[Petguide.com]

All dog breeds have their associated pros and cons that you should be familiar with before you bring home a puppy. The fact of the matter is that some dog breeds are right for some people but not for others – the Beagle is no exception. Before you bring home a Beagle puppy, be sure to learn the basics about this breed including information about its temperament, exercise requirements, nutritional needs, and more. The more you know, the more prepared you will be when you bring home a Beagle of your own.

Temperament and Personality

The Beagle is one of the friendliest dog breeds out there – they are quick to make friends and they are great with children. These dogs are also very intelligent and they are very talented hunters. This hunting background, however, means that the Beagle does have a strong prey drive so they may chase cats and other small household pets. When it comes to other dogs, however, Beagles generally don’t have any problems. It is also important to note that Beagles do have a habit of howling so they may not be a good choice for people with close neighbors.

Exercise and Training

As a hunting breed, Beagles have high energy levels and high needs for exercise. The small size of the Beagle may make it seem like they are a good choice for apartments or condos but they need at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily as well as time to run and play in a fenced yard. Beagles can be a little bit stubborn which often makes training a little more difficult than with other breeds and housebreaking can take a bit longer as well. These dogs can be trained for obedience but you should expect them to occasionally decide that they simply don’t want to listen. If you have the time and energy to devote to extra training, however, the Beagle does make a good family pet.

Other Pros and Cons to Consider

One of the main benefits of the Beagle breed is its small size – it’s friendly and playful personality is also a benefit for many people. If you are looking for a breed that is good with children and is friendly with everyone it meets, the Beagle might be a good choice – these dogs also have short coats that are easy to care for. On the negative side, Beagles require a lot of exercise and attention – they may not be the best option for someone who works all day away from home. Beagles can become destructive if they get bored and they have a tendency to be escape artists as well. This breed can sometimes take a little longer to housebreak and train due to a slightly tendency toward stubbornness and they do have some health problems.

Hopefully by now you have a thorough understanding of the Beagle breed. With this information in mind you should be able to make an educated decision regarding whether or not this is the right breed for you and your family.

Andy Karmy/Flickr

~Petguide.com