Beagle Puppies: Everything You Need to Know

One of the most popular hound dogs for centuries, beagles let you know exactly what they need and when they need it. Arguably, the word beagle comes from the French word “bégueule,” which can translate into “loudmouth.” Beagles are very vocal animals and use their voices regularly! They’ll tell you about everything from wanting food to seeing a squirrel. Beagle puppies bring a fun-loving and energetic spirit to your family home.

Originally from England, beagles date back as early as the 1300s. They were used for trailing rabbits and became excellent hunter and tracker companions. In fact, beagles are well-known for their killer sense of scent. They have over 220 million scent receptors! Due to this, they’re able to pick up information about the environment that we could only imagine.

A beagle’s nose is so sensitive, they can even smell pregnancy. A beagle named Elvis has the nickname “polar bear pregnancy detector,” as he was specifically trained to detect whether polar bears in zoos are pregnant. It’s an unusual job, but Elvis was born to do it!

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Beagle puppy facts

From helping pregnant polar bears to sparking a list of famous cartoon beagles (including Snoopy!), beagles are a talented breed. Beagle puppies are animated and friendly and will make a marvelous addition to your household—but they do need plenty of training.

Size	Medium. There are two varieties of beagles. One kind is smaller at 13 inches or shorter and weighs under 20 pounds, while the larger variety tends to range from 13-15 inches and grow up to between 20-30 pounds.
Breed Characteristics	Though there are two sizes of beagles, this breed fills out every square inch. They’re sturdy, healthy dogs with a large personality. Their coat has a wide variety of colors, with red, white, lemon, and tricolor being most represented. Large brown eyes and long ears give a beagle’s face a distinctive and memorable look.
Temperament	If you’re planning on getting a beagle, know that you’re getting a special personality. Beagles get energetic spurts that can be tempered with running around and play time. They’re happiest with other dogs and family members giving them the attention they deserve! Remember: beagles are a hound dog through and through. If they catch on to a scent, there’s no stopping them from being hot on the trail. Be sure to keep them on a leash for walks!
Grooming and Health Needs	Beagles have a dense double coat that gets thicker in the winter, thus spring is a heavy shedding season. Having a weekly brushing session to remove loose hair helps the coat remain healthy and promotes new growth too. Due to the smooth coat, only minimal bathing is necessary. While at the vet, ask about what health issues a beagle might be prone to. Experts suggest getting periodically tested for eye disorders, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and luxating patella, which is a dislocated kneecap.
Training	Beagles are social animals, so early socialization and puppy classes are a great start to their dog education. They’re treat-motivated, so having food on hand is helpful in teaching your beagle good puppy manners. They do not respond well to particularly harsh reinforcement, so rewarding their good behaviors and trying your best to ignore the bad will win over a well-behaved dog.
Energy Level	Do you have an outdoor area? A dog park you want to check out? Beagles love to run and play with others. However, they’re also incredible escape artists. It’s important to provide an appropriate fenced-in area that is both high above the ground and sunken below. Beagles have been known to tunnel their way out!
Life Span	10-15 years of age

Who is the best human for a beagle?

Being the loving and social creatures they are, beagles thrive in an energetic family home, even with other animals. A backyard would be ideal for this determined pup, as they have a lot of energy to burn.

Beagles love vocalizing their needs, so some apartment situations may not be appropriate for this loud-and-proud pup.

Getting a beagle puppy

Choosing to adopt or go through a breeder for your new beagle puppy is a personal choice that requires research. Thankfully, there are many resources out there to help you find a rescue or breeder that offers healthy, ethically-sourced beagle puppies.

Knowing what you’re in for when you get a beagle puppy is an important step in being a responsible pet owner. Whether you find a responsible breeder or are planning on adopting, it’s up to you to be prepared for an energetic and friendly addition to your household.

Adopting beagle puppies

It may be surprising to know, but adopting a beagle puppy is possible. According to the AKC, most breed rescues report that a majority of their rescue dogs come from individual owner surrender, with the most common reasons being a change in lifestyle or the breed not being a good fit. This means that there may be many dogs and puppies out that are looking for a new forever home.

The main difference between a breeder and a rescue is that a rescue may not always have young puppies to choose from. The benefit, however, is that most are mandated to only adopt out dogs that have been microchipped and spayed/neutered. This means you may end up with a dog that’s already been housebroken, and doesn’t need these common medical procedures. You may also find a beagle mix that has all the traits you want from the breed, but with a little extra thrown in.

Finding a beagle rescue can be as simple as searching the internet. The AKC also has an excellent list of beagle rescues on their site.

Finding a beagle breeder

The first step is to do your research. Sadly, there are many puppy mills posing as reputable breeders along with many online scams. Be aware, and reach out to different online forums for conversations about getting your future furry family member.

Be sure to ask questions, make arrangements to meet the parent dogs or mother, and follow your gut. If something seems wrong at a breeder you visit, or the beagle puppy seems too good to be true, there’s likely something sketchy going on. The AKC also offers resources for finding a breeder, with fairly strict guidelines on who they let participate.