10 Facts About Beagles
Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They tend to have a sweet disposition, a friendly personality, and are loyal to their families. They seem to always be happy to play, go for a hike, or join you on an early morning hunt. Here are a few more facts about Beagles:
- They were bred for hunting
- All purebred beagles have white-tipped tails
- Beagles have a superior sense of smell
- Their ears help their nose
- Beagles are prone to barking
- They tend to be kid-friendly
- Beagles come in two sizes
- They can be a handful
- Lyndon B. Johnson was fond of beagles
- They have won “Best in Show” before
1. They Were Bred For Hunting
Beagles originated in the United Kingdom, where they were originally bred to be hunting dogs. They came to the United States during the 1840s and were brought in specifically for their hunting dog skills.
Beagles have seemingly endless energy, which makes them great hunting dogs. They are one of the best hunting dogs for hunting hares and rabbits. Their incredible sense of smell is their biggest asset, and they are very determined dogs.
2. All Purebred Beagles Have White-Tipped Tails
Whether it’s a full white tip or just a few white hairs, all purebred Beagles have white-tipped tails. Because Beagles were originally bred to be hunting dogs, the white-tipped tails were also bred so that hunters could find and follow the Beagle like a white flag while they searched for their prey. Now, the white-tipped tail is purely used as a marker for purebred litters. However, there are probably some hunters out there who still appreciate it!
3. Beagles Have a Superior Sense of Smell
All dogs have a great sense of smell. But, as a scenthound and a hunting dog, the Beagle is on another level. Beagles still use their superior sniffer on hunts, but they are also commonly found working in various jobs. They have been found working as drug-sniffing dogs, bedbug detectors, and more.
In U.S. homeland security, they can be found working in “The Beagle Brigade”. In this capacity, they search through cargo, luggage, and other packages coming in and leaving the United States for anything suspicious.
Their fantastic noses and ability to hone in on specific smells, paired with their wonderful temperament, make them the perfect partner for agencies and officials who need to search for hazardous materials in high-stakes situations.
4. Their Ears Help Their Nose
Beagles are known for their sniffing mastery, but did you know their ears help with that? Their ears act as a funnel of sorts. A Beagle’s longer, floppy ears catch scents and hold these particles close to the Beagle’s nose. This allows the Beagle to gather as much of the smell as possible, which also helps them to follow the scent better.
5. Beagles Are Prone to Barking
The name “Beagle” may come from the French word “béguule”, which means wide throat or gaped throat. In French poetry, this word is often translated as referring to a “loudmouth” and was reserved for someone or something being boisterous and bothersome.
This isn’t to say a Beagle will be annoying, just that they can be prone to barking and have a distinctive, loud howl. It’s instinctual, so you won’t be able to stop it completely, but you can train your dog to stop barking to keep it from becoming a nuisance. Keeping this in mind during training early on can help your Beagle understand some boundaries when it comes to barking.
They tend to make three different vocalizations:
- The distinctive Beagle howl
- An even more distinctive bay
- A standard bark
The bay is yodel-like and is used to trumpet victory when they’ve found prey during a hunt, while the standard bark tends to be shorter and sharper.
6. They Tend to Be Kid-Friendly
Beagles are known for their sense of smell and their energetic and playful personalities. They tend to make great family companions that get along fantastically with children and other dogs. This is one of the many reasons they are among the most popular dog breeds.
Beagles thrive on human companionship, so they don’t like to spend long periods alone. They love attention and love to play, so they will be overjoyed to have another person to play with. Even though they are known for a high prey drive, they can be one of the best dog breeds for cats, provided they are socialized with them and raised with them.
7. Beagles Come in Two Sizes
There are two different size classifications in the U.S. Beagles that are under 13 inches tall are in one size classification, and those over 13 inches but no taller than 15 inches are in the larger size classification. In England, the height limit for a Beagle is 16 inches, while in the U.S., it is 15 inches.
8. They Can Be a Handful
Even though this breed is cute and affectionate, they can be a handful if left to their own devices. Beagles need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to curb destructive behavior. Although it’s not the only reason behind destructive behavior, this is a behavior that often is a sign your dog is bored or underexercised.
Beagles do not like being left alone and will howl to let you know their true feelings. You should plan on a well-fenced yard, as beagles tend to roam. A fenced yard allows them some freedom, but still keeps them safe. A tall, deep, and secure fence that is difficult to get over or dig under is a key element of a dog-friendly backyard.
9. Lyndon B Johnson Was Fond of Beagles
Former U.S President Lyndon B. Johnson had a fondness for Beagles. While in office, Johnson had three Beagles. The first two were named “Him” and “Her”. No one knows how they got these names, but the third Beagle was named Edgar after J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI. Hoover gave Johnson the Beagle after Him died. Him fathered a litter of puppies, and Johnson’s daughter Luci claimed two puppies, named Freckles and Kim.
10. They Have Won “Best in Show” Before
Beagles are not new to winning awards at dog shows, but they usually excel at field trials and events. Although they may not be the first breed that comes to mind for winning conformation dog shows, Beagles have won “Best in Show” at the Westminster Dog Show before. The first Beagle to win “Best in Show” at Westminster was Uno in 2008. The second was Miss P in 2015.
Miss P, the 2015 Best in Show Winner
Miss P, a 4-year-old 15-inch beagle, became only the second Beagle ever to win Best in Show at the 2015 Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Garden. Interestingly, she’s the grandniece of Uno, who was the first beagle to win at Westminster back in 2008.
In an impressive field of competition, Miss P was not exactly the crowd favorite, at least not at first. That designation belonged to an Old English Sheepdog named Swagger, who easily elicited rounds of applause. In fact, every time Judge David Merriam put his attention on Swagger, the crowd cheered and even chanted his name, like it was a football game or something.
There were several other dogs that seemed to be favored ahead of Miss P that wowed the Westminster crowd, as well, including a Skye Terrier named Charlie, a Shih Tzu named Rocket, an English Springer Spaniel named Liz, and a Portuguese Water Dog named Matisse.
In the end, though, it’s Judge Merriam’s last quote that sums up why it’s really nice to see a dog like Miss P – an underdog, if you will – come up and win such a high-profile competition. Merriam said that as he was watching the Beagle during the show, he could see both “the Beagle in the ring and the Beagle in the field,” in reference to the work she was born to do outside of making the rounds through dog shows. Perhaps this shows an appreciation of the dog as a dog, and not as a trophy.
Whereas Uno famously charmed everyone when he howled upon being judged in 2008, Miss P was ever the regal Beagle and stood proud, prim, and proper. Congratulations, Miss P, you’ve retired into motherhood as a champion – the winner of the 2015 Westminster Kennel Club Show!
Snoopy would certainly be proud and doing his happy dance to the end of the block. Judge Merriam, by the way, is a retired California trial judge. What better way to enjoy retirement than to spend it around dogs?
Is a Beagle Puppy Right For You?
These are a few facts about Beagles. The Beagle is a fantastic fit for active owners and families who can give them the attention, mental stimulation, and exercise they need every day to be happy and healthy. If you think a Beagle could be the right dog breed for you, learn more about them and check out the available Beagle puppies. You might just find your new best friend!