Beagle: breed description and care features

The beagle is not just a beautiful dog, but also a great hunter. The ancient English breed is naughty and active. They are smart, good-natured, mobile, easily get along with other pets and children. Beagles for many years kept in the top of the most popular breeds and this fact has many reasons. We will tell in more detail about the features of the nature of these animals, about the rules of nutrition and other nuances of their maintenance.

Historical findings indicate a very ancient history of hunting dogs. Many things have survived to this day with images of dogs resembling dachshunds, hounds and other human helpers. There is a version that the ancestors of modern hunting breeds came to European countries from Ancient Rome and Greece. When crossing with local dogs, the same beagles appeared who conquer us today with their positive character and hunting qualities.

Over time, English culture began to acquire more and more specific distinctive features, and at the same time, breeding of purely English dog breeds began. The ancestors of the beagle with their miniature were very convenient when hunting for hares, and their neat appearance was consistent with the strict tastes of aristocrats.

The first official mention of the Beagle breed dates back to 1475, and the name comes from the English word “small”. However, the French dispute the British origin of the breed, considering this dog to be a native of their country.In support of this theory, they say that the word “Begueule” is present in their language, which means “tinned throat”, and this expression is quite applicable to the vocal beagle.

When during the hunt these dogs began to bark at the victim, the barking was carried throughout the forest. It was believed that this breed has a soft and not too piercing voice.

By the XVI-XVII centuries, the maintenance of beagles ceased to be a privilege of the nobility - they began to appear in the families of ordinary farmers. Thanks to this, the breeding of beagles began to occur more actively. If these dogs remained exclusively aristocratic pets, the breed population could seriously decline. In the upper world, taller foxhounds were increasingly popular, so they began to forget about the kids.

In the 19th century, the British Sports Manual was published, which mentioned various subspecies of the beagles: fox beagles hunting foxes, south with a heavier skeleton and active neat northern, dwarf, long-haired beagle terriers. In 1890, the Beagle Club was formed, and after 5 years the breed standard was determined. At the beginning of the 20th century, these dogs began to be forgotten, but in the 50s they became popular again, at the same time they adopted a newer standard.

Modern beagles are up to 40 cm tall and weigh up to 14 kilograms. The life expectancy of representatives of this breed ranges from 12 to 15 years. The body has a stocky constitution, not elongated, covered with short hair. There is a protrusion on the back of the domed skull. The ears have a rounded shape, neat appearance, large eyes are not too convex, and the tail has a straight shape, at the end it is always a white speck.

Most often, the coloring of the beagle is three-colored and includes white, red and black colors. In bicolors, you can see a combination of white with red, red, brown and yellowish wool. Motley individuals have signs of hare, badger color or beige tones.

First of all, it is worth noting that this dog is very friendly, mobile and adores communicating with people. Because of the latter quality, they are not the best guards, but the owners do not have to miss them - he is able to cheer up both a child and adults. If the animal is not allowed to run and jump freely, then it can become fat. Small animals or cats in the house may not get along with an active beagle who instinctively sees the object of hunting in them.

Beginner dog lovers may encounter difficulties in raising a puppy, as he has a slightly masterful disposition. The Beagle reluctantly remembers its place, is cunning and pretends that it does not understand the owner's commands. But he does not strive for dominance and does not choose for himself the strongest “leader” in the family, since historically he is fit to live in a pack. On the contrary, he often chooses the child as his pet, becoming his faithful friend.

There are beagle-like breeds that also have a cheerful character and a similar exterior with some differences. We suggest you familiarize yourself with them in more detail.

This is the progenitor of the beagle, so their similarity is not in doubt. The breed does not need special care, the hair needs to be combed once a week, the doggie is quite mobile and smart. In the presence of the same hanging "Beagle" ears, these animals are more tall and slender.

They can be recommended to owners who work a lot, since an Estonian woman tolerates loneliness better than a beagle.

This English hare hound is also a descendant of the ancient English hounds. It was obtained by breeding in southern England specifically for hunting hares. In addition to the amazing scent, she is very hardy and looks larger than the beagle, although it is quite similar to it. She gets along very well with pets and is able to obey.

It is difficult to find differences from the beagle in their character, they are quite similar in everything: they like to explore, run, jump and play with people. However, some argue that he is even more noisy and stubborn. In addition, Russell belongs to burrowing dogs.

The breed is characterized by more erect ears and a stronger body, and its tail is wrapped in a ringlet. The legs of the bassenji are long and the back is always straight. IN unlike the vocal heroes of our article, this breed cannot bark. Nevertheless, the guard turns out to be better from her, because when she sees a stranger, she immediately takes a stand and makes sounds like a croak.

