If you’re on the hunt for a friendly and happy-go-lucky dog for you and the family, then look no further than the beagle. Sure, beagles may have been bred as hunting dogs originally, and are often still used as such.
However, just because they have a certain penchant for catching squirrels, rabbits, and anything else unlucky enough to land in their jaws, it doesn’t mean they’re unfriendly. So, are beagles nice, do they make for good house dogs, and do they make for good family dogs?
Are Beagles Nice?
Yes, beagles are nice, and exceedingly so. They are known for being happy, friendly, personable, and happy-go-lucky. As far as people are concerned, beagles are quite sociable, and they always love being pet and scratched behind the ears. Bonus points if you have some tasty snacks for them!
Of course, there are exceptions to the norm, with some beagles potentially having aggression and behavior issues, although this is not the usual case. In the grand scheme of things, as long as you treat your beagle well, it should make for an excellent pet, whether for yourself or the whole family.
Are Beagles Good House Dogs?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. Beagles make for great house dogs given the right circumstances. First, beagles are energetic, playful, and explorative. This means that they need plenty of space to explore and wander around in. Having a good backyard with plenty of space, bushes, trees, and nooks and crannies to check out will help keep your beagle busy.
If you don’t have a large yard, or any yard at all, you may find that keeping a beagle is more challenging. They like being outside, and if confined to an indoor space for too long, especially a small space, beagles are likely to get bored. If your beagle gets bored, this is where the problems start, because they’re likely to get into trouble to keep busy.
To that end, beagles make for good house dogs if they have a companion, either human or dog. If they are alone for too long however, they’re liable to start tearing the house apart. So, if no one is home all day long, you might want to reconsider and get a breed that doesn’t mind just lazing around.
Are Beagles Good Apartment Dogs?
As you might be able to tell, beagles may not make for the best apartment dogs. Beagles need a good deal of space, and it’s ideal if you can let them out into a yard or outdoor area whenever you don’t have time for a good walk.
Although it is possible to keep a beagle in an apartment, especially if it is relatively large, you are home a lot, and have plenty of time for several daily walks.
That said, if it’s a small apartment, you aren’t home a lot, and you don’t have at least one hour per day for walking (preferably more), then an apartment and a beagle may not be the best combination.
Are Beagles Aggressive?
No, beagles are not known for being aggressive. Yes, there are exceptions. There may be some lineages of beagles that are more prone to aggressive tendencies than others, but this is quite rare. Sure, some past trauma, such as being mistreated by people, may cause aggression, but a beagle that has always been treated well really shouldn’t be aggressive at all.
Are Beagles Good Family Dogs?
Yes, beagles make for good family dogs. They are friendly, intelligent, non-aggressive, playful, and patient with kids, all factors that contribute to beagles being good family dogs.
Final Thoughts
As far as family-friendly dogs are concerned, beagles are up there with the best of them. As long as you get yours from a reputable breeder and you treat it right, there is no reason why your beagle should be aggressive. They really are sweet and tender dogs!