Breed Information

Advice for Prospective Owners

History

Appearance and Size

Characteristics and Behaviour

Adopting an Adult Beagle

Sarangrave Barney Blue

Aged 3 Months

The Beagle is experiencing an increase in popularity in recent times, no doubt in part because of their visibility at International Airports where they are trained to detect bio-security risks from fruits, plants and meat products. Their appealing looks and happy personality attract many who think they would like to own a Beagle. If you are one of those, please read and consider the following information carefully.

Ø Do you have a JUMP proof, DIG proof, CHEW proof, and CLIMB proof fence that completely encloses your backyard and is at least 1.5 metres high? Beagles are scent hounds and also very inquisitive, so will want to go wherever their nose leads, regardless of traffic or other dangers.

Ø Will your new Beagle have COMPANY (either another dog or a human companion) for most of the day? Beagles are pack animals and need to have the security of others.

Ø Are you prepared to EXERCISE your Beagle daily for up to an hour? Beagles have great stamina and need regular, sustained walks and may need to be ON A LEAD at all times.

Ø Are you prepared to commit some time every day TRAINING your Beagle? A well-behaved dog makes for a safe and enjoyable experience for you as well as your Beagle.

Ø Are you prepared to have your garden and lawn become an ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND for your Beagle? Beagles like to dig, sniff, bury their treasures, scratch up your plants (especially if fertilizers are present), and are very vigorous in exploring their environment.

If you answered NO to any of the above questions, then a Beagle may not be the best choice for your lifestyle.

The origins of the Beagle go back a long way in time, and they are believed to descend from the Talbot Hound originally brought to England during the Norman Conquest (1066). They were first mentioned by name in writings published in 1475 and the Beagle has been used as a hunting hound since the 14^th century. Chaucer referred to them as smale houndes in his Canterbury Tales.

Royalty too has favoured the Beagle, with Queen Elizabeth I owning a pack of Pocket Beagles and George IV, Prince William of Orange, and Prince Albert (Consort of Queen Victoria) also owning Beagles.

The Beagle is still used to hunt hare and rabbit, however they have been successfully domesticated and make a very popular and easy-care pet.

The Beagle is a sturdy and compactly built hound with a merry disposition and lively nature. Beagles come in several colour types, the most common being the black/tan/white combination of the tricolour, but Beagles also come in tan and white; and lemon and white. All are approved within the standard. The stern (tail) should always have a white tip and the eyes must be dark . Of medium size, the Beagle stands at either 41cm (15 inches) or 33cm (13 inches) measured from the top of the shoulder to the ground.

Descriptions of the Beagle include: even temperament, bold and merry hound, alert and intelligent, fun-loving. These characteristics make them ideal family pets as well as robust companions for more active lifestyles. They are very sociable with children, other dogs, and adults.

However, Beagles are scent hounds who have retained their hunting instincts and origins so they can be independent and stubborn when tracking and following scents. This may mean your Beagle will ignore your call to return and cannot be relied upon to be 100% obedient. Walking your beagle on a lead at all times may be the consequence of this highly developed scent drive.

Because Beagles were bred to be part of a hunting pack, your Beagle will crave company, either another dog or a human. If you are away all day and your dog will be confined for long periods on its own, then a Beagle is not a best choice breed for you. Many owners prefer to have two beagles (or a second dog). That way the Beagle’s natural fun-loving, sociable nature is able to be fulfilled and you will not have the problems of returning home to a barking, digging, chewing power-house which has all but demolished your backyard!

Beagles respond well to regular, consistent and patient training of short duration. Their intelligence and willingness to please you means you can teach your Beagle to have good manners and to fit in well with you and your family. The Club holds basic training sessions for owners of Beagles when there is sufficient demand. Your Veterinary Clinic might also hold Puppy Schools and your local Dog Obedience Club may be another option where you can learn good training techniques.

The Club holds copies of a useful training book titled Good Puppy by Erica Peach ($10.00 each). Contact the Club if you wish to purchase a copy.

Beagles have very healthy appetites and are not known as fussy eaters. Rather, their keen appetite and inquisitive nature coupled with an exquisite sense of smell, will lead a Beagle to any available food source, so maintaining your Beagle at a healthy weight will mean vigilance on your part and discouraging additional tit-bits from family/friends who cannot resist their appealing big eyes!

