Beagle
- Height at the withers
- 33 to 40 cm
- Weight
- 9 to 14 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 75 minutes
- Origin
- England
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
Less suited to
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- noise-sensitive neighbors: it likes to bark
- off-leash walks: strong prey drive and unreliable recall
Overview
A compact, cheerful scent hound with a sturdy build, a characteristic tricolor or bicolor coat and a merry temperament. Originally bred to hunt hare in packs, with a distinctive baying voice.
History and origins
The modern Beagle was developed in Great Britain around the 1830s from various English scent hounds. It was bred as a foot hound for hunting hare, with hunters following on foot rather than on horseback.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Herniated disc
- Obesity
- Ear infections
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Home alone
- Very poorly, 1 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Very open, 5 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Beagle FAQ
How big does the Beagle get?
The Beagle stands 33 to 40 cm at the withers and weighs 9 to 14 kg. It is a small dog.
Does the Beagle shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Beagle live in an apartment?
It can, as long as it gets real outings every day; a yard is still a plus. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Beagle need each day?
Allow about 75 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Beagle good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Beagle live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are epilepsy and hypothyroidism.
