Beagles 101

Name: Beagle

Personality: Though generally considered a likable breed, a beagle can be a mysterious dog. Often described as "merry" in breed-standard literature, that temperament can translate to excitable, more akin to terriers than hounds. They are usually fearful and wary of strangers , but warm up to them rather quickly, making them poor guard dogs. But because beagles also bark and howl at the unseen and unfamiliar (like strange noises from outside the home), they can be good watch dogs.

Grooming: Beagles are relatively low-maintenance concerning hygiene. Males will shed their short hairs annually, whereas females do so four times a year with the seasons. Brushing a few times a week with a soft brush, or even something as gentle as grooming glove, should be sufficient. As with other floppy-eared breeds, the ears should be gently cleaned as part of the grooming regimen. Bathing rarely is needed.

Common Health Issues: Their stocky builds can lead to a development called "Funny Puppy" when the dog is younger. The legs of a dog with this condition will be weaker than normal, and the back crooked. The beagle's short stature can lead to obesity in adulthood if it's not allowed enough vigorous exercise. Fortunately, beagles do not experience dysplasia problems nearly as much as large breeds do. Statistically, beagles are more likely to develop epilepsy and are considered chondrodystophic, which means they have a greater percentage of disk diseases than the average dog. Their floppy ears make them prone to ear infections, since the flaps trap moist air inside the ear canal.

Training: Beagles are somewhat difficult to train. Doing so requires patience. Training should begin on the very day you first bring your dog home, starting with potty training. All other types of training should be done many times a day, but in short bursts; a Beagle's poor attention span makes long training sessions fruitless.

Best For: Families with small children should find the diminutive beagle to be gentle with kids and eager to become a part of a happy home. But beagles are also very well suited -- in both their size and their working-dog background -- to the elderly in search of a companion, as beagles can be trained to assist in many ways.

What Beagle Owners Say: "I've never had a dog since who was more loyal or happier to see me when I got home," says animal lover Sarah Kate Buckles of St. Louis, Mo., of her beagle, Haroldine. "She was positive she could protect us from anything, be it passing trucks, rottweilers, or break-ins." Buckles and her roommate once shared a garden apartment in Chicago with Haroldine, who now lives with the roommate's parents in a suburban house with a big backyard. "We didn't get to play catch and run around as much as Haroldine would have liked. I think beagles can do well in any setting, but the key is having time to play with them."

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