6 Big Reasons Why Beagles Are The Worst Dogs

Beagles are some of the most popular dogs in the world. They are small, cuddly, and fit in a lot of families. There are some reasons that explain why Beagles are the worst dogs.

Because they were bred as hunting dogs, Beagles developed a lot of traits that may annoy their owners. They are loud, stubborn, and have a need to chase after small animals. But there are also things that owners do that worsen their behavior.

• Why You Shouldn’t Have A Beagle?
• What Are The Causes For These Bad Traits
• Why You Should Have A Beagle?

Key Takeaways

• Beagles have a distinct loud bark.
• These dogs are very intelligent, but also very stubborn.
• They are known as some of the best escape artists.
• Beagles love food which makes them prone to obesity.
• Socialization and training for Beagles should start around 8 weeks of age.
• Beagles should exercise for at least 1 hour every day.
• Separation anxiety is common in these dogs if they are left alone for more than 8 hours.
• There are a lot of positive traits to this breed, making it the 7th most popular in the world.

Why You Shouldn’t Have A Beagle?

Some dog owners will determinately object to owning a Beagle. These dogs are loud, stubborn, destructive, and renowned escape artists. Their high prey drive and insatiable love of food also make them hard to own. But there is more to these traits you should know about.

They Are Loud

One of the most common things dog owners say is that Beagles are annoying because of their loud constant barking. Beagles have a distinct bark due to having a history of hunting. They used their high-pitched barks to communicate with their pack.

But this barking and howling will be annoying to some owners and the next-door neighbors. Barking is good when your dog is protecting your home though. This trait can be simmered down by properly training the pup.

High-Energy Dogs

Because they were hunting for so long, Beagles developed a high-energy level to keep up. So now, even though they are pets and don’t hunt, they still have their high exercise needs.

This means that the owner will have to spend some time in their day exercising the dog. Otherwise, they will start to become destructive. For owners that have busy lives, this dog is not ideal as it will require a lot of their time and energy.

Stubborn

One of the disadvantages of Beagles is that they are stubborn dogs. They can get fixated on something and you won’t be able to change their mind. Often, this is a scent they pick up during walk time and they wander off trying to find it.

Even though they are intelligent dogs, their stubbornness makes them hard to train. They will often avoid responding to a command and will need more persistence.

Destructive

Beagles are “pack dogs” and love to be around other people and dogs. But leaving them alone can result in a lot of frustration and destructive behavior.

Beagle owners that leave their pets for too long will come home to a chewed-up couch and shoes. If they have a yard, they might also find their dog digging holes in it. Excessive barking and aggressive behavior might also be possible.

Escape Artists

Because they have a high hunting instinct, Beagles are very prone to chasing after prey. They have a high prey drive and a strong scent because of which they might start going after things that catch their attention.

The ability to dig up holes makes it easy for them to escape from your fenced-up yard. Due to this, you should always be wary of where your pet is to prevent it from running away.

Prone To Obesity

Another big part of the Beagle personality is their love for food. These dogs love to eat and will consume everything they get their eyes on. This makes them a bit annoying because they will often steal food from their owner’s plate.

Because of all this, Beagles are prone to obesity. Because they are food obsessed, they sometimes eat foods not meant for dogs. You will have to watch their diet carefully if you want them to remain healthy.

What Are The Causes For These Bad Traits

The reason for all these bad traits are not always the dogs themselves. Sometimes, the owners make many mistakes leading to these behavioral problems.

Late Socialization

You should start socializing your Beagle pup as early as it turns 7-8 weeks of age. They should start meeting closer members of the family and then move on to other strangers and dogs. You can also socialize the pup by getting it to dog parks or enrolling it in doggy daycare. Socialization helps to prevent aggressive behavior and improve friendly behavior. Poor socialization will lead to many symptoms:

• Fearfulness and aggression
• Excessive barking
• Anxious and bad behavior around new people and animals

Not Enough Exercise

Because these dogs are filled with energy, they need a lot of physical and mental stimulation during the day. On average, a Beagle will need around 1 hour of exercise every day. This can be split up into two sessions every morning and evening. You can take it on a walk or running and hiking sessions. Beagles are known to run fast and enjoy the activity a lot.

