Today, in almost every family, a pet lives, which gives its owners positive emotions. Beagle breed belongs to hunting dogs. As a rule, its representatives are active and mischievous. They are very mobile and incredibly smart, get along well with both adults and children. For over a hundred years this breed has been a leader in the list of the most popular. How did the beagle win the hearts of dog breeders? Let's try to figure it out.
Breed history
The first mention of the Beagle originates from ancient Greece. But for the first time, breeding of this breed was still started in Britain. That is why it is generally accepted that the breed is English. The name of these miniature beagle dogs comes from the word beagle, which means "small." There is also a version that the name comes from the word begueule, which is translated from French as âtinned throatâ.
At one time the breed was on the verge of extinction. Officially, only a few individuals remained in England. However, the threat of extinction was prevented. The Beagles began their victorious march around the world from the second half of the 19th century. The breed was officially registered in 1873.
Where is it found?
Until now, in the UK, these dogs are used not only as pets, but also as professional hunters. In other countries, they are often used for companion cooperation. You can meet a beagle and in a responsible position. Very often, representatives of this breed work at customs and at airports.
Appearance
If you are interested in the beagle, the description of the breed will certainly come in handy. The size of an adult dog at the withers can reach 40 cm. The weight of the animal ranges from 8 to 14 kg. Beagles live an average of 12-15 years. Build can be described as stocky. The hair of the animal is smooth and short. It fits snugly to the skin. The dog has a moderately long head of medium width. There is a small tubercle on the back of the head. The ears of this breed are rounded and hanging. The eyes are quite voluminous, but not too bulging. Lips slightly sag. Beagles have a small tail of medium length with a white tip. It does not bend or curl.
Color
The greatest doubt is the color of the coat. What color should the beagle be? Description of the breed speaks of a characteristic three-color color - white, black, red. Two-color individuals can also be found. In any color, speckles are possible. But the obligatory attribute remains unchanged - the dog should have a red mask on its face. Beagles in black and white and pure white are rare. More often the dog has a motley color, black and red spots are usually combined.
Varieties
There are two types of beagles in total - European and American. Dogs of the second type have a muscular body, angular features and high growth. For the European type, a miniature physique is characteristic. They are slightly lower than their American counterparts.
Character Features
We will dwell on this issue in more detail. What to expect from a Beagle breed? The nature of these dogs can be called fairly balanced. The dog is moderately friendly and inquisitive. Beagles rarely show aggression. However, they do not tolerate loneliness, which may be a disadvantage for some. A dog can rush around for hours, you should not hope that a pet will ever ask himself home after a walk. A distinctive feature of this breed is curiosity. The dog will enjoy every little thing, be it a ball or a butterfly.
The main advantage of the breed is optimism. Beagle puppy will be a great cure for depression. He will never let his owners get bored. The dog can become the real soul of the company. He will always be in the spotlight, and will delight your guests with his friendliness.
Many people choose the Beagle breed because of the lack of aggression. Such a dog is very good for children. However, the soft nature will not allow him to claim the role of a guard dog.
If you are interested in how the beagle gets along in an apartment, then it is important to consider that dogs of this breed can not stand loneliness at all. From boredom, the dog can begin to gnaw furniture, ruffle pillows and clothes of the owners.
Beagle: skills and abilities
No description of the breed can be considered complete without considering the characteristics of the character and abilities. Beagles are very active and decisive. It is for this reason that they need serious training. What should a beagle learn? Training should be built in such a way that the dog understands that he is not the leader in the process of education. The main role is played by the owner of the dog. The dog needs to be regularly trained in teams. At the same time, it is important that the classes are rich and interesting. If you persevere, then as a result of training from a beagle, you can get a loyal and smart assistant. The dog always needs attention.
It is worth mentioning that the beagles are still hunting dogs. Their scent is very thin. Finding an irritant, they may stop responding to the ownerâs commands. Often a manifestation of this behavior can be injuries as a result of a car collision. In addition, the pet may just get lost. Therefore, on a walk, the dog is better not to let go of the leash.
Beagles are great for hunting small animals such as hares. The dog has a wonderful scent. It is for this reason that the breed is often involved in the search for weapons, explosives, smuggling and drugs.
Conditions of detention
Beagles are very clean dogs. Caring for them will not cause any problems for the owners. In order for the dog to feel comfortable, it is necessary to go for a walk 2-3 times a day with him. The total time spent on this should be 1.5 hours or more. After the walk, the petâs hair and feet can be wiped with a damp towel. They bathe the dog no more than once every three months. Every week it is recommended to rinse your eyes, clean your ears and comb out the hair. During molting, it is better to use a furminator for this purpose. Try to inspect the dog as often as possible. This will allow timely detection of infection with internal or external parasites. Regularly conduct a deworming procedure. Keep track of the general condition of the animal. At the first sign of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately.
