Are Beagles high maintenance?
Cocoa: High maintenance? Me? What on earth do you mean?
Over the years, Beagles have gained a rather unfair reputation for being needy and overly clingy, when in fact the opposite is true. Yes, this quirky breed does have some character traits that take some getting used to, but most Beagles are easy-going and a joy to live with. And when it comes to daily care and grooming, as long as you don't mind regular exercise, Beagles are about as low-maintenance as it gets!
In fact, it is their compliant and tolerant temperament that led Beagles to become the dog breed of choice for laboratory testing. It's heartbreaking to think that their easy-going nature can be exploited in this way, whatever your thoughts are on using animals for lab tests.
Let’s take a closer look into what makes Beagles so special, and discover if this lovable long-eared breed is the right one for you.
1) Are Beagles high maintenance?
To start with, we need to figure out what it means when we call a dog high maintenance. A high-maintenance dog requires a higher level of care. This could be physical care, like grooming or exercise, or emotional care, such as constant companionship. It could also indicate a dog that has a lot of health care needs, which can be very common in some pedigree breeds.
When considering taking on a new dog, it is essential to think about whether you can meet their physical and emotional needs. Different breeds and types of dogs vary widely in their individual needs, and Beagles have certain character traits that must be taken into consideration. Luckily, most of these traits can be considered to be a huge positive, as long as you know how to handle them correctly!
To understand how a Beagle's mind works, we need to look at their breeding and history. Beagles were first bred as hunting dogs and were highly sought after for their incredible sense of smell and phenomenal stamina. They were normally kept in packs and would be used to sniff out prey such as rabbits and hares.
So, what does this tell us? Well, firstly, the key instinct of a Beagle is to sniff absolutely anything and everything! This can make training a Beagle to walk on a leash challenging, as they will want to investigate every item of interest they come across. Your Beagle will also need plenty of exercise every day to burn off all that excess energy, and enough mental stimulation to keep their highly intelligent brain active.
And as Beagles were traditionally kept in packs, they thrive on the company of humans and other dogs. This is not a breed of dog that will enjoy being left alone for long periods, as they may start to mope and become lonely. Luckily Beagles make friends easily, and some will even happily snuggle up with the family cat!
If Cocoa were a human, she’d only drink pomegranate margaritas or champagne.
(No, of course I don’t allow my dog to drink Margaritas, this was just a cute and funny photo op.)
2) Are Beagles good for beginners?
Thanks to their easy-going and lovable nature, a Beagle could be the perfect breed for a first-time dog owner. Beagles are highly intelligent and eager to please, and their compliant and tolerant nature makes them easy to train and fun to work with. They thrive in the company of humans and other dogs and will fit in well with busy family life.
Beagles are also very even-tempered and are not generally prone to aggression. Thanks to their sense of fun they do have a reputation for being mischievous, but respond well to clear instructions and boundaries.
If you're a first-time dog owner who is thinking about getting a Beagle, there are a few aspects of this breed to consider first. Beagles have plenty of energy and like to run, play, and explore, so be prepared to adopt an active lifestyle to keep your dog entertained. Ideally, you should have a securely fenced outdoor area where your Beagle can run free without the risk of escaping.
And although Beagles are easy to train, you will need to regularly reinforce this training to keep your Beagle on the straight and narrow. This breed will quickly become bored and lonely if left alone for long periods, so make sure to provide plenty of interactive toys and chews to keep your Beagle out of trouble.
3) Do Beagles need a lot of care?
In terms of care, Beagles are considered to be fairly low-maintenance. Their robust physique and energetic nature means they are less prone to health problems than many other pedigree breeds, and their short, sleek coat requires minimal grooming to keep it in good condition.
a. Exercise
Exercise is one of the most time-consuming aspects of owning a Beagle. They need around 90 minutes of exercise per day, split into at least two walks. On top of this, your Beagle will need playtime in a secure area every day, to allow them to sniff, scratch, and explore freely.
I tend to walk my Beagle Cocoa for around 2 miles each day. This is enough to tire her out and burn some good calories on movement and sniffing. Depending on the weather and Cocoa’s mood, this can take anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour. If we’re out hiking or on an adventure, we go much further. The furthest I’ve ever been with Cocoa in a single day was 9 miles, but I know Beagles who regularly go much further than this. You just have to get to know your dog.
b. Grooming
Beagles have a short, dense coat that is not prone to matting or tangles. A quick groom with a soft brush once or twice a week will help to remove loose hair and stimulate the release of oils that help to keep the skin and coat healthy.
Remember to check your Beagle's ears regularly for signs of infection, as those long ear flaps can hide a multitude of problems! I often find that I need to gently brush the inside tips of Cocoa’s ears, especially if it’s been raining outside, to make sure dirt doesn’t get into her delicate ears. I use a baby’s hairbrush to do this, as the skin inside her ears is sensitive.
The only times Cocoa actually needs to go to the groomer is when the needs her nails trimming, or if she needs her anal glands expressed, so all in all, pretty low maintenance as far as grooming is concerned.
c. Feeding
Feed a complete, balanced dog food aimed for the appropriate life stage of your beagle - junior, adult, or senior. Weigh out the correct amount according to your dog's body weight, and split this into at least two meals per day. Beagles are renowned for their healthy appetites, so stick to low-calorie treats to reduce the risk of obesity.
When she was a puppy, Cocoa ate Royal Canin puppy food for medium-sized dogs.
As a young adult, she ate Royal Canin dry food for medium-sized adult dogs, mixed with Orijen Wet Dog food (which is amazing, and which Cocoa loved!) until she developed allergies…
Nowadays, she eats Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein (which requires veterinary approval to be ordered), mixed with occasional pieces of egg and chicken and is doing very well on it!
d. Training
To prevent your Beagle's mischievous nature from developing into bad habits, training should start from a young age. Beagles thrive on reward-based training techniques and are keen to learn, and your new dog will enjoy training sessions equally as much as a run in the park.
Remember to socialize your Beagle with other dogs and humans, and provide plenty of toys and chews if you need to leave your Beagle home alone.
A tired Beagle is a happy Beagle. The number one cause of all behavior problems we’ve ever had with Cocoa are on days when she hasn’t been given enough chance to exercise, play, or explore, so make this a priority for both you and your Beagle.
e. Health
Luckily Beagles are not prone to many health problems, but by keeping your Beagle fit and in good condition you'll reduce the risk of issues developing.
Obesity is a key risk factor in many diseases, including cancer, so check your Beagle's body weight regularly. Avoid letting your Beagle jump up and down high steps or furniture, as this can put additional strain on the spine and increase the risk of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
So are Beagles really low-maintenance dogs?
Well, I might be biased, but I think the evidence clearly suggests that Beagles are low-maintenance dogs! Being a Beagle owner can present some challenges, but the rewards offered by this beautiful and easygoing dog breed certainly make it worth the effort.
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