The Beagle is an extremely popular and beloved dog breed in America. There are two different sizes of Beagles. The smaller Beagle has a height of less than 13 inches while the larger Beagle is between 13-15 inches tall.
Despite their small size, Beagles don’t typically make good apartment dogs. These dogs have a lot of energy, tend to have a strong independent streak, and can be loud howlers. So, they often do better living in single-family homes with fenced yards or in rural areas. That said, as long as you give them plenty of exercise and train them to control their barking, they can be okay in an apartment.
The Beagle’s Temperament
Beagles have an easygoing nature and aren’t that hard to please. However, they have some specific needs that may not make them the best apartment dogs. This dog breed was originally bred as a hunting dog and is used to moving in packs.
Beagles have an impressive amount of stamina and excel as working dogs. They also have a superb sense of smell and enjoy snooping around and following their noses. In fact, the US Department of Agriculture employs the Beagle Brigade, which has trained Beagles stationed at major airports to sniff out illegal items passing through customs.
As scent hounds, it’s very unlikely for Beagles to enjoy leisurely walks around the neighborhood. These dogs can spend several minutes in a particular area and prefer to track scents rather than stick to the sidewalk. While a backyard isn’t necessary, it’ll be significantly enriching for Beagles to spend time off-leash to sniff around freely.
Beagles aren’t known to be yappy, but they’re loud howlers. The purpose of the howl is to alert people of any game and also help dogs find each other. So, while howling may be a nuisance and noise disturbance to neighbors, it’s a purposeful and useful function for Beagles.
Overall, Beagles are active, highly curious, and can be loud howlers. They need daily exercise in wide open spaces, and it can be difficult to train their howling. So, even though they’re relatively small dogs, they’re not the best apartment dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Well-Suited for Apartment Life
While an experienced dog owner may be able to train and make apartment life suitable for a Beagle, some dogs are just naturally better fits for apartment living. You can find plenty of dog breeds of all sizes that are quieter and have more mellow temperaments.
However, it’s important to note that while dog breeds have standard temperaments, an individual dog’s temperament can fall out of these standards. Different factors can affect their personality.
Not all purebred dogs will act according to their breed’s temperament, but it does help to get a general idea of their standard temperament to increase the chances of finding a dog that’s a good match with your current lifestyle.
With that being said, here are some dog breeds with calmer, quieter personalities or less demanding exercise needs:
Are Beagles Good Pets?
Yes, Beagles can be good pets if they meet the right owner. As we’ve mentioned before, Beagles are energetic, free-spirited dogs. While they love human companionship and have strong loyalty tendencies, they’re also independent. They may not enjoy cuddling and being held frequently, and it’ll be no surprise if they prefer walking off-leash over walking on a leash.
Dogs need to receive proper leash training for safety reasons. However, it’s a bit unfair to expect Beagles to walk briskly around the neighborhood. Their extra-sensitive noses make exploring scents irresistible, and it’s an especially enriching activity for this breed. So, they’re not the best dog to accompany you when you have a busy day filled with errands.
Due to the Beagle’s independent personality, owners need to provide firm and fair training consistently. Training Beagles requires more patience than with other dog breeds, and these dogs do not respond well to frustration. So, they’re a better fit for experienced dog owners with the time to commit to obedience training. Good training experiences will only strengthen a Beagle’s bond with its owner and earning a Beagle’s loyalty is extremely rewarding and worthwhile.
Overall, Beagles are wonderful family pets that do well living in single-family homes. They fit the lifestyle of active individuals well and are perfect for taking long walks, hikes, and other outdoor activities. They also enjoy being around people and other dogs, so they shouldn’t be left home alone for many hours.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that while Beagles may not be the best apartment dogs, it doesn’t mean that they’re bad dogs. Beagles can be wonderful companions for people with matching lifestyles and preferences. They’re excellent adventure buddies and love spending time in the great outdoors. If these activities match your interests and you have the time to invest in good foundational training, the Beagle will be a great fit for you.
Fortunately, there are so many different dog breeds with all kinds of personalities and temperaments. So, if you’re an apartment dweller, you can still find plenty of breeds that can live happily in smaller spaces.
Featured Image Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock
