Beagle
Recommendations: Families (great for younger kids)
Maintenance Level: Medium
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Temperament: Gentle, loyal
Health Risk: This breed is likely to experience health problems throughout its lifetime.
Breed Overview
Beagles are members of the hound group of domesticated dogs and their lineage goes back 2,500 years. Similar in appearance to the Foxhound, the Beagle has a highly developed sense of smell and has been used to track prey such as rabbits and deer. These days, they are frequently used by security and police forces to locate contraband and serve in this role all over the world.
The name Beagle has been around since the 1475s. The modern Beagle breed we know today was developed in the UK in the 1830s. The Beagle is a mix of several breeds such as the Southern Hound, the North Country Beagle and the Talbot Hound.
Like many breeds of dogs, Beagles are known to be gentle and good-natured, although they were originally developed for hunting purposes. Known for being cheerful and playful, the Beagle is a popular choice for young children. However, they are very excitable and their developed sense of smell can cause all sorts of distractions when on the street or in the park, so careful supervision is recommended.
Beagles can get bored easily in a home environment so it's essential to de-energize them through playtime and regular exercise. They can also suffer from loneliness or separation anxiety, so it's important to give them plenty of attention.
While the Beagle is not demanding when it comes to exercise, it's a good idea to walk with them as often as possible. Two or three times a day, long walks or running games are great for them. Without adequate exercise the breed is prone to weight problems.
Beagles usually measure 33 to 41 cm and weigh 8 to 14 kg. A happy and healthy Beagle usually lives between 12 and 15 years of age.
Personality and Temperament
Beagles are docile and gentle animals by nature. It is their reliability that makes them such a popular choice for families with young children.
Although shy with new people, Beagles are not aggressive with strangers and when spent with them, they usually get used to it very quickly. Being a hunting dog, this breed barks when left alone and suffers from separation anxiety. They are very Loyal and need generous human contact to stay happy.
Beagles are intelligent dogs, but they can be easily distracted. Their superior noses can mislead them when unsupervised, and their single thought can often make them difficult to train. However, they are eager to please their owners, and food-reward style training often proves to be the best way to go.
They usually get on well with other dogs in the household, but as always, early socialization is a good idea to avoid aggressive confrontations.
What are the most common health problems?
Cruciate's disease
mass lesion
otitis externa
seizure disorder
skin allergy
Common Beagle Diseases, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Epilepsy. Although it only affects 3% of dogs, Beagles are prone to epilepsy. Although it is a serious condition in humans, epilepsy can usually be controlled with the careful use of prohibited drugs. If you notice that your dog is having recurrent seizures, it is important to make an appointment with your veterinarian for observation as soon as possible.
hypothyroidism. While common in all breeds, Hypothyroidism, also found among Beagles, is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, usually due to inflammation. Some symptoms of hypothyroidism include abnormal weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, ear infections, and lethargic behavior.
Intervertebral Disc Disease. This is a condition that occurs when the disc between the vertebrae is damaged, causing swelling and leakage. Common symptoms include: immobility or lethargic behavior, tremors, limping, or inability to bend over to eat. If you notice these behaviors, contact your veterinarian.
Pannus is abnormal tissue growth on the cornea and can affect the Beagle. Cherry eye is a common term for a prolapse of the third eyelid gland. The result is a third reverse eyelid. The condition is quite common and can be treated by your veterinarian.
Immune Mediated Polygenic Arthritis. This is rare in Beagles, but can still occur. This is when the immune system attacks the joints and can cause stiffness and pain. But the treatment is usually quite simple; a good dose of steroids and some rest. Pay attention to the symptoms: limp, lack of joint movement, more lethargic behavior. This condition affects both old and young Beagles.
History
The modern Beagle hails from England. The first Beagles are thought to have been bred in Essex in the 1830s by Reverend Phillip Honeywood. Dogs were bred primarily for hunting purposes. They proved popular in this role as the Beagle has a great nose for sniffing rabbits and deer in the English countryside.
Before fox hunting gained its popularity in the 19th century, hunting was more about the chase than the killing. The little Beagle was seen as a great hunting companion for larger dogs or poorer hunters who couldn't handle the most athletic horses.
Hunting rabbits with beagles came to be known as beagles and was popular in Britain as well as in the United States. This sport was only made illegal in the UK in late 2004.
The Beagle has become a beloved companion to many older pet lovers and young families due to its gentle nature and reputation for loyal companionship. Strangely enough, Beagles have always been much more popular in the United States and Canada than their hometown of England, and for the past 30 years they have been among the 10 most popular breeds in America.
Beagle Facts!
Snoopy of Peanuts is perhaps the most famous Beagle in the world.
Humans have about 5 million olfactory receptors. Beagles have a pretty impressive 220 million. No wonder they are employed as hunting dogs all over the world.
The ship on which Charles Darwin traveled while compiling many of the specimens used in his book On the Origin of Species was named HMS Beagle, after the genus.
Queen Elizabeth I and King James I loved Beagles. Since then, Queen II. Although Elizabeth was more of a Corgi lover, the breed has become synonymous with the idea of ​​a 'royal dog'.
Former US President Lyndon Johnson owned a number of Beagles.
You can distinguish a purebred Beagle by the white tip of its tail.
In 2004, 8,018 dogs were used for animal testing in the UK. 7,779 of this number were Beagles. They are preferred because of their small build and passive temperament.
Barry Manilow's Beagle, 'Bagel', has appeared on many album covers. He was pictured wearing a 'BEAGLES LOVE' T-shirt on his 1975 album 'Tryin' to Get a Feeling'.
