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Beagle

Beagle dog information

The Beagle is a medium sized dog breed belonging to the hound group. It looks a bit like the Foxhound but features shorter legs and characteristic long, soft ears. Beagles are scent hounds and are highly skilled when it comes to hunting rabbit and other game, but they can also make excellent pet dogs if you are prepared to provide them with sufficient amounts of exercise and stimulus. In this article you can find ample amounts of Beagle dog information that will help you to care for your Beagle.

The oldest available beagle dog information is a little vague at best, since beagle dogs have existed for half a millennium. During the 11th century, William the Conqueror brought the first Talbot hound to England to work as a scent hound and this is believed to be the ancient ancestor of the later beagle-type dogs. This snow white dog may have been bred with the Irish black and tan Kerry Beagle, a small hunting dog that resembles the Bloodhound. The first mention of the word “beagle” in English texts is from 1475 but the origin of the word is not known. It might come from the French word begueule which means ‘open throat’ and can be used to describe a loudmouth. The modern day Beagle breed has been developed in the United Kingdom during the last 150 years.

Beagle dog care

BeagleThe Beagle sheds moderately and should be brushed at least a few times a week. A hound glove can be used to keep the coat shiny; while a fine-tooth flea comb will help you remove dirt and discarded hair. Gently cleaning the eyes of the dog is another essential part of good Beagle dog care and should be done on a regular basis to prevent infections and foul smell. Beagles do not have to be frequently bathed and you can do it at home without any special grooming equipment.

Another important part of good Beagle dog care is naturally to walk your dog and keep it stimulated. In addition to walks, the Beagle should be given at least 30-60 minutes of training and/or playtime each day. If you are not prepared to do this, the Beagle is not the right breed for you.

Obese Beagles are a fairly common sight today, and this is sad since overweight beagles are prone to developed health problems, e.g. arthritis and heart ailments. Just as with humans, the best way of keeping your Beagle in shape is too keep it on a proper diet and give it plenty of opportunity to exercise.

Beagle dog puppy

A Beagle dog puppy is a truly charming creature that can win the heart of virtually anyone. Before you decide to purchase a Beagle dog puppy, there are however several things to consider. A lot of dogs end up in shelters each year since their owners picked the wrong breed, or purchased a dog on a whim. A Beagle dog is a good choice if you want a medium sized dog for hunting or as a pet dog. If you leave a beagle alone for extended periods of time, it will start barking or howling to get attention. Your Beagle dog puppy must be gradually accustomed to being alone. Another important aspect to take into consideration is that the Beagle dog, just like many other breeds, likes to play by grabbing things with its mouth. This is not biting, but it can sometime be perceived as frightening by children. The Beagle is also a prodigious digger and if you want to protect your garden you should start training your Beagle dog puppy to refrain from digging from an early age. You can also set up an enclosed space where it is allowed to dig.

Beagle dog training

Beagles are intelligent and strong willed, and Beagle dog training must therefore be consistent and patient. Praising your dog and making the training sessions fun for both of you is known to work better than punishments and yelling, and Beagles are also extremely food motivated. Beagles were originally bred for hunting purposes and the first known instances of Beagle dog training being carried out by hunters dates back to reign of the English King Edward III. Edward III is known to have kept a pack of up to 120 hare hounds with him at the battlefield during the Hundred Years’ War. Beagle dog training is however not for kings and noblemen only, and in England, hunting with Beagles is actualy referred to as “poor man’s foxhunting” since a pack of Beagles is followed on foot, not on horseback.

Beagle dog breeding

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Beagle dog breeding should strive to develop dogs that work gaily and cheerfully and obey commands in a happy manner. A Beagle pack should never work as if they were afraid of their master and the whips – they should do their work because they genuinely like to and find it exciting. The large eyes should have an expression of gentleness and earnestness, not of fear or resentment.

When it comes to appearance, the aim of Beagle dog breeding – according to the AKC – should be a miniature Foxhound that sports the wear-and-tear look of the hound. A Beagle should be solid and enduring. The skull should be fairly long with a broad and full cranium, and the ears should be set moderately low. When the long ears are drawn out they should almost reach the end of the nose. The coat can be of any true hound colour; the important thing is to strive for a close, hard coat of medium length – a typical hound coat. Short and thin coats are not approved of, and neither are soft quality coats. The eyes can be brown or hazel.

Beagle dog breeders

When you decide between several different Beagle dog breeders, it is important to pick one that actively works to promote good health in the breed by only using healthy dogs as parents. Several different health problems are associated with the Beagle breed, including back problems, epilepsy, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, cancer, and heart disease. They are also prone to eye problems such as dry eye, glaucoma, retinal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and cherry eye (a swelling of the gland in the third eyelid).

Beagle dog price

The Beagle dog price varies a lot between different breeders and different regions and it is difficult to give any specific guidelines as to what a “normal” Beagle dog price would be. The important thing when purchasing a Beagle dog price is to investigate what you actually get for your money. Are you buying from a reputable breeder that only uses healthy parents with a good temperament? Are the puppies well socialized? Has the Beagle puppy been vet checked, vaccinated and de-wormed? A healthy and well cared for Beagle dog can live for up to 12-15 years and ending up with a sick dog simply because you wanted to save a few bucks can cost you a lot of money in the long run.