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Beagle dog breed

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Beagle dog breed information and advice

This dog breed guide is a must-read for Beagle owners. Their characteristics make them a fun, loving pet. They’re not shy and easily make new friends. They’re good with other dogs but will need slowly introducing to any other pets. They’ve got a hunting instinct so take care around smaller animals.

If you’re yet to become a Beagle owner, this guide will prepare you for your new dog. Make sure you buy your Beagle puppy from a reputable breeder. The price that you can expect to pay for an adult and Beagle puppy is included below.

Beagle facts

 
Lifespan 12 - 15 years
How much £300 - £800
Size 33 - 40 cm
Weight 9 - 11 kg
Colours lemon and white, white and tan, tri-colour, chocolate, white and chocolate, red and white
Grooming once a week
Temperament happy and loyal
Exercise around an hour a day

Beagle insurance

Beagles are determined scent hounds which means if they smell something, they’ll have to track down the source. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidents. So making sure your Beagle has dog insurance will mean you’ll have a helping hand to cover any medication, treatment or even surgery your dog may need.

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance

Sainsbury’s Bank pet insurance covers your Beagle’s health care needs from as young as 8 weeks old. A new policy can be taken out anytime from 8 weeks up until your dog’s 8th birthday. And once you have cover in place, we’ll insure your Beagle for their entire life - as long as you renew your policy year after year. Giving you one less thing to think about.

How to care for a Beagle

Your Beagle hound relies on you to give it what it needs. Make sure your dog is getting nutrition from its food and exercise to keep it healthy. Beagles also have a reputation for being an energetic and exuberant breed, so giving them the right training from a puppy is important.

Feeding and nutrition

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.

Grooming

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.

Exercise

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.

Training

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.


Temperament and behaviour

Beagles have high energy levels and love to play, but they also love to sit on your lap and have a cuddle. This makes them great pets for children. But with their lively temperament, it is best to always keep an eye on them when they’re with small children.

Beagles don’t like being left alone and will become vocal if they are. Giving them toys to play will keep them entertained and their separation anxiety to a minimum. Toys that you can stuff with dog treats will interest them the most.

Beagles were originally bred for hunting rabbits and this makes them likely to chase other animals to track down smells. Make sure you have a secure garden, or you may find them trying to find a way to escape.

Common health problems

It is important to know what health issues to look out for in your dog. Beagles are a healthy dogs, but some problems are common in this breed. This is another reason why it’s essential to take out Beagle insurance as some conditions can have expensive vet bills.

Epilepsy

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

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.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD)

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.


Do Beagles shed?

Beagles have dense fur that continues to grow and moult. Grooming your dog weekly will reduce the amount of fur that falls out, which means less on your floors and furniture.

Their fur is short so won’t need trimming, and they’re clean dogs so won’t need bathing very often.

How to train a Beagle?

That burning question, are Beagles difficult to train? Unfortunately, they are. Beagles were bred as scent hounds and used for hunting. This means that they’re not very obedient. If your dog catches a scent of something, it will hunt it down and won’t listen to your calls.

Regular dog training will help to improve your dog’s obedience. Use treats in your training so they’ll learn that listening to you means a reward.

Are Beagles good pets?

Beagles are good with children and their gentle temperament makes them great family dogs. They have a lively personality and like to play. They also love a cuddle.

They’re smart dogs and with regular training, they can easily learn commands. Smart dogs get bored easily, so give them lots of toys to play with.

They’re the perfect house dog for loud homes and will happily welcome your guests.

How long do Beagles live?

Beagles have a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years. This is affected by their health, so it’s important to make sure they’re getting the care they need. The correct diet and exercise play a huge part. But the love and attention they receive also make a difference.

So, is a Beagle right for you?

Your Beagle may be lively and playful, but will also have a calm nature. Their friendly and gentle characteristics make them loving companions.

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References

Vetstream ltd (online) Beagle. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/breeds-pages/beagle opens in new window

Bagley R, Garosi L & Lowrie M (online) Epilepsy: idiopathic. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/epilepsy-idiopathic opens in new window

Vetstream Ltd (online) Epilepsy (seizures) Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/epilepsy-idiopathic opens in new window

Brooks E, William D L & Oliver J (online) Glaucoma. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/glaucoma opens in new window

Vetstream Ltd (online) Glaucoma Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/owner-factsheets/glaucoma opens in new window

Brownlie S, Schrope D & Blake R (online) Heart: ventricular septal defect. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/ventricular-septal-defect opens in new window

Vetstream Ltd (online) Congenital heart disease – ventricular septal defect (VSD) Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/owner-factsheets/congenital-heart-disease-ventricular-septal-defect-(vsd) opens in new window

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Important information
Sainsbury's Bank plc, Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no. 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an appointed representative of Sainsbury's Bank plc.
Sainsbury's Bank plc acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX. Sainsbury’s Bank plc and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.