Beagle and Dachshund both of them are hound dogs, originally bred for hunting
small animals. They have a lot in common but at the same time, they are poles apart.
So in this video, we will compare both breeds and find out which one’s a better companion for you.
History
Before getting a breed it is very important to understand their history
and why they were bred for. Dachshunds and beagles both belong to the hound category of dogs
but both were bred for different reasons. Dachshunds were first bred in Germany over
500 years ago. Dachshund translates to ‘badger dogs’ in German and were bred as small dogs
to hunt badgers. Their unique body shape is well-suited to hunt animals that hide in burrows
such as rabbits, foxes, and of course, badgers. Whereas Beagles were bred in 16th century England
to track down small animals, mostly rabbits, and chase them until they were gunned down by hunters.
Their ancestry possibly goes back to Greece 2,500 years ago…
Size Dachshunds
are a small-sized breed that comes in two sizes, Standard and Miniature.
Standard Dachshunds reach up to 10 inches in height and weigh around 25 pounds,
while miniature Dachshunds reach up to 5-6 inches in height and weigh up to 11 pounds.
Beagles are medium-sized dogs and come in two sizes. The smaller variant includes Beagles
smaller than 13 inches at the shoulder and weighs about 20 to 30 pounds or 9 to 13 kgs.
While the larger variant Beagles are 13 to 15 inches tall and weigh
around 30 to 35 pounds or 13 to 15 kgs. Both of them are small and compact breeds,
however, Beagles are slightly bigger than dachshunds.
Coat & Grooming requirements
Dachshunds can have one of the three different types of coat: smooth hairs, wirehaired and
longhaired. Out of these, smooth hairs are the easiest to groom and they shed the least. Whereas
wirehaired and long-haired dachshunds shed a lot and require more frequent brushing.
Meanwhile, Wirehaired Dachshunds also need to be hand-stripped up to three times a year.
Beagles, on the other hand, have a short and dense coat that requires minimal grooming.
They do shed moderately throughout the year and more during their shedding season
but this can be managed by regular brushing…. However,
they have long droopy ears which require frequent cleaning to avoid infection.
Personality
Though small in size, Dachshunds are courageous and won't get intimidated by
bigger dogs. Having served as hunters, they are independent and confident,
not to mention that they can be suspicious and a little aggressive towards strangers.
But once they get to know you, they are loving and playful..
On the other side, Beagles are super affectionate and social dogs who can instantly get along well
with everyone, even strangers. They develop a deep bond with their human families and stay loyal for
the rest of their lives. As scent hounds, they are curious explorers who cannot be trusted offleash.
Compatibility with other pets
Dachshunds are not known to be particularly
friendly with other dogs. So early socialization is must.
Whereas beagles are the complete opposite.
They are friendly and social with other dogs. That’s because they were bred to hunt in packs.
But both the breeds have a high prey drive,
so I wouldn’t recommend leaving them alone with a small animal like a rabbit.
Exercise
Dachshunds are too energetic for a dog of their size. Standard dachshunds need about 40 minutes
of exercise every day, whereas miniature ones need about 20 minutes…. This should be split
into a couple of walks… You will also need to give them some open but secure space to run off leash.
Exercise requirements of Beagles is higher than Dachshunds.
They need at least one hour of walk every day along with indoor playtime. You also need to
take them out for a run at least thrice a week to keep them happy and healthy.
Training
Just like every hound breed, Beagles and Dachshunds are
independent and stubborn. This makes training them
challenging. You will need to be more patient and consistent with their training.
Conclusion
So which one is a better choice? Well, both of them are amazing dogs with some similar
characteristics. Beagles are more affectionate and social..and slightly bigger, whereas Dachunds
are more independent and small in size….Let me know which one’s a better choice for you. And if
it’s a beagle, then do check out my channel, we have tons of Beagle Care videos. Later….