How to feed the breed in question
The beagle hunting dog does not know the measure in food. For this reason, the owners need to carefully monitor the amount of food consumed and the frequency of meals. Starting from 2 months, puppies can be fed 5-6 times a day. Since six months, it is worth transferring the dog to three meals a day. Dogs older than one year must be fed twice a day. The daily diet of a beagle should include sea fish, lean meat, offal, turkey meat, dairy products, eggs, fruits and vegetables, cereals. Since the breed is prone to fullness, the use of fatty foods should be excluded. It is also recommended to remove smoked and spicy goodies from the diet. They can worsen the animalâs scent and cause digestive upsets.
Advantages and disadvantages
Is it worth getting a beagle dog? Pros and cons can be determined by reading the reviews of the hosts. Most of them claim that this is a good and faithful dog. Beagles are best suited for families with healthy lifestyles. If there are other animals in the house, the dog will get along well with them. He will charge all members of the family with positive energy. Beagles are suitable for families with children. The dog can play with them around the clock.
But the breed has its drawbacks. Firstly, even an adult beagle does not tolerate loneliness. Left alone, he can bully in the house: throw things, break furniture. Another not the best character trait is obstinacy. The dog can do what he pleases and at the same time not pay any attention to the commands of the owners. The dog needs a strong hand, so soft and indecisive personalities, it does not fit. The beagles have a loud and clear voice. They can bark at home and thereby cause discontent among neighbors.
What else is worth knowing about the beagle breed? An adult dog should walk regularly. The dog is not suitable for workaholics and lazy people. But if the owner is ready to spend a lot of time and energy caring for the animal, the beagle will become a real favorite. The main thing is to properly educate and train him. Only in this case will you be able to provide comfortable co-residence.
Possible problems
The beagle is prone to obesity. As previously mentioned, dogs of this breed are very fond of eating. At any opportunity, they will try to steal something tasty from the table. Itâs almost impossible to see a full beagle. Owners often think that the dog is hungry and increase portions. If you notice that the pet is gaining weight, despite a fairly active lifestyle, then most likely you are overfeeding it. This often happens when using natural nutrition. If you decide to cook food for the dog yourself, then keep in mind that cereals should be no more than a third of the total diet. In addition, the dog must be given dairy products. However, in dogs that have not been accustomed to eating such foods since childhood, dairy products can cause indigestion.
To hunt with your favorite pet
Today, few people use the beagle for its intended purpose. The size of the dog allows it to be kept in an ordinary city apartment. But the animals did not forget about their past. They can set off on the trail of "booty", forgetting about the owner. This often leads to the fact that dogs are lost.
An adult beagle can be used to hunt small animals such as hares. The dogâs task is to find the trail of the beast. Following the prey, the dog casts a voice until the hunter reaches it. This is the dogâs persistence, the beagle will pursue the beast to the end.
If you decide to use the breed for hunting, then the race can be carried out from 9 months of age. A beagle puppy on the hunt will not be very useful. It is best to start classes in September. The dog has the innate ability to track down and track the beast. So do not be surprised when your dog, without any training, begins to sniff out a hare and follow its trail.
Choose a puppy
How to do it right? If you decide to get a beagle puppy, then when choosing you should consider for what purposes you need a dog. If you just need a companion, you can search for ads on the Internet or in newspapers. For a family with children, a beagle girl is better. She is very affectionate and playful.
Those who decide to seriously participate in exhibitions and breed beagle breeds should learn the description of the breed by heart. Before buying, you need to find all the information about the nearest nurseries. Ardent fans of the breed can even try to contact foreign breeders and get a puppy in a foreign kennel. The breed, of course, is not the most common, but not too rare. So you can easily find a puppy.
What recommendations for choosing a puppy can be given?
- Learn the reputation of a breeder.
- Check out the pedigrees of your puppyâs parents.
- Inspect the animal for abnormalities. It is worth considering that a beagle puppy can change its color until three months of age. Blackness from the head and ears may fade over time.
Conclusion
Activity, positiveness and friendliness - all these are the character traits of each beagle. The description of the breed makes it clear that such a dog will not bore you. This is a hunting dog with a long history. During the long time of their life with a man, the beagles managed to gain the reputation of companion dogs. They get along well in families with young children. However, starting such a breed, one cannot but take into account some of its characteristic features. Beagle needs to move. If you are unable to provide your pet with 2 hours of full walk daily, then you better reconsider your decision about choosing a breed. Beagles canât stand loneliness. A prolonged absence of owners can provoke a dog to disorderly conduct. Do not be surprised when you find gnawed shoes and damaged furniture upon arrival at home. For this reason, Beagle needs a training course. Particular attention should be paid to the diet. If you are satisfied with all the features of this breed, you can safely get a beagle.