Beagle
About the Beagle
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 13-15" |
| Weight | 20-30 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $500-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Beagles may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Beagle
The story behind the Beagle
Small hounds used to hunt hare on foot have existed in England for many centuries, and the name beagle appears in English records from the medieval period, applied to various small hound types of differing sizes. The modern breed took shape during the 1800s, when English breeders standardised size and type from foot-hunting packs, and Reverend Phillip Honeywood's pack is commonly cited as foundational. American hunters imported English beagles in the later 1800s and developed lines suited to rabbit hunting, with registry recognition following. A cheerful nature and manageable size made the breed a household favourite, and popular culture cemented its familiarity. Today the Beagle ranks among the most numerous companion breeds worldwide, is still worked in hare and rabbit packs, and is widely employed in scent detection.
Originally bred for: Hunting, Trailing, Pack hound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Beagle
Portion discipline defines feeding this breed, because Beagles eat well past need and gain weight quickly on a compact frame. A measured moderate-calorie adult diet, treats subtracted from meals, and slow-feeding bowls for enthusiastic eaters all help keep the outline trim and athletic.
Watch for: Itchy skin and recurrent ear inflammation are commonly reported and sometimes respond to dietary change, though the breed's habit of eating found objects and rubbish confuses the picture badly. Nothing single is established as a culprit. Elimination trials belong under veterinary supervision throughout.
Start with the Beagle feeding guide, then compare our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Beagle
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.