Of the 201 breeds registered in the American Kennel Club, the Beagle is ranked as the eighth most popular breed. The AKC notes that Beagles make loyal and loving hunting dogs, but it isn’t the only dog association in love with them. Nearly all dog associations sing high praises for the small pup.
In fact, Beagles make great pets. Whether you live alone or have young children, Beagles are one of the best family dogs for their fun nature, gentle disposition, and low maintenance. Though they love to bark and can be a bit stubborn at times, they truly are one of the best pet dogs.
To learn if a Beagle is the right dog for you, read on.
The 3 Reasons the Beagles Make Great Pets
Beagles are among the best dogs to own because they are perfect for different-sized homes, singles, and families. There are very few downsides to owning a Beagle and even fewer families that Beagles don’t fit into. Here are the top reasons why Beagles make great pets:
1. Super Friendly and Sociable
Beagles are considered some of the friendliest and most sociable dogs. They were originally bred to live and work in packs, and they get along with other dogs and people. Whether you have other pets or children, the Beagle will likely fit in fine.
Beagles are known to be very kind to other animals. Compared to other dogs, they get along much better with cats and other small animals. Plus, they are perfect with children. Beagles are not aggressive or easily annoyed.
If you don’t have other animals, that’s fine too. Beagles love home with just people. At the same time, you don’t have to panic whenever you take your Beagle to the dog park since they will likely get along fine with other dogs, even if they haven’t met many before.
2. Small Size
In addition to being friendly and sociable, Beagles are considered pretty small. At their biggest, Beagles will be up to 15 inches tall and weigh between 20 and 30 pounds. However, some Beagles are under 13 inches tall.
Their small frame makes them suitable for various homes and living situations. They will fit in great on a farm, but they are also perfect for apartment living. In other words, these dogs are highly versatile and can adapt to just about any home.
3. Easy to Maintain
The last primary benefit of a Beagle is that they are easy to maintain. Beagles are much healthier than other dogs and don’t require as much grooming. The only type of grooming you need to do is clean their ears, trim their nails, and bathe if needed.
Of course, you must also take your dog to the vet if they get sick or for their annual checkup. Luckily, you won’t need to take your Beagle to the groomers, and you shouldn’t expect as many vet visits as other breeds.
The 3 Potential Cons of Owning a Beagle
Even though Beagles make great pets, they have some drawbacks. Considering the drawbacks based on where you live and your family is important to ensure you get the best pup for your home. Luckily, the drawbacks of a Beagle aren’t as prominent as those of some other breeds.
1. They Love to Bark
One of the biggest drawbacks of a Beagle is that they love to bark. Beagles love to make noise if they hear or see something outside the home. Their barks can be very loud, and if you live in an apartment or have young babies, you may need a quieter breed.
2. They Can Be Stubborn
Beagles can be a bit stubborn, too. Beagles may be a difficult starting point if you have never trained a dog before. The Beagles aren’t necessarily disobedient out of malice. Instead, they like to follow their noses and sniff around. As a result, they can get into mischief out of curiosity. Luckily, their stubbornness rarely leads to aggression or true misbehavior.
3. They’re Diggers
Because Beagles were originally bred for fox hunting, they are extraordinary diggers. They may try to dig up the creature if they think they smell a small animal in your yard. This can be annoying if you care about your yard or garden’s appearance.
Is a Beagle Right for You?
Even though Beagles make great pets, they are not necessarily the ideal dog for everyone. So, the question remains: Is a Beagle right for you?
A Beagle Is Right For You If…
If you are looking for a family dog that is low maintenance, fun to be around, and great around other animals and children, the Beagle may be perfect for you. You don’t have to worry about grooming them very often, and they are relatively easy to train.
A Beagle Is Not Right For You If…
Beagles aren’t the most ideal pet if you live in areas where noise complaints are common or are worried about your yard getting holes. Additionally, Beagles are not ideal if you are not up to the challenge of training a slightly stubborn breed.
Because of their stubbornness, they’re not the best pet if you have a newborn. Even though the dog will not be aggressive, you probably will not have the time or energy to train the Beagle properly. Instead, wait a couple of years until you aren’t up every night taking care of your baby to get a Beagle puppy.
Conclusion
Beagles aren’t just good pets but phenomenal ones. Their cute faces, matched with their gentle and lovable disposition, make them the perfect dogs for families and singles. Of course, their loud barks and stubborn streak can make them a bit more difficult for yard lovers or first-time dog owners, but they are generally a great dog for most homes, nonetheless!
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Featured Image Credit: Ross Stevenson, Shutterstock
