🐾 Beagle

Beagle

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Who it is

• Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Family & relatives: A domestic dog breed like all dogs; its ancestor is the gray wolf, and it is cousin to other scent hounds such as the Foxhound and Basset Hound.
• How to spot it: A small, cheerful hound with long droopy ears, a short easy-care coat often in tricolor, and a white tail tip.

Its body & abilities

• Size: Stands about 33 to 41 cm tall at the shoulder.
• Weight: Usually about 9 to 14 kg (20 to 30 lb).
• Body & adaptations: A compact, sturdy body with a big nose and long ears that help sweep scents up toward its nose.
• Top speed: A steady, bouncy runner that can trot for hours following an interesting trail.
• Strength: Small but sturdy and full of energy, with a merry, friendly temperament and a big appetite for adventure.
• Senses: An amazing sense of smell, one of the best of all dogs, plus sharp hearing and good eyesight.
• Growing up: Puppies are born helpless with closed eyes, open them in about two weeks, and grow into playful adults by about a year.

Where it lives

• Habitat: A friendly family dog that lives happily in homes with a yard to sniff and room to explore.
• Where in the world: Kept as a pet worldwide; the breed was developed in England as a small hunting hound.
• Territory: Loves its home and family and will happily follow an exciting scent trail well beyond the yard if allowed.

What it eats

• Diet: A meat-loving omnivore fed proper dog food; it needs measured meals and fresh water, as beagles love to eat.
• Favorite foods: Complete dog food with protein for energy, carefully portioned so this hungry breed does not gain too much weight.
• How it hunts: Its original job is scent hunting, following the smell of rabbits and hares with its nose down and tail up.

How it behaves

• How it moves: Trots and lopes with a happy, bouncy stride, nose often glued to the ground.
• When it is active: Active and curious by day, always sniffing and exploring, then happy to curl up and rest.
• Family life: A pack-loving dog that is very friendly with people and other dogs and hates being left alone.
• How it talks: Famous for its musical 'bay' and howl, plus barks, whines, and lively body language.
• Babies: A mother dog carries her puppies about nine weeks and then gives birth to a litter she nurses and cares for.

Its place in nature

• Role in nature: A loving family companion, a helper that sniffs out scents, and a favorite dog with children.
• Conservation: Domestic breed, not a wild species, so it is not tracked on wildlife conservation lists.
• Dangers: Stays healthiest with vet checkups, a careful diet to avoid overeating, exercise, and a safe home.

Life & legacy

• How long it lives: Often lives about 12 to 15 years with good care.
• In our culture: A worldwide favorite, famous through the cartoon character Snoopy and beloved for its gentle, happy nature.
• Where to see it: In family homes, at parks, and at dog shows, where its friendly face and wagging tail win hearts.
• Fun fact: A beagle's nose has about 220 million scent receptors, so it can follow trails people cannot even notice.