A dog with Roman roots
The origins of the Beagle go back deep into history and take us to the ancient hunting dogs used by the Romans. However, the real origin of the modern Beagle lies in 19th century England. Here, English breeders began to develop a compact, robust breed of dog that was characterized by an exceptional scent and endurance - the Beagle.
The crossbreeding of various hunting dogs, including the Harrier, the Harbinger Hound and other smaller hounds, led to the creation of the Beagle. The breeders' goal was to create a dog that was both agile and able to move through dense undergrowth while maintaining excellent tracking ability. The Beagle was bred specifically to hunt rabbits, hares and other small animals.
During the breeding process, special attention was paid to size, temperament and working ability. The Beagle was not only intended to be an efficient hunter, but also a pleasant companion dog for the whole family. This careful selection and targeted breeding resulted in a dog that excelled not only in hunting, but also as a loyal housemate. Nevertheless, you should not underestimate this genetically anchored fact if you are considering a Beagle and therefore undertake consistent training with it in order to be able to manage its hunting instinct.
Today, the Beagle has taken a firm place in dog breeding. The breed is valued not only for its hunting skills, but also for its friendly nature and charming appearance. Breeding continues to focus on preserving the best characteristics of the Beagle while promoting genetic diversity and health. Today, the Beagle is not only a valued companion in many families, but also a versatile partner in various areas, from tracking to dog sports.
Training and handling your Beagle
The Beagle is an intelligent but also independent dog that needs consistent and loving training. Training a Beagle should start early and aim to direct its natural instincts and channel its energy in positive directions. Even if your puppy still looks cute, you can assume that it is up to no good and has one thing in particular: stealing food. And sometimes it really goes crazy for that. Attending a dog school is highly recommended for Beagles, especially when it comes to their hunting instinct, because genetics cannot be denied, even with Beagles.
Beagles are sociable dogs and benefit from early socialization with different people, other animals and different environments. This helps to minimize problematic behavior later in life. Since Beagles have an independent character, it is important to encourage obedience. Clear instructions, regular training and positive reinforcement in the form of praise and rewards are crucial.
Due to their strong hunting instinct, beagles can tend to pull on the leash when they smell interesting smells. Consistent leash training is important to ensure pleasant walks and to prevent them from disappearing into the thicket. The beagle benefits from a well-fitting harness with a retractable leash, as running free can often be problematic and requires really consistent training; a GPS tracker is also highly recommended for this high-performance nose.
Beagles love to sniff, and encouraging their natural skills through nose work, such as sniffing games or tracking, is not only entertaining, but also good mental stimulation. This way you can not only teach your beagle cool tricks, but also keep him mentally challenged. However, you should keep one thing in mind:
Due to their keen sense of smell, Beagles can be easily distracted, especially when they are outside. Consistent training is required to keep their attention. In addition, Beagles can sometimes be very stubborn, especially when they come across an interesting scent trail. Patience and positive reinforcement are crucial to keeping their attention and gaining their cooperation. This is where loving persistence pays off. In any case, you need time to train your furry friend.
Beagles are energetic dogs, and if they are not kept busy enough, they can tend to develop undesirable behavior. Regular physical activity and mental challenges are important to channel their energy. Whether hiking, canicross or trailing, Beagles are almost inexhaustible. But remember that their activity level increases the more you do with them, and they may rightly demand this level. If you are interested in the topic, you could join a volunteer rescue dog team with your furry friend - because here your four-legged friend will be supported and challenged according to his needs. You can usually find these teams on the Internet and meet friendly organizations that are always happy to welcome new members.
Beagles have a distinctive voice and can tend to bark a lot. Targeted anti-barking training can help to control excessive barking. This is one of the ways in which they challenge you and vent their displeasure. You should consider getting a beagle if you can ensure that you and your family are active and that regular training at dog school is guaranteed. Apart from that, the beagle is extremely greedy and is quite capable of climbing over tables and benches to get a biscuit. Therefore, you should keep this topic in mind and either work on it or with it, because the so-called "food driving" is often part of dog training and can promote it in a positive way.
The health of the beagle
In general, the beagle is a robust dog breed, but as with many breeds, beagles can also be subject to certain genetic defects and health problems that you should keep an eye on. Especially when they are puppies, you should practice what is known as "medical training" with your darling. This means playfully "examining" the ears, mouth, paws, etc. This will make things a little easier for you later on if an emergency really does occur.
Due to their drooping ears, beagles are prone to ear infections. It is important to check the ears regularly, keep them clean and watch for signs of infection. Our liverwort rinse is a good option for this; you simply put a drop of it in the ears, rub them in and then your dog simply shakes them out. It is better not to use cotton swabs in a dog's ear because the risk of injury is too high.
Apart from that, as mentioned, beagles tend to eat. As a result, they can become overweight, usually more often when they are neutered, and thus develop joint problems, but also diabetes. Therefore, you should ensure a sensible exercise program and a balanced diet.
Beagles can suffer from various eye problems, including cataracts and glaucoma. Regular veterinary eye examinations can help to detect and treat such problems early on, but you can usually tell that something is wrong yourself if you watch your furry friend carefully.
Epilepsy can occur in beagles and lead to recurring seizures. If your fluffy head is prone to this, you should definitely seek veterinary help and also check the food. We are happy to advise you on this, as we have found that you can get these attacks under control quite well with a balanced BARF menu.
Like their larger relatives, beagles are also prone to the dreaded HD - hip dysplasia, which is genetic and manifests itself in the hip joints not being properly aligned, which can lead to pain and restricted movement. We therefore recommend that you feed our ArthroGreen Junior from a young age, which has a high proportion of green-lipped mussel, which has a positive effect on your pet's skeletal structure.
Some beagles can suffer from genetic muscle diseases that can lead to muscle weakness and atrophy, and also suffer from allergies, whether to food or environmental factors. Rashes, itching and other allergic reactions can occur, which you can usually get under control with BARF and an exclusion principle. If you are thinking about buying a beagle, you should definitely take a look at the parents and possibly consider a veterinary examination before buying.
Even if this "medical record" reads very extensively, it is important to mention that all of these illnesses could occur, but do not necessarily have to. With a sensible exercise program, a balanced diet and caring handling, you can identify potential problems early on and take countermeasures. You should also have him checked regularly by a veterinarian or animal health practitioner.
Content: 0.1 Liter (€159.50* / 1 Liter)
Content: 0.6 Kilogramm (€18.25* / 1 Kilogramm)
Overall, the Beagle is a fascinating breed of dog that not only impresses with its charming appearance, but also with its versatility and lovable personality. With its strong hunting instinct, cheerful nature and impressive scent, the Beagle conquers the hearts of people all over the world. But despite its positive qualities, it is important to stress that the acquisition of a Beagle should be well thought out. The needs of this breed, be it in terms of training, health care or exercise, require dedicated dog owners who are willing to invest time and attention in a wagging companion for life.