Beagles have been a popular dog breed for pet owners for many years. In fact, the beagle breed is known to have been in the United States since the 1840's, according to Wikipedia. In spite of the fact that these first beagles were initially imported for hunting and tracking purposes, the breed quickly became a favorite pet among dog owners. Their friendly nature and merry temperament make them a sociable pet that works well in most homes. If you have decided to bring a beagle into your life, there are a few things that you should know about this breed.
Training Your Beagle
The beagle is an incredible hunter because of his scent hound lineage. Therefore, hunting and tracking will be one of his favorite things to do. Your beagle will be excited by new smells and may entertain himself, with his nose to the ground, for hours chasing down something interesting. While this is an attribute of the beagle that is admirable, it can often make your new dog a bit harder to train. Scent-driven dogs can lose focus easily and become distracted by something that smells good to them. Your dedication and commitment to maintaining attention long enough to train may prove difficult at first. However, eventually, the beagle will catch on as they are very intelligent animals. Once your beagle learns a new trick or training command, there is little chance that he will forget.
Overall Health of the Beagle
In general, beagles are a healthy breed that will not require a lot of attention from a veterinarian. However, there are a few health conditions to be aware of in order to properly care for your new dog.
Ear Infections- The shape and length of the beagle's ears can make the breed more prone to ear infections. If you notice that your beagle is digging at his ears and whimpering, there is a good chance that his ear is infected. The veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics and possibly ear drops to relieve the itching and pain involved.
Eye Problems- Some beagles will develop indications of eye problems as they age. Some of the most common issues include glaucoma and distichiasis, which is basically eyelashes growing into the eye and causing irritation. If addressed early by a vet like Animal Medical Center of Deer Valley, your beagle can overcome these issues.
Abrasions, Cuts, and Other Injuries- When a beagle gets on a scent that he wants to track, everything else in the world will not matter--even if he gets hurt in the process. It is not uncommon for beagles to be brought to the vet with major abrasions they sustained while tracking. These injuries should be addressed if they are severe to avoid infection.
With just a bit of understanding about the beagle breed, you will find that this is one of the most incredible dogs to own. Beagles are friendly, get along well with children and other pets, and will easily adapt to most living situations. Their constant happiness and joy can even be contagious, and there is no doubt your beagle will be one of your favorite pets.
