Why Beagle Puppies Make Good Dogs For Kids? (and what to expect if you get one)
Beagles are adorable, especially as puppies. But maybe but you’re wondering whether they will get along okay with your kids.
So, are beagle puppies good with kids? The beagle’s friendly nature and boundless stores of energy make them excellent pets, especially for kids that love playing outdoors. The inherently hyper beagle tends to be even crazier as a puppy, so be prepared to deal with a lot of running around and diligent training sessions.
Beagles are excellent with children, but they aren’t perfect for every family. If you want to know if a beagle is an ideal pet for you and your family, read on! Here is everything that you need to know about the relationship between your beagle puppy and children.
Beagle Puppies and Children: A Match Made in Heaven
I’m not sure if you have ever dealt with a hyperactive 4-year-old before, but it can be exhausting. They run so fast, I think that even Usain Bolt would have a tough time catching up, and they scream loud enough to make professional opera singers jealous.
Yes, one 4-year-old alone is bad enough, but when you throw two together, all heck breaks loose.
That is what you are getting into when you buy a beagle puppy for your children. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a bucket of fun, but boy, oh boy, is it exhausting.
Beagles are famous for their playful nature and amiable attitude. Nothing seems to ever bother a beagle. Young beagles are even more optimistic. They brighten the day of everyone around them because they are just so darn cute.
Your energetic beagle puppy and your energetic kid are going to have a lot of fun together. A lot of chaotic, destructive fun.
Beagles are loving and lovable, happy, and companionable—all qualities that make them excellent family dogs. No wonder that for years the Beagle has been the most popular hound dog among American pet owners. The American Kennel Club
Of course, there are a lot of things that need to be done to ensure that your new beagle pup and your children get along. In the next part of the article, we will examine why beagles and kids get along so well and how you can best help them to create a positive relationship.
Why Do Beagle Puppies Work So Well with Children?
I always find it helpful to know the why behind something. If you know why something works so well (or doesn’t), you can more effectively nurture healthy relationships.
Beagles are pack hounds by nature. Their origins are shrouded in mystery with some claiming origins in Germany while others swear that they have deep roots in France.
Wherever the breed may have begun, it is in England where we find the ancestors of our modern-day beagle.
The English gentleman, among his many pastimes and pleasures, valued hunting the most. Fox hunting, a thrilling chase through the woods on the back of a gallant horse, employed large hounds to find and capture pray hidden in the brush.
The sport was thrilling but expensive. Boarding and caring for a stallion wasn’t cheap, nor was caring for a pack of large hounds a very economic decision. Not to mention how thundering around on horseback isn’t agreeable to the bones of an older gentleman.
A new sport was needed. A hunt as thrilling as fox hunting, but that could be done on the ground without riding an expensive horse.
Thus modern “foot hunting” was born and with it, our modern-day beagle.
Beagles are the perfect foot hound. Agile, hardy, and energetic, they pursue small games all day without a break in stride. No longer on horseback, the hunter follows his pack of beagles on foot. Easily keeps stride with his determined dog pack.
Hunting for a beagle is all about teamwork and group dynamics. A pack of beagles tromp through the countryside like a tank through a parking lot, with lots of noise and tearing through any obstacle in sight.
The noise and dynamic movement of the pack, scare up any small game in the area, usually hares. Once the game is spotted, the pack gives chase, leading the hunter on a thrilling ride through the forest to find a rabbit to feast.
You may be wondering why I bring this up, but the beagle’s past has everything to do with why they get along so well with children today.
Beagles- and especially beagle puppies- thrive off of social interactions. They see in children a peer to run and play with. Children aren’t just a beagle pup’s best friend, they are a crucial part
I think that it is safe to say that, without children to play with, beagles can easily grow up to be disobedient and maladjusted.
How to Foster a Peaceful Relationship Between Beagle Pups and Children
Beagles love to play. Children love to play.
It isn’t rocket science.
Getting your children and beagle puppy to behave and get along shouldn’t be hard (well, the behave part might be tricky), but there are some things that you should be aware of to help things go smoothly.
Here is a list of things you should know about beagles and kids:
- Beagle puppies are really hyper. I mean really hyper. If your kids aren’t willing to run around with a beagle pup outside every day, you might want to consider another breed.
- Beagles puppies shed a lot! Your kids will need to help with bathing and grooming your new pet or you will get stuck with all the work.
- Beagles are easy to please. This will make training a delight, but harsh words greatly affect this gentle animal. Your children should always treat your beagle kindly.
Now let’s talk about what you can do to help your kids and beagle puppy have a great relationship.
Kids Should Have a Part in Training
The healthiest relationships are those that loyally pass through both good and bad times. Adversity is the fertile soil of healthy relationships.
Well, I can’t think of anything more annoying than training a beagle puppy. An excellent opportunity for your kids to learn some responsibility and strengthen their bond with their pet.
These are curious, clever, and energetic hounds who require plenty of
The American Kennel Clubplaytim e.
Have your kids take your beagle pup out on a walk. Starting at about a year, beagles require at least one hour of playtime every single day. And I don’t mean just time in the backyard either.
Remember how beagles are social animals? When left alone, either outside or inside, beagles tend to become destructive.
By having your kids walk your puppy, not only will the dog get the exercise they need but they will also learn how to behave when on a leash.
*Pro tip! No time to play with your dog? No worries! Try adopting another canine friend for your pup to play with. Canine companionship will keep your dog calm and peaceful.
Those that Wash Together, Stay Together
I love making my kids wash the dog for two reasons:
- I don’t like to do it
- Washing the dog teaches responsibility and ultimately bring my kids and my dog closer together.
Beagles shed a lot. They grow thick winter coats and lose it all in the springtime. They also shed consistently through the year.
Weekly baths and biweekly brushes can really help keep down the amount of fur found on furniture. It will also help keep the gross dog smell out of your house.
Either that, or have your kids constantly dusting and vacuuming dog hair. It really is up to you.
Playtime is Important
Time on the leash is important, but there is nothing more important- or more enjoyable- than good old-fashioned playtime with your beagle puppy.
Have your kids play with the dog as much as possible.
Play frisbee or fetch in the park.
Try going for a hike or go on a camping trip.
Take a trip in your car and let your beagle pup stick his head out the window. Dogs love that!
Anything where your puppy can bond with your children. There really is no better way to get a better relationship.
Related Question
Are Beagles good family dogs? Beagles are excellent family dogs because they are great with children. They are also eager to please and therefore easy to train.
When are beagles considered adults? Beagles stop growing physically at about a year old but continue to develop emotionally. Beagles are considered mature adults at about a year and a half.