The resemblance to the beagle of these dogs is not so obvious, their ears are much longer, and in addition, the skin hangs low enough on all parts of the body. With the beagle of these hounds, love for children and self-will are related - the basset is in no hurry to do everything that they say to him. The activity of these dogs is slightly lower, but even without long walks they can begin to spoil the furniture. In addition, in the absence of sufficient physical exertion, bassets easily fatten.

There are some popular beagle mestizos that are popular with dog lovers. We will name the most popular options.

This "mixture" even received the status of a separate breed, which was called "pagl". Its unpredictability is that it is impossible to guess who the puppies will go to. If the beagle genes turn out to be dominant, then the dog gets the qualities of a hunter, if a pug - it will be more calm. However, with any of the two options, the puppy will turn out to be funny, playful and energetic.

They are called jack-e-bi or jack-bee. It has double activity and a wonderful set of hunting qualities. Due to the beating energy, a mestizo can be a bit aggressive. Most likely, he will not tolerate if he is teased, and may engage in a brawl with other dogs.

It has such powerful hunting instincts that it simply cannot calmly pass by a small animal that has fallen into its field of vision. And his magnificent scent makes it easy to find a new victim. To prevent your pet from eating any mice, it is best to keep it on a leash.

Such a mestizo gets double stubbornness from mom and dad, because dachshunds can be no less harmful than beagles. GIbrid does not look as elongated as a dachshund, it has a higher growth and harmonious physique. Like any mestizo, it is not suitable for participation in exhibitions, but will become a devoted pet and favorite of the whole family.

Choosing a dog "for the soul" is not difficult. It is enough to come to the right address and choose the baby that you like best. Dog lovers who seriously hope to start breeding beagles for sale, as well as attend exhibitions, will first have to find a good nursery and listen to reviews. Then the selected dog will really meet all the characteristics.

When the choice in favor of a particular breeder is made, it remains to get acquainted with the parents of the puppies or dogs that are only expecting offspring. When choosing a puppy directly, pay attention to its compliance with all standards: Are there any flaws in the baby’s exterior, how active he is and how good he is with people? Remember that until about three months of age, the color of the dogs may change. So, dark spots can leave your head.

It is believed that you need to choose the strongest and most courageous puppies, as they are more viable, have the best health and are more likely to be able to pass him by inheritance. It is wonderful if the puppy is not afraid to go out to the person and sniff his legs. This means that the baby is not shy, he is inquisitive and has a lively disposition. Ask the seller what vaccine is given to the puppies.

The price for a beagle usually does not reach 20 thousand rublesif you purchase it on an ad or from sellers in the market. Puppies from official kennels from eminent parents are more expensive, but they can participate in exhibitions and officially participate in breeding. The cost of such babies varies from 25-75 thousand rubles. Owners ask for a higher cost for the best puppies without defects, and the price may differ from the subspecies or color of the doggie.

Kennels selling these dogs are present in many cities of Russia. AstraVegas in Moscow, Anvi High Line in St. Petersburg. They are also in the cities of Cheboksary, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Volgograd.

The cunning beagle always thinks like a hunting dog, such is its nature. It is this fact that pushes him to wallow in other people's excrement in order to bring down his own smell, in which case, of course, he will have to wash it. In general, to prevent such oddities from the side of the pet, watch it as closely as possible. Otherwise, these dogs are clean, they are easy to care for and train in the toilet.

This breed does not apply to those recommended to be kept in enclosures. An apartment or a house is quite suitable for these small playful dogs. However, the option with an aviary is also not excluded, provided that it will not be just a big cell. The house in it should be well insulated. However, even if you build such a building for a beagle, do not forget to take him out for a walk in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Beagle shedding has no special boundaries by season; it takes place constantly, but not too intensively. Combing it once a week with a special glove, you will delight the doggie with massage and save the house from possible wool contamination. Check the beagle’s ears weekly, otherwise dirt may accumulate in them, which will make you unpleasant. In addition, in case of violation of hygiene rules, ear infections are not excluded.

Walking along the asphalt, the beagle's claws undergo a natural “trim”. They seem to grind down and thereby relieve the dog of discomfort. If the animal rarely goes for a walk or the terrain chosen for this does not allow its claws to be sharpened, then the owner should periodically trim his pet's claws on his own.

Despite the fact that estrus can come as early as 7 months, with offspring it is worth waiting until the age of one and a half to two years.

