Breed: Beagle
Average Size: They are between 13 and 16 inches high at the shoulder blades and weigh between 18 and 35 lb with females being slightly smaller than males on average
Appearance: They have a smooth head with a medium-length, square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The eyes are hazel or brown. The large ears are long, soft and low-set, turning towards the cheeks slightly and rounded at the tips. They have a broad chest narrowing to a tapered belly. Their short, slightly curved tail is tipped with white. The Beagle has a muscular body and a medium-length, smooth, hard coat. There is a variety of colors in Beagles but the most common is white with large black areas and light brown shading. The colors can be Classic Tri with a jet black saddle, to the Dark Tri with faint brown markings intermingled with more prominent black markings, to the Faded Tri where faint black markings are intermingled with more prominent brown markings. There is a wide range of other colors including lemon(a very light tan): red(a reddish, almost orange, brown); and liver(darker brown, and black). Ticked or mottled varieties may be either white or black with different colored flecks such as the blue-mottled or bluetick Beagle.
Lifespan: Average 12 years old
Habitat: Due to being prone to being overweight, Beagles need to live in a area where they can receive a good amount of exercise.
Food: No special food needs
Temperament: Beagles are even tempered and have a gentle disposition and are neither aggressive nor timid. They enjoy company, and although they may initially be standoffish with strangers, they are easily won over which makes them bad guard dogs. Beagles are intelligent, but as a result of being bred for the long chase are single-minded and determined, which can make them hard to train. They are generally obedient but are easily distracted by smells around them. They are alert, respond well to food-reward training, and are eager to please, but can be easily bored or distracted. Beagles are excellent with children and this is one of the reasons they have become popular family pets. Beagles can be prone to suffering from separation anxiety. They also generally get along well with other dogs.
Special Traits: Beagles are not demanding with regard to exercise and their stamina makes them not tire when exercised. Although, Beagles are prone to weight gain so they need regular exercise. A lot of Beagles are used for hunting by small game due to their keen sense of smell. They are also using for sniffing luggage and even used for termite detection in other countries. Because of their gentle nature, they are also frequently used in pet therapy visiting the sick and elderly in hospital.
Other Important Info: Beagles may be prone to epilepsy which is controlled with medication. Hypothyroidism and a number of types of dwarfism occur in Beagles. Funny Puppy, in which the puppy is slow to develop and develops weak legs, a crooked back and although normally healthy, is prone to range of illnesses is unique to Beagles. Beagles may exhibit a behavior known as reverse sneezing where they sound as if they are choking or gasping for breath, but are actually drawing air in through the mouth and nose. It is not harmful to the dog.
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