Beagles are one of the most popular breeds of dogs. They are pet-friendly, great with kids, and are easy to train. However, when it comes to other dogs they can have a tendency to be a little timid due to their small size.
At the same time, they can often get along with other dogs because they were bred to also be sociable and amicable.
Of course not all beagles are going to have the same kind of behavior and temperament, and not all other dog breeds are going to be the same either.
I’ve done some research that shows there are some interesting trends between different breeds, and some are better for getting along with beagles than others.
In this article, I’ll go in depth on beagle temperament, why it’s important for beagles to get exposure to other compatible breeds, and which breeds are best for pairing with them. If you have a beagle and are considering getting a second dog, this is the article for you!
Beagle Temperament Facts
As one of the most popular dog breeds for families, beagles have fairly unique temperaments that are important to understand, especially when pairing them with another dog.
Some of the most important aspects of their temperaments include:
1. Stubborn Personality
One of the most important things to understand is that beagles are very stubborn dogs. They might not seem like it at first, as they can be very gentle in nature. However, when it comes to training, if they haven’t completely perfected obedience with you as their master, they can be very stubborn with most commands.
Because of their stubborn temperament, pairing beagles with other dogs can cause conflict, as beagles will not usually tolerate being told what to do by people or other dogs.
The best way to keep your beagle happy and in line is by showing them leadership over both them and the other dog, and making it clear that they are both a part of the same “pack”, under your direction.
2. Very Energetic
Beagles have a lot of energy and require a lot of daily exercise and mental stimulation. Because they are very energetic dogs, it’s important to have a safe space for them where they can play freely everyday.
They can be somewhat difficult to train if you don’t take the time to properly put mental stimulation into their day, or if you live somewhere like an apartment that lacks outdoor space.
There are some ways to effectively keep your beagle entertained while indoors, but you’ll still want to give them a walk for at least thirty minutes every day.
3. Highly Intelligent
Beagles are very intelligent, and they have the aptitude for learning new tricks and training commands. They sometimes though can be too smart for their own good.
This intelligence can often get them into trouble. For example, beagles are notorious escape artists, and will often try to dig or climb their way out of most backyards. This is why proper fencing and supervision is very important.
The positive aspect of their intelligence is that it makes them very quick to train (once you’ve established obedience), and can make them very handy for helping out around the house. As dogs originally bred for hunting, they make great working dogs, and can even be used as protective guard dogs.
4. Loyal, But Very Attached
Beagles are known for being very loyal dogs. They can however be a bit too attached to you as their owner. This can lead to a condition known as separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a common problem for many dog breeds, and it can sometimes be avoided by having another dog or other furry animal to keep them company. Signs of separation anxiety include:
- Destructive behavior
- Excessive crying
- Barking
- Stress
Why Beagles Like Being Around Other Dogs
The reason beagles are so friendly and get along with other dogs is because of their natural hunting instincts.
When they were first bred in medieval times, the primary purpose of the beagle was to hunt rabbits. They would run around a field, scratching in all the dirt for the rabbit’s scent, which they then tracked to hunt and bring back home.
In order for the beagles to work together, they would need to be friendly with each other and play well. The beagles would also have to be friendly with the humans in order to listen and obey commands.
Because of this unique hunting instinct, it’s important for your beagle to get plenty of exposure to other dogs, both around their own age, and older dogs that have already reached adulthood. This will allow your beagle to build a healthy socialization with dogs, and establish them as part of a pack with the other dog they’ll be living with.
When a beagle is raised around other dogs, it allows their hunting instinct to be channeled in a positive way, and also makes them want to play with other dogs outside the family pack.
In order for this to work, both dogs need to get along with each other, but there are plenty of breeds that can make excellent pairs with beagles.
Lastly, living with other dogs allows beagles to get out energy much easier than if they were waiting on their owners to help do it for them. They can run and play around any house or apartment in a way that’s both physically and mentally stimulating, making our lives as owners much easier!
How to Introduce Your Beagle to Other Dogs
Over the last few years I’ve spent a lot of time researching dog breeds and learning about dog behavior. The most important thing I’ve learned is that the way you introduce a new dog into your home can make or break their relationship with your beagle.
The process is a lot simpler than I thought it would be, but still important to understand. Here are the steps you need to take in order to properly introduce your beagle to a new dog:
1. Introduce the Dogs in a Neutral Territory
You don’t want your dogs meeting at your house or their house at first, because they are likely to feel territorial and aggressive. The best way to control this feeling is by introducing them in a neutral territory like dog parks or nearby fields.
By introducing dogs in a neutral territory, you’ll avoid any unnecessary conflict, and will allow the dogs to get to know each other in a controlled and safe environment.
2. Introduce the Dogs Slowly
Once you’ve got them in a neutral place, introduce them slowly. The best way to do this is by walking them on leashes side by side, allowing both dogs to wear themselves out and get to know each other before interacting with each other head on.
Over the course of the interaction, you can start to let them spend more time one on one together. If you have access to a dog park or an area where they can be off leash, you should try letting both of them off leash to see how they interact with one another.