Your veterinary practitioner will caution you about inappropriate weight gains and regular visits to the weighing scales will monitor their waist-lines. An obese Beagle is not a healthy, nor a happy animal.

You will receive a feeding regime and type of food(s) suitable for a puppy when purchasing your Beagle from a breeder. Once grown, the Beagle’s diet should be well balanced and your Veterinary Clinic, pet shop or supermarket will carry a wide range of dried, tinned, processed food suitable for your pet.

Beagles were bred to hunt regularly over long periods of time and have developed a high level of stamina. A short rest after exercise and they are ready to go again! Their energy will mean a need for daily walks lasting up to an hour or more. Depending on where you live and the local body dog control regulations, this might mean walking your Beagle on a lead at all times. When in a safe environment Beagles love to run free and interact with other dogs.

As well as having daily exercise outside your property, your Beagle will also enjoy active games, exploring their environment, and sniffing out anything that is new and exciting within your property. Having a well-fenced property ensures your Beagle is safe from traffic hazards and from straying. You will need a JUMP-proof, DIG-proof, CHEW-proof and CLIMB-proof fence that completely encloses you backyard and is at least 1.5m high.

Ensure you have a sheltered area for your dog to rest up in hot or cold weather, a kennel and/or access to shelter indoors is important. Keep fresh water available at all times.

A Beagle’s average lifespan is 10-15 years. They are robust, sturdy hounds and suffer few genetic, health-related problems when bred well by responsible Breeders.

If buying from a Breeder, ask about the health history of the parents (sire and dam) and of the puppies from previous litters. If buying an adult Beagle enquire about its health history, reasons for, and frequency of, visits to a Veterinary Clinic. You can also seek advice from other Beagle Breeders and the Club if you need further information.

You will need to maintain a regular vaccination and anti-worm regime, and if placing your Beagle into Boarding Kennels you must be able to provide a record of these vaccinations.

If you have no intention of breeding from your Beagle it is advisable to have it de-sexed and your Veterinary will advise the best age to do this. Unwanted litters of puppies do little to help the integrity of the breed and are to be discouraged.

Beagles are easy-care dogs with a short, dense and waterproof coat, that is easily maintained by regular brushing and an occasional bath. They do not have a strong doggy smell but do shed hair.

After a walk in wet weather or a dip in the river/pond, your Beagle will only need a rub down with a towel. Check feet and paws for any abrasions/cuts and keep their nails trimmed.

Their long, floppy, ears can inhibit air flow so checking the outer ear and keeping it clean will avoid any problems. Never probe or poke cotton buds into the ear canal.

Beagles are very adaptable and are happy living outside in a kennel with a secure run/exercise area, or equally content living inside as a house pet. However, like any dog, Beagles need quality time, including time in training, playing, and good daily exercise. Giving a child a Beagle as a birthday present just will not work, it is an adult responsibility to raise, train, feed, exercise and manage any dog.

The Club holds a list of reputable breeders within New Zealand and also advertises a number of them on our Beagle Breeders page. The New Zealand Kennel Club will also have information on Beagle breeders, see www.nzkc.org.nz.

If buying a puppy it is important to only use reputable breeders. This will give you confidence that the Beagle you choose has clearly recorded breed lines and that any potential health-related genes have been selectively bred out. Breeders who are committed to developing and improving the Beagle breed will have their Beagle litters registered with the New Zealand Kennel Club, and if you are considering exhibiting your Beagle in the Show arena, your Beagle will need to be registered.

Your breeder will probably want to ask you many questions before selling you one of their Beagles and this might include enquiring about your home, lifestyle, and commitment to owning a Beagle, to ensure you will make a suitable and responsible owner.

Puppies are hard work and can terrorise your furnishings and garden so do also consider adopting an older Beagle that is being rehomed. The Club is often informed of Beagles needing new homes so please contact the Club if you wish to have your name added to the list of prospective owners. Some are occassionally advertised on the Club Homes Wanted page. The SPCA, and local newspapers are another good source of Beagles requiring new families. Please contact the Club for direct advice on any Beagle you are considering adopting and always request a two-week trial period.