Beagles are ranked as the sixth most popular breed of dog. They are loyal companions and wonderful hunting dogs, and they are friendly, low maintenance, and independent.
People love their adorable expressions and their friendly personalities, and they adjust well into family living.
So, “What are the Beagle Pros and Cons?”
Beagles are perfect for a family, playful and small sized but also have a strong character and a body full of energy that will require training and attention on a daily basis.
I’m sure you want to know more and that’s why we create our full review for Beagle Pros and Cons – read until the end for the best knowledge about Beagles!
Table of Contents
Beagle Pros
There are many great reasons to own a Beagle. If you are considering this friendly, intelligent breed, take a look at the following.
1. They Make Wonderful Family Companions
Beagles are known for their friendly, positive attitude about life. They are loyal, playful, and affectionate. They love being around people and they are great with children.
They love to play fetch and run around in the yard, and they love to be a part of a family. If you are looking for a family companion, this is a great breed to bring home.
2. They Get Along with Other Pets
Beagles are naturally friendly and they will get along with other dogs and cats. You will need to introduce them properly, as you would any new pet, but they are generally friendly and eager to make new friends.
They tend not to be aggressive with other dogs but they are hunters, so you need to be careful around other types of pets, such as rabbits. You can add a Beagle to your family if you have another dog.
3. Beagles Love to Cuddle
Although Beagles are independent and curious, they are affectionate and love to cuddle with their family members. They will curl up with you in bed, while you are watching television, or on the floor.
You will find that they enjoy spending their resting time with their families. If you want your dog to be a member of the family, this affectionate breed is a great choice.
4. They Love to Play
If you want a dog that loves to spend time with you and play, the Beagle is a great choice. They are up for playing fetch in the yard, playing a game of tag, or going for a long hike. They have so much energy and they will keep up with an active family.
If you want to try agility training, these dogs are fast learners. They love to play and it is an important part of their lives. As they are a working dog breed, it is a good idea to keep their minds and their bodies active.
5. They Have Low-Maintenance Grooming Requirements
Some dogs require clipping and daily brushing, but Beagles are much lower maintenance. They have a short coat so you won’t have to worry about matting. You can bath your Beagle once every few weeks and brush it to cut down on shedding.
If your Beagle’s feet get too dirty from playing outside, you can rinse them with water. Beagles have very few grooming requirements compared to other dogs.
6. They Are a Great Size
Beagles are small dogs but they are substantial enough. They usually stand between 13 and 15 inches at the shoulder, and they weigh between twenty and thirty pounds.
They are big enough to hold their own, yet small enough that seniors and children can handle walking them. They are a great size for most families.
7. They Make Great Therapy Dogs
Beagles are working dogs as they were originally bred for hunting. They love having a job to do and they make wonderful therapy dogs. They have a lot of different jobs and they are often used as scent dogs to track down drugs and missing children.
Because they bond with humans quickly and easily, they do well as therapy dogs. They can be trained to smell smoke, find people, and alert others in an emergency.
They also provide emotional support. If you are looking for a therapy dog, Beagles are sure to be at the top of your list.
8. They Are Easy to Train
Beagles love food and treats, and they love to please their human companions. As a result, they are generally easy to train. Beagles are not finicky when it comes to food choices so you can use a range of different treats to teach them how to sit, stay, and come.
Their love of food combined with their intelligence and their desire to please makes them easy to train in a variety of circumstances.
9. They Will Make You Smile
Beagles are great pets because they will always bring a smile to your face. When you wake up in the morning or come home from work, your Beagle will be happy to see you. This dog will greet you with joy and love, and it can’t help but make you feel good inside.
They make adorable expressions and they are very curious. No matter what you are doing, your Beagle is sure to be beside you sharing its happiness and affection.
10. They Can Live in a Variety of Environments
Another benefit of choosing a Beagle for your family companion is that they do well in a variety of environments. They can live in a house with a yard, and they will enjoy playing outside.
They are also small enough to live in an apartment as long as you have time to take them out for walks. This is a great benefit to choosing the Beagle because you will not have to worry about your dog adapting if you need to move in the future.
Beagles are versatile dogs that will do well in most situations as long as they are with the people they love.
11. They Are Good Watchdogs
Beagles are very loyal to their families and they make good watchdogs. They will bark at strangers and they are protective of family members.
If you are looking for a dog that will let you know when someone is at the door or approaching you while you are out, Beagles will be loyal watchdogs.
Beagle Cons
Although Beagles are one of the most popular dogs, you need to know their cons as well. It is always good to be prepared to give your new dog everything it needs when you bring it home.
