About the Breed
The beagle is a gentle, sweet, lively, and curious dog that just loves everyone. They are happy little tail-waggers. Social, brave, and intelligent, calm and loving. They do have minds of their own and are determined. They require consistent, gentle training or you can break their spirit.
Beagles have a distinctive bark/howl that is considered harmonious. If not left alone outdoors, they do not bark any more than any dog does. Energetic and possessing great stamina, the beagle needs plenty of exercise but a reasonably sized fenced yard with a daily brisk walk should do. They will follow their nose so cannot be trusted off leash in an unfenced area.
Being an average shedder, an occasional brushing will suffice. Give proper attention to the ears because they are prone to infections. Keep their nails trimmed. Beagles love food and can gain weight quickly - do not let them become overweight. The average life span is 15-18 years. Unfortunately, due to their small, uniform size and gentle disposition, beagles are often used for medical experimentation.
