Beagle
Complete Breed Guide
"My nose knows!"
Quick Facts About Beagles
Hound
20–30 lbs
13–15"
No
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Overview
Beagles are scent hounds with an extraordinary nose and a natural instinct for tracking that makes them one of the most capable and driven breeds in their class. Friendly, curious, and full of personality, Beagles are food-motivated dogs who are a joy to train and even more fun to live with. If you are looking for an enthusiastic, warm-hearted companion with a genuine zest for life, the Beagle delivers.
Beagles are friendly, active dogs who experience the world primarily through their remarkable sense of smell. Bred for hunting, they are exceptionally skilled trackers with a natural drive to follow a scent — a trait that makes them outstanding working dogs and engaging companions for active families. Beagles are highly food-motivated, which makes positive reinforcement training straightforward and rewarding. As with any food-driven breed, keeping food stored securely is good practice. Beagles are a medium-small breed that fits comfortably into a wide range of home environments and are known for being gentle, patient, and sociable with children and other pets.
Temperament and Behavior
Beagles love to hunt and would follow an intriguing scent to the end of the earth if you let them, so only let them go off-leash when you know that it’s safe. You’ll find that a good way to motivate a Beagle is with food. They love to eat and will chow down on anything they can get ahold of, so be careful with where you store food. Beagles have a loud voice, which they use to find other members of their pack, tell you they miss you, or announce that they’re excited about a scent they’ve come across. They are usually friendly and outgoing toward new people.
Coat & Grooming
A Beagle’s short hair is relatively low-maintenance. Brushing their hair or going through it with a hound mitt once or twice a week will get rid of anything they’ve brought back into the house with them and help remove dead hair. Beagles do shed, but these weekly brushings will help cut back on the amount of hair you find in your house. You generally won’t need to bathe a Beagle more than a few times a year, unless they find something particularly pungent to play in.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Beagles will be happy in any living situations, as long as they get their daily exercise. The happiest Beagles have access to a large, safe, outdoors play area but can come back inside to live with their families. They are friendly playmates with children and most other dogs. Beagles can learn to get along with cats if raised with them, but remember, they’re hunting dogs, so keep an eye on them when they’re together just to be sure.
Exercise & Activity
Beagles love hunting, but their favorite part about this activity is being allowed to follow their nose to their heart's content. If you’re a hunter, take them with you in the field and you’ll have a faithful ally always. They’ll also enjoy long walks or hikes, especially if you let them stick their nose around to investigate what else has been in the area. Plan to give your Beagle 30 minutes to an hour of exercise every day, although they’ll go for longer if you let them.
Health Considerations
The life expectancy of a Beagle is 10–15 years. Beagles tend to be healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they are predisposed to certain conditions. Working with a responsible breeder who health-tests their animals is the best way to start with a healthy dog. Beagles can have the following health conditions: Idiopathic Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Hip Dysplasia, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Patellar Luxation, Obesity, and Glaucoma.
Medical References
- PetMD
Breed descriptions and health information are provided for educational purposes only and should not replace consultation with a licensed veterinarian. Individual dogs may vary in temperament and health.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Beagle FAQs
Common questions about the Beagle breed, answered by our editorial team.
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