An important note – you should never leave one dog leashed and one unleashed for an extended period of time. This imbalance will cause anxiety in both dogs, and can cause agitation, particularly in the dog that is still fastened to their leash.
3. Bring The New Dog Into Your Home
Once you’re happy with the way they’ve interacted together, it’s time to bring them both into your home. You need to be careful when you do this though, as introducing new dogs can feel very threatening to beagles if done too quickly.
This is why you need to introduce them slowly and gradually, so that your beagle doesn’t feel threatened or overwhelmed by the introduction. If they do feel threatened, this will cause them to become aggressive and defensive towards the other dog in your house.
It’s okay if this doesn’t work out on the first try. If your beagle is showing signs of aggression like growling, howling, barking, or even biting, I’d recommend giving them a “time out” by using a crate to help them calm down. You can learn more about this method by checking out my crate training guide here.
4. Allow Your New Dog To Have A Separate Space At First
Everyone wants their two dogs to become fast friends, and they likely will over time. But to avoid any territorial fights it’s best to have separate crates, beds, and even toys for your new dog as to not cause any rifts between them and your beagle.
While it can seem stressful, all of these steps and precautions are for a greater good. Your beagle will thrive once they have a sibling dog to get along with. It can take some time, but once their relationship starts to grow, it’s likely that they’ll become inseparable.
11 Best Companion Breeds For A Beagle
1. Beagles
Of course I’ve got to start off with beagles themselves. Beagles have been known to get along great with one another, and their similar personalities tend to mesh very well.
While things can be a bit tense when they’re both feeling particularly stubborn, beagles largely enjoy each other’s company and will work well together.
As I mentioned above, beagles have great temperaments for living in packs, making both of them ideal candidates for living together as the same breed.
Because they’re similar in size, there’s also a reduced risk of any anxiety that they might have from preconceived notions or past experiences with larger or smaller dogs.
2. Golden Retrievers
This breed is a well-rounded dog that loves people, but will also get along with other dogs if introduced slowly.
They’re good for families because they get along with kids, although they might take some time to adjust to new family members.
Golden retrievers are also good companions because they have a very high innate desire to please their owners, which makes them great for obedience training.
This can be particularly beneficial for beagles that are being disobedient, because it will make a good impression on them – especially if you get the golden retriever while the beagle is still at a young age.
3. Labrador Retrievers
Like golden retrievers, the labrador retriever is a great all-around dog that is very easy to live with and get along with others.
They tend to take some time to adjust, so be sure you don’t introduce them too fast. Like golden retrievers, they enjoy being obedience trained.
They tend to have less intelligence than beagles, but they make up for it in trainability, loyalty, and their docile and fun-loving nature.
They can get pretty big though, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you have a small beagle or one who is fearful of larger dogs.
4. Bull Terriers
These dogs are known to be one of the most sociable breeds out there, and are particularly great with kids.
They’re known to be very intelligent and easy to train too, although they take a while to adjust and might take a long time before they warm up.
They tend to have high energy levels so it will help if you can tire them out with lots of exercise. Because of this, they are a great fit for active families as they have a lot of energy.
Bull terriers, like beagles, were also bred for hunting. This means they have a lot of the same pack instincts as beagles.
They are also more powerful, which means they can be a bit more aggressive than other purebred dogs on occasion.
5. Basset Hounds
Basset hounds are known to be very friendly with everyone, and they make a good family dog.
Like the beagle, they are hunting dogs that have characteristically floppy skin and large ears.
They have an impeccable sense of smell and hearing, and are very docile.
Because they are so closely related to beagles, they also are susceptible to separation anxiety.
Getting a basset hound as a companion for your beagle is a great idea, as they will be able to help keep each other calm.
6. Poodles
Poodles are known to be very smart dogs, and this is what makes them a good fit for beagles. They are very affectionate and playful, and are all around great dogs for families.
They can get pretty big, but they have a sweet and docile nature very similar to that of a labrador retriever.
Because poodles are so intelligent, they can be a great influence on beagles (who are also very perceptive of other dogs’ behaviors).
Poodles are easier to obedience train than beagles, which hopefully can rub off on your beagle as they see the rewards of good behavior that your poodle is getting.
7. Jack Russell Terriers
Jack Russell Terriers are clever, fast, and very playful.
Because of these traits, they do better with people who play games and get a lot of physical activity with them.
They can be quite energetic, so it’s important to make sure they get enough exercise to keep that energy at bay.
This breed can be territorial with other humans, so it’s important to introduce them slowly to your beagle in a neutral place for best results.
Because they tend to be small, they’re often less threatening to beagles, but they sometimes make up for that with a bit of an aggressive demeanor.
8. Dachshunds
Dachshunds are very intelligent dogs that are a good fit for households with kids.
They’re very outgoing, friendly, and playful dogs that do well in homes with other pets as well.
Because of their hunting instincts, it’s important to socialize them with other people and animals when they’re young.
They tend to be quite loyal, but they can be aggressive or territorial if they aren’t properly socialized or trained by an owner