Beagle at a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height
- 33–40 cm
- Weight
- 9–11 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 12 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Owner experience.
Is the Beagle right for you?
Like every breed, the Beagle is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You have children and can supervise them with the dog.
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You have, or would like, another dog.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You would find barking hard to live with.
How would the Beagle fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Beagle
The Beagle is a compact, sturdy and athletic scent hound with a kindly expression and a short, dense, weather-resistant coat. Bred to live and work in packs, it is typically sociable, good-tempered and affectionate, and loves being involved in whatever is going on at home.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Small
A small dog.
- Exercise
High
Typically more than an hour a day, with time off the lead.
- Energy level
Lively
A lively dog that enjoys being busy.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
Moderate
Sheds a moderate amount, varying by dog and season.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Often good
Often good with children, with supervision.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The Beagle is the smallest of the British pack hounds. It was bred to hunt small game such as rabbit and hare and to be followed on foot, and was established in England by the 15th century. It has long been valued for its stamina, musical voice and exceptional sense of smell. Its ancestry is thought to include the Foxhound, the Harrier and a small bloodhound-type hound.
The name is thought to come from a French term meaning "gape throat", referring to the way the hounds bay together as a pack. Queen Elizabeth I kept a pack of miniature Beagles, said to be small enough to carry in a saddlebag. Today the Beagle is one of the best-known hound breeds and a popular family companion.
Beagle temperament
Beagles are typically happy, outgoing and good-natured, but they also have a mischievous streak. They thrive on company and suit homes where someone is usually around.
Left alone, they can become distressed and bored, which often leads to barking and chewing. They are good watchdogs that bark at anything unusual, and they are generally a vocal breed.
Size and appearance
The RKC classes the Beagle as small, although some sources describe it as medium-sized. Adults typically stand around 33–40 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 9–11 kg.
The coat is short and dense. Breed standard colours include tricolour, blue, white and tan, badger pied, hare pied, lemon pied, lemon and white, red and white, tan and white, black and white, and all white, and most of these can also be mottled.
How much exercise does a Beagle need?
Beagles are fairly high-energy dogs and usually need at least an hour and a half of exercise a day, and some suggest around two hours. A mix of walking and running, plus play, training and scent games, suits them well.
Keep your Beagle on a lead unless you are somewhere secure, because recall often fails once they catch an interesting scent. They are good escape artists that love to climb and dig, so a well-fenced, Beagle-proof garden is essential.
Training a Beagle
Beagles are intelligent but can be wilful, and their scent hound instincts make them a challenge to train. When they are following a smell they may tune you out completely; that is what they were bred to do.
- Start positive, reward-based training as early as possible to prevent bad habits.
- Be firm, fair and consistent, and ask an accredited trainer for help if you are new to dogs.
- Keep working on recall, but do not rely on it outdoors.
- Join a reward-based class that teaches scent games: it builds your bond and plays to their strengths.
Beagle grooming
The short coat is low maintenance and a quick weekly brush usually keeps on top of dead hair. Beagles do shed a reasonable amount. Check the ears regularly to keep them clean and dry. Many Beagles love to roll in smelly things, but they are fairly easy to bath.
Living with a Beagle
Beagles are loving and tolerant, and if they are well socialised from a young age they usually suit family life very well. They are gentle enough not to frighten smaller children and active enough to join in with games. Play can get boisterous, though, and Beagles need a quiet space to retreat to when children are too much. Watch out for children leaving doors and gates open.
Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Often good with children, with supervision.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually happier in a house.
Garden
A garden is helpful.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
Beagle health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Beagles are often described as a robust breed, but like many pedigree dogs they are prone to certain conditions. Knowing about them helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every Beagle will be affected. Choose a breeder who health tests, and discuss the health of the puppy's parents and grandparents.
Lafora's disease
An inherited condition in which certain carbohydrates cannot be broken down, leading to a build-up of toxins and nervous signs. The Royal Kennel Club lists a DNA test among the minimum tests breeders should do.
Neonatal cerebellar cortical degeneration (NCCD)
A brain disease that affects movement and balance. A DNA test is part of the Royal Kennel Club's minimum recommended testing.
Factor VII deficiency, IGS and Musladin-Lueke syndrome
Factor VII deficiency affects blood clotting, Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome affects vitamin B12 absorption, and Musladin-Lueke syndrome affects the development of puppies. DNA tests for all three are recommended as best practice.
Epilepsy
A brain disorder that can lead to seizures.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, causing fever and neck pain.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid gland, which can cause low energy, weight gain and skin problems.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
An abnormality of the discs that cushion the bones of the spine.
Eye and ear problems
Beagles can develop some eye conditions, including cherry eye, where a gland in the third eyelid pops up in the corner of the eye. They are also prone to inflamed or infected ear canals.
Other conditions
Hip dysplasia and certain cancers are also listed among conditions seen in the breed.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Beagle home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Beagle cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Beagle home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Beagle
If you have decided the Beagle suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Beagle
Beagles do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Beagles looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find Beagle adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
Basenji
Inquisitive, confident, curious, independent, aloof, intelligent, watchful and clownish.
View breed guide
Beagle FAQs
Is the Beagle good with children?
Often good with children, with supervision. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Beagle live in a flat?
Usually happier in a house. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Beagle need?
High: typically more than an hour a day, with time off the lead. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Beagle shed?
Moderate shedding.
How much grooming does the Beagle need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the Beagle easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Beagle be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Beagle bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Beagle good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Beagle live?
Typically from 12 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Beagle get?
Adults typically stand 33–40 cm at the shoulder and weigh 9–11 kg.