Six things to know about keeping beagles as pets, according to Dr Katrina Warren

Beagles are happy, fun dogs that are a compact size with an easy coat to groom.

But don't be fooled by the short coat, as they do shed quite a lot of hair!

Here are six more things you should know about beagles and keeping them as pets.

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Beagles like to make friends

They are popular family pets because they are usually patient and easygoing with everyone – people, dogs and cats included. They are adaptable to different environments. 

Beagles are scent hounds

This means they were originally bred to hunt by scent, not sight, and as a result they have an amazing sense of smell and can easily be distracted.

They are known for their 'selective deafness', which means they may ignore you or not come back when you call them as they will follow their nose to go exploring. 

Beagles are escape artists

They love to take themselves on adventures and often get lost. They are clever at digging or climbing their way out of enclosed areas, and owners are often surprised at how high they can jump or climb for their size.

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Beagles are prone to becoming overweight

They love food and will often break into rubbish bins and cupboards and are masters of convincing their owners they need more treats.

They are a dog that was originally bred to hunt, and they need to be active but unfortunately many beagles don't receive adequate exercise, which contributes to them putting on weight.

Beagles are vocal

Beagles often bark and howl and for this reason are not always a good choice for apartments. They usually bark when bored or lonely, so it is important to make sure they are well-exercised and have plenty of enrichment toys to entertain them.

Beagles can be tricky to train

Beagles can be quite independent and will often frustrate their owner by ignoring them. As they are usually motivated by food, they will often respond to food rewards used in training, but don't forget the calories from treats add up!