About the Breed
There are many attributes which make the beagle a lovely family pet....for the right family. Beagles are a fun loving little hound that can make a great addition to a house hold. Although beagles can be more difficult to train than some other breeds, beagles can still participate in events such as Conformation, Obedience, Tracking, Flyball, Agility and Nose Work where their athleticism and problem-solving abilities come in handy.
Appearance
Beagles have a short, smooth coat that is easy to care for. They will shed year around but with proper diet and regular grooming the shedding can be greatly reduced and managed very easily. They have long soft ears and a gentle, pleading expression. A beagle ranges in weight from 15 to 30 pounds, and in height from about 12 to 16 inches at the withers. The official Standard requires that they be 15" or less at the withers to be shown in conformation events.
Coat Colour
Beagles can come in a variety of colours and patterns. The most traditional colour seen is the tri-colour, which has a predominant dark black 'saddle' over the back outlined in tan with accents and markings of white. Other common colours include tan and white which can also be called lemon and white, or red and white which is a slightly darker version of the tan and white. Blue tri's are gaining in popularity where a dilute gene gives the dark part of the coat a blue hue. Also commonly seen can be a diluted or faded tri where the traditional dark black saddle is greatly faded out. They typically all have white feet/legs and a white tip on their tail, although some beagles with unique markings may not. There are also some beagles that have considerably more white on them with large black and tan 'spots' which is referred to as an open mark pattern.
Do you know the reason for the white tipped tail?
With their heads down and tail up while running in a chase, the white tail tip makes them easy to follow in the field as it gives a visual of the pack's location.
Appearance
Beagles have a short, smooth coat that is easy to care for. They will shed year around but with proper diet and regular grooming the shedding can be greatly reduced and managed very easily. They have long soft ears and a gentle, pleading expression. A beagle ranges in weight from 15 to 30 pounds, and in height from about 12 to 16 inches at the withers. The official Standard requires that they be 15" or less at the withers to be shown in conformation events.
Coat Colour
Beagles can come in a variety of colours and patterns. The most traditional colour seen is the tri-colour, which has a predominant dark black 'saddle' over the back outlined in tan with accents and markings of white. Other common colours include tan and white which can also be called lemon and white, or red and white which is a slightly darker version of the tan and white. Blue tri's are gaining in popularity where a dilute gene gives the dark part of the coat a blue hue. Also commonly seen can be a diluted or faded tri where the traditional dark black saddle is greatly faded out. They typically all have white feet/legs and a white tip on their tail, although some beagles with unique markings may not. There are also some beagles that have considerably more white on them with large black and tan 'spots' which is referred to as an open mark pattern.
Do you know the reason for the white tipped tail?
With their heads down and tail up while running in a chase, the white tail tip makes them easy to follow in the field as it gives a visual of the pack's location.
Traditional or Dominant Tri-Colour 
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Personality
The beagle is a bright, inquisitive, active little hound whose highly developed sense of smell makes them a wanderer by nature. They are hardy and talkative, and quick to bark, bay or howl.
A beagle puppy is irresistible; but puppies grow up, and the beagle adolescence (six months to two years) is an exuberant one. The pretty little puppy gets bigger and stronger, requires more exercise, and will chew anything in sight. Some dig and climb, so a well-fenced yard is a necessity.
Contrary to popular belief, beagles do benefit from obedience training. A positive-reinforcement method works best, as most beagles will happily do anything for a tasty treat, but 'turn off' when harsh methods are used.
Health
The beagle is basically a very healthy breed, but you should select carefully to avoid genetically-influenced problems such as: epilepsy, disc disease, thyroid abnormalities, hip dysplasia and cherry eye. Ask the breeder what health screens have been done on the sire and dam. Hips can be tested (OFA) and thyroid function can be checked on prospective sires and dams, which is no guarantee on the health of the puppies, but it's a good start. Epilepsy, disc disease and cherry eye are more difficult to detect as there are no tests to screen for these tendencies. Ask if any of the puppy's ancestors suffered from these problems.
It is not unusual for beagles to live to the grand age of 14 or 15 when properly cared for. Remember that at this age, senior dogs require extra care and attention.
Health Care
As with any pet, health care is very important. As hearty eaters, one of the biggest challenges seen in beagles is obesity. Beagles can quickly put on weight if the amount of food is not carefully measured and monitored. Feed your beagle in meals once or twice a day. DO NOT leave food out free choice. You should be able to easily feel your beagle's ribs, and he should have a distinctive waist or tuck up behind the ribs. Work closely with a trusted veterinarian to develop a heath plan to keep your beagle at a good weight, active and healthy.
Grooming
Regular, weekly grooming is necessary to ensure good health. It is also an excellent opportunity to closely monitor your beagles well-being. Give them a rub-down with a hound glove or similar rubber brush to remove loose hairs. Nail trimming weekly helps keep the nails short with minimum fuss. Brush their teeth, as recommended by your veterinarian. In addition, it is very important to clean and check your beagle's ears often. Due to their heavy pendulous ears they may suffer more from problems and infections, than other dogs, as these type of ears get less air circulation. Never allow water or oils to enter their ears. Plugging them with cotton before bathing will help to prevent this. Use a safe ear cleaning solution when needed to clean the ears and be sure to address any problems at the first sign they are noticed.
Housing
Arrangements should include a comfortable private spot in the house, such as a properly-sized crate (at least at night), a fenced yard for exercise and escape-proof gates. Adequate shade, water, and protection from poisonous plants and insecticides are essential when your beagle is outside. Baby-proof your house before the puppy comes home, paying special attention to dangerous items such as electrical cords, plants, etc. The front door is perhaps the most dangerous part of your house - many beagles simply run out and into the street when someone comes to the door. Consider baby-gating to keep your beagle safely away from temptation.
Making a Commitment
The beagle is an ideal pet for a family with children 6 years and up, and for the family with one member home during the day. Everyone in the family must be willing to make the commitment to spend time, love and money on this fun-loving little hound.
Remember: Buy From a Breeder
Pet shops cannot be relied on to provide you with a healthy, genetically sound puppy. A reliable breeder can offer parents that were carefully selected to produce beagle puppies that will remain healthy in the years to come.
To learn more about the breed standard visit the links below:
National Beagle Club Inc. (NBC) - complete judging guide with illustrative drawings and detailed explanations
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) - the golden standard by which all beagles in Canada are judged by in the conformation ring
"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really." ~ Agnes Slight Turnball
