While beagles find themselves as popular family pets, they were originally used in large packs, known for their hunting skills, particularly for hare hunting, and are still one of the most popular dog breeds for rabbit hunting.
Yes, beagles are hunting dogs. Originally from Great Britain, the beagle was bred as rabbit hunters and would be part of large beagle packs to track and chase prey.
Let’s explore why beagles came to be hunters and what makes a beagle suitable for rabbit hunting and other prey.
Are beagles suitable for hunting?
Beagles are one of the smallest members of the hound family.
Beagles are stoutly built with a square muzzle, framed by long ears and sturdy legs, and for endurance instead of outright speed.
Hunting beagles would be out chasing rabbits all day, and their ability to run all day is what made them suitable for rabbit hunting.
According to the American Kennel Club, the beagle is a friendly, curious, and merry hound, while there are two beagle varieties: those standing under 13 inches at the shoulder and those between 13 and 15 inches.
The compact nature of the beagle breed would help them navigate tight spaces while hunting rabbits or hares.
A beagle can be of many colors and markings, such as lemon, red and white, and tricolor. The tricolor beagles were generally preferred for hunting rabbits because of their coloring, though it is generally recognized any color beagle could excel in rabbit hunting.
The beagle breed is known to be curious, clever, and energetic hounds who require plenty of regular fresh air and open space, all attributes that are suitable for hunting rabbits.
A beagle hunting is known for their baying howl when on the scent of rabbits – but beagles are also good at hunting other small game such as pheasant, partridge, quail, waterfowl, possum, raccoon, and deer.
Beagles have been known to take on larger prey when they have the upper hand, such as when part of a large pack of beagles.
Modern-day beagles
Most hunting beagles happily go along with their master for the chase. However, one does not need to exclusively classify their beagle as a hunter or a pet. An owner can have a loving pet who they take out as a hunter to provide activity and allow the dog to use its natural instincts.
The ability to chase and hold down rabbits and hares has been lost quite a bit as the beagle has become popular as a family pet instead of only performing as the hound dog that it was for such a long time in its history.
Beagles make great family pets, and their gentle and affectionate nature means they are great with children. They love to play, so they will need plenty of physical stimulation to burn off excess energy.
Beagles should not be left at home alone for extended periods as they can become destructive – especially when young. Beagles, like other dogs, do not always get on well with other animals such as cats, but if they are introduced to them while young, they will get on better.
Beagles require plenty of physical stimulation
Beagles need lots of daily walks and stimulation – perhaps more than many other breeds – so it’s essential that they are walked frequently and allowed to run around in a safe area off-lead. A typical beagle can walk 6 or 7 miles, so your dog will need to be walked for at least 2 hours every day.
Beagles are hounds, so they should not be left alone in a yard or tied up outside as they can become bored and start barking – this is completely natural behavior. They are independent dogs that like to roam and sniff outdoors, and sniffing is great stimulation for a beagle, which will help tire them out!
What to feed a beagle?
Hunting beagles would have likely scavenged food while on hunts for rabbits or other prey. Eating whatever they could find on the hunt. However, the modern beagle generally relies on being fed by its owner, yet its instinct to eat whenever possible is still very much prevalent!
A beagle has no limits regarding food, so take proper care that they are fed high-quality dog food, either kibble or a raw diet.
Letting a beagle eat whenever it wants won’t take long before they become overweight!
Speak with various reputable breeders to see what they feed their beagle packs, this kind of advice is really helpful and helps get off to a good start and keep your beagle happy and healthy.
Are beagles good at hunting rabbits?
Beagles have been used as hunting dogs for generations. They are especially good at hunting small game such as rabbits and hares.
A beagle pack is extremely adroit when it comes to chasing down prey, so much so that you need to keep a close eye on your dog if they catch sight of a rabbit!
