Don’t get me wrong, I adore Beagles. Seriously, I’m head-over-heels for them – quirks and all. It’s crucial you understand this upfront because I’m about to delve into everything about them that ranges from mildly irritating to downright maddening. I won’t sugarcoat anything, and it might sound like I actually dislike them, but the truth is, the good vastly outweighs the bad. However, if every review only highlighted the positives, there would be way more dog rehoming situations!
So, let’s dive into the bad, the truly awful, and the downright worst aspects of owning a Beagle. While each Beagle is an individual, and exceptions exist, these points are generally what you can expect. If you’ve had a Beagle who wasn’t food-obsessed or could be trusted off-leash, you likely had an exceptional, not ‘typical,’ representative of the breed.
Let’s get real!
They Operate on a Reward System (Always)
Forget the eager-to-please Golden Retriever who lives for praise and a pat on the head. Beagles are independent thinkers, and unless an action benefits them directly, you’re more likely to get a dismissive paw than cooperation. Training a Beagle requires understanding their motivations. They are not motivated by pleasing you; they are motivated by what they get out of the deal.
My Beagles possess an uncanny ability to detect even the smallest crumb of kibble in my pocket. The instant the treats are gone, it’s as if they become selectively deaf and lose all interest in “working” for free. Building a strong relationship is absolutely essential with this breed. If you want a Beagle to be a willing participant in training or even just daily life, extensive groundwork is necessary, focusing on positive reinforcement and making it worthwhile for them.
Prepare for the Unpleasant Habit of Coprophagia
Yes, let’s address the elephant in the room – or rather, the poop in the yard. Many Beagles, if given the opportunity, will indulge in coprophagia – eating their own feces. It’s disgusting, unhygienic, and frankly, infuriating to witness. I’ve explored numerous supposed solutions, from dietary changes to supplements, and the only consistently effective method is diligent daily yard clean-up. Face kisses are definitely off the table in our household. This behavior, while common in puppies, can persist into adulthood in Beagles, requiring constant vigilance.
Their Nose Leads Them to the Nastiest Smells
Did something decompose in your backyard? Bet on it that your Beagle will find it and roll in it with unbridled joy. They seem to have an affinity for the most repulsive odors imaginable. Deer droppings? Prime rolling material. Dead earthworm? Consider it a Beagle spa treatment. This instinct, deeply rooted in their hunting heritage, means you’ll frequently be dealing with a dog that smells… less than fresh. Baths become a regular necessity, whether you like it or not.
Kleptomania is Practically in Their DNA
My Beagles are well aware that counter-surfing when I’m present is a forbidden activity. They wouldn’t dare touch food left out if they know I’m watching. However, if I briefly leave the room with my lunch on the coffee table, it will vanish before I can even count to three. You might argue this is a training failure, but even Beagles with extensive training are prone to opportunistic thievery. For them, the potential reward outweighs the risk of getting caught. They might feign guilt afterwards, but deep down, they’re usually quite pleased with their successful heist, perhaps even a little proud.
In preparation for writing this, I made a mental note of Fox’s counter-top conquests just this past week:
- A package of gourmet cupcakes
- A fresh package of coffee filters
- A whole pound of butter
- My favorite pair of mittens
- A bag of colorful bell peppers
- A stick of celery (singular)
- Three apples (achieved in three separate stealth missions)
- A wooden cooking spoon
- My cherished beanie hat, complete with a ripped-off pompom
Barking is Their Preferred Method of Communication (and Entertainment)
The propensity to bark varies depending on whether you have a field line or show line Beagle. Hunting lines, or field line Beagles, are significantly more vocal than their show line counterparts – perhaps by a factor of 100. Regardless of lineage, if barking isn’t addressed early and consistently, Beagles will happily exercise their vocal cords at every opportunity. I enforce a strict “no barking indoors” rule, but even then, playtime can get loud.
A bored Beagle confined to an apartment without proper bark training is practically a noise complaint waiting to happen, and potentially an eviction notice. It’s crucial not to indulge in the “cute puppy bark” phase and then try to correct the behavior when they are older. Early training and consistent boundaries are crucial to managing their barking tendencies.
