Beagle: A Friendly and Loyal Companion
Originating in England, the Beagle breed dates back to as early as the 15th century. This breed is thought to have been bred for hunting small game such as rabbits, foxes, and even birds. Beagles made their way to America in the mid-1800s and became recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885. Today, they are still a popular breed both for hunting and as companions.
Physical Appearance
Standing at an average height of 13-15 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing around 18-30 pounds, Beagles are considered medium-sized dogs. They typically have a short-haired coat that comes in various colors including black, white, tan or brown with tricolor combinations being most common. One of their distinctive physical features is their long ears which can be up to two-thirds the length of their head.
Temperament
Beagles are known for their friendly personalities making them great family dogs.They often show loyalty towards their owners but can also be independent at times.They make good pets because they love people.Their curiosity may sometimes lead them into trouble like digging holes.But overall they have really cool temperament.Being bred originally for hunting means they do possess strong senses especially smell.It’s best not to let them loose too often however else it may become difficult recalling them.Often when brought up together from a young age,bonding between children/pets & beagle becomes stronger owing partly due to his/her friendliness towards other animals & humans.Early socialization with kids will definitely help grow bond between your kid & your four-legged companion.
Health Problems
The lifespan expectancy of a typical beagle dog ranges from about 10-15 years.Some health problems prone among these furry buddies include hip dysplasia ,muscle dystrophy,cancer etc.In order therefore,to prevent these problems early health screening & preventative measures should be taken through routine checkup,dietary requirements,exercise etc.These furry friends are quite active and need adequate exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
Special Grooming Needs
The Beagle’s short-haired coat is easy to groom. It’s best if brushed every few days to prevent shedding.Special attention should be given towards keeping ears clean as the droopy nature of their ears can increase chances of ear infections.So wiping it down regularly with cloth after bath will keep your pet free from such issues.If he/she likes water then giving them regular baths would help in maintaining hygiene else the use of grooming wipes can come handy.Also regular trimming of nails helps them avoid future posture problems.
Training
Beagles respond very well to positive reinforcement training techniques.It’s important that training starts at an early age for better results.Generally housebreaking,potty-training,obedience,problem behavior correction etc.are general things which any dog owner trains his/her pup with.Furthermore there are special breed-specific training needs which shouldn’t be ignored.In this case,since they were bred originally for hunting games,wanting to chase down squirrels,rabbits or even birds may trigger their instincts so getting trained professionally before outings may prove helpful.Educating your pets & rewarding him when he doesn’t sniff around could help make their walk enjoyable rather than chasing off while you’re out.
Compatibility with children/pets
Being great family dogs makes these breeds work well around kids.However,to really build a bond between kid & dog takes time.Therefore introducing both gradually into each other’s world leads to happy friendship.After all what beats the sight of watching child & four-legged buddy playing fetch together.Being friendly animals they blend easily with other household pets but socialisation during growing stage helps blend seamlessly .
Personality Quirks:
One quirk about these breeds is being able release energy on own terms.They are always interested to know what’s going around their environment so they may go sniffing around to explore surroundings.This can at times come off as irritating but in due course of time with proper training such behaviour could be minimised.
Famous examples
Snoopy, the world-famous cartoon character created by Charles Schulz is one of the most popular Beagles. The breed has also featured in movies such as “Shiloh” and “Underdog”. One of America’s former President Lyndon B. Johnson owned three Beagles named Him, Her and Edgar.The Breed has remained a favourite among dog owners through centuries thereby putting them on top 10 breeds for household pets.