Beagle
Also called: Rabbit Hound
A small, tough scent hound with a loud voice and a tireless nose, the classic dog for cottontail and hare hunting.
- Type
- Hounds
- Hunts
- Rabbits & squirrels
- Weight
- 20 to 30 pounds
- Height
- 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder
- Lifespan
- 12 to 15 years
- Coat
- Short, dense coat, usually tricolor of black, tan, and white
- Energy
- High energy
- Cold and water
- Fair. Tough on the trail, but small and short-coated.
What it is best at
- Trailing and circling cottontails and snowshoe hares.
- Hunters who like to listen to the chase.
- A small dog that is easy to transport.
Temperament
- Friendly, curious, and merry.
- Stubborn and driven by scent.
- Vocal, with a loud bay.
Things to know before you get one
- Follows its nose and can wander, so a good recall and secure fencing are needed.
- Loud baying can be a problem in neighborhoods.
- Prone to weight gain.
Training and exercise
Beagles are friendly but easily distracted by scent. Train a strong recall early, teach them to stay with a trail, and use a GPS collar or tracking system in open country. Patience and consistency matter more than force.
Common health concerns
- Ear infections and obesity.
- Back problems, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism.
- Cherry eye and other eye conditions.
Ask breeders for health testing records, and talk to a veterinarian about screening, vaccines, and tick and heartworm prevention.
Often compared with
- Treeing Walker Coonhound: a larger, faster hound with a similar tricolor look, used for raccoons rather than rabbits.
Field notes
Beagles have hunted rabbits for centuries. A good rabbit hound trails slowly and steadily, circling the game back to the hunters, who wait with a shotgun.
Related guides
This is a general breed profile, not veterinary or training advice. Dogs vary individually, so meet the parents and talk to experienced owners before you choose. Rules about hunting with dogs, releasing dogs on public land, and dog training seasons differ by state; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations.