Beagle
Hound Group
Height at Shoulders
Small <13 in, Large 13-15 in
Weight
Small <30 lbs, Large 20-30 lbs
Life Expectancy
10-15 yrs
History
The Beagle originated in England around the 1500's, where they were used by English gentlemen to hunt rabbits. Beagles were popular because they were easy to follow on foot as opposed to horseback, so people who couldn't afford a horse or weren't physically able to ride a horse could still hunt. The original Beagles were much smaller and called "Pocket Beagles", but became extinct as people began favoring slightly larger hunting companions. Beagles consistently rank as one of the top 10 breeds in the United States.
Breed Characteristics
While not all Beagles will display the exact characteristics typical of the breed, most share a personality and temperament can be generalized by the characteristic rankings below.
Intelligence
Affection Towards Family
Friendliness Towards Strangers
Friendliness Towards Other Dogs
Exercise Needs
★★★★☆
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★☆
Energy Level
Sensitivity
Noise Level
Prey Drive
Shedding
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★☆☆
Intelligence
★★★★☆
Affection Towards Family
★★★★★
Friendliness Towards Strangers
★★★★★
Friendliness Towards Other Dogs
★★★★★
Exercise Needs
★★★★☆
Energy Level
★★★★☆
Sensitivity
★★★★☆
Noise Level
★★★★★
Prey Drive
★★★★★
Shedding
★★★☆☆
Common Traits
Loving, affectionate, and gentle to everyone they meet
Known to be stubborn, mischievous, and difficult to housetrain
Goofy dogs with a great sense of humor
May excessively bark, dig, or try to escape if bored or left alone for long
Once they start following a scent, it's nearly impossible to get them to stop