Beagle: temperament, training and care

At a glance

Temperament

• Merry and sociable
• Follows the nose above all
• Vocal: bays and howls

Training tips

Practice recall only on a long line: the nose will beat a call for years.

Beagles can be independent thinkers. Find what your dog will really work for, keep sessions short and fun, and expect to repeat things more often than with an eager-to-please breed.

Start with a marker word, sit, come and leave it. For a puppy, see the puppy training guides.

Common challenges

• Recall. The nose wins. Use a long line for years if needed. See dog not coming when called.
• Barking and baying. Teach quiet and give plenty of sniffing.
• Food stealing. Keep counters clear.
• Pulling toward scents.

Lifestyle

Beagles usually love company, including other dogs, and long sniffy walks. Scent games like find it are a perfect outlet.

Exercise and energy

A healthy adult Beagle typically needs around 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day. Walks alone rarely cover it: add sniffing games, training and play so their brain gets tired too. Puppies need much shorter sessions while they grow.

See how much exercise a dog needs and our games and enrichment ideas.

Health to watch

Things the breed is known to be prone to. Ask your vet what to check for your dog.

• Ears. Floppy ears trap moisture: check and clean them weekly, and dry them after swims.
• Weight. Gains weight easily: measure meals and count the treats.
• Back. A long back is easy to hurt: use a ramp for sofas and cars, and carry them on stairs. See: Broken Bone or Sprain.