Information About Beagle Grooming
The history of the breed of dog called beagle is largely unknown. Some say the breed dates back to 200 A.D. The breed began to be referred to as “Beagle” in the 1800s. Beagles have been popular as hunting dogs and family pets as far back as 19th century England. This sturdy, independent breed was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1885. Hunters relied on the specific bark of the beagle as it scented out its prey and appreciated its affinity and enthusiasm for the chase. Though still used as hunting or scent dogs due to their superb sense of smell, beagles are also loved for their affable temperament.
These sturdy dogs have an independent spirit yet they are pack animals too. This makes beagles excellent family pets since they view their human family members as part of their pack. Beagles have an excellent sense of smell and a natural affinity for the chase.
Physically, beagles are attractive, small to medium sized dogs with a solid body construction. They are known for their brown eyes and characteristically sad expression. Their coats come in a variety of color patterns. Many are tri-colored in shades of black/white/orange or black/white/yellow. Grooming your beagle is made easy because of their short, sleek fur.
The ears, feet, and eyes along with the coat need consistent grooming. The long, pendulous ears are prone to infection as water and bacteria can easily become trapped inside. The nails may require more or less trimming depending on your dog’s activity level. Beagle eyes need special care because their long eyelashes may become ingrown.
If you do not feel comfortable grooming your beagle, there are many pet groomers available to maintain your dog’s appearance. They can handle, in particular, tricky areas like trimming your beagle’s nails. Services are relatively reasonable. A “puppy package” may include a puppy wash, brush, nail trim, and style and costs approximately $10-$60.
brooming your beagle helps care for his appearance and maintains his overall health. Whether you groom your beagle yourself or have your veterinarian’s office or pet groomer do the grooming, take care of specific areas such as your beagle’s ears, nails, and eyes. Weekly brushing and occasional bathing will help to maintain a healthy coat.
The long, pendulum-shaped beagle ears can be prone to infection due to water or bacteria becoming trapped inside. It is important to check your beagle’s ears at least once per week to ensure they are clean and free of infection. A good method is to wipe the ears whenever he is being brushed.
When grooming your beagle’s nails, trim them with a quality nail clipper. There is no set frequency for when nails should be trimmed since length depends on your beagle’s activity level. If you can hear his nails clicking on the floor it is probably a good time for trimming. Your beagle’s eyes require special attention because they have longer eyelashes than other dogs. Eyelashes need to be monitored and trimmed carefully. An ingrown eyelash will be very uncomfortable for your beagle and may require surgery to correct.
