Modern Beagle

Many dog owners, especially those with smaller dogs, are fearful that their pets will be attacked by larger canines. Fortunately for beagle owners, they can rest assured knowing that beagles were bred to defend themselves when they need to. Beagles are very adept at assessing threats, and are not afraid to make everyone aware when there is a potential danger nearby. They are also not afraid of physical altercations. After generations of breeding for hunting, beagles know how to take down both prey and enemies. In this article, I'll break down exactly how beagles protect themselves, and go in depth on what makes them a great breed for also protecting other dogs, their owners, and their home in general. How Do Beagles Defend Themselves? For starters, let's look at the tactics a beagle might use to protect itself from a threat. Deterring Predators Beagles are fast, so if they need to get away from an attacker, they have the speed to outrun them. When they reach the limits of their endurance, they will stop and howl until further help arrives. A beagle's howl is also unique, and will act as a warning to any predators or people that it perceives as a potential threat. Alerting Their Owners If a beagle is ever in trouble on its own, it will howl to let its owners know that it needs help. This comes in handy when owners are separated from their dogs, such as when they are outside playing or when the dog is home alone. Their distinctive howl could also help other pets or neighbors tell where the beagle is located, allowing them to rush over and assist. Preparing to Fight When a threat is nearby, a beagle will not hesitate to take action. It will duck down and prepare to fight on its own, making itself as small as possible to flee or hide. In the process, it will also call for help with its howl. Attacking With Their Bite Beagles are not afraid to bite when they need to. When an attacker approaches, a beagle will face the threat head on and assert the dominance. This ensures that they have a good grasp on their opponent, which will help them fight effectively. Additionally, with a beagle's strong grip, it can give a painful bite. This could result in serious injury to an attacker, and could also damage your beagle's teeth. Are Beagles Protective Of Other Dogs? Yes, beagles are very protective of other dogs they know especially other beagles or other dog breeds that they live with. Beagles were bred to be very protective of their pack, and if two live together, they'll both take on the role of defending their household. Notably beagles also don't discriminate when it comes to size. I've seen many small beagles protect larger dogs they live with like labradors and golden retrievers in stressful situations. This is simply because beagles have more of a protective nature than other large dog breeds, and are more tuned to alerting people around them about potential threats. Are Beagles Protective of Their Owners? Beagles are very protective of their owners, even sometimes when they don't need to be. Beagles were bred to be pack animals, and that can make them very protective of other members of their pack, especially the pack leaders (in other words, you the owner). Because of this pack mentality, beagles are also prone to separation anxiety. While this can be an annoying and challenging condition, one positive from their overt attachment is their ability to bravely protect their owners in times of danger. Of course every beagle is different, and there will always be exceptions, but beagles tend to act very defensive of their owners when in the face of other aggressive dogs, or humans that appear as a threat. Beagles defend their owners in some of the following ways: Growling Initially when in a defensive position, beagles will first let out some warning growls. These growls are a warning to the potential threat that they are not impressed, and if the threat approaches them further they will attack. Barking When beagles bark, they are trying to let out as much noise as possible to alert their owners and surrounding people or animals of the potential danger. Beagle barks are not necessarily mean or aggressive, but merely a warning sound. However they can also be much more aggressive, especially if a beagle is particularly scared or agitated. Beagles will also let out more of a howl when they're trying to alert to danger, so you'll want to pay attention to their mannerisms and the differences between growling, howling, and barking. Chasing When beagles are chasing a threat away they are doing so under the impression that they are protecting their pack and trying to remove the threat. Beagles are very fast runners, with a max speed of about 20 miles per hour, so you'll want to consider whether or not to release them from their leash in a dangerous situation. Biting When a beagle is in a defensive position, they will try to bite. Beagles have been bred to be more aggressive than other dogs, and bite for the purpose of physical pain as well as to deter the person or animal that is attacking them. This should be a last resort, and something you don't want to teach your beagle to do in normal situations. In most cases when beagles are defensive they are overestimating their threats, and it's important not to let your beagle bite someone if you aren't actually in present danger. Are Beagles Good Guard Dogs? As I mentioned, beagles are highly protective of their pack, and will also try to defend their pack leaders. Because of their loud bark, digging ability, ability to chase down a threat, and powerful bite, beagles can be a very good deterrent and guard dog. If you have a yard where you can comfortably place your beagle in so they can alert you to someone approaching your home or property line, beagles will do a great job protecting the yard and surrounding area. Though you should make sure that your yard is properly fortified, as beagles are excellent escape artists, despite how much they instinctively want to protect their homes. I've had some luck with invisible fences for my two beagles in our front yard, and have some sturdy fencing in our back yard. While beagles can be a beneficial added layer of defense for your home, you'll also want to keep your neighbors in mind. Beagles can be howlers, and if they incorrectly sense a threat, they can go on for hours. Their guard dog natures are even useful for beagles that live in apartments. When I lived in an apartment with my one beagle maple, she'd always alert us to anyone who was walking by, and even started howling when there was a break in at my apartment complex. I definitely felt much safer in a city environment knowing she was there to be alert and protective. Final Thoughts As you can see, beagles have a very protective nature for others, and are well equipped to defend themselves in a variety of situations. While they may be on the smaller side compared to a lot of dog breeds, they make up for it with an aggressive attitude when they need to use it. This aggression isn't helpful all the time and needs to be trained and controlled, but when a dangerous circumstance arises, you'll be glad to know that they can get mean and keep themselves, your other pets, and even you much safer. In terms of protecting your home, beagles are not perfect guard dogs, nor do they have any protective superpowers, but I can definitely see how they could be a useful part of a well-rounded security system. This is what you should consider when deciding how to use your beagle as a guard dog.

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