A good hunting dog must be able to show certain characteristics if it’s to be a good hunter. Let’s explore what those traits are;
Driving trails
A hunting beagle pack is assigned to lure the rabbit or hare towards the hunter. Beagles are energetic and can effortlessly pursue anything, beagles chase their prey relentlessly!
Scenting
Beagles have an amazing sense of smell and is nearly always found with his nose to the ground in the pursuit of foxes or other prey. This breed is primarily used to track rabbits and can follow a trail that is several hours old.
Baying
The Beagle’s unusual bark, also known as a bay, is recognized by hunters. This deep-sounding sound may be heard in the woods.
Determination
In some instances, climatic conditions might make a hunting dog’s task much more difficult. The Beagle’s perseverance while tracking game makes him a fantastic companion dog for hunters in the field.
Energy for rabbit hunting
Hunting trips usually start early and continue until the sunsets. A hunting dog must have enough energy to keep up with the pack. Beagles are typically ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Alert
When out in the field, a beagle hunting for prey must know what is happening at all times so that other hunters don’t mistake him for a game animal. They must also avoid potential danger with larger animals. Beagles are not only alert, but they are also intelligent—the perfect combination for hunting dogs.
Beagles are loyal, energetic little dogs that hunt intensely with all their heart.
Are beagles bird hunters?
Beagles can be used as bird dogs, despite the fact that they are not commonly recognized or utilized as upland dogs. Beagles have a proven track record as great bird dogs; they can quickly be trained to search for and flush out birds, foxes, hares, or rabbits.
Some experts feel that training beagles should be based on science, yet there appears to be such a natural desire in this breed to hunt; all you have to do is point him in the proper path. Here are some pointers for teaching beagles to hunt birds.
Train in the field. The ideal time to train a beagle is when it is in the region where the game occurs. They are incredible, and only minor instruction is required.
Introduce dead birds. Letting your beagle smell a recently shot game bird, such as a pheasant or grouse, will put him on the scent.
Flushing. The beagle is a runner by nature, and they will learn to flush sooner than other dogs when sent to locations with more birds than rabbits.
Retrieving. Although the beagle is not primarily used as a retriever, those with enough training can learn to do so.
Keeping quiet. During a bird hunt, for the most part, you want to keep the dogs quiet. The beagle is a relatively calm hound; birds are flushed and shot rather quickly, so there’s no need for the dog to bark or give voice once it has trapped its prey.
Being stubborn. The beagle may be stubborn and determined. You can teach the dog to do things your way with repetition, patience, and reward-based training. In the field, you’ll be able to evaluate and help your dog improve on a regular basis.
How are beagles used for hunting?
Beagles are a popular scent hound in the field, ranked among the top three in the canine world. Pack hunters are able to track a hare or rabbit’s scent, and because they pursue so close together, they seldom lose it.
Beagles have a lot of endurance and can keep up a good speed. They don’t have the sprinting ability to compensate, so they won’t be able to catch a fleeing rabbit; nevertheless, they will pick up the shot game and return it to the hunter.
Beagling, or “fox coursing,” was a sport in which dogs were released to chase after a hare. It was normally carried out in packs of up to 40 and directed by one Huntsman and several whippers-in who kept strays at bay. Beagling ended drastically when fox hunting fell out of favor.
The beagles’ survival as upland dogs was due to their being focused on pheasant hunting rather than a fox, deer, or other hares. Their exceptional sense of smell, which can detect a nearly odorless hare, was put to good use in hunting birds. They were trained not to overlook the presence of the birds but rather flush them out instead.
Do beagles hunt deer?
Beagles are a member of the hound family and have an exceptionally acute sense of smell. You may use this ability to employ your dog as a tracker of deer by teaching it how to hunt. Beagles have an inherent proclivity to sniff out odors, and they are employed worldwide to discover wild animals, including deer!
Summary
The beagle is an intelligent dog that makes for a great hunter. Whether you’re hunting birds, rabbits, or deer, the beagle has proven to make a successful companion in the field.