The diet of dogs does not have any specific recommendations, the main thing is to prevent the beagles from overeating, as they tend to gain extra pounds. Small puppies need to be given food 5 times a day, and after a year the number of meals can be two times a day. Some owners prefer to buy special food, while others are of the opinion that it can not be compared with natural food. Each beagle owner makes a choice based on his abilities, because not everyone has time for daily cooking for their pet. Here are the main points to consider when drawing up a beagle diet.

1. Dry food is very convenient when feeding. To give the dog another batch, just open the bag and pour the contents into a bowl. Unit packs are also very convenient. Typically, dog foods are provided with all the vitamins. Premium products have gained a good reputation among dog breeders, so most often the owners opt for it, without doubting the quality and composition of the feed.
2. "Natural" most often consists of meat porridge or vegetables. If you decide to feed your pet with ordinary foods, then keep in mind that the ratio of ingredients should be as follows: 70% meat, 25% cereals and only 5% vegetables.
3. Water needs to be changed every two days, but if the dog drinks it earlier, then do not forget to fill the bowl in time. In summer, fluid requirements increase, and this also needs to be taken into account.
4. Due to the tendency of these babies to obesity, do not indulge them with fatty foods. No matter how touching the beagle begs for a piece of fat from your table, gather your will in a fist and refuse it.
5. Every week, little beagles should eat cottage cheese.
6. Foods such as lean meat, boneless sea fish, offal, pitted turkey, vegetables, fruits, soft-boiled eggs will be useful in the beagle's diet.

With a sufficiently strong immunity of these dogs, there are ailments, to which they tend:

• intervertebral disc disease;
• change in the shape of the forelimbs;
• problems in the thyroid gland;
• problems with hair growth;
• diseases of the heart and organs of vision;
• epilepsy;
• high blood sugar.

Beagle’s stubbornness makes it difficult to use his intellect for training. All the time he takes off from the execution of commands and often passes them past his ears, pretending to not hear. Check out some tips before you start raising a puppy.

1. Beagles are not recommended to beginner dog breeders because of their obstinacy, because you need to stock up with enormous patience in order to obtain obedience from them. If you are confident in your abilities, then you can start classes. And remember that assault will not help you succeed - because of this, a stubborn dog will become even less obedient and will lose confidence in you.
2. Since you opted for such a difficult dog, then start raising a puppy from the earliest times. At 2 months - namely, at this age, dogs usually enter the house, begin to outline the boundaries of the place, and also set the diet and walks. It is worth scolding the beagle for a mistake immediately after the fact, otherwise it will grow up a spoiled dog. The charming look of his hazel eyes should not touch you when you need to convey to the pet that he is wrong. Speak with him firmly and be a strict teacher for your four-legged friend.
3. It is advisable to go through the general training course before puberty, otherwise the dog will be uncontrollable during a riot of hormones. There are trainers who can find a common language even with rebellious breeds.It is worth approaching the choice of a specialist with all seriousness, because training will not be the easiest. Take advantage of reviews from other beagle owners, read information on dog breeder forums, or ask for recommendations at the club.
4. Beagle learns best of all lessons presented in a playful way. Monotonous training will tire him quickly and he will in every possible way take them from them. Once the first and main points have been learned, namely the place and mode of the day, you can make classes a little more fun. Do not forget about the rewards in the form of goodies and praise, but only timely. The dog must understand that in training your game is only an additional element of the program and the last word is always yours.
5. To fully communicate the high communicative qualities of the dog, periodically introduce him to other people and animals. Only not cats or pigeons, which he can take for potential prey. It is better if they are dogs of the same or a different breed. Socialization in this case is an element of education. Let the dog learn to communicate with representatives of society - his character will be more balanced and harmonious.

In Russia, beagles are rarely attracted to hunting, but they remember their mission very well and, under certain circumstances, “enter the game” with pleasure. This breed belongs to the small hounds and preys on small animals such as rabbits, hares, they are not averse to running after rodents. When the beagle attacks the trail, he follows the victim on the heels, issuing a bark to attract a hunter or other hound to complete the work he has begun.

Beagle training in the art of hunting usually begins as early as 9 months of age. Usually, for this, they choose a forest, where a large number of hares live, and September is considered the most successful period for study. “Unraveling” the tracks, the beagle lowers its head low and tirelessly moves forward. At such moments, he really loses touch with reality, but in his head there is one thought, or rather, two: to track down and wait for help to pass the victim.

