Adding any dog to your family is definitely cause for deliberation. Overall, Beagles do make great family dogs and they are great with large groups of people.

But, in order to have a well behaved Beagle, you will need to put lots of time and effort into training your pup. This article will cover the needs and personality of a Beagle so you can determine if a Beagle is right for you and your family.

Temperament

Beagles are incredibly curious and sweet dogs. They can make terrific family dogs because they are good with children and are very playful. But, because of their playfulness, Beagles require lots of attention and exercise.

Usually, a house full of people and constant play companions is exactly what Beagles need. This dog breed is curious, loving, and friendly. They are happy-go-lucky dogs and are very loyal.

Noise

Beagles have deep, boisterous voices and serve well as watchdogs. They will look over your family and your house and alert you should any suspicious sounds or people come near your home.

However, if you believe that this noise would not work well with your family, such as if you have a newborn baby and are working on their sleep schedules, having a Beagle might be challenging.

When you leave the house, Beagles can suffer from canine separation anxiety because they are pack animals. This can cause them to incessantly bark, run around the house, and tear things up. If you live in an apartment or if you live in close proximity to neighbors, having a barking Beagle may not be the best choice.

Training

Beagles are independent thinkers, and if they have been trained properly to obey their owner, then they will listen well. Furthermore, Beagles can be housetrained after a bit of proper dog training. Once a Beagle sees a person as their alpha dog and master, they will be quite obedient to them. A Beagle will see the children in the family as fellow pack-mates and will be protective of them as well. Beagles originated as work dogs to hunt rabbit and hare.

Because of this, they love to have a task and to work. By getting them involved in short exercises for learning, Beagles will have fun while training. However, Beagles need consistent training, so making sure everyone in your household will use the same commands and reward the same behaviors.

Exercise  

Remember to keep in mind that a Beagle is a “nose with four legs”, and your pup will love to smell everything. This means that he will follow many different scent trails. Beagles will need time outside every day for them to be happy. Beagles also need a decent amount of exercise in order to remain calm. They require daily walks, so definitely keep that in mind if you’re considering getting adding a Beagle to your home.

Additionally, since Beagles love to follow scents, they can be prone to running away. For this reason, having a fenced-in backyard might be important for you to keep your dog safe.

Socialization

As with any dog, socializing with other dogs and people is key. Beagles need to be socialized from a young age to be fully cooperative with children and families. Beagles are very friendly dogs with a desire to please and be affectionate. They are also very energetic by nature and having them around children can be rewarding for both parties involved. Beagles also love games, such as fetch and hiding balls.

Grooming

Beagles have short coats and are moderate shedders. Brushing out your dog’s coat at least once a week is necessary for keeping his shedding in check.

During the springtime when Beagles shed their winter coats so brushing up to 3 times a week may be necessary. 

Beagles do not need regular visits to the groomers and are relatively low maintenance for dog grooming. However, you should expect to have some dog hair in your house and on your clothes.

Overall, Beagles make excellent family dogs if they are trained and socialized properly. It is important to remember that the training process will take time and not happen overnight.

If you are thinking about adding a dog to your family, a Beagle may be the perfect choice for you.

Sources:

1. “The 10 Best Dogs for Kids and Families.” PetMD, Accessed 23 Nov. 2017. www.petmd.com/dog/top_tens/evr_dg_top_10_for_kids.
2. “Beagle Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts.” Dogtime, Accessed 23 Nov. 2017. www.dogtime.com/dog-breeds/beagle.
3. Williams, Meredith Hooker. “5 Reasons Why a Beagle Might Be the Right Dog Breed for You.” Vetstreet, Accessed 23 Nov. 2017. www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-reasons-a-beagle-might-be-the-right-dog-breed-for-you.
4. “All About the Joyful Beagle.” The Spruce Pets, Accessed 23 Nov. 2017. www.thesprucepets.com/dog-breed-profile-beagle-1117938.
5. “Life With a Beagle.” PetCoach, Accessed 23 Nov. 2017. www.petcoach.co/breed/beagle/.