If you’re thinking about getting a beagle or you already have a beagle, you are probably wondering, are beagles good with other dogs? Is your dog going to be keen to meet all its pals at the doggy park, or is that not going to work out? Some dogs love to play with four-legged friends, while others prefer the company of their humans and nobody else. Knowing where your dog falls on this scale is important because it lets you work out whether your dog is likely to take to new friends or not. Let’s find out about beagles!
So, are beagles friendly toward other dogs? Beagles usually love other dogs. They are very much “pack dogs” and enjoy being part of a group. If your beagle has an opportunity to make some new friends, take it; they will be overjoyed. Beagles like to meet both people and dogs.
Never underestimate a beagle’s ability to get on with other dogs! Beagles do love their buddies, but as with any dog, you need to be aware of your own pup’s character, preferences, and trigger points to avoid any potential issues. It is a good idea to think about the different circumstances in which it is likely to meet other dogs, and we’re going to discuss general disposition toward other dogs, aggression chances, and indoor and outdoor meetings. By the end, you’ll be an expert on beagle friendliness!
Do Beagles Get Along With Other Dogs?
Yes, beagles decidedly do get along with other dogs. Why? The main reason is that beagles were bred as hunting dogs (scent hound) with an amazing sense of smell, and they are used to being part of a pack. They are happiest when they have other companion dogs to run with, when they have something to do, and when they are engaged in something fun.
If your beagle is introduced to another dog, it will probably see it as a friend pretty quickly, although beagles do sometimes take a little while to warm up to others (both canine and human). Be patient and don’t force interactions; give your beagle the time that it needs to assess the other dog and approach it.
Beagles have such a pack mentality that they will usually accept any breed, whether a beagle or not, even though they were originally bred to hunt alongside other beagles. They will also accept children and even cats into their “families” and will love and care for their family members with great energy.
Adult Beagles do not like being left alone, and if you are out for long hours at a time, your beagle will probably suffer from loneliness, anxiety, and possibly even depression. If you are often away from the home for hours, consider getting another dog or even a cat companion so that your beagle does not feel it is alone.
That said, although beagles will usually get on well with other dogs, this is not a given in every situation. You still need to socialize beagles (house training) and encourage them to get used to other dogs, particularly when they are puppies.
This will encourage them to play nicely and understand social cues when they are adults, so don’t neglect this step. If you have adopted a beagle with an unknown history, be careful about interactions with other dogs until you have a good understanding of its behavior. You should still encourage it to interact but do so in a controlled manner.
Are Beagles Aggressive Towards Other Dogs?
No, beagles are not usually aggressive towards other dogs. However, you should bear in mind that any dog can be provoked into being aggressive in some situations, especially if it has had a traumatic past. It is important to be aware of your dog’s cues and watch its behavior when it is playing and interacting with other dogs.
Because beagles are pack animals, they will sometimes decide that they are the pack leader, and this can cause aggressive behavior. They may try to get other dogs to submit to them, and in these instances, they will probably show some aggression.
It is important to teach your beagle that it is not the leader by establishing dominance yourself. Eating before you feed your dog, entering through doors first, etc., are good ways to ensure your beagle sees you as the boss. However, beagles are tough to train, so you may also want to go to a behavioral class or talk to a trainer.
Beagles can also be aggressive if they feel threatened by another dog, or if they feel that another dog is invading their territory (which we will cover in more detail later). They may be aggressive in terms of food and toys, too, which is no surprise when you remember that in the wild, aggression might decide which dog gets the pick of the kill.
Another common reason for the aggression is the prey drive. You probably already know that beagles are hunting dogs (hunting hound), and that means that if something triggers their prey drive, they will attack it. Beagles will chase and hunt things that move quickly, especially small animals.
Cats are an obvious target, but even a smaller dog or a young child could trigger the same response. This behavior is usually somewhat playful, however, and should rarely end in aggression.
Meeting Other Dogs Outdoors
Usually, your beagle will be delighted to meet other family dogs outdoors during regular exercise. It will be keen to play with and chase other dogs, and in general, it will play nicely.
Socialization is, of course, key to this. Beagle Puppies need to meet lots of other people and dogs in order to feel secure around them, and it is really important to socialize your beagle. Some people find that doggie daycare is a great way to do this, while others will just go to the dog park or make friends with other dog owners and organize play dates.
Whatever you choose to do, prioritize socializing your beagle thoroughly so that it has a healthy response to other dogs. If you have adopted your beagle later in life and it is not well socialized, you may need help from a specialist so that you can work on this.
Food is a great motivator for good behavior in a beagle and may help you to encourage your dog to socialize. However, you do need to be careful not to stimulate food aggression between your dog and any other dogs you are trying to get it to interact with.
Your beagle needs to become comfortable with other dogs and people so that it can enjoy life to the fullest and be reliably friendly towards them. Meeting other dogs in outdoor spaces is a great way to start, as beagles can be difficult when they meet dogs in the home – which we will cover next.
Bringing Other Dogs Into The Home
Although beagles do love other dogs, they can be quite territorial, and your home is their territory. You might be surprised by how differently your beagle responds to other dogs when it meets them in its home as opposed to the outdoor world.
Some family pets can be really aggressive toward other dogs that enter their houses, and this is something that you need to be aware of and prepared for. If you are going to have another dog in the house, either as a guest or as a permanent family member, you need to spend time working your beagle up to this.
If your full-grown beagle thinks it is the head of the pack, this will be harder, because it will feel responsible for defending the territory. If your beagle takes its cues from you (with you being head of the pack), it should be more relaxed about a strange dog in the home as long as you are relaxed.
If you know your beagle is aggressive in the home, work on this slowly until it becomes more relaxed and less territorial, as this will make things easier for both you and the dog in the long term.
Conclusion – So, hopefully, that has answered the question are beagles good with other dogs? On the whole, yes, beagles love other dogs. They are pack dogs that really enjoy being with other “pack members,” and they will take any opportunity to play. They can be really loyal companions with very high levels of energy and as an active breed always ready for a new challenge.
Of course, no dog breed is a hundred percent reliably keen on other dogs. All individuals have different quirks, and you may find your beagle is not as friendly as you would like. Normally, however, beagles are predisposed to like other canines. With the correct training techniques and proper training program, you can modify your Beagle’s behavior to help him to become an adorable companion for other dogs.