Information on Beagle Dogs

By Kristal Blanford

Instructions

History

Step 1:
According to the American Kennel Club, the development of the beagle breed began in Great Britain in the year 200. These dogs were bred to hunt rabbits by scent. The original name of the beagle is unknown. However, some people believe it derived from the French word "be'geule," which means "gape throat." This word refers to the voice of the beagle when it is in pursuit of game.

Appearance

Step 1:
Beagles come in a variety of colors, such as white and cream; black, tan, and white; blue and gray; or brown and red. The most common of these color combinations is the black, tan, and white combination. Many beagles have white bellies and chests. Most beagles stay small in size, ranging from 10 to 16 inches in height. Occasionally, a beagle will exceed 16 inches in height, but this is rare. Most healthy beagles do not weigh over 30 pounds.

Temperament

Step 1:
Beagles are very friendly and gentle dogs. These dogs are tolerant with children. Due to their hunting instincts, beagles must be trained at a young age to live with other animals. If you put an adult beagle who has never been around other animals in a home with other animals, it may feel the instinct to fight. Beagles can live indoors, but should be taken out regularly for exercise. If beagles are left alone, they may chew on things to cure their boredom. Having other animals in the home for them to play with can sometimes cure this problem. If put through training, beagles respond well to obedience. These dogs have a very loud whine and bark. If you have neighbors close by, they might not like this.

Care

Step 1:
Beagles eat about two cups of food a day. Since beagles enjoy eating, it is easy to overfeed them--causing them to become overweight. Adult beagles are often lazy, and don't require as much action as younger dogs of this breed. Adolescent beagles should be taken out to exercise every day. Consistent training should be done at a young age. Beagles have short attention spans, but since they love food, treats may help train them. Beagles should visit the veterinarian once a year for vaccinations and a health exam.

Health

Step 1:
When beagles grow old, they become susceptible to certain health conditions, such as heart disease, epilepsy, back problems and vision problems. Occasionally, a beagle will be born with dwarfism. Dwarf beagles will have warped front legs like a basset hound. A healthy beagle can live up to 15 years. The average litter size for beagles is seven puppies, but many times they can have up to 14 puppies.

Resources

The American Kennel Club

Photo/Video Credit

www.jupiterimages.com

More Puppy Pages

How to Find a Beagle Puppy

With its compact size, intelligence and friendly nature, the beagle ranks among today's most popular dog breeds. Members of the hound group, beagles were bred to hunt rabbits and other small game. While many still hunt today, most fill the role of...

Mini beagles are also known as pocket beagles. The name implies the mini beagle is a cousin to the standard beagle used in hunting and in the field. As every dog variety has its enthusiasts, so too does the miniature beagle.

Instructions Instillling Good Habits Early Step 1: Training a beagle puppy can present many rewards as well as challenges. Characteristics that made you fall in love with the breed may also be a source of frustration when you train your little dog. Being...

In an effort to save as many dogs as possible from shelters, dog-rescue organizations adopt dogs from shelters and place them in foster homes until they can find permanent homes. Most of these volunteer-run organizations focus on a particular breed.There...

Beagles are a popular breed because they are good with kids, eager to please and do not need a lot of grooming. However, beagles have special training needs. Keep your beagle puppy inside to train him, so you can quickly stop bad habits from forming.