Do Beagles Make Good Pets? Pros, Cons & Advice

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 relatively low grooming needs. Though they love to bark and can be a bit stubborn at times, owners often claim that 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 often well-suited to a variety of households, including different home sizes, singles, and families. There are some 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 often get along well 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. However, as scent hounds, they may have a tendency to chase small animals, so interactions should be supervised and depend on the individual dog and training. Plus, they are often good with children. Beagles are not typically aggressive, but can become vocal or frustrated without adequate exercise and enrichment.

If you don’t have other animals, that’s fine too. Beagles love a 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 often get along fine with other dogs, though gradual introductions and supervision are still recommended.

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, and they can also adapt to apartment living if their exercise, mental stimulation, and vocal tendencies are well managed. In other words, these dogs are highly versatile and can adapt to many homes.

3. Easy to Maintain

The last primary benefit of a Beagle is that they are easy to maintain. They 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.

Beagles are generally considered a relatively healthy breed, but are still predisposed to certain conditions, such as ear infections and obesity.

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. Like all breeds, Beagles have specific traits that may or may not suit a particular household, and these should be carefully considered.

1. They Are Vocal

One of the biggest drawbacks of a Beagle is that they love to bark. Beagles are vocal dogs and may bark, bay, or howl if they hear or see something outside the home. Their vocalizations 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 independent, scent-driven behavior rarely leads to aggression or clinically significant behavior problems when appropriately managed and trained.

3. They are Diggers

Because Beagles were originally bred for scent hunting (including tracking small game such as rabbits), they may exhibit digging behavior, particularly if they detect scents or are under-stimulated. 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 generally low maintenance, fun to be around, and typically great around other animals and children, the Beagle may be perfect for you. You don't have to worry about grooming them very often, but they do require regular exercise, environmental enrichment, and consistent training. They are not always easy to train due to their scent-driven behavior.

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 scent-driven and independent breed.

Because of their training and exercise needs, they are not always the best fit for households with a newborn. Even though the dog will not be aggressive, all dog–child interactions should be actively supervised, and you probably will not have the time or energy to train the Beagle properly. Instead, wait a couple of years until you are not up every night taking care of your baby, to get a Beagle puppy.

Conclusion

Beagles aren’t just good pets but can be phenomenal ones. Their cute faces, matched with their gentle and lovable disposition, make them the perfect dogs for many families and singles. Of course, their loud vocalizations and independent, scent-driven tendencies 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!

See also:

• Male vs Female Beagles: What are the Differences?

• Common Types of Beagles (with Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Ross Stevenson, Shutterstock