Kennel Club’s list of popular breeds.

Beagles are also popular with animators and cartoonists, appearing in “Wallace and Gromit” and “Inspector Gadget.” Snoopy, one of the most famous and beloved dogs of all, is a Beagle!

Personality

• Lovable and friendly
• Docile, tolerant and good natured
• Good watchdog
• Intelligent companion, but can be stubborn
• If left alone can become bored and destructive

Size

• 18-30 pounds
• Up to 16 inches at the withers (shoulder)

Lifestyle

• Excellent with children
• Suited to a family with time to play games and provide exercise
• Needs other dogs in the household for company to avoid seperation anxiety
• Loves to dig
• Beagles are hunters and will follow scents, so special fencing may be required

Training

• Solid training should be given to Beagle puppies, since they can have a mind of their own
• Special training may be needed to discourage your Beagle from barking, as they can be quite vocal

Exercise

• Needs plenty of exercise, including a brisk daily walk
• Loves playing games, which can make exercise fun
• Off-leash roaming can be problematic, as Beagles love tracking scents and will be oblivious to dangers like cars

Coat

• Combination of tan, black and white fur
• Some have only two colors, as opposed to the usual tri-color
• Short-haired, so no special grooming is required
• Minimal shedding and odor

Health

• Beagles can be prone to dermatitis, obesity, epilepsy, invertebral disk disease and cataracts
• Regular ear cleaning is needed to avoid yeast infections developing in their floppy ears
• Care must be taken not to overfeed your Beagle, as they easily gain weight

Lifespan

• 12-15 years

Rescue

• To adopt a Beagle, start your search with the Beagle Rescue Foundation of America.

PHOTO: Diablito63