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Are Beagles Good Family Dogs? Trainability, Care & Life Expectancy

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By Nicole Cosgrove

couple with beagle

Your kids have been begging non-stop, and you’ve finally decided that it’s the right time to add another member to the family. Bringing a pet into your family takes a lot of deliberation because you want to make sure you’re getting a dog that not only plays well with kids but that fits your lifestyle so that they are getting all of their needs met as well. Overall, Beagles make excellent family dogs and will bring you years of happy memories.

As with all dogs, though, there are some everyday things you might want to consider before running to the nearest Beagle breeder.Divider 1

Are Beagles Good House Dogs?

Whenever you’re considering purchasing a puppy, try to keep in mind the amount of time and dedication it takes to train it. We’d argue that it comes with some of the same challenges as raising a human baby. If taking the time to train a puppy is too much to handle on top of your existing workload and parental duties, you might consider waiting until your babies and toddlers are older so that they can share the day-to-day responsibilities.

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Image Credit: bberrnard, Shutterstock

Beagles And Children

If you have children, one of your biggest priorities before bringing home a new dog is knowing whether or not they play nice with your children. There have been far too many incidents where parents show up at home with dogs that prefer to be left alone and act out when young kids want too much of their attention.

Beagles are known for being incredibly sweet and playful. According to the American Kennel Club, Beagles rank in sixth place in temperament out of 197 breeds1.

Beagles were traditionally bred for hunting and thrived in a pack setting. Because of this, they work well in a family and get along great with other dogs. They are remarkably playful, and younger people love running around with them and helping them get their energy out. Keep in mind that there are always a handful of dogs that don’t turn out as happy-go-lucky as others of their kind, so make sure you’re buying from reputable breeders.Divider 8

Is it Hard to Train a Beagle?

Beagles are known for their independent thinking and must be adequately trained to mind their owners. They are incredibly loyal and will learn to listen to commands and be housetrained, but only if you put in the difficult work to do so. If you keep them involved in tasks and reward the behaviors you like, then you’ll experience an average amount of difficulty that comes with training any new dog.

happy-family-with-beagle_Pixel-Shot_shutterstock
Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

Do Beagles Bark Too Much?

One of the most significant drawbacks of owning a Beagle is that they aren’t particularly quiet. This breed has a deep, boisterous howl and will use it while they serve as your watchdog. Some people prefer a noisier dog to alert them of people coming near their homes, but others get angry after only a minute of barking. Their barks and howls are not ideal for people with newborns who sleep a lot or nearby neighbors because they tend to whine while the family isn’t home. Whether you enjoy barking or absolutely despise it, it is something to seriously take into consideration.

Are Beagles High-Maintenance?

Pets are a full-time job with a lot of responsibilities from grooming to vet trips. One of the best things about Beagles is that they are relatively low maintenance. Beagles have short, soft coats that are easy to groom. Brushing them once a week helps keep their shedding to a minimum. Aside from regular baths, ear cleanings, and nail trimmings, they don’t require too much extra work.

Annual wellness vets are a necessity for nearly all dog breeds, but you might be making more trips if you don’t give them the exercise they need. A Beagle’s nose is always working and wanting to follow scent trails, so they require a lot of time outside to be genuinely happy. Single-family houses with large yards for them to run in are ideal for Beagles. They simply won’t live a fulfilling life if stuck in an apartment all day. Just because they are small in size doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot of energy to burn.

If you aren’t willing to give them daily walks or exercise, consider a breed that prefers to lounge around the house with you rather than embrace their wild nature and run like the wind.

Lemon Beagle Puppy
Image Credit: Shelby Biondi, Shutterstock

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Life Expectancy and Health Problems in Beagles

Beagles are the dog for you if you’re looking for a companion who is going to stick around fo a while. The life expectancy of a Beagle is roughly 12-15 years, leaving you lots of time to cherish every moment you spend with them. Unfortunately, there are also some health problems they are more at risk for. Epilepsy, hypothyroidism, intervertebral disc disease, and cancer are among the most common health problems to arise. It’s hard to say why some of these things happen to Beagles, but it is important to remember when comparing dog breeds for ownership.

Do Beagles Like to Cuddle?

With their big brown eyes and floppy ears, who could resist the opportunity to snuggle up with a loving Beagle? Beagles love to cuddle with their families and show their devotion. They adore attention, and sitting next to you on the couch or spooning with you in bed is one way to make them feel warm, welcomed, and loved in your home. Not all dogs enjoy the warm embrace of their humans, but Beagles are almost guaranteed to be your companion both inside and outside of the house.

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Final Thoughts

In general, most Beagles make excellent family dogs due to their warm demeanor and unwavering loyalty. There are significant pros and cons to all pet breeds, and you have to consider if the few cons are worth the many benefits of giving these dogs a good home. Seriously consider everything you’re looking for in a pet before buying them because all they want is a happy life, and it’s not fair to the dog or the owner to be stuck with someone who doesn’t fit their lifestyle.

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Featured image credit: Katsiaryna Pakhomava, Shutterstock

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