Perhaps the world’s most famous beagle is one of the world’s most famous dogs: Snoopy.1 Inspired by cartoonist Charles Schulz’s childhood pet Spike, the iconic Peanuts pup is actually an accurate representative of the breed, from his intelligence and verbosity to his devotion to Charlie Brown.
Curious to learn more about this storied breed? Read on for our comprehensive beagle guide, including their origins in Ancient Greece, their unique personality pillars, and how to best care for beagle beauty.
From Greek Gods to Shakespeare to Snoopy: A History of the Beagle
The beagle stands out as a classic breed, holding its spot on the popularity charts for decades running, and even acting as the mascot for the AKC (Bailey the Beagle).2
Although these pups have become timeless icons, their rise to fame was far from an overnight success. In fact, the ancestors of beagles date back at least to Ancient Greece.
A Gift from the Gods
Xenophon, a fifth-century B.C. historian, documented Greek hare-hunting hounds, who were then lauded as a gift of the gods. And over in Ancient England, sometime between Stonehenge and the Romans’ conquest, “foothounds” were noted as locally indigenous.
Over the course of the following centuries, the beagle as we know it today emerged from the bloodlines of a few key ancestors. This included the Talbot Hound, which William the Conqueror brought to England, as well as the Bloodhound and the now-extinct Irish Kerry Beagle.
Elizabethan Before the Elizabethan Collar
By 1475, the modern-day beagle had earned its name, which would appear in the writings of Chaucer and Shakespeare. In response, any British gentleman who was anyone suddenly owned a pack of the dogs for hunting.
Variations in size emerged (corresponding with the game each dog could hunt, from rabbits to deer), and the smallest (the palm-sized “pocket beagle”) became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I.
American Pop Stardom
The beagle made its way to America sometime before the Civil War, and by 1885 it was a registered American breed. The dogs quickly rose to pop culture fame, becoming a muse of Norman Rockwell and, of course, Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz.
The beagle’s ears, in particular, made history when President Lyndon B. Johnson lifted his twin pets by their ears, a joke in poor taste that caused the pups to yelp during a task force meeting. Public outrage ensued, resulting in the incident earning the title “the great earlift,” and a 20-foot beagle float gracing the Pasadena Rose Parade in response.
In 1953, three years after Snoopy’s arrival on the scene, the beagle finally surpassed its fiercest competitor, the cocker spaniel, to earn a place on the AKC popularity charts. It’s remained there ever since, and as a thank you, Snoopy has become the only fictional dog to ever be officially registered by the AKC (his number is Beagle-1).
Beagle Beauty: Physical Features
Beagles come in two sizes: those 13 inches tall and under (who weigh 19 pounds or less) and those 13 to 15 inches tall (who weigh 20 to 30 pounds).3 Of course, there the average beagle weight will still vary.
Their short, smooth coats are relatively low-maintenance, requiring beagle grooming attention every few weeks or monthly. That said their shedding levels do sit slightly above average.
While the quintessential beagle puppy is tricolor (black, red, and white), they actually come in 25 distinct colors, with 11 of those recognized as breed standard. Possible colors include:
- Black
- Red
- White
- Lemon
- Blue
- Brown
- Tan
- Fawn
- Redtick (white with red speckles)
- Bluetick (white with blue speckles)
Your beagle might sport only one color or a combination of two or three. For instance, some breed standard combos include lemon and white, red and white, or black, tan, and bluetick.
While that “ticked” speckling is the only breed standard marking for beagles, your beagle might also wear spots or other markings in black, white, brown, or tan.
Beagles are famous for their long, floppy ears, which should nearly reach the end of their noses when held taut.4 Their heads are typically on the long side as well, with medium-length straight muzzles and muscular backs and shoulders.
Generally, they’re described in their breed standard as “miniature Foxhounds, solid and big for [their inches],” with a tough look indicating the scent hounds’ endurance on a hunt (or, more likely, a long walk).
Hallmarks of a Beagle Personality
Beagles are balls of energy, yet eager to please—a formula that means they’re happiest with a job or activity to do. If you’re on the hunt for a beagle hobby, look into obedience trials or dog sports like rally, Fast CAT, Trick Dog, or Farm Dog.5
These dogs also tend to have a lot to say, but their barking is relatively easy to control with dog training.
Playful, open, and adaptable, their dog behavior dictates that they’re quite the extroverts when it comes to strangers (which means they’re often not the most effective watchdogs). However, this makes them ideal companions for young children and other dogs (sometimes even little yellow birds). Beagles are highly affectionate creatures, making them the perfect addition to any American family (at least Rockwell seemed to think so).
A “Nose on Paws”
With up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to our six million and an olfactory section of the brain about 40 times larger than ours, it’s no secret that any dog can out-smell any human.6
But beagles, in particular, are in possession of some seriously powerful sniffers.
