If you’re looking for a new dog friend to keep in your apartment, it’s important to do your research first. Although Beagles may be even-tempered and friendly, owners may still wonder if they’re a great fit for apartment living.
Beagles can be great apartment dogs because they’re not too big, have even-tempers, and tend to do well adapting to different living situations. However, the vocal nature, high energy levels, heavy shedding, and tendency to develop separation anxiety, can potentially be a problem if owners don’t prepare them for living in an apartment.
In this article, we will be going in-depth into why Beagles make such good apartment dogs, as well as other factors you should be aware of before bringing one home. If you are interested in learning more about these topics, keep on reading.
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Why Beagles Are Good Apartment Dogs
Like most small-to-medium dogs, Beagles have the potential of making excellent apartment dogs for all types of owners. However, it’s primarily thanks to their size, even-temperaments and adaptability that makes them most ideal for apartment dwellers.
Beagles Are Just the Right Size
One of the many reasons Beagles make great apartment dogs is their size. No matter how big or small your living space may be, your Beagle’s size makes them adaptable to all different types of spaces, including more-cramped apartments.
So, how big can Beagles get? According to the AKC, an average Beagle will stand around 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. Plus, a Beagle may weigh up to 30 pounds, which classifies them as a medium-sized dog breed. Perfect for apartments!
Other, larger dog breeds may have issues becoming comfortable within an apartment. That’s not to say a German Shepherd, for example, won’t do well in apartments. However, larger dogs living in a small space requires more care and attention.
Beagles can make great apartment dogs since most landlords only allow small to medium sized dogs in their complex.
– Arthur T. (Beagle Owner)
For example, large dogs have less space to run around and move about. This means owners will need to take them out for walks and play-time more frequently. In addition, larger dogs usually need a bit more daily exercise than their smaller counterparts.
Seeing how Beagles are popular medium-sized dogs, they will easily adapt to your living space. And whether your apartment is big or small, it’s clear to see that you can easily create a healthy, loving and comfortable space for your Beagle.
Even Temperament for Apartment Living
Beagles are fantastic family dogs because they aren’t too aggressive nor too timid. They aren’t so active, but not too laid back. Beagles are just mild dogs in terms of temperament. For this reason, they’re called the “goldilocks” of dog breeds.
It’s not a big surprise that even-tempered dogs make better dogs for apartments. In the Beagles case, that’s exactly what they are. We’re not saying they’re calm dogs. It just means they won’t easily be annoyed or stressed from common daily situations.
When a dog is stuck in a small enclosure, a lot of things can go wrong while you’re away. The more they are able to cope with unpredictable situations, the better they are able to handle things at home, in an apartment unit.
Beagles are Highly Adaptable Dogs
Despite popular belief, a small dog doesn’t always represent an ideal breed for apartment living. In most cases, small dogs are yappy and highly energetic. Not all small dog breeds are excellent lap dogs. It’s the dog’s adaptability that’s more important.
The good news is that Beagles are highly adaptable dogs. This is largely due to their even-tempers that make them easy-going and “happy-go-lucky” by nature. In fact, according to Dog Time, Beagles are one of the few breeds that adapt best to living in apartments.
Beagles also have the adaptive intelligence that make them superb dogs for apartments. This type of IQ refers to the dog’s ability to learn on his own. With such high adaptive intelligence, they’re able to make quick adjustments to living in different scenarios.
This means that Beagles can thrive in a big suburban home, but also a smaller apartment unit. Given the adaptability of this breed, there is no reason why they wouldn’t be able to live a happy life. Even so, you’ll need to take care of their physical needs.
Potential Problems of Beagles Living in Apartments
Though Beagles can make fantastic dogs for your apartment, there are qualities that make them less than ideal in small, crowded spaces. For example, Beagles can be energetic dogs – thus needing a lot more activities with smaller space.
In addition, Beagles are known to be big howlers and barkers. As a result, neighbors of a crowded or close complex may complain. And given the hunting background and pack-dog mentality of Beagles, a dog may suffer from separation anxiety.
