Top Dog Breeds: The Beagle

Learn all about what makes the Beagle one of the most popular dog breeds.

The Beagle is one of the happiest and oldest dog breeds. With its distinctive baying cry and lively, sweet, gentle, loving nature, the Beagle has become an extremely popular family dog, as well as still being used as an excellent hunting dog. The Beagle has a loyal and sociable attitude and has an energetic, playful nature in which he does, literally, follow his nose, picking up interesting scents and seeking them out. This non-aggressive personality and intelligence makes the Beagle a very popular family dog.

Beagle Breed Story

The Beagle’s origins are unknown, but it is generally recognized as one of the oldest breeds of dog around today; and it is thought that they roamed England before the Roman invasions. While this is not known for certain, what is known is that the Beagle was an established hound at the time of the Crusades in the eleventh century, where it was a popular choice for a hunting dog due to its diminutive stature.  
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Beagle Temperament

The gentle, curious Beagle is a breed of dog that appears to love everyone, no matter the age. The Beagle is an extremely loving animal that loves to play, just as much as to spend time with people. As a very social breed, they dislike being left alone, and if you spend a lot of time away, buying two would be best for the Beagle. They enjoy running in fields and may go off on their own at times and need good firm training to make sure they will always come back when you call them.
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For Official Standards:

Official Standards

Dog Photos

The Beagle

The Beagle

Beagle Standards

• Country of origin: Great Britain
• Height (at withers/shoulder) approximately: Desirable minimum height 33cm / 13in; Desirable maximum height 40cm / 16in (standards may vary)
• Weight approximately: 9-14kg / 20-30lbs (standards may vary)
• Coat: Short, dense, waterproof hair.
• Color: Red and white, orange and white, lemon and white or tri-color.
• Markings: No markings
• Lifespan: Above average, 12-15 years

Good to Know - Beagle

+ Makes a fantastic family pet and is excellent with children
+ Excellent working dog
+ Good dog for novice owners
- Is very active indoors
- Likes to bay, a sound which some find disturbing and hard to get used to
- Can be prone to heart disease, epilepsy, eye and back problems