Things Nobody Tells You About Owning A Beagle


owner stroking muzzle of beagle on rough walkway

Beagles are clingy

Beagles love to spend time with their owners and will hate to see you go. A beagle will not want to leave you alone; they love to spend as much time as possible with their family. Whether you are going to the toilet or getting a drink a beagle will follow you. 

If you work long hours and don’t get to spend much time in the house this could become an issue for you and your beagle. Typically you would not want to be leaving your beagle for more than 5 to 6 hours a day. If you are leaving them alone for time periods like this anxiety can develop. 

Beagles need a lot of exercise

Beagles are a very energetic breed, so it is extremely important that you are giving them the right amount of exercise. Typically they will need 1 to 2 hours of exercise per day. This varies from dog to dog. You will find some beagles need a lot more exercise and others don’t require quite so much. If you are not giving your beagle the right amount of exercise. 

Beagles are very loud

A beagle will always be letting you know how they are feeling. If they are angry you will hear them whining. They will cry when they want something and will bark when they are looking for attention. Furthermore, beagles have a notorious howl that really does stand out. Their howl can become disturbing for your household as well as others; the right training will need to be put in place to control this. If you live in a densely populated area owning a beagle could become an 

Beagles love to cuddle

Beagles are a very loving breed; who love to be cuddled and held. Your beagle will constantly be trying to grab your attention for some affection. They really do love to be around you, which is great if you are looking for an affectionate dog. The majority of the beagle breed has this trait due to their instinctive nature. Naturally beagles feel safe and comfortable in confined spaces. This can often be seen in where they choose to sleep or lie-down, whether that is in a crate or other confined space. 

Beagles love food

Beagles really really love their food. If you have ever been with a beagle while they eat I’d imagine you have a good idea of what I mean by this. Beagles often struggle to regulate their appetite, unlike other breeds. Because of this poor regulation they can easily over eat if not kept on a strict diet. Therefore it is important that you as an owner know how much your beagle should be eating and stopping them from overeating. 

Beagles tend to be stubborn 

Beagles are a very independent breed of dog, this means that they often tend to be quite stubborn. Their stubbornness can often make a beagle very hard to train. If we look at what beagles were originally bred for we can see why this train is so common. Beagles are hunting and sniffer dogs, who were used for hunting hare and other small game. Their role in the hunt was very independent which is why we see this stubborn trait now. 

Due to their stubbornness they can be hard to train. You may see some issues when potty training or during other training. Although this is not something you should worry too much about, as the key to training is consistency.

Beagles need a lot of attention

A beagle will always be trying to get your attention and everyone else’s. They are very energetic which means they need a way to release it. To deal with this need for attention  you will need to give them short bursts of high energy play. Whether that is by playing fetch with them, going for a walk or playing games, there are many options for you to help. 

Beagles will often run away

Because beagles are scent hounds it often results in them picking up smells that they will follow. When a beagle runs away it is following its natural instinct. Beagles have been bred to have this extremely strong sense of smell and to follow their nose. Therefore it takes a lot of time and training to stop your beagle from running away. But that isn’t to say it’s impossible.

When walking your beagle off the lead it is important to keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t go too far away. A good tip is to carry some of their favourite treats to give them a strong incentive to come back to you when called. By using reward based training to have your beagle to react properly to a recall

By using reward based training on your pet’s recalls you will eventually reach a point where they just return without an incentive.  As long as you keep this training up you will see results. 

Beagles shed a lot

When I say beagles shed a lot I really do mean it beagles shed A LOT. If you are thinking about getting a beagle it is a good thing to know and possibly prepare for. During shedding season you will be seeing tons of hair around your home; it will require near constant clean up. A beagle needs consistent grooming during this time. Shedding seasons are Spring and Winter. To help with the shedding you will need to be brushing your beagle multiple times a week to help them shed properly. By doing this you will be stopping droppage around the house and helping their health. Brushing your dog helps to spread natural oils across their fur.

Pet Know How

Hi I'm Adam. At Pet Know How we aim to help you learn everything you need to about your pets.

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