Beagle

• Bathing: Beagles usually need a bath only after they have a good romp in the mud or do anything else messy.  
• Brushing: Beagles have short-to-medium hair that sheds seasonally in the spring and winter. They benefit from twice-weekly brushings during this time, though brushing may need to be daily if your Beagle is a very heavy shedder.  
• Dental care: Dental disease is an issue with this breed, so brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week (and ideally every day) to stop plaque and tartar buildup. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year. Consider a dental chew or powder supplement to prevent dental issues (especially useful after cleanings).  
• Ear care: Clean your dog’s ears once a month. Add a few drops of an ear cleaning solution, massage with a tissue or cotton ball (no cotton swabs!), and then let your dog shake their head to dislodge any debris.  
• Nail care: Beagles need their nails trimmed every month or so. If nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear your dog’s nails tapping on hard surfaces. 

Beagle puppies have earned a reputation for being difficult to train, but it’s not their fault if they’re distracted by every smell within a 5-mile radius; some might even say it’s a superpower!  

These gentle hounds respond very well to positive reinforcement training and are treat-motivated. However, even the best-trained Beagle may not be able to overcome their instinct to follow their nose, so training them to come when called is essential. Loose-leash walking is another skill that may take some time to master since they might try to follow everything they smell, no matter the direction (a typical Beagle trait).  

Teaching your dog when it’s time to sniff and when it’s time to walk can be very helpful. For example, training them to “leave it” and “let’s go” when it’s time to walk, and “OK” or “go sniff” when they’re allowed to sniff around, are useful cues.  

Beagles can be talkative. And hard as it may be, it’s important to not reinforce their barking or howling tendencies. So, if they’re trying to get your attention with baying, don’t engage until they quiet down. When they do, it’s time to shower them with treats and praise. 

Every dog, Beagles included, needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO nutritional standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). You can also find dog food made specifically for Beagles.  

Beagles come in two sizes, so their ideal weight varies from under 20 pounds for dogs up to 13 inches tall and 20–30 pounds for dogs 13–15 inches tall. This breed has a reputation for loving food (can’t blame them), but they need enough activity to work it off, just like the rest of us.  

Because they’re already on the short and stocky side, it’s important to watch their weight to make sure they don’t become obese. If you look at your pup from above and see a cute (albeit troubling) potato shape, talk to your vet about starting a doggy diet and exercise plan. 

Your vet might say to slowly increase their exercise by talking a slightly longer walk each day, possibly building up to an hour daily with either one long walk or two shorter jaunts.   

Remember that dog treats count as calories, too. Be mindful of how many goodies you’re giving your Beagle, or consider switching to something healthier, like raw green beans. You can even use a probiotic chew as a treat (under your vet’s guidance!), which is both low-calorie and good for gut health.  

As for regular treats, they should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake, no matter how irresistible your Beagle’s puppy dog eyes seem.  

Beagles are high-energy pups and need regular exercise—about an hour or so every day—to keep them entertained and out of mischief. Because they lead with their nose, scent work (where you train a dog to find a certain smell) is a fun option for these dogs.  

You can sign up for scent work classes, but it’s easy to do at home as well. To start, grab three boxes, put a treat under one of them, and let your Beagle sniff it out. Always use the same box as the “treat box” and gradually make it more difficult by adding boxes, stacking them, and hiding them around the house. This is just one of many games you can play with your dog.  

Agility trials are another great way to burn off that Beagle energy, and you can set up an agility course in your backyard if you have the space. Just don’t let your Beagle off-leash in spaces without fencing; their instinct to follow a scent is so strong that they can easily run off.  

If it’s a literal rainy (or snowy) day with limited outdoor time, play indoors. Try hide-and-seek, a puzzle toy, or training drills.  

Beagles need somewhere to exercise, and a fenced yard is ideal—but it’s not a dealbreaker if you don’t have one. The only reason they might not live their best life in an apartment is because they tend to bark and howl; however, with the right training (and understanding neighbors), it’s possible. 

They make great family dogs with pet parents who are deeply involved in their life. Beagles love being entertained, and they’ll need a packed schedule of hikes and fun adventures, or even just at-home scent work or agility trials.  

Without lots of social interaction, exercise, and mental stimulation, Beagles won’t be happy (and neither will your neighbors when they hear your pup complaining).