Beagles make great pets

One of the best things about beagles are their temperaments. They get along well with pretty much everyone, and they tend to especially enjoy children. Pulling the ears. Tugging on the tail. None of this usually bothers a beagle unless things go to far, and then the beagle will let you know with a yelp. Beagles also tend to be very gentle and seem to know the personal boundaries of any human they are dealing with; this makes beagles especially good for senior citizens and children. Beagles can be stubborn at times, making some members of the breed a bit difficult to house train, but this can be overcome with training and with treats. Beagles will do just about anything for a treat!

Beagles are easily made happy. They love to sleep, but they also love to get a good, long walk. Food and treats are especially a favorite of this breed, though their strongest sense is smell. One reason beagles love to walk so much is they enjoy keeping that nose to the ground and taking in all the wonderful smells that come to them. Keep in mind their sense of smell is quite stronger than that of humans, and sometimes that can get them into trouble. For example, a good scent can easily lead a beagle off in a wild direction, so make sure to keep your beagle on a leash at all times when it is not indoors or in a fenced area. Also, keep in mind that since beagles love food so much, it is easy for them to become overweight which leads to health risks and a shorter lifespan; make sure not to feed your beagle too much and too often.

Size is another good thing about beagles. They're not to small and they're not too big. Most beagles are a little taller than a U.S. foot, about 14 or so inches, and they usually weight from about 20 to 38 pounds. They're size makes them good indoor pets, but also means they are sturdy enough to get by in the back yard if that is where you have to keep your furry friend.

Also, beagles are generally one of the healthier breeds of dogs. As a breed, they are not prone to inherited diseases or other problems. Still, it's always good to get your beagle checked by a veterinarian at least once a year.

Now, in an effort to be fair, there is one downside to having a beagle pal. It's the howl. Yep, beagles can be quite loud. Strangers, other dogs, doorbells, just about anything can set a beagle off, and the noise they make is intense. It can take some getting used to for those with their first beagle. Not all beagles howl all the time. Some are quiet most of the time, while others will let out a yelp at just about anything. A lot depends upon the individual beagle's personality.