All dogs are great, but once you own a beagle, you can never go back. Between their loving personality and sniffin' skills, there are so many things that make beagles so adorable and lovable. Yeah, they drive us crazy sometimes, but that just what beagles do!
1. The bark.
You know what I'm talking about. The bark that you can hear for miles and miles. The bark every squirrel hears in their nightmares. The bark you hear at 3 a.m. because a rabbit is running around outside. For non-beagle owners, it might be the most annoying sound on the face of the earth. Not for us though - we love listening to what our little fur child has to say (for the most part).
2. You must stop so they can smell every random patch of grass within a 5 ft radius.
A walk seems like a smart idea, right? WRONG. It's not really a walk, more like a few steps and "STOP! THIS RANDOM PATCH OF GRASS SMELLS LIKE PREY AND I MUST INVESTIGATE" mode kicks in. Good luck dragging your dedicated sniffer away from that spot- it's easier to stop a train with your bare hands than move a determined beagle.
3. Everything is food.
One thing you must consider before getting a beagle is how important being able to eat without someone looking deep into your soul and speaking to you telepathically about how good that pizza looks and how much they would love to have just a bite. Eating is no longer a luxury- it's a constant battle between human and dog. Leaving a plate alone for .2 seconds is all it takes for a beagle to completely ruin your meal. With time, however, you will perfect the art of avoiding direct eye contact and protecting your food.
4. What is personal space?
One second you are lying in bed, relaxing, and the next you are grunting in pain as your beloved beagle is walking all over you to ensure they are as close to you as possible. Keeping a beagle out of your bed at night is pretty much impossible – on the bright side, if you enjoy cuddling at night, a beagle is all you need.
5. Everyone is their friend - which is why they make the worst guard dogs.
If you are looking for a dog to protect you from intruders, a beagle is not for you. They look at everyone as friends and all they want is some good ole fashion lovin' (and food). This makes them great for families though; they might be one of the most patient dog breeds in the world.
6. They are nut jobs.
One second, you think your beagle is just chillin'. The next, they are running around the house, barking at nothing, jumping on the couch, running to the bedroom, sprinting into the kitchen, and repeat. I refer to this as "crack mode," but every beagle owner has their own term for the second personality their beagle shows once they are comfortable.
7. They will hike their leg up to pee on any vertical object even when there is no pee left.
Lamp post? Must be peed on. Tree? Must be peed on. House? Oh yes, definitely must be peed on. Small dogs? Yep someone needs to show them who's boss.
8. When you get a beagle, you get a guaranteed best friend for years and years.
Once you go beagle, you never go back. Their friendly personalities and loving qualities make them the best dog breed to ever exist. It's addiction, so be careful. The best part is beagles love other beagles, so feel free to adopt every beagle you come across. Hey, you could be addicted worse things in life, right?