They Are Energetic Dogs
While your Beagle can do well within an apartment, it is important to be aware of the fact that these are energetic dogs. As such, they do require a certain amount of cardio every day. It’s ideal for your Beagle to receive about 60-90 minutes of exercise daily.
While your Beagle does not necessarily need to be outside to receive this kind of cardio activity, it is still ideal to give your pup outside time to run freely and receive some fresh air. Of course, with an apartment, it’s not possible to let your dog roam around in the backyard.
If you’re looking for a lap dog that’s not high energy, you may want to reconsider owning a Beagle.
If you’re looking for a high energy pup, these active dogs get along great with older kids and love to explore outside. The amount of activity your Beagle receives is crucial to their long term health and wellbeing. So, it is important to ensure they receive enough exercise.
Being that your Beagle will spend a good majority of their time in your apartment, it is ideal to take the dog on a walk at least once a day. While you’re out, it’s also ideal to introduce your Beagle to cardio activities such as running, playing fetch, and throwing the frisbee.
These are all factors you should be aware of before bringing a Beagle home. To keep a Beagle truly happy and healthy, lots of outside time is important. You will need to ensure that your Beagle has access to all of these things.
Pack Dogs & Separation Anxiety
Believe it or not, Beagles were once bred to be hunting dogs. In fact, some still serve this purpose even today. Specifically, Beagles are scent hounds (with incredible noses) used to track down small game. In other cases, they’re trained to track fugitives and even bombs.
However, Beagles don’t do this job solo. In other words, Beagles are pack-dogs. As such, they tend to hunt or track in packs. They’re accustomed to being around others, especially with other dogs of the same “pack.” And without them, they can get lonely.
I don’t think I would try a beagle in an apartment building. There is too much risk of noise complaints.
– Oregonwoodsmoke (City Data)
The problem with pack dogs is that they tend to develop separation anxiety. And, the Beagles are no exception. They’ll often crave attention from their humans, but even more so than your typical dog breed. So if you plan to leave them alone for long periods, they may not be happy.
With separation anxiety, a Beagle may howl or bark like no other. In turn, this may upset many of the neighbors living within close proximity. Apartment complexes have crowded units and the sound may travel further than you think in these spaces.
Howling and Barking Nature of Beagles
Another factor you should be aware of before keeping a Beagle in your apartment is their barking. In most cases, Beagles have a very loud and distinctive bark. This is something pet owners should be aware of while living in an apartment.
Check out these Beagles being typical, vocal Beagles:
While this breed is not prone to bark all day, they are quite talkative and vocal dogs. As a result, this may cause problems for pet owners who live within close quarters of others. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy ways to train your Beagle not to bark as often.
The last thing you want is complaints from your nearby neighbors, so it is best to train your Beagle early, so their barking does not become too excessive. Taking the time to train your Beagle as soon as you bring them home is key to keeping your Beagle’s bark under control.
Beagles often socialize to communicate with their owners exactly what they are thinking or feeling. It’s important to know that throughout history, Beagles have used vocalizations such as howling to communicate that prey has been caught.
Understanding that all Beagles are prone to howling and barking is important if you are considering adopting one and keeping it in your apartment. The extra training may be time consuming at first, but the result of a quieter Beagle is well worth it.
Beagles Will Shed
Beagles are not hypoallergenic dogs. That is, they’ll shed and shed a lot. These dogs sport a double coat, which is essential in protecting these dogs on hunting trips from shrubs and debris. However, double coats tends to lead to heavier shedding in Beagles.
When excessive shedding is combined with a small enclosure, it can spell trouble for those that may be allergic to dog fur (dander). More dander (dog equivalent of human dandruff) is circulated through the air, allowing more opportunities to trigger allergic reactions.
Still, it’s not impossible to own a Beagle in an apartment if you’re allergic. However, you may need to be more alert and dedicated with cleaning and grooming. The good news is that apartments will have a smaller surface area to clean up, compared to a larger home.
