Beagle

Beagles need 45 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. They were bred as pack hunting dogs and love long, sniff-heavy walks where they can explore scent trails. Vary your routes to keep them mentally engaged. They enjoy playing with other dogs and benefit from regular social walks. On the Gold Coast, the hinterland trails provide excellent sniffing opportunities. Always walk on-leash or in a secure area — once a Beagle catches a scent, recall becomes nearly impossible. A tired Beagle is a well-behaved Beagle.

The Beagle's short, dense coat is low maintenance. Brush once or twice a week with a bristle brush or hound glove to remove loose hair and keep the coat healthy. They shed moderately year-round. Bathe every four to six weeks or as needed. Their long, floppy ears are prone to infections — clean them weekly and check for signs of redness or odour. Trim nails fortnightly and brush teeth regularly, as dental health is important for this breed.

Feed three-quarters to one and a half cups of high-quality food per day, divided into two meals. Beagles are notorious food lovers and will eat until they are sick if given the chance. Never free-feed. Use measured portions and limit treats to no more than 10 per cent of daily calories. Use slow-feeder bowls to prevent gulping. An overweight Beagle is prone to joint issues and heart problems. If your Beagle is gaining weight, reduce portions and increase exercise.

Beagles are intelligent but independent, which can make training challenging. Their nose often overrides their ears, so training requires patience and high-value food rewards. Start obedience and socialisation early. Keep sessions short and engaging — five to ten minutes works best. Focus heavily on recall training, though accept that a Beagle on a scent trail may never have bulletproof recall. Crate training works well for housetraining. They respond poorly to harsh corrections and will shut down. Consistent, patient, reward-based training yields the best results.