Related articles
Share with friends
Introduction & History
It is thought that the ancestors of the Beagle were hunting rabbits and hare as early as 55 B.C! The hounds separated into two groups, the larger dogs used to hunt deer and the smaller hounds, like the Beagle, for hunting smaller quarry. They quickly gained popularity because they could be managed without being on horseback, an important quality for those who couldn’t afford to keep horses. The breed was officiated in the 1800’s and spread throughout the world including to the USA and Australia.
Today they are vey popular pets, due to their friendly and endearing personalities, as well as their good looks.
Appearance and Personality
With gorgeous, soft, floppy ears and a very cute facial expression, it is easy to see the Beagles’ appeal. They are a compact dog, ranging in height between 33 and 41 cm and weighing between 8.2 and 15.9 kg, with females typically smaller than males. They have a limited colour palate, coming in tri colour and shades of tri colour, two colours with tan, red, brown, and black on white. They can live up to 15 years. They have a short, but dense coat, which sheds all year round.
Beagles are popular with families with children due to their happy go lucky and friendly disposition. However, they can be stubborn and difficult to train, so may suit experienced dog people best. It can be difficult to get their attention when they have found an interesting scent. They enjoy being around other dogs and people and may suffer from loneliness and separation anxiety in a household where people are out a lot of the time. Beagles tend to be “talkative” and have a distinct bark and voice. They are probably better suited to larger properties where they have plenty of room to sniff and play, rather than small apartments. Daily exercise is essential for Beagles as they are energetic and have a lot of stamina. Socialising Beagle puppies from an early age means getting them used to other dogs, animals, people, and different environments. This helps them grow up to be well adjusted adults.
Their coats are short and dense, and they frequently shed. Regular brushing is recommended, but the coat is fairly low maintenance. By removing loose hairs and stimulating blood flow to the skin, this will help keep the coat in top condition. With large floppy ears, regular ear care including cleaning should also be part of your normal grooming routine.
Common Health Concerns
Beagles love their food and can become easily overweight, so ensure that you follow the recommended feeding guides on the food. With increased weight comes the increased risk of other diseases such as cruciate ligament rupture and pancreatitis. As ear and skin problems are common, checking the coat, skin and ears daily will catch an infection early.
The five most common reasons for a Beagle to visit the vet (excluding routine care visits) according to PetSure data from the 2020 calendar year include:
| Rank | Condition | Average cost for single treatment (average pet insurance claim amount) | Highest cost for single treatment (highest pet insurance claim seen for this condition) |
| 1 | Skin conditions, including allergic skin disease, itchy skin, pyoderma, pododermatitis | $187 | $2,080 |
| 2 | Tumours or cancers | $514 | $8,240 |
| 3 | Ear conditions, including ear infections and aural haematoma | $152 | $1,708 |
| 4 | Neurological conditions, including seizures and vestibular disease | $264 | $7,621 |
| 5 | Gastrointestinal diseases, including diarrhoea, vomiting, gastritis, Canine Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis | $369 | $2,960 |
Disclaimer: Reimbursement for these claims would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider.
For the same period (2020 calendar year), the top five highest single vet treatments (or highest pet insurance claims) for from PetSure data were:
| Rank | Condition | Highest Cost of treatment for condition (average pet insurance claim amount) |
| 1 | Lymphoma | $13,381 |
| 2 | Intervertebral disc disease | $11,133 |
| 3 | Toxic plant ingestion | $10,087 |
| 4 | Degloving skin wound | $8,989 |
| 5 | Intestinal mass | $8,240 |
Disclaimer: Reimbursement for these claims would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider.
Most popular Beagle names, PetSure data 2020
Most popular names:
- Milo
- Bella
- Daisy
- Charlie
- Bentley
- Archie
- Hunter
- Bailey
- Benji
- Frankie
Most popular female names:
- Daisy
- Bella
- Rosie
- Frankie
- Lola
- Molly
- Bonnie
- Cleo
- Ruby
- Luna
Most popular male names:
- Milo
- Bentley
- Charlie
- Archie
- Hunter
- Benji
- Bailey
- Bruno
- Max
- Toby
Did you know?
Beagles are the most widely used breed of dog for experimentation in research facilities. There are organisations dedicated to rehoming these dogs, so if you are looking for a Beagle, consider adopting an ex-research facility dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Beagle breed originates from England. They were initially bred for hunting small game such as rabbits.
Beagles are a small-to-medium-sized breed. On average, both males and females typically stand around 33 to 40 cm tall at the shoulder. They generally weigh between 9 to 16 kg.
Beagles are known for their friendly, curious, and outgoing temperament. They are generally good-natured and sociable dogs. They are often described as merry and even-tempered.
Yes, Beagles are generally good with children. They are known to be playful and tolerant, making them suitable companions for kids. However, as with any dog breed, supervision is recommended, especially with younger children, to ensure appropriate interactions.
Beagles are an active breed and require regular exercise to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Daily walks, playtime and opportunities for off-leash activities in a securely fenced area are recommended to fulfill their exercise needs.
Beagles have a reputation for being intelligent but also somewhat independent and stubborn. They have a strong sense of smell and can be easily distracted by scents. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training methods, along with patience and persistence, are important for successful training.
Beagles are generally friendly and sociable with other dogs and often get along well with them. However, their strong scent drive can make them prone to chasing small animals, so caution is advised when introducing them to cats or other small pets.
The average lifespan of a Beagle is typically around 12 to 15 years. With proper care, nutrition, and regular veterinary check-ups, some Beagles can live even longer.
Beagles have a short, dense coat that is relatively low maintenance. They are moderate shedders and require regular brushing to remove loose hair and keep their coat in good condition. They may need occasional bathing to keep them clean and fresh.
Disclaimer: Reimbursement for these claims would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider.
* Please note that the values calculated are based on all claims for that condition and medically related conditions in each calendar year.
References
- American Kennel Club, Beagle, Accessed 04/11/20 available at: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/beagle/
- The Beagle Club of N.S.W. Inc. Breed Information, accessed on 24/08/2021, available at: http://oz.dogs.net.au/beagleclubnsw/about-the-breed.asp
- Wikipedia, Beagle, Accessed 04/11/20 available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beagle
- Beagle Freedom Australia, accessed 04/11/20, available at: http://www.beaglefreedomaustralia.org/
Pet insurance can help by covering a portion of the eligible vet bill if the unexpected happens. Because it is difficult to predict the costs of veterinary care, it can help to have measures in place to help prepare for the unexpected. Check out our partner network and explore our policy tools to find a pet insurance policy.
Not all conditions or items are covered by Pet Insurance. Refer to the applicable Product Disclosure Statement for information about coverage and exclusions.
