Are you looking to add a Beagle to your family?
Before you fall in love with their adorable floppy ears and curious personality, let’s explore the pros and cons of owning this lovable but energetic breed.
Here are the pros:
1. Sociability:
What do you call a dog that’s always down for a good time? A beagle, of course! Beagles were bred to live and work in packs, so they’re naturally social animals. Whether it’s with humans or other furry friends, they love to make new pals. And if you have kids, that’s even better cause these guys love to play and their energy levels match greatly with your little ones too!
Don’t forget to keep an eye on their playtime, as Beagles can get a bit rowdy at times! And always watch out for those mischievous pups with their hunting instincts – cause they might mistake your pet rabbit for a hare and give you a real-life Looney Tunes show!
2. Low-maintenance:
Now, of course, low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. You’ll still need to keep your Beagle’s ears clean, nails trimmed, and teeth brushed time and again to keep them fit and healthy. It’s just that compared to some other breeds that come with extensive grooming needs, Beagles are a walk in the park.
They are perfect for anyone who loves dogs but hates the idea of constantly maintaining their coat. They have short coats, which means you don’t have to worry about detangling their fur all the time. To keep their coat looking healthy and shiny, regular brushing once a week is enough for these pups.
3. Small Size:
Who doesn’t love a good lapdog? Right? But if you’re worried that a Chihuahua might be a little too fragile, and a Great Dane is just a way bit too large, then a Beagle might be the perfect pooch for you. These mid-sized dogs usually range from around 13 – 15 inches and weigh around 20 – 30 pounds.
They’re small enough to be manageable, but sturdy enough to handle all the rough and tumble with your kids. This also makes them suitable for smaller living spaces like an apartment. Plus, you’ll also be able to easily take them along on whatever adventure you want thanks to their compact size.
Also check out: Boxer – Pros And Cons.
4. Great Sense of Smell:
The Beagle’s sense of smell is strong and trustworthy enough to the point where they’re often employed as sniffer dogs to track down illegal substances. This is the result of years of breeding Beagles to make them the perfect dogs for helping hunters. As a result, if you enjoy hunting game yourself, particularly hare and rabbit, Beagles are the perfect choice for you.
But even if you’re not into hunting, you can still have a lot of fun with your Beagle by playing games like hide-and-seek. Just hide a treat somewhere in your home and watch your Beagle put their nose to the ground and start searching without giving up until they find that hidden treasure.
Now, sure, Beagles are stunning and lovable and they have many positive qualities, but let’s be real, they also come with their own set of quirks and difficulties. So, before committing, take a look these 4 downsides of owning one.
1. Love to Bark:
Your Beagle is like your very own siren – their distinct bark is actually closer to a howl. And they’ll howl at everything, from people walking by to the wind blowing leaves around. While this can be an upside when it comes to alerting you to potential danger, it can quickly turn into a downside when you’re just trying to enjoy a peaceful evening at home.
If you’re someone who doesn’t mind a bit of noise or you live in an area where noise complaints aren’t an issue, then the beagle’s barking might not be a problem. But if you’re someone who values peace and quiet, you might want to consider another breed.
2. Love to dig:
Beagles have a natural instinct to dig, whether it’s to find a scent, hide a bone, or just for fun. So if you have a garden or a yard, you can expect some craters to appear from time to time. Without any open space, your furry friend might even go for your potted plants or your carpet, so be extra careful! And while you can train away some of this behavior, you’ll never get rid of this instinct entirely.
Here’s an idea for you: Turn your Beagle’s love for digging into a fun activity by hiding some treats or toys in a designated digging spot. Not only will it give them an outlet for their natural behavior, but it will also provide them with mental stimulation and a great bonding activity for both of you.
3. Stubbornness:
As they were originally bred to be independent hunters, Beagles can be quite stubborn. Yes, Beagles are known for their “selective hearing”. They can easily hear the rustling of a treat bag from a mile away, but will completely tune out your calls to get their attention! Your Beagle may even choose to ignore your commands sometimes!
It’s like they’re saying, “I heard you, but I just don’t feel like doing it.” As a result, training these dogs is like having a daily mental workout as you try to convince them to do things your way.
4. Strong Tracking Instinct:
While this might be an advantage for hunters, for your average family, having a dog who follows their nose everywhere isn’t ideal. If your Beagle catches a whiff of something interesting, they will follow the scent no matter where it leads them.
This is why off-leash walks or letting your Beagle roam free in unfenced areas is not recommended – cause they’ll take off before you know it! This is also part of the reason why training them is so difficult. If your beagle catches the scent of something during a training session, they’ll be too distracted to be able to learn anything.
Conclusion:
Thank you for reading the article!
Got your heart set on a Beagle? They’re social and great with kids, low-maintenance in grooming, but watch out for their barking and digging tendencies. Training might be a battle, but if you’re up for the challenge, a Beagle will bring plenty of energetic fun to your life!
Here are other articles on the Beagle if you’re interested to know more about the breed.
How well do you think a Beagle would do in your household? Leave a comment to let us know!