Take a look at some of the cons that you should consider.
1. They Are Not Hypoallergenic
Although Beagles are low maintenance when it comes to grooming, they do have dog hair and they will shed. If a family member has an allergy, you will need to take care to minimize shedding.
You can cut down on shedding by bathing and brushing your Beagle regularly. You can give it a bath once every week or two, and brush a few times a week. Make sure that you vacuum regularly and you won’t have as much hair in your home.
2. They Are Known for Being Vocal
Beagles have a lot of energy and they are great guard dogs. However, this means that they can be pretty vocal. They will bark when they hear someone outside the door, and they can bark when they are playing.
Their bark can be loud and they are known to howl as well. This is quite adorable, but it can pose a challenge if you live in close proximity to your neighbors.
3. They Need Obedience Training
While most dogs benefit from obedience training, the Beagle’s energetic nature makes it especially important for this breed. They need to learn not to jump on your guests and family members but they are a little bit stubborn, so you need to be firm yet fair with them.
Beagles love food and if you feed them scraps from your plate, they will quickly learn how to beg. You need to work with them so that they do not become possessive with their food and their toys.
Beagles are working dogs so they will benefit from training. They do well when they understand what is expected of them so you need to take the time to train them.
4. House Training Can Be Challenging
It can be challenging to house train your Beagle, but they will learn if you are consistent in your training.
They are scent dogs, which means that it is easy for them to detect scents in their environment. If they smell a spot in the house where another animal has gone to the bathroom, they will think that this is a spot for them as well.
If your Beagle makes a mistake inside, you need to use products to lift the scent out of the rug. You might use an enzyme-based cleaner, which will break down and destroy the odor-producing enzymes.
Make sure that you have a definite schedule for going potty, and you can use treats to reward your Beagle for going outside.
If you have a puppy, you can use a crate because dogs usually will not go to the bathroom in their sleeping space. However, you cannot leave your dog in the crate for too long or it might not have a choice.
House training your Beagle can be challenging but they are smart and will learn. You need to be consistent and patient in this process.
5. They Love to Dig
If you keep your Beagle outside for any length of time, you need to be aware that they love to dig. They will dig up your flower beds and leave holes in the yard if you leave them unattended for too long.
Digging is an instinct that is bred into these dogs because they are hunters. Make sure that you don’t leave your dog outside unattended for long periods of time if you want to prevent this problem.
6. They Can Chew
Chewing is something that most puppies do and Beagles are no exception. When your dog is a puppy, it goes through a teething process as its teeth grow in. They will want to chew things during this time. Make sure that you provide safe toys that are designed for chewing, and train your Beagle to use them.
If you have chew toys available to your dog, you can teach it what it can chew. You should not leave things on the floor, and be sure to put your shoes away. Be prepared to take these precautions before you welcome a puppy into your home.
7. They Can Be Escape Artists
Beagles need to always be walked on a leash because they can become distracted and run away. They have a strong sense of smell and when they smell something interesting, they will take off after it without thinking.
You need to be careful and always keep your Beagle on a leash. You should also make sure that they can’t dig under the fence in your yard because they are drawn to follow interesting smells. If they smell a cat in the yard next door, they will surely want to investigate.
If you get a Beagle, be prepared to make sure that you can contain your dog and always use a leash.
8. They Are Obsessed with Smells
This factors into everything about your Beagle. They are scent-based dogs, and their noses always get the best of them. When you are out for a walk, they need to smell everything. They will stop every few steps to smell the grass.
Smells distract them in every aspect of their lives, so you need to work on training. You should also have patience when you are training them. This is an innate instinct and they will always have a strong sense of smell.
9. They Have a Lot of Energy
Beagles are energetic dogs and you will need to make sure that they have an outlet for this energy. You can play in the yard, go for long walks, and teach them tricks. No matter what you do, you need to have time for them every day or they may become bored and depressed.
Final Thoughts
Beagles are the sixth most popular breed of dogs today, and there are many reasons why they make delightful pets.
They are a good size and they make wonderful family members. They will alert you when strangers are around, and they are happy and loyal.
However, be prepared to spend some time training them. Look at the pros and cons of owning a Beagle so that you can make the best decision for your family.
We hope you learned more about Beagles Pros and Cons and feel free to check out our other guides linked below:
Resources
- Beagle Dog Breed – Facts and Personality Traits by Hill’s Pets
- 5 Fun Facts Your Probably Didn’t Know about Beagles by Embrace Pet Insurance
