Beagle

Where the breed comes from

Beagles were bred in England to hunt rabbits and hares in packs, following scent while hunters followed on foot. Packs of small hounds are recorded centuries ago, and the modern Beagle took shape in the 1800s.

Personality and family life

Beagles are cheerful, curious and sociable, and they usually love other dogs and children. As pack hounds they dislike being alone for long. They are famous for their voice: a howl called a bay, which can surprise neighbours.

Daily care: exercise, grooming, training

A Beagle's nose leads everything. Walk them on a lead or in a securely fenced area, because a good scent can override even a well-trained recall. Daily walks, sniffing games and food puzzles keep them content. Their short coat needs only weekly brushing, but check the floppy ears for dirt and moisture.

Their talent is put to use by the USDA's detector dog teams, which sniff luggage at airports for banned food and plant products.

Is this breed right for you?

Great for sociable households with time for walks, sniffing adventures and company, and for families with children. Less suited to homes where the dog would be alone all day, to apartments with thin walls, or to owners who want reliable off-lead recall.

Fun facts

Beagles in a hunting pack can follow a trail for hours, and their white-tipped tails help hunters spot them in tall grass. Detector dog teams use Beagles partly because their friendly faces calm travellers. Tiny pocket Beagles were kept centuries ago but are not a recognised size today.

A day in the life

A typical day with a Beagle starts with a long sniffing walk, because following scents is their favourite job. At home, scatter feeding, snuffle mats and hide-the-treat games give the nose a workout. Keep the kitchen bin locked and food off counters, since Beagles are skilled food thieves. Evenings are usually spent snoozing close to their people.

Health and good to know

Beagles love food and can easily become overweight, so keep snacks out of reach. Ear infections, hip dysplasia and some eye conditions can occur.

Every pet is an individual, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about diet, vaccines and health checks for your own animal.

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