Of the 195 breeds registered in the American Kennel Club, the Beagle is ranked as being the sixth most popular breed. The AKC notes that Beagles make loyal and loving hunting dogs, but the AKC isn’t the only dog association in love with the Beagle. Nearly all dog associations sing high praises for this small pooch.
In fact, Beagles make great pets. Whether you live alone or have young children in the house, 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 one of 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. Beagles were originally bred to live and work in packs, making them very great around other dogs and people. Whether you have other pets or children in your household, the Beagle will likely fit in fine, filled with excitement and love for all.
In fact, Beagles are known to be very kind to other animals. In comparison to other dogs, they tend to get along much better with cats and other small animals, not just dogs. Plus, they are perfect with children. These dogs are not aggressive or easily annoyed, making them the perfect addition for families.
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 it will likely get along fine with other dogs, even if it has little exposure.
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 a variety of homes and living situations. For example, they will fit in great on a farm, but they are perfect for apartment living too. In other words, these dogs are highly versatile and can adapt to just about any home.
3. Easy to Maintain
The last major benefit of a Beagle is that they are super easy to maintain. Beagles are much healthier than other dogs, and they don’t require as much grooming. About the only type of grooming you need to do is cleaning their ears, trimming their nails, and bathing if needed.
Of course, you will also need to take your dog to the vet if it gets sick or for its 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 really great pets, they do have some drawbacks. It’s important to consider the drawbacks based on where you live and your family to ensure you get the best breed for your home. Luckily, the drawbacks of a Beagle aren’t as risky or dangerous as the drawbacks 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. If you live in an apartment or have young babies, you will want a quieter breed who will not disrupt your neighbors or home.
2. They Can Be Stubborn
Beagles can be a bit stubborn too. If you have never trained a dog before, Beagles may be a difficult starting point. 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 some mischief out of curiosity. Luckily, their stubbornness rarely leads to any form of aggression or true misbehavior.
3. They’re Diggers
Because Beagles were originally bred for fox hunting, they are extraordinary diggers. If they think they smell a small animal in your yard, they may try to dig up the creature. This can be super annoying if you care about how your yard or garden looks.
Is a Beagle Right for You?
Even though Beagles make great pets, they are not necessarily the most 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. With this breed, you won’t have as much to do, yet you will have a loyal and fun dog that requires little work and maintenance.
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 if you 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 the stubbornness of this dog, we will especially not recommend it if you have a newborn in your household. Even though the dog will not be aggressive, you probably will not have the time or energy to properly train the Beagle. 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 dog for families and singles alike. 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!
See also:
Featured Image Credit: Ross Stevenson, Shutterstock