If your Beagle doesn’t get to spend its energy it will become frustrated, and start barking and chewing your stuff.

Poor Training

Beagles are not easy to train due to their stubbornness. They are intelligent though and will learn a lot of commands if handled properly.

A good owner will spend some time of their day training their pup. Training should start around the same time as socialization. You can use helpful tools like clickers and dog crates. The good thing is that Beagles respond positively to positive reinforcement and treats so you should use that. If not properly trained, a Beagle will show destructive and aggressive behavior.

Separation Anxiety

These dogs are very affectionate and tend to connect to their owners following their “pack mentality”. But because of this Beagles are prone to separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety can manifest itself with a lot of symptoms including:

• Destructive and aggressive behavior
• Peeing and pooping everywhere
• Clinginess and jealousy
• Excessive barking
• Anxiety and frustration

Make sure you don’t leave your Beagle alone for more than 8 hours. If you must, you can also ask for help from friends and family, or hire a dog sitter.

Uneducated Owner

Beagles can be dangerous for owners that don’t know enough about the breed. If the owner doesn’t know about the exercise and training needs of the dog, that will cause frustration in the pet. Hence, some owners simply give up on the dog unwilling to learn to live with it properly.

Responsible dog owners need to be patient and ready to deal with all of their dog’s traits. A lot of work needs to be put in, but it will be beneficial in the future.

Not Forming A Bond

These dogs are “pack dogs” and they are known to create deep relationships with their pack. The owner of the Beagle should be a part of its pack and act like the pack leader.

If the owner doesn’t develop a strong bond with their Beagle, the dog will start:

• Running away
• Barking excessively
• Showing signs of anxiety and aggression
• Chewing on furniture

To establish a bond, the owner should spend more time with their pet cuddling, playing, training, and exercising.

Why You Should Have A Beagle?

Of course, Beagles do not only have negative qualities. They are the 7th most popular dog breed in the world according to the AKC. They have a lot of positive qualities that dog owners want. For example, they don’t have the Tibetan Mastiff bite force psi that causes serious damage, even if done by accident.

These dogs are perfect for owners that want to stay active. They are filled with energy and love running, hiking, or playing games for hours. Beagles are also great for people that enjoy hunting. They have a myriad of qualities that make them amazing hunting dogs.

Beagles are fit for apartment living, but they can also be kept in large houses. They are great family pets and can get along with all members of the family, including their other pets.

Conclusion – Why Beagles Are The Worst Dogs?

Beagles are a dog breed owned by many people in the world. But some dog owners consider them to be the worst dogs.

These dogs are a part of the “hound” breeds of dogs. They were bred for hunting and developed a lot of hunting qualities. They require a lot of exercise, bark loudly, and can become stubborn and destructive.

A lot of times, the owner is at fault. They don’t train or socialize their Beagle properly, and they don’t exercise it enough. They might also not bond with the dog and leave it alone for too long, or just don’t know how to take care of it.

In the end, even though these dogs can have a lot of bad traits, they still have some good ones. Being affectionate, friendly, and playful make them perfect dogs for many great families.

FAQ

Do Beagles smell?

Due to being part of the “hound” dogs, Beagles smell bad. The distinct smell of the Beagle might be a problem for some owners, but some don’t mind it. Proper grooming will help with this problem.

Are Beagles good for beginners?

Beagles are good dogs for first-time owners. They are friendly, loving dogs, and will fit in the family well. One problem is their stubbornness, but the owner can overcome that with consistent training.

Why are Beagles so dramatic?

One reason why Beagles are the worst dogs is their dramatic behavior. Beagles are energetic and if they don’t get enough exercise they will become bored and start acting out. They are also famous for their stubbornness.