Beagle
Cheerful, sociable and led by its nose, the Beagle is an excellent family dog, but training takes patience.
Beagle vs English Foxhound
Side by side
| Trait | Beagle | English Foxhound |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Scent hounds | Scent hounds |
| Size | Small | Large |
| Weight | 9–14 kg | 25–35 kg |
| Height at withers | 33–40 cm | 58–64 cm |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years | 10–13 years |
| Energy | ||
| With children | ||
| With other dogs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Heat tolerance | ||
| Apartment | Yes | Not recommended |
Key differences
- Heavier: English Foxhound (about 30 kg vs 11.5 kg on average)
- Taller: English Foxhound (about 61 cm vs 36.5 cm on average)
- Longer life expectancy: Beagle (about 13.5 years vs 11.5 years on average)
- Suited to apartments: Beagle only
Gaps counted as key differences: more than 20% in average weight, more than 10% in average height, at least 2 years in average life expectancy, or at least 2 points on a rating.
Which one is right for you?
A quick guide based on the ratings above. Every dog is an individual: spend time with the breed and talk to breeders, rescue organisations or a veterinarian before deciding.
- Apartment living
- Beagle is the better fitBased on apartment suitability and energy.
- Family with children
- Beagle is the better fitBased on behaviour with children.
- First-time owner
- Both are similarBased on trainability, energy and grooming needs.
- Hot climate
- Both are similarBased on heat tolerance.
- Active owner
- English Foxhound is the better fitBased on energy level.
Meet the two breeds
English Foxhound
A hardy, sociable pack hound, the English Foxhound is built to run for hours. It suits very active owners in the countryside.