A loyal, energetic companion, a tireless hunter, a talented bloodhound, a star of comics, films, and television shows—all of this describes one of the most popular dog breeds today, the beagle. Photos of these incredibly cute creatures are easy to find online. Their small size, huge eyes, and pleading gaze create the impression that beagle puppies have a calm, almost angelic nature. Therefore, owners are often surprised when a small calico hurricane starts wreaking havoc on their home. To avoid such unpleasant surprises, before buying a beagle puppy, you should research not only prices but also all about the breed's characteristics.
Content
A bit of history…
The true homeland of these dogs is considered to be aristocratic England, although descriptions of very similar dogs, chasing hares with a loud bark, were found in the works of the ancient Greek author Xenophon. It is believed that Beagles were brought to the British Isles by the Romans, and British dog breeders, crossing them with local animals, developed the modern breed standard.
Gradually, two main breed variants emerged in England: the Southern Beagle and the Northern Beagle. They were used primarily for hunting rabbits and hares. When fox hunting became fashionable in the British Isles, the classic-sized Beagle became endangered. Parson Honeywood revived the breed.It was the pack he assembled that became the ancestors of modern beagles, and every reputable kennel has descendants of Honeywood dogs.
Beagle breed standard
If you look closely at different photos of Beagle puppies, you'll notice that there are two color variations:
- tricolor - black, white, light brown;
- two-color - red, white.
A red mask on the muzzle is mandatory for all dogs. There are also completely white beagles., but very, very rarely. This coloring is more the exception than the rule.
The animal's body, although small, up to 40 cm in height, is muscular. The legs are short and strong, and the ears are long, soft, drooping, and rounded. The standard requires that the beagle's ears reached his noseThe dog's nose should be wide. The animal's head is usually slightly convex, the muzzle straight, and of medium length. The eyes are dark brown, large but not protruding, with a soft gaze.
The dog's neck is strong, with a broad chest that gradually tapers to a wedge-shaped belly. The tail is medium-length, with a white tip. This white spot is a distinctive feature of all animals of this breed.It allows the owner to keep sight of his pet while he runs along the trail with his head down.
A beagle's front legs are always straight, while their hind legs are bent at the knees and muscular. An adult beagle's weight depends largely on their diet, but it shouldn't exceed 8-16 kg. The average lifespan is about 14 years.
Beagle puppy character and training
All Beagles are very active and cheerful dogs. They are the best choice for those who want to give their child a cheerful and reliable friend. Beagle puppies are very sociable. They are simply They love to play for hours with children or other dogs.The animal quickly becomes attached to its owner; even a child can be an authority figure for it. However, it does not handle loneliness well, so those considering this breed should take this into account.
One thing a beagle will never get along with is small animals. Hamsters, chinchillas, cats, dwarf rabbits, and guinea pigs—all of these are prey to a beagle, and they will hunt them relentlessly. The only way to get along with a beagle is with a cat, and even then, it will require a great deal of patience and perseverance. So, if you have other small pets in the house, it's best to avoid this breed.
Another characteristic of beagles that needs to be curbed from puppyhood is their very loud barking. When the animal is bored, wants something, is afraid, or is on a scent, it can surprise not only its owner but also the neighbors. always different, but invariably loud sounds, which earned the breed the nickname "singing beagle." Hunters have always prized the ability to combine high and low voices to form a pack of beagles into a unique "choir." However, neighbors, especially those in apartments, are unlikely to appreciate such a performance, so it's crucial to teach your puppy to restrain its natural impulses.
In photos, beagle puppies are almost always on the move, and in real life, it's the same. These dogs are very energetic and resilient. They need physical activity like air. They love run, jump, even swim if given the opportunityDespite their small size, these animals are best kept in a private home rather than an apartment, with a yard where they can release excess energy.
But even here, difficulties can arise, stemming from the breed's original purpose—hunting rabbits. Loose soil simply beckons a puppy, and if the owner plants anything in an unfenced area, the dog will inevitably dig it up. This behavior will occur not only in puppies but also in adult dogs, the only difference being that the adult will dig a larger hole.
If a beagle lives in an apartment, it will need to be walked a lot. Moreover, during walks, the dog needs to be supervised very closely. The whole point in a fine sense of smell and an inquisitive nature, which the animal inherited from its hunting ancestors. While investigating an interesting scent, a beagle can easily run off in an unknown direction and get lost.
Dogs of this breed are quite docile, although training can present some challenges. This is because even Beagle puppies are excellent manipulators, let alone an adult and experienced dog. If the owner doesn't show sufficient firmness and persistence in training the puppy, the result will be a charming but rather brazen adult dog who will do whatever it pleases.
The main things these animals don't tolerate are loneliness and lack of sufficient physical activity. Even one of these factors will cause a lot of problems for owners, and both will lead to serious problems. Beagles will take revenge, and take revenge cruellyDamaged furniture, stolen and chewed items, broken dishes, loud barking, and even howling—this is far from a complete list of what awaits its owner. These dogs are very resourceful and energetic, and if a person doesn't channel this energy into peaceful outlets, the results will be disastrous.
Beagle Care
These dogs are quite easy to care for, even a novice dog owner can handle it. Their short, wiry coat is very easy to brush, and Animals need to be bathed no more than 3-4 times a yearThe ears require special attention. They should be cleaned three times a month with special products.
Beagles have fairly strong immune systems and rarely get sick. Their main problem is obesity. Lack of exercise or overfeeding immediately affects these small dogs. Obesity can also lead to heart and spinal problems. Therefore, it is better to use dry food when feeding., which allows for precise dosage calculations. It's crucial that the owner doesn't give in to the beagle's voracious appetite, which is often charmingly begging for various treats.
Choosing a puppy and preparing for its arrival
The first thing you need to decide is the purpose for which you're buying a small beagle. Those looking for a pet for shows and competitions often prefer foreign breeders. However, it's possible to find a top-quality puppy with papers and a pedigree in our country.
You can buy a beagle not only from a breeder, but also online and even from a private seller. This type of purchase will be significantly cheaper, but blood purity and documents will be in questionHowever, for those looking for a friend, not a champion, this is rarely a problem. You can choose a puppy from a photo online, but it's best to visit and see the animal in person. This is the only way to truly assess the pet's health and appearance.
Prices for beagles vary greatly, and this is due to the methods and purposes of acquisition. You can buy a "pet" from someone for about 300 dollars., while the price of a promising puppy from a kennel can exceed one and a half thousand dollars.
Preparing for a small beagle to come into the house
Before bringing an animal into the house, you need to purchase everything necessary for the comfort of the dog and the owner:
- A place to sleepWhen choosing a bed for a beagle, pay attention not to appearance, but to quality, which this breed's small but strong teeth will certainly test.
- AmmunitionA leash and collar are the most important items a future owner of such a restless dog should purchase.
- Boxing or cageIf you plan to take your pet with you on trips and travels, this item is a must. However, locking a puppy in a crate in the apartment while the owner is away is a surefire way to obesity.
- Bowls made of durable material for food and water.
- ToysA small beagle will be delighted with squeaky toys or old stuffed animals to "hunt" for. Just make sure they're made of durable material, otherwise the puppy's sharp teeth and strong jaws will quickly turn them into junk.
- Hygiene productsYou can't bathe a dog with regular soap or shampoo!
- TokenBeagles are easily fascinated by new things and also get lost easily, so it's best to attach a tag with a phone number to their collar right away.
