Reviewing The Beagle vs Foxhound: Do They Compare Easy?

Choosing the right dog for you can be a difficult task especially when you get to choose between two very similar breeds. In this article, we will help you choose between the Beagle vs Foxhound.

Beagles and Foxhounds are two similar dog breeds that are both considered hound dogs. They are both tri-color breeds filled with energy and a strong sense of smell. But Foxhounds are also much larger than Beagles. They also have other differences.

• The Origin Of The Beagle And The Foxhound
• Differences In Their Appearance
• Temperament Of The Beagle vs Foxhound
• Taking Care Of The Beagle And The Foxhound
• Price Difference Between Beagles And Foxhounds

The Origin Of The Beagle And The Foxhound

Beagles and Foxhound are both hound dogs known for their impeccable skills for hunting. In fact, both dogs were used by royalty to hunt different kinds of animals. But even though they have a similar history, they also have differences in their origin.

The Beagle – Beagles were very popular dogs in 14th century England. They were used by the royal family to hunt small prey. In fact, their name comes from the old English word “begle” which means small. Beagles were later sent to America and officially accepted by the AKC in 1885.

The Foxhound – Foxhounds were also first created in England. They were used by royalty to hunt bigger prey like foxes. They were later brought to America in the 17th century. In fact, at that time we see the splitting of the English Foxhound and the American Foxhound. The American Foxhound was officially accepted by the AKC in 1886, and the English Foxhound in 1909.

Differences In Their Appearance

If you compare the Foxhound vs Beagle breed, you will notice a lot of similarities. They both have smooth and short coats with similar colors, long tails, and long ears. But they are also very different. 

Size

The most obvious difference between these dog breeds is their size difference. Foxhounds are much larger and stronger compared to Beagles.

Beagles can come in two sizes. The larger Beagles are 13-15 inches tall, and 20-30 pounds heavy. The smaller Beagles are less than 13 inches tall and less than 20 pounds heavy.

Foxhounds can have different sizes depending if they are American or English Foxhound. The American Foxhound is 21-15 inches tall, and 60-70 pounds heavy. The English Foxhound has a height of 24 inches, and a weight of 60-75 pounds.

Coat And Color

Beagles have a short smooth coat that is usually a mix of three colors. They can come in a mix of white, black, and brown, as well as red, tan, and lemon colors.

American Foxhounds have a short smooth coat that comes in a three-color mix. It can mix white, black, brown tan, blue, red, and cream.

English Foxhounds have a short double coat that can come in three color variations. It can be black white & tan, lemon & white, or full white.

Temperament Of The Beagle vs Foxhound

The affectionate and loving Foxhound and Beagle temperament makes them great family pets. The English Foxhound seems to be the most affectionate and eager to please. When left alone, the Beagle develops separation anxiety, but so do the Foxhounds.

All of these dogs are great to have around kids, but they should be looked after. They are also very friendly with strangers, which makes them bad guard dogs.

Because they are hunting dog breeds, both have a high prey drive. This means that you should avoid having a smaller pet, like a cat, inside the same home. Both dogs are quite intelligent, but also quite stubborn. That makes training complicated, but the commands you can teach them are vast.

Both dogs are very energetic and playful. They need to spend their energy, otherwise, they start to bark and howl. They can get fixated on a scent and run off trying to track it, which can lead to them escaping your sight.

Taking Care Of The Beagle And The Foxhound

All dogs need to be properly cared for, no matter which one you choose for yourself. These are the things you will always have to think about.

Health And Lifespan

When we compare the English and American Foxhound vs the Beagle, we can notice that they live for about the same amount. Beagles have an average lifespan of 10-15 years, while Foxhounds have a life expectancy of 10-13 years. They are both considered healthy dogs, but there are a few health issues you should know about.

• Hip dysplasia – This is a joint disease common in both Beagles and Foxhounds. It is an inherited disease where the hip joints develop improperly and the ball and socket joint doesn’t align. You will see your dog limp and experience difficulty walking because of joint pain.
• Ear infections – These infections are common in both Beagles and Foxhounds. This is because their ears are big and floppy and create the perfect environment for bacteria to live in the ears. You will notice a redness on their ears and a smelly discharge coming out of them.
• Cherry eye – This is explained as a prolapse of the third eyelid gland, and it is more common in Beagles. You will notice a red swollen mass on the lower eyelid near the muzzle. You should go to your vet as soon as you notice it as this can cause long-term damage to the eye.
• Musladin-Lueke Syndrome – This is a genetically inherited condition specific to Beagles. It affects the development and structure of connective tissue in multiple organ systems. A small size, thick and taut skin, and a “tip-toe” gait can be noticed among the many symptoms.
• Bloat – This disease is also known as Gastric dilatation and volvulus, and it is more common in Foxhounds. The stomach fills with gas which can cause the stomach to twist upon itself causing a block. You will see your dog’s stomach get larger and it may collapse. 

