The Beagle

One of the most popular dogs in America over the past fifty years, the Beagle continues to place near the top on American Kennel Club registrations. Intelligent, social, and friendly, they remain popular as family pets and are beloved for their somewhat idiosyncratic qualities, including the way they “talk” to each other at distances and their stubborn single-mindedness.

Behavior

Beagles were originally bred for fox hunting, and many of their most defining characteristics are hold-overs from this history. They are social and friendly, happy to be part of a larger pack and know their place in it. They also are loud and vocal, which, combined with a general aloofness towards strangers, make them good watchdogs. However, they make friends quickly and can award affection easily, making them less than desirable as guard dogs.

Beagles are also single-minded, bred to track foxes across great distances and to communicate with other beagles in the field. Hence their howl, known as “vocalizing” or “sounding.” If you live in a neighborhood with another Beagle, it is very likely that the two will “talk” to each other over impressive distances, which some owners find amusing, though neighbors might not. While Beagles respond poorly to training due to their innate stubbornness, they are intelligent and inquisitive in their own way.

Health

Beagles tend to live between 10 and 14 years. Like many breeds, they have particular ailments common to them. Beagles can be prone to epilepsy, which is controllable with medication. Because they were bred for the hunt and therefore long-distance running, Beagles require a good deal of exercise to stay healthy. Owners who cannot provide this exercise often end up with obese and unhealthy dogs.

Contact Us

For more information about veterinary care, and other questions about health care, contact your Austin Vet Clinic.