Get ready to mark your calendars and celebrate with your furry companions because National Beagle Day is just around the corner!
On April 22nd, we honor one of the cutest and friendliest breeds of dogs – the Beagle.
Whether you have a Beagle of your own or simply appreciate their lovable nature, this is the perfect day to show them some extra love and appreciation.
Find out how you can celebrate these amazing furry friends on their special day.
When is National Beagle Day?
On April 22nd each year, we celebrate these little adorable floppy-eared dogs called Beagles. And all of this wouldn’t be possible without Sean Parkinson.
Sean had this idea to organize Beaglelandia in the UK back in 2017. The event hosted an astonishing total of 1029 Beagles in attendance.
In fact, it was so big that it got a Guinness World Book Record for the Largest Walk of a Single Breed in 2018. Sean did all of this, so he could raise awareness and garner support from the online community to celebrate National Beagle Day every year.
How to Celebrate National Beagle Day
There are plenty of ways you can celebrate National Beagle Day.
Here are some suggestions:
- Go to a new place – Beagles love exploring new environments and new scents. Taking them somewhere they haven’t been to before can help make them feel excited and happy.
- Go on a doggy play date – Beagles are extremely social creatures. They enjoy having a friend to play with.
- Teach them hunting – help your Beagle get in touch with their ancient roots by teaching them how to hunt.
- Give them a job – Beagles excel when they have a job to do. Giving them a job for the holidays can help make them feel mentally stimulated, even if it’s as simple as finding hidden treats.
- Raise awareness for the holiday – Beagles are already popular, but you can use this holiday as a great excuse to help raise awareness for Beagles and other dog breeds that currently need a home.
- Go for a swim – swimming is a great way to help your Beagle burn off excess energy. It’s also a fun way to celebrate the holiday!
Here are 5 things you didn’t know about Beagles.
Unique Gifts for Beagle Dog Lovers
If you’re looking for gifts to give to someone for this holiday, or simply looking to get a gift for yourself for being a good Beagle owner, we have some recommendations.
Abstract Art Decor Animal Craft Kit- Beagle Dog
Beagle Glass Salt and Pepper Shakers
Eyeglass Holder Stand – Beagle (comes in other dog breeds too!)
Here are some more amazing stuff you might like:
- Beagle Bible And Beagles: Your Perfect Beagle GuideBeagle Puppy Dog Glass Salt and Pepper Shaker Set
- Late for the Sky Beagle-opoly
- Hope You Like Beagles Funny Welcome Doormat
The History and Origins of the Beagle Dog Breed
The history and origins of Beagles go way back. Many believe that Modern-day Beagles are descendants of the Talbot Hounds.
Talbots are hunting hounds that are more prominent in England. They date back to the Middle Ages.
According to history, Talbots were small to medium in stature with short legs and large, powerful feet. They were generally white, with long, drooping ears and long, curled tails.
Sounds like Beagles, right? Talbots are now extinct, but they share many similarities with Bloodhounds and Beagles.
Before the Civil War, Beagles arrived in America. By the 1880s, the breed was established.
And by 1885, Blunder the Beagle became the first dog to be registered by the AKC.
Characteristics of a Beagle
Beagles are incredible dogs with many talents. They make excellent hunting dogs, they help hunt rabbits and hares.
Their amazing sense of smell helps them track and find whatever it is they’re looking for. That’s why they make excellent working dogs.
You may see Beagles in airports, and other public places working security. They are often trained to sniff out luggage, find missing items and people, sniffing illegal substances, finding bombs, and more.
Basically, anything that requires their sense of smell, they can do!
In terms of size, there are two types of Beagles: Pocket Beagles, and just good ol’ Beagles.
Pocket Beagles are under 13 inches at the shoulder. Beagles stand between 13 to 15 inches.
Normally, a Pocket Beagle weighs around 20 pounds, and Beagles weigh in anywhere between 20-30 pounds.
Both Beagles come in different colors: red and white, tricolor, and lemon. Most notably, Beagles are known for their long ears that droop down.
Their ears help bring scents closer to their noses, enabling Beagles to smell better.
Most of us love the Beagle’s cute faces, too. They have big, brown or hazel eyes and a happy demeanor.
The Beagle as a Family Pet
If you’re looking to get a Beagle for a family pet, go for it! They make excellent companions; they’re loyal, and they’re easygoing.
Beagles are loving, happy which makes them great family pets. They are considered one of the most popular dog breeds amongst American pet owners.
Did we mention that Beagles love children? Because they do.
They are excellent “dog nannies.” They are also good with other dogs, so taking them home to a household with other dogs shouldn’t be a problem.
Caring for Your Beagle
Caring for your Beagle, just like with any other dog breed and pet, requires training, grooming, exercise, and healthy nutrition. We’ll walk you through all these aspects.
Grooming
Beagles do shed, but only moderately. They shred more heavily during the spring season because their dense double coat gets extra heavy during the winter season.
They don’t require a lot of grooming, so weekly brushing should be enough to remove their loose hair. Beagles also do not require regular bathing, but they do require regular nail trimming.
Because they have long ears, Beagles are prone to ear infections. Make sure to check and clean their ears regularly, too.
Find some great eco-friendly dog grooming tips.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, you should consult with your veterinarian to know your Beagle’s dietary requirements. Their diet should be appropriate for their age.
Find out what you can feed your dog instead of dog food.
Exercise
Because of their hunting background, Beagles are used to working. They have a lot of energy and tend to be very active.
Because of this, they need at least an hour of exercise every day.
Beagles are the happiest when they have a job to do, this helps keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. Take them for walks, give them something to hunt, and play scent games with them.
Keep in mind that Beagles are used to hunting and working in packs, so it is best to keep them company. Leaving them alone for long periods of time can encourage them to be destructive.
Another notable trait of Beagles is that they are excellent escape artists. They can find their way in or out of many situations.
If you let your Beagle play outside, make sure that the fences are five feet tall, and extend underground. Beagles can dig their way out if they want to.
Because of their curious nature and an irresistible urge to discover scents, Beagles tend to wander during walks. Make sure to keep them on a leash to prevent them from running off.
Learn how to train your dog to walk on a leash.
Training
In terms of training, Beagles are not the easiest dogs to train. Their curious nature encourages them to get distracted easily.
They also have high energy levels which means they don’t particularly enjoy sitting down and waiting for a command.
Because they are hunting dogs, Beagles are more likely to follow their instincts rather than listen to your commands. Training a Beagle may become challenging if you’re a first-time dog owner.
On the bright side, Beagles are highly intelligent and they have the ability to understand cues.
As with any other dog breed, training a Beagle should start as early as possible. A Beagle pup will be easier to train than an adult one.
Start by potty training them as early as their eight week age. Then move on to socializing them with other dogs and other puppies as soon as they finish all their vaccination requirements.
We hope you have fun celebrating National Beagle Day!
Take a look at some other dog holidays you may be interested in.