Part Beagle, Part Mountain Goat, All Trouble
The backs of my sofas have essentially become Beagle racetracks. Despite my efforts to discourage it, they are obsessed with climbing onto furniture and anything else they can scale. There’s a reason Snoopy is perpetually perched atop his doghouse – it’s a quintessential Beagle trait. This love for heights can lead to damaged furniture, precarious situations, and constant monitoring to prevent them from turning your home into their personal climbing gym.
Destruction is a Hobby, Maybe Even a Passion
From shredding paper and cardboard boxes to dismantling plush dog beds, Beagles have a knack for being extra destructive with seemingly mundane items, often for sheer amusement. Crate training, providing ample enrichment activities, and ensuring adequate exercise can help mitigate this destructive tendency. However, trusting my Beagle crew with anything remotely shreddable would be incredibly naive. They genuinely seem to enjoy destruction! On the bright side, if you need a living, breathing paper shredder, a Beagle is certainly up for the task.
Escape Artists with Houdini-Level Skills
I could confidently contain my Newfoundland within a room using just a strand of fishing line across the doorway as a psychological barrier. Beagles, on the other hand, require Fort Knox-level security. My gates need to be at least four feet tall and unscalable. They are master escape artists. My female Beagle, Clover, can devise an escape route from a seemingly secure yard in mere minutes. Barricading her in a room is just a puzzle to be solved; if there’s even a slight chance of escape, she will problem-solve relentlessly until she succeeds. It’s a game to them, and owners should never underestimate the problem-solving capabilities of a determined hound. They are remarkably intelligent when motivated by freedom or food.
Fenced yards must be escape-proofed like a maximum-security prison, and if they can see under the fence, they will dig with the tenacity of a badger until they are free. They are truly awful little escape artists!
Yes, They Shed (Prepare for Fur Everywhere)
If you’re dreaming of a dog that doesn’t shed, immediately cross Beagle off your list. While not as prolific shedders as Labradors or German Shepherds, they still contribute significantly to the dust bunny population in my home, necessitating daily sweeping. They “blow” their coats twice a year, and during these shedding seasons, you will be wearing Beagle fur as a constant accessory unless you diligently maintain a de-shedding grooming routine. Regular brushing is a must to manage the shedding, but be prepared – Beagle ownership means accepting a certain level of dog hair in your life.
And finally, the most critical point…
Off-Leash Freedom is a Myth (Embrace the Leash)
This breed has been selectively bred for centuries to hunt using their incredible sense of smell. Historically, the most valued Beagles were those who could pick up the scent of rabbits or foxes and work independently or in packs, often far from the hunter, to track game. Beagles are essentially a nose with four legs, and it is utterly unrealistic to expect them to reliably stay by your side off-leash during hikes, camping trips, or even at your lakeside cottage. Allowing a Beagle off-leash in an uncontrolled environment is irresponsible and puts them in significant danger.
And for those considering a Beagle as a hunting companion… Remember, Beagles are scent hounds, not sporting breeds. When hunting with a Beagle, you follow them. Many mistakenly believe Beagles would be excellent bird dogs, but that is not what they were bred for. A retriever would be a far more suitable choice for bird hunting.
Have I personally witnessed Beagles who could be trusted off-leash? Yes, occasionally. I’ve also seen terriers live peacefully with rodents, but that doesn’t mean I would recommend a Jack Russell to a family with children who have a beloved pet hamster.
I adore my hounds. They bring immense joy to my life, but I won’t pretend they are without their challenges. They absolutely are challenging, but that’s part of what drew me to the breed in the first place.
If I were to rate them based solely on ease of living and minimal challenges, they would probably get a 2 out of 5 stars.
However, for a home that is prepared for the unique antics and demands of a Beagle, willing to invest the necessary training and management, and ready to live with a dog that will make you laugh daily and teach you to see life with a joyful, optimistic perspective?
Then, for me, Beagles are a solid 5 out of 5 stars! Thanks for reading.
