Beagle: temperament, care and good with kids
The Beagle is a cheerful, friendly scent hound with a tireless nose. They're hardy, sociable and kind to children — while also being headstrong and driven by smells.
Temperament
Beagles are optimists and companions. They get on great with people and dogs but cope poorly with being alone. Their weakness is their nose: once they catch a scent, they happily forget commands.
Good with children
★★★★
They suit children well — playful, sturdy and friendly. Being medium-sized, they're neither fragile nor dangerously large. They need consistency so they don't steal food.
Care & upkeep
The short coat is low-maintenance — brush once a week. Check the long ears (prone to infections). Beagles love food and gain weight easily, so watch portions.
Exercise & daily routine
They need lots of exercise and scent games — ideally over an hour a day. Because of their hunting drive, only let them off-leash in safe places, or they'll follow a scent.
Can you handle the daily care?
TestDog simulates the real routine of caring for a virtual dog — feeding in set windows and walks tracked by your pedometer. Try the responsibility for real before you get a Beagle or any other breed.
Download on theApp StoreWho the Beagle suits
Suitable for active families that can handle consistent training and lots of exercise. Not suited to homes where the dog is alone for long or where occasional 'baying' is a problem.
Compare with other breeds in our dog breed guide.