The breed’s keen noses have been used to detect lung cancer with 97% accuracy,7 and they are also often chosen to track down prohibited items with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection,8 as part of the Beagle Brigade.9
One beagle named Roscoe has even achieved New York City celebrity status for his work sniffing out bed bugs.
If your beagle has yet to find his “job” or activity or choice, try scent work. In this AKC-sanctioned sport inspired by the training process for professional detection dogs, trained pups hunt for cotton balls soaked in certain essential oils. Not only is scent work confidence-boosting for your dog (and a bonding experience for both of you), it also works as baseline training for other scent-driven sports like tracking or Barn Hunt.
Beagle Care: Your Pup’s Daily Routine
Beagles are loving, easy-going, and relatively easy to care for. With a bit of regular physical and mental exercise, these pups are a breeze to keep happy. However, it’s still crucial to keep up with a baseline dog health care routine, including10:
- A healthy diet and proper dog nutrition including real meat, starch, veggies, and healthy fats (no fillers or byproducts)11
- Daily walks and play sessions, about an hour and a half per day encourages positive beagle health12
- Close supervision to keep your beagle away from enticingly inedible objects
- Weekly brushing to maintain your beagle’s coat
- Weekly ear cleaning to keep floppy ears dry and bacteria-free and to prevent ear infection and other beagle ear problems
- A leash and a fenced-in yard to protect your beagle from her strong chase instincts
- Teeth brushing three times a week to stave off dental problems common in beagles
With these consistent basics (plus a hobby or two), your beagle will thrive mentally and physically for years to come.
A Gentleman’s Dog and a Scholar: Beagle Training Tips
Beagles are friendly, intelligent, and eager to learn, but their high energy level, independent streak, and propensity for barking mean training may require a bit of patience. However, with a bit of extra care, your beagle will enter adulthood, learned and well-mannered. By starting early, establishing a repetitive routine, and using simple commands, you’ll keep your beagle on track.13
By 8 to 16 weeks, your beagle should have experience socializing with other dogs and humans and have learned what’s appropriate to chew (if you spot a teething rebel, use the command “leave it!”).14 Try to build confidence during this stage by encouraging them during new experiences and challenges.
By six months, start to work on basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” as well as potty training and crate training, and building muscles through regular exercise.
Finally, by one year, your puppy should have settled into a regular routine. This is an ideal time to experiment with canine sports and hobbies, and regular leash walks are key to an active lifestyle moving into adulthood.
In order to curb a barking habit, all that’s required is redirection. Relocate a bark-y beagle to a calmer environment, and offer an alternative outlet for their energy, like exercise, a puzzle, or a chew toy.
Take Care of Your American Sweetheart with Vetericyn
The beagle has been beloved for nearly all of recorded history, and it’s clear to see why. Loyal, friendly, and strikingly smart, these family companions are equally eager for a sporting match or a cuddle session. Beagles are relatively low-maintenance and easy to care for—all they need is plenty of physical and mental exercise to avoid common beagle health problems and a bit of patience for their more vocal moments.
If you’re looking to give your beagle’s care routine a boost, Vetericyn has you covered. Our Vetericyn® ALL-IN Dog Supplements act like a multivitamin, helping to keep your pup happy and healthy.
Vetericyn is here to keep your beagle in top form, so he can get back to the important stuff—like penning novels and piloting dog houses.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- USA Today. What kind of dog is Snoopy? Here’s some history on Charlie Brown’s canine companion. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2024/03/28/what-type-of-dog-is-snoopy/72957384007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p
- American Kennel Club. Beagle History: From Ancient Small-Pack Hounds to Snoopy. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/beagle-history/
- American Kennel Club. Beagle Dog Breed Information. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/beagle/
- American Kennel Club. Official Standard for the Beagle. https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Beagle.pdf
- American Kennel Club. 5 Popular Dog Sports That Any Breed Can Try. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/dog-sports-that-anyone-can-try/
- Phoenix Veterinary Center. How Powerful is a Dog’s Nose? https://phoenixvetcenter.com/blog/214731-how-powerful-is-a-dogs-nose
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Beagles Detect Lung Cancer With 97 Percent Accuracy In New LECOM Research. https://lecom.edu/beagles-detect-lung-cancer-with-97-percent-accuracy-in-new-lecom-research/
- NBC News. Beagles sniff out trouble at customs. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna36693850
- American Kennel Club. Meet the Beagle Brigade, USDA’s Detector Dogs. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/meet-the-beagle-brigade/
- Vida Veterinary Care. BEAGLE. https://www.vidavetcare.com/dog-breed/beagle/
- BeaglePro.com. Feeding Your Beagle. https://www.beaglepro.com/feeding-a-beagle
- PDSA. Beagle. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/medium-dogs/beagle
- Masterclass. How to Train a Beagle: 7 Tips for Training a Beagle. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-train-a-beagle
- American Kennel Club. Beagle Puppy Training Timeline: What to Expect and When to Expect It. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/beagle-puppy-training-timeline-what-to-expect-and-when-to-expect-it/