Nutrition

When we compare the Foxhound vs Beagle size, we can clearly see that Foxhounds are bigger. That means that they will need a little more food than Beagles. A Foxhound will need around 2-3 cups of food each day, while a Beagle will need only 1-2 cups.

Beagles are very prone to obesity due to their known “love of food”. They are known to steal food from the table and never be satisfied with the amount of food they eat. They are small dogs that eat a lot, so their owner should monitor their food intake.

When it comes to the quality of the food, you should aim to feed high-protein and low-grain dog food. The food should be high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. You should always look for the more known dog food brands to make sure it is of greater quality.

Exercise And Training

Because they have a rich history in hunting, both of these dogs have high energy levels. This means that you will need to give them a lot of physical activity to keep them satisfied. 

On average, a Beagle will need around 1 hour of exercise every day. Compared to that, Foxhounds need around 2 hours of exercise daily. You can split these into more sessions. Make sure to implement exercises like walking, running, hiking, and playing games. Beagles can run really fast, as well as Foxhounds, so they will love running around. Mental stimulation is also important.

Both of these dogs are very intelligent so you can teach them a lot of things. The problem is that they are very stubborn and independent so training should be consistent. You should use obedience training and teaching commands like “quiet” and “stay”. Positive reinforcement with treats and praise is also important. Training and socializing should start from an early age to be more effective.

Grooming

If we compare the American Foxhound vs the English Foxhound vs the Beagle, we can notice that all these breeds shed similarly. They are all considered to be moderately-shedding dogs. Beagles have a distinct hound smell, but so do Foxhounds. Because of these traits, both dogs need proper grooming. 

A regular brushing routine should be established. Both Beagles and Foxhounds should be brushed at least once every week. During shedding season, you can increase this amount. Both dogs need to be bathed once a month. If you bathe too often, you risk damaging their coats. Choose a special shampoo meant for dogs made with natural ingredients.

Because they are prone to ear infections, you should always clean their ears after bathing. Check the ears from time to time to notice any changes. Brushing the teeth daily will prevent dental issues, and trimming the nails is also important.

Price Difference Between Beagle And Foxhound

The average price for a Beagle or a Foxhound puppy is around $1000. A Beagle and Foxhound mix puppy will also go around that same amount.

Prices vary according to a few factors. First, it depends on where you are getting your puppy. If the breeder is far away from you, you will need to pay for the transport as well. Try to find breeders that you know are reliable. They need to give you all the information on the pup you are buying.

Get all the medical documents for your puppy and its parents. It’s best if you could also see its parents and siblings. That way, you will ensure they don’t have any health concerns. Puppies that come from parents that have won prizes are much more expensive than others.

You could also get your new puppy from a dog rescue shelter. That way you will be giving a home to a pup that needs it. The prices for rescue dogs are also much cheaper than breeder dogs.

Final Words On The Beagle vs Foxhound

Beagles and Foxhounds are two dog breeds that belong in the group of “hounds”. They have a similar history, being used as hunting dogs, which causes their similar appearance. But they have very obvious differences.

Foxhounds are much larger and stronger dogs compared to Beagles. They have the same types of coats, with floppy ears, and long tails.

Both breeds are affectionate and friendly family dogs that love to play. Both are intelligent but also quite stubborn and independent. Both have a high prey drive and tend to run away chasing a scent. Both dogs are great watchdogs but terrible guard dogs.

Beagles and Foxhounds are relatively healthy dogs. They need a lot of food and exercise to feed their needs. They should also be properly trained, socialized, and groomed. If any of these dogs are for you, you can buy them for around $1000 or adopt them for less.

FAQ

What are other dogs similar to Beagles?

Besides the Foxhounds, there are a few other dog breeds in the “hound” group that look similar to Beagles. These include Basset Hounds, American English Coonhound, Dachshund, Harrier, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Are Foxhounds bigger than Beagles?

Yes. Looking at the Beagle vs Foxhound in terms of size, we notice that Foxhounds are much bigger than Beagles. In fact, Beagles can come in a much smaller size which will be an obvious difference from the Foxhound.

Are Beagles related to Foxhounds?

When we consider their history, we can conclude that both of these dogs come from the same lineage of hunting “hound” dogs. But evolution has made it so that these two are now considered two different breeds.