All about Beagles: Is Best in Show Right for You?

When a three-year-old Beagle trotted off with the purple ribbon at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February, the crowd roared. It was the first time in the 100-year history of the renowned competition that a Snoopy dog had earned the Best in Show title. Thanks to Unos performance in the show ring, demand for Beagle puppies (already a popular choice) is skyrocketing

The Beagle can be the perfect, All-American family dog, but as with every breed, ownership has challenges, and the decision to add a Beagle to the family should be made only after careful research.

Dont judge a Beagle by size
Beagles are wonderful dogs. They are good-natured and playful; they like people and they get along well with other dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, the Beagle is a great choice for families with children because he is sturdy built and ready for action.

Many first-time dog owners, however, may be surprised to find that, despite his small size and happy personality, the Beagle is a big dog in a little package".

• The Beagle is no cough potato. This is a high stamina breed that requires plenty of daily exercise to burn off excess energy.
• Beagles are smart, stubborn and can be slow to train. House training can take up to a year, according to Beagle Rescue, and obedience skills require lots of time, attention and repetition.
• Even a well-trained Beagle cannot be trusted off-leash. They have an instinctive drive to pursue prey.
• Although their coat is short, beagles have a thick undercoat and do shed, which can be a problem for families with allergies.
• They have a tendency to vocalize loudly, which can be a problem for apartment dwellers. (Uno reacted to his Westminster win by baying loudly.)

More about Beagles
For hundreds of years, this high-stamina, high-energy breed was used as a hunting dog. Beagles are scent hounds. The breeds origins can be traced back centuries in the British Isles, where they were used to pursue rabbit and other small game for food. Their loud baying in pursuit of their prey made it easy for hunters to follow them.

Many breeders and breed rescue groups will only place Beagles in households with a securely-fenced yard because their strong prey instinct and persistence make them escape artists. Sadly, many end up in shelters or hit by cars while they pursue some scent.

Kept safely at home, Beagles have a lifespan of 12-15 years, and so can be a wonderful long-time companion for the right family. They must be monitored to avoid weight issues because they tend to be chow hounds and their powerful sense of smell can prompt garbage can raids and counter surfing.

On the plus said, their love of food can be used to great advantage in training, since most Beagles will respond well to positive reinforcement that includes a food reward if they feel like! For more about the breed, visit www.akc.org, www.brewbeagle.org or www.beagleresuce.org.