There are some people who talk nonstop all day long and others who seem to barely speak at all. Some people might think that all that talking is annoying, but others might enjoy the chatter!
The same can be said about dogs. Some breeds bark nonstop all day every day, while others are more docile and hardly bark at all.
Hi dog moms and dads, my name is Bri. I have an old American Bulldog and Pitbull mix named Bruce who only barks if there’s treats involved.
While it is not uncommon for American Bullies to bark, Bruce just never feels the need to! Although I will admit, he is usually just too busy sleeping to bark at anything (unless I have food in my hand).
I have met other American Bullies and Pitbulls who are constantly barking and howling though, so my baby is just unique!
Each dog is different, but you can definitely tell which breeds are more vocal than others.
Beagles are one of the breeds that are very vocal. It’s in their DNA! My uncle adopted two Beagle brothers, and they are constantly talking to each other.
Since I’ve never owned a Beagle before, it got me wondering if their constant barking was just the relationship these two dogs have or if it’s a common trait in the breed.
That’s when I decided to put this Beagle Barking Guide together!
I’ll cover a few main points, including the history of the breed, why they bark so much, as well as some helpful training tools that Beagle owners could try to train their Beagles to bark more (or bark less)!
Let’s start with the history of Beagles.
History of Beagles
It’s no secret that Beagles were bred for hunting. They are one of the most common hunting dogs still used to this day, and have been so for decades.
The exact origin of the Beagle is a little cloudy, but we do know that they were pack-hounds used to hunt rabbits and hares in England centuries ago.
It wasn’t until after the Civil War when they became popular in the states.
They were first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and are still frequently used for hunting small game. However, they are also extremely popular for just being spunky house dogs!
Why do Beagles Bark?
Beagles and all dogs bark for the same reason that any of us talk; to communicate! Beagles specifically bark and howl as a tool to alert hunters that they have cornered the game they are hunting.
Their howls are long, high-pitched and powerful to alert their pack and humans from long distances. Typically, while hunting small game, the prey and the Beagle outrun the hunter.
Hunters are then able to follow the sound of the dogs barking to lead them to the prey!
That is still part of a Beagle’s history, so even if they are not hunting dogs, their instinct will still tell them to bark and howl in the same fashion.
I’m no expert in Beagles, but some experts do say that if your Beagles is barking or howling at home, it’s because they care about you and are trying to alert you!
Even if it’s just the chipmunk in the back yard, it’s very important that your Beagle knows you’re aware of the intruder.
This might be silly, but it can actually come in handy God forbid you ever have a real intruder. If you do, your Beagle is as good as any alarm system you could buy!
Can you Train a Beagle to Bark?
Honestly, you won’t need to really teach a Beagle how to bark. Like I said before, it’s in their DNA! They will bark whether you tell them to or not, but barking on command is a little different.
Training Beagles has been known to be very easy, so teaching them to “speak” is typically easy too. They are extremely smart dogs and pick up commands fairly quickly.
They are also extremely active dogs, so training can also be great exercise for them. Letting them have some fun while learning will make it better for everyone!
I never had a Beagle, but with any dog, all it takes is practice and patience! I have always found that using treats is the best way to get a dog’s attention, especially in training.
Whenever I’m teaching a dog to speak, every time he or she barks I would say “SPEAK!” and wait for them to bark again, then I would reward them if they did it.
Over time, dogs will associate the word with the action and the action with the treat!
Can you Train a Beagle NOT to Bark?
This is a tricky one. Dogs, especially Beagles, are born to bark. That’s how they communicate!
However, for your own sanity and if you live near other people, excessive barking can be a nuisance. This is another training element that will take time and patience. LOTS. Of patience.
First, if your Beagle is constantly barking at something in particular like passing cars, people, squirrels, etc. use those as training aids.
Any time your Beagle starts barking at a car or a pedestrian, give them a firm “no” and move them away from the window.
We often have had luck using a spray bottle with water too! We put it on the “spray” setting so it’s not too much, and any time our puppy would nip at us or bark, you just gently give them a little spritz.
It sounds strange, but I swear by that method! If these training tools don’t work for you, it would be smart to consult a professional dog trainer.
The tips above are simply things that have worked for me and my dogs! That does not mean they work for all dogs, so do your research and try different methods.
But don’t give up if they don’t catch on right away! Training is definitely not an overnight process.
It takes time, sometimes even weeks or months for dogs to master what you are teaching them.
If you give up on one method too soon and move on to another method, you could confuse your dog and you will actually be going back to where you started from.
Load up on the treats and give your pups a chance to learn what you are teaching them!
Do Some Beagles Bark More Than Others?
Every dog is different. Some might bark more than others and we will never know why.
However, you can consider some of the dog’s environmental factors which could influence how much they bark. Like I said before, some dogs bark at animals outside or even people and passing cars.
If people walking by is a trigger for your Beagle, they might bark more in a crowded residential area than they would in a country home. The same can be said for wildlife in your yard.
My dog doesn’t bark at anything because he’s old and sleeps all day.
However, if he was triggered by squirrels, he would probably bark all day long because we have quite a few that run around our yard throughout the day.
Your Beagle’s surroundings will more than likely have some affect on how much the bark, so keep that in mind!
Many dog owners have found that having a fenced-in yard is extremely helpful for dogs who bark at cars or people walking by because it gives you more control over their surroundings.
That being said, some Beagles might bark more than others. Again, it just depends on the dog and how they handle their surroundings!
Final Thoughts: Do Beagles Bark A Lot?
I LOVE dogs. Absolutely obsessed with them. I literally treat Bruce like he’s my human child (I wish I could say that’s an exaggeration but it’s not).
However, constant, loud barking just would not be ideal for me. I live close to other people and I would be constantly worried that my dogs are causing problems with my neighbors.
That being said, Beagles are extremely trainable, loving and adorable pups. They may take some extra time and patience, but they make incredible pets.
Every Beagle that I have met has been energetic and sweet, so if that’s the kind of dog you are looking for, I say go for it! Keep in mind that they are very active and high energy, so be ready to play.
Barking also is not the only factor you should think about if you want to bring a Beagle home.
You will also want to consider any allergies you or your family have, common health complications in the breed, how much and what kind of food they eat and many more.
It is always important to do your research when you are looking for a new dog. This goes for all dogs, not just Beagles!
Hopefully this guide helps you learn a little more about Beagles and how much they bark! Happy Pup Parenting!