Are you thinking about adding a Beagle to your family? Here are some key things to consider and plan for in order to make your Beagle’s transition as smooth as possible!
Beagles have become a popular breed among families because of their small size and affectionate personalities. However, they do require some special considerations to help them behave well and get all of their energy out in healthy ways. An important fact to always remember is that they were originally bred to be hunters. They used their incredible sense of smell and quick feet to hunt rabbits in England. In our modern-day families, they do not get to perform this job anymore, and that leaves them with excess energy that needs to be put elsewhere.
Ideas to help use their energy in positive ways:
- Feed them their meals in puzzle toys or snuffle mats – this will let them use their sense of smell and make eating into an enrichment activity.
- Take them on long walks or let them run around in the backyard before leaving them alone. They love attention and helping them get excess energy out before leaving will help them with cope with the separation.
- Encourage them to use their sense of smell and play hiding games with them. Hide treats in safe areas and reward them for finding them and doing a good job!
- Enroll them in obedience classes. This is a safe way for them to socialize with strangers, other dogs, and use their intelligence to learn new commands.
One of the well-known characteristics about Beagles is that they are talkers. Beagles tend to communicate their emotions through barking – when they see something that concerns them, when they want attention, when they are excited, and most other emotions. This is one of their most inherent behaviors, but if it is bothersome or you live in a place where noise is not tolerated, then there are tactics you can try to curb their chatty tendencies.
- Train them with a “quiet” command. Encourage them to give their attention to you when they need something and give them a reward when they stop barking and look at you.
- Work on crate training early. If they are in a safe crate when you are not around then it will limit the things they can see to bark at when you aren’t there for them to look at.
Beagles are low maintenance dogs in the grooming department and do not need any special grooming, but they do a moderate amount of shedding. They are also known to be hardy dogs medically, but still can fall ill to disease. Have them seen regularly by a veterinarian for a physical exam and preventative care so the doctor can catch any problems early on.
Beagles can be amazing family pets and have become a favorite breed for families. If you keep in mind their energy requirements and help them use their intelligence in productive ways, then they will be an affectionate and loyal addition to your family.