Other Things to Consider
Before moving into an apartment complex with your Beagle, you’ll have to consider more than just the dog’s size, tendencies and habits. Here are some things all dog owners should be aware of before you bring home a Beagle.
Dog-Friendly Apartments
Not all apartment complexes will be dog friendly. And even in those that are, they tend to have strict and specific requirements for owning dogs. That being said, make sure to check with your apartment offices to get the details down.
Some will require a minimum age for the dog to stay there. For example, my sister’s complex said her dog needed to be at least one year old to live there. This is because they want the dog to already be potty trained prior to moving in.
Never lie about your dog, especially with a Beagle. You don’t want to hide your dog, because to be frank, it’s hard to hide a Beagle. They howl and bark so much that you’re better off finding some dog-friendly apartment elsewhere instead.
Some apartment complexes will have a ban on larger dogs. However, most seem to be okay with a smaller dog under a specific weight. In the apartments I’ve checked out, the limit was always about 25 to 30 pounds, though this will vary.
In fact, some apartments will have outright bans on specific breeds. Most landlords don’t want to be liable for any damages or injuries from aggressive dog breeds. As a result, they’ll ban the breed as a whole. These dogs tend to be Pit Bulls, Dobermans and other large breeds.
Your Beagle Needs to Be Potty-Trained
Suppose you are to own a Beagle while in an apartment, it’s very important that they are potty trained early on. Seeing how your pet will not have easy access to something like a backyard, making sure a dog knows when and where to go is crucial.
If your Beagle has yet to be potty trained within the new environment, you may want to invest in tools such as grass pads. They are helpful if your dog is still learning where they can and cannot do their business. It’s also helpful for times when they are not able to go outside.
However, the best way to potty-training a Beagle is crate training. By keeping your dog in a crate for some periods of time, they’re able to learn to control their bowel and bladder. Check out some of the best crates for Beagles here.
While plenty of potty trained Beagles live comfortably in apartments, it is important to do the training when introducing your new pet into a brand new environment. Otherwise, you may be stuck with a Beagle that does his “business” as he pleases inside a cramped space.
However, Beagles are not the easiest to train. They’re notorious for being “stubborn” dogs that tend to require more patience and consistency than other breeds. It’s not that they’re dumb dogs, but they can easily get distracted with their powerful noses.
Your Beagle Needs Socialization
As we briefly discussed earlier, Beagles are very sociable dogs and love to engage in play with both other dogs and humans. It’s what makes the Beagle such an attractive breed for families all around the world! However, they will need plenty of socializing.
That is why it is so important to get your pup out of the house every chance you get, allowing them to engage in play within a large outdoor space. It’s ideal that apartment dogs are taken to places where they can run free with other dogs, like the dog park, as often as possible.
Socialization is vital for your Beagle’s health, so make sure they receive it in abundance. Not only will interacting with other dogs, as well as other dog owners, make your pup quite happy, it will also help them grow their social skills. This is a plus for you, the owner.
A lack of socialization for your Beagle can lead to negative and even aggressive behaviors down the line. So, it’s important that they interact with others as often as they can. Plus, you’ll want to get them socializing as early on as possible. Between 3-12 weeks is best.
It’s Not Ideal to Leave Your Beagle Alone Too Long
Earlier, we stated that Beagles are both very talkative while also being very energetic dogs. Both of these factors can come into play if your Beagle is left to their own devices for too long. We know that owners need to work, but for long periods may be tough.
It’s recommended that your Beagle is not left home alone for any longer than 8 hours, even if they are fully apartment-trained. Your dog will need to be let outside to use the bathroom every 4 hours, so it’s crucial you’re able to provide that for them.
If you feel as if you’d be leaving your Beagle home alone for many hours at a time, perhaps you may want to reconsider whether having a Beagle in your apartment is right for you. These dogs do require very specific conditions of care for good health.
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