When it comes to Beagles, I believe the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is their twinkling big ears and their adorable, silly faces.
If you used to watch cartoons a lot as a child, you must be familiar with a dog like this. It loves sandwiches, playing baseball, and dancing with falling leaves in autumn. Yes, it’s the prototype of Snoopy.
Today, we want to introduce you to this adorable pet – the Beagle.
Beagle, also known as the Meigle Hound, is one of the world’s famous dog breeds and falls under the category of hunting dogs.
Origin of Beagles
In the history of Beagles, their origins can be traced back to ancient Greek times. At that time, Beagles were bred and raised by the Romans and the mixed-blood people of France for hunting rabbits. As a result, this breed was introduced to England in 1066, and many significant figures in English history, such as Queen Elizabeth I, William II, and George III, were Beagle owners. With the spread of this breed, Beagles were widely used as hunting dogs in the hilly areas of Leicestershire, England.
In 1895, the Beagle Club was established in England, which further promoted the development and breeding of Beagles. Over the following years, Beagles started to make their way to the United States and gradually gained worldwide attention and affection.
Appearance of Beagles
Beagles are small to medium-sized dogs, measuring about 30-40 centimeters in length and weighing around 7-12 kilograms. They often have a tricolor coat with shades of brown, black, and white. Beagles have a round-shaped head, large hazel eyes, broad drooping ears, muscular bodies, and a thick, fish-like tail. Their short, dense coat grows tightly.
Characteristics of Beagles
High obedience: Beagles are affectionate toward humans, which makes training relatively easy as long as consistent guidance is provided.
Keen sense of smell: Beagles have an excellent sense of smell compared to other medium-sized dogs. Due to this outstanding characteristic, they can be trained as quarantine detection dogs.
Sociable: Beagles enjoy interacting with humans and other dogs. They like outdoor activities and games, are good at socializing, and can adapt to different family environments and crowds.
Stubbornness: Beagles can sometimes display stubbornness in their demeanor and behavior. This requires firm and consistent training methods from their owners, along with patience and perseverance to ensure obedience.
Easily distracted: Due to their highly sensitive sense of smell, Beagles can easily get distracted and turn back to chase interesting scents. When walking them outdoors, especially in unfenced areas, caution should be taken to prevent any dangerous situations.
Adequate exercise: Beagles are energetic and active dogs. They require a moderate amount of daily exercise to maintain their physical health and keep their energy levels balanced. Lack of proper exercise can lead to behavioral issues or excessive weight gain.
Feeding considerations for Beagles
Control food intake: Beagles are famous for their food-loving nature but have insatiable appetites. They can be like foodies who are never satisfied. Therefore, owners need to be extra careful and control their food intake, preventing them from overeating.
Ear mite prevention: Beagles’ long drooping ears, although cute, lack ventilation and are prone to ear mite infestations. Therefore, owners must regularly clean their ears to prevent inflammation, infection, or the risk of pus formation.
Ankle issues: Due to their playful nature and short legs, Beagles are prone to accidentally injuring their ankles while running around. Compared to other dogs, Beagles tend to silently endure the pain until the condition becomes severe, which may go unnoticed by their owners. Therefore, all owners should regularly pay attention to the condition of their Beagle’s feet, ensuring they receive proper care and love instead of silently enduring pain like mischievous little ghosts.
Living with a Beagle is like going on an adventurous journey, always filled with surprises and laughter. Despite their mischievousness and a little bit of stubbornness, they will bring you more joy in return than the minor troubles they may cause. They transform from “troublemakers” into “adorable cuties” in your heart.
So, if you’re looking for a companion who can embellish your life with laughter and fun, consider choosing a Beagle.