According to The American Kennel Club, the Beagle dog breed is an excellent hunting dog and a loyal companion. In terms of popularity, the Beagle is among the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the world. In fact, the last listing in 2022 by the AKC, had Beagle at No.8. Do Beagles bark a lot?
How does their barking affect their popularity? Well, the National Beagle Club of America says that Beagles are excellent family companions. They are low-maintenance dogs that can adapt to different environments.
What Does A Beagle’s Bark Sound Like?
Before we talk about whether Beagles bark a lot, we have to take into account their different types of barks. They are a hound dog that is a bit smaller in size. Recognized by their long, floppy ears and coat in three colors, black, brown, and white, these puppies have been capturing the hearts of people around the world.
Their ancestry is related to hound breeds, which is why people often ask about excessive barking. With hound dogs, they have low, long-winded barks. It is almost like a howling sound that goes in one long note. So, let’s talk about Beagle barking types.
The Beagle puppy can make a variety of noises, so let’s understand the difference between them.
- The standard bark that alerts owners of a visitor at the front door, or for a new treat or dinner time
- The Beagle baying, a noise that sounds like a yodel and is like a bark-come-howl. Usually, Beagles use the sound to alert fellow hunting dogs about a scent
- And of course, the Beagle howl, a long call that often happens when you leave your Beagle puppy alone at home, or your puppy is bored
How Much Do Beagles Bark?
These dogs do not bark or howl more than some other dog breeds. But remember, they are pack animals that prefer to do things in groups. Often, their barking, especially their howl loud noise is a sign they are not entertained enough.
These dogs are vocally expressive and use their barking as a form of communication. You can minimize this behavior with consistent training and exercise. Remember, a tired Beagle is a quiet Beagle.
Why Do Beagles Bark?
As hunting dogs, they are known for their barking and howling while on hunts. They bark or howl to bring their pack towards the prey and increase their excessive barking until they catch the prey.
Yet nowadays, they are more companion family pets than hunting dogs. That being said, if you are a Beagle owner and you want to know why your canine is barking, here are some possible reasons:
- Excitement when your dog sees you coming home. The good news is that excitement barking is not loud
- Barking for attention as these dogs have learned how to use their voice to get attention. You might be doing something without your pet, and your Beagle is bored
- Barking when they want something, for example, going out, or getting food/treats. When they bark to go out, they are more whining than barking
- Of course, they also bark when they are hungry. These dogs are smart enough to know when it is their mealtime
- Quite a few Beagles also bark because of separation anxiety. They are prone to this condition and do not do well when you are not home
House Beagles
Nowadays, many breeders and owners agree on one thing. A Beagle who spends most of its time in an apartment will bark less.
They have named these dogs House Beagles. According to some breeders, they have become lazy, and their hunting instincts are tempered.
How to reduce Beagle’s barking
There are many ways to stop a puppy from barking. The first thing you have to remember is to never shout at your canine when it is barking. Why? Because your dog will interpret it as a conversation. Your shouting is actually a reply to his barking, and your dog will continue barking.
Instead, you should implement a positive reinforcement training method that will help you train your dog not to bark.
But more importantly, make sure your healthy Beagle dog is getting enough physical exercise, mental stimulation, and attention from you. As we said before, a tired Beagle is a quiet Beagle.
Why Do People Love Beagles?
As we mentioned before, according to The American Kennel Club, the Beagle is in the top 10 most popular dog breeds. Why do people love this hound dog so much? Here are five reasons.
- Sociable and friendly, this pack animal wants to be friends with everyone and anyone. They crave being part of the family
- They are low-maintenance dogs in terms of grooming and health issues. Beagles tend to be healthy dogs that require minimal grooming and rarely get sick
- They are easy to train, despite their hunting instinct and nature. Beagles love to be part of the family, and the moment you understand that, you will have it easy to train your dog
- Relatively small, these dogs grow between 13 and 15 inches. But most of them are under 13 inches and weigh around 20 pounds. That is a size you can take anywhere with you
- Most importantly, they are versatile dogs that can thrive in different living conditions, from rural areas to big cities. They are adaptable and while they prefer a big yard, as long as you are there, Beagles are happy
