The Beagle is a friendly, good-looking dog that’s one of the smallest members of the hound group. They are athletic, compact dogs that love to run, chase and explore.

At 33-40 cm tall and weighing between 8 and 14 kg, Beagles are small to medium-sized dogs. They have a short, dense coat that is weather-resistant. Most Beagles are tricolour: black, tan and white, while they also come in other common hound colours.

Beagles are social and good-natured, getting along well with people, children and other dogs, but if you have a cat, you best introduce your puppy to it at a very young age in order for them to get along.

Their hunting instinct means Beagles loves to wander, play games and run around outdoors. This is not a dog that should be kept in a city apartment. They need a lot of exercise and shouldn’t be allowed outside unsupervised except in a properly fenced yard from which they can’t escape (which they are sure to try).

Beagles need to be firmly trained from an early age to obey commands, learn to come when called, and not to make a mess, which they love to do.

With a tendency to become overweight, you should watch out your Beagle doesn’t overeat and gets enough exercise. A quick daily brush is all the grooming this dog needs, although you may need to bathe it often due to its love of rolling in the dirt.

The Beagle doesn’t suffer from any specific ailments and you can expect it to live between 12 and 15 years.