The Beagle possesses a happy personality, and is highly intelligent.  As a puppy, the Beagle has a soft expression to its face, and especially the eyes, that beg the human to consider taking this sweet bundle of fur home.  Indeed, a Beagle does make a wonderful family pet. However, do not think that this dog would be great in the backyard. The Beagle was developed as a pack animal.  When brought into a family, that family becomes the Beagle's pack.  Companionship for the Beagle must be present, or the dog will become a neighborhood nuisance with its barking, howling and "singing".  Another reason not to try to keep a Beagle in the backyard is its propensity to follow interesting scents.  A Beagle will follow a scent for hours, perhaps days.  A Beagle can get lost, and then we come to a host of other problems.
          It is very important that a future owner of a Beagle consider that a fenced yard is necessary to keep the Beagle from roaming.  At the very least, it will need to be walked twice a day.  One mile, or even two, will not be enough for this highly athletic dog.  If you are eager to get into shape, lose a few pounds, and to get acquainted with your neighbors, this is a great dog to possess.  Another option if this is not part of your schedule, how about kids with boundless energy?  Allowing your dog to wander on its own is dangerous to its health.  Not only are there other animals that could fight and/or injure your Beagle, the biggest danger is being hit by a car.  Do you really want to consider the thought of your beloved dog, laying on the side of the road with no one to help him, perhaps already dead?  And you do not know where he/she is.
     Some people think that with a voice like a Beagle possesses, it would make  a good watchdog.  Well, it will bark at things and people it cannot identify right away, but a Beagle is also a friendly personality, and makes friends with almost everyone that is willing to pat it and scratch its ears.
     The Beagle has a medium length coat, and it has a soft undercoat.  A Beagle needs minimal grooming efforts: combing and brushing of the coat, checking the length of its nails, and weekly checking of the ears.  Bathing is an as-needed option.
     Beagles usually fall into one of two size categories.  The first is a Beagle that measures ten to thirteen inches at the withers.  These Beagles average eighteen to twenty pounds.  The second is for Beagles that measure more than thirteen inches and not more than fifteen inches.  These dogs weigh between twenty and thirty pounds.  These sizes are important only if you are going to show your Beagle in conformation, or enter it into a field trial.  If all you want is a family pet, the size does not really matter.  It is possible for a Beagle to get larger than fifteen inches at the withers.
     Training a Beagle can certainly be classified as one of life's challenges.  As with any hound, training them requires a great deal of patience.  Part of it is individual, some Beagles are easier to train than others.  A Beagle can be stubborn about some things, and if training is not interesting, the Beagle will find a way to convince you the training session is ended.  Early obedience  training is very necessary, and will save you many gray hairs.
     The Beagle also possesses a ravenous appetite.  It loves to eat.  Therefore, it is apt to put on a bit of weight.  The owner needs to keep it eating healthy and wisely.
     The average life expectancy of a Beagle is fifteen to eighteen years.  Some have lived beyond eighteen years.
     The Beagle has always been a popular breed of dog, and due to this popularity, these dogs have been exploited by puppymills and back yard breeders.  This has unfortunately introduced genetic and medical problems into the breed.  You need to get a puppy from a responsible, reliable breeder.  One who cares about the breed, seeks to improve the breed, and treats the puppies like they were their own children.  Ask to see the parents, if the father is not present, the mother will do.  Are there health guarantees?  What tests have been performed?  Worming?  Shots?  What condition is the kennel area in?  Is it reasonably clean?  Is it organized and free of hazards to the dogs?  Are the puppies being kept separate from the rest of the population of dogs, or are they all thrown in together in the same area?  To get the best possible temperament of dog, and the healthiest, it is best to get your dog from people who truly care about their dogs.