Beagles and Their Nature ~ Information About This Social Dog

We recently added a new member to our family, our sweet yet spunky beagle one year old named Sonny. My husband and I waited until we felt the time was right to adopt a dog. Which has taken us ten years! My recent opportunity to work from home, which was one of the main reasons, has now made dog ownership a reality for us. We had talked about what kind of dog to get and the breed was not as important to us as was the size and temperament. We wanted a dog that could be primarily an indoor pet. The dog needed to be people and child friendly, as well as tolerable to our cat. In one short month, Sonny has proven to be a funny and loving addition to our family.

If you have been thinking about getting a dog and are looking for information about beagles inparticular, below are some of the characteristics and temperament the beagle dog is noted for.

Where did the Beagle come from?
With ancestry dating back to 200 AD., the beagle was originated to hunt/trail small game (the hare and rabbit) by scent. The early development of the breed took place primarily in Great Britain. Imported from England to the U.S. early in the history of this country.

How big will my Beagle get?
Beagles are a small to medium sized dog, typically ranging from 10" to 16" in height at the shoulder when mature. The typically weigh around 20 to 30 pounds.

Do Beagles require a lot of grooming?
Beagles have a smooth lying, hard, medium length coat with a finer undercoat. A good brushing once or twice a week is usually sufficient to keep your beagle's coat clean and healthy. A bath in warm water will hasten the shedding process, and keep your dog clean too. Otherwise, bathing is rarely necessary. The beagle's pendulous ears are especially prone to developing infection or ear mites, and will require weekly checks and careful cleaning. Toenails also require regular attention, with frequency of trimming dependent on how well your beagle wears them down during his normal, daily activities.