Having taken the trail, he is able to escape far from his master and even find himself in another locality, because the persistence of the beagle when pursuing game is unbending. Because of this, an unprepared beagle owner may lose his pet.

Most often, purebred puppies are given names from birth, as each litter of the official nursery is painted. It may seem convenient, because a beautiful and sonorous name has already been invented before you. However, in practice, often these official names do not take root - in everyday life the dog is given a completely different nickname. Before deciding what name the pet will go on with, look at its nature for several days and then make a choice.

Among the popular names for beagles of girls are the following:

• Daisy
• Julie;
• Lyme
• Linda;
• Rixie
• Hilda;
• Elsa

Boys of this breed are often called like this:

• Harold;
• Denis
• Keny
• Cleo
• May;
• Oscar;
• Richard;
• Rox;
• Hoop

1. In 1950, the Beagle breed became the most popular - such a conclusion was made by representatives of the American Kennel Club.
2. Beagles help look for explosives or drugs, but their scent has also found other uses. The Department of Agriculture of America has a “Beagles of Special Trained Beagles.” Animals work at customs, where their duties include the study of baggage for the presence of agricultural products. In Australia, dogs of this breed help to find termite colonies that can cause enormous damage to land.
3. In England there lived the smallest beagles, which quietly fit in the palm of a person, easily carried in purses and even in a pocket. Thus, whole packs of these dogs were worn in a hunting bag.Today, a miniature beagle is considered an extinct breed.
4. At the court of the English Queen Elizabeth, unusual beagles lived in the nursery with curly and very stiff wool, similar to wire.
5. In English there is a word denoting the hunt for rabbits, hares and other animals - "beagling".
6. The author of the theory of evolution, Charles Darwin, carried out his most important research for world science, traveling on the Beagle.
7. In the literature, the beagle is also represented in some of Shakespeare's works. In popular culture, the image of this dog is present in the comics - this is Snoopy's dog, and in cartoons - the dog Ody from Garfield.
8. US President Lyndon Johnson lived a couple of beagles, their names were He and She.

When communicating with dogs of this breed, most people have very vivid impressions - starting from their charming appearance and look and ending with inexhaustible life energy. They are amazed how energetic the Beagles are, how they love children, and passers-by arouse their most lively interest. However, not everyone enthusiastically speaks of energetic and companionable beagles, and the reason for this is their obstinate temper. If the owner did not show maximum patience and failed to raise a dog, then his behavior on the street will be very provocative. Dogs bark loudly, nibble everything and rush headlong behind each cat or dog.

This causes discomfort not only to the owners, but also to others. At the same time, it seems that the beagle is not smart enough, although in reality this is not at all true. “Tearing off the leash, screaming, wheezing, barking. The remaining dogs bypass them. I don’t know what this breed can like? ”, One of the members of the forum asks in her review in bewilderment. It is quite obvious that the dog born by the hunter goes crazy, smelling an interesting smell or seeing a potential "game". It seems that the author of these words just had to deal with a poorly educated beagle whose owner clearly did not appreciate his training abilities.

In order to avoid conflicts with other dog lovers and just passers-by, be sure to take the time to educate your fourth friend or entrust this difficult task to an experienced trainer. Most reviews agree that beagle training should be professional. If you have financial opportunities, you should definitely contact the club, where specialists in this field work. Then your “difficult child” will turn into a smart dog, obeying his master.

Breeders warn future owners that these dogs are restless and can turn the house upside down. Of course, losses are inevitable, but to minimize them, beagle owners recommend hiding everything that is valuable or dangerous for the animal as high as possible in an inaccessible zone. What cannot be removed can be spread with something tasteless, for example, powder from Levomycetin tablets. His bitter taste discourages any desire to gnaw furniture, and if you make an animal for a crime and slap a newspaper next to his head, the effect should turn out to be even more powerful.

The love of outdoor activities and walks makes the owners spend a lot of time outdoors. Well, if the family consists of several people and this honorable duty is performed in turn, otherwise the dog can simply exhaust its owner. For older dog lovers this breed is definitely not recommended. A person who loves movement, hiking and changing impressions can control it much better. Even better, if it is a whole family with an active lifestyle, who loves joint recreation, outdoor games and travel.

Beagles require a lot of time from the owner. He needs regular walks several times a day like air, active games and communication with the outside world. The training of these cute animals with a touching look also brings no less trouble.With all the difficulties of upbringing, if you can successfully pass them, you will certainly get a harmonious and cheerful dog, always ready to infect the beloved owner with the positive and energy.

About the features of the breed, see below.