Dog breeds / Beagle

The Beagle is a small dog with an incredibly powerful sense of smell, which has seen it commonly used as a tracking dog and a detection dog. More popular in America than their native England, the breed has consistently been in the top ten most popular breeds over the last 50 years. The Beagle is similar to a small Foxhound, and comes in a few different hound colors, the most common being a tricolor. The color of a Beagle can fade over the course of their lives.

The Beagle is a merry dog, and their initial standoffishness with strangers is quickly brushed aside. They therefore make poor guard dogs, but can be put to work as a watchdog as they bark at the unexpected. They are smart, but somewhat stubborn and easily distracted, so they won’t win any obedience awards. This has meant they’re sometimes overlooked for other breeds when it comes to work.

Beagles love children, and make fantastic family dogs. They are prone to weight gain and a few genetic health problems, and care should be taken to ensure they get enough exercise and regular health checks if anything seems amiss. Overall the Beagle is an excellent choice for a family dog, and is relatively low maintenance.