Beagle dog breed

Beagles are greedy dogs and given the chance, they’ll eat and eat and eat. You’ll need to weigh your dog’s food to make sure they’re not overeating. You should be able to find portion guidelines on the back of the dog food packaging as well as the nutritional information. If you have any doubt, about your dog's diet, ask your vet for advice.

Split the daily food allowance between two meals, one feed in the morning and one in the evening. Your Beagle will then have two meals to look forward to and is less likely to beg for food. If your Beagle eats all the food at once, it can cause an upset tummy, especially if they eat fast. To make your dog eat slower, buy an anti-gulping food bowl that has grooves in to make it harder for them to get to the food.

When it comes to grooming your Beagle, a short coat that doesn’t need trimming is ideal. But this does result in hair that grows continuously and falls out. To avoid getting dog fur all over the house and furniture you’ll need to brush your dog regularly. This will also help keep their coat clean and shiny.

Most shedding will happen in spring because they’re getting rid of their winter coat. You may need to increase brushing to 2-3 times a week.

How much exercise does a Beagle need a day? Ideally an hour, but the more you exercise them, the better. Beagles have a lot of energy and you'll need to let them burn that off, so long walks and running off the lead is good exercise for them. Bear in mind, if your Beagle doesn't have good recall, make sure the area is secure so that they can’t run off. If you’re walking them on lead, you’ll need to walk them for longer.

Beagles love to play fetch, and it’s a great way for dogs to exercise. If you're sticking to the hour a day, a mix of a 30 minute walk and 30 minutes playtime each day should be enough exercise.

Beagle training is essential as they’re known for not being the most obedient dogs in the world. Without training they’ll not respond to your call, so can’t be let off lead. The sooner you start training, the quicker your dog will learn. Start with house training to avoid any puppy toilet accidents and move on from there.

You can use clicker training, which uses noise to signify good behaviour. But for the most effective training use food-based rewards. Training your dog and teaching them tricks is a fun way to exercise. It also builds on the bond between you and your dog.

Epilepsy is condition that causes your dog to have repeated fits. It’s caused by abnormal brain activity. During a fit, your dog will fall on its side and have rapid, rigid movements and they may lose control of their bowels. Most fits last between 1 and 3 minutes. If epilepsy is not treated, it can cause brain damage.

If your dog is epileptic, your vet will prescribe drugs. The drugs will help control the fits. Your dog will need to be given the drugs for the rest of its life. Epileptic dogs can live long, happy lives if their fits are controlled.

Glaucoma causes increased pressure on the inside of the eye. It’s painful for your dog and can lead to blindness if not treated.

If your dog has Glaucoma, their eye will appear cloudy and slightly blue. Other signs include:

1. Red eyes
2. Tearing
3. Squinting
4. Sensitivity to light
5. Head shyness - won't let you touch its head

Your vet will talk to you about the best treatment. This may involve eye drops, pills, injections, or surgery. The aim is to reduce the pressure on the eye.

Dogs with Glaucoma can lead long, happy lives if treated.

VSD is a heart disease, also known as “hole in the heart”. If your dog has this condition, it’ll have been born with it. The only sign is a heart murmur, which your vet will detect during a health check.

The size of the hole can vary. No treatment is needed for small holes. Large holes may need medical management or surgery. But full closure of the hole isn’t possible.

The size and location of the hole affects the dog’s life expectancy. Large holes can cause heart failure, but dogs with small holes typically live a normal life.