Exercising your dog

Beagles need at least 1 hour of exercise every day - they’re active, energetic dogs. A play in the garden by themselves won’t cut it.

They’re pack dogs and happiest when they’re exercising with you or other dogs. Beagles are known for being escape artists - they’re jumpers, climbers, diggers and tunnellers. This means their exercise area should have a fence that’s at least 1.5m high which extends underground.

Beagles enjoy a good walk but make sure they’re always on-lead. As a scenthound, Beagles can find certain scents irresistible and will happily run off in pursuit.

Training your Beagle

Bred to be pack hunting dogs with one focus (find the creature with that scent!) and now expected to be well-behaved household members, Beagles have earned a reputation as difficult to train.

Beagles can be distracted by every single smell they come across but they’re intelligent. This makes them trainable, especially if training involves positive reinforcement and plenty of treats.

Focus on the basics with a Beagle, especially their recall. Walking nicely on a lead is essential too. Beagles can be taught when it’s time to sniff and when it’s time to walk.

Early socialisation and training will help your Beagle become a well-mannered pup.

Your dog's health

By recognising health problems in a Beagle early you can seek advice and treatment from a veterinarian.

Reduce Beagle health problems by purchasing a puppy from a responsible breeder. Always inspect breeding facilities and breeding dogs, and never buy from a distant online seller.

Health Issues to watch out for:

Dental Disease

Eye Problems

Joint and Spinal Issues

Epilepsy

Grooming your dog

Beagles have a dense, smooth coat that sheds seasonally. During this time you’ll need to remove the loose hair with a deshedding tool every few days or even daily. Otherwise a weekly brush will keep their coat in order.

Because Beagles don’t smell that much, they don’t need a bath very often - usually just when they’ve played in the mud or got into something mucky. Their long, floppy ears should be cleaned monthly to remove any dirt build-up.

Give their nails a clip or trim every 1 to 2 months to keep them comfortable. Finally, brush their teeth every day to avoid developing dental disease, which can be painful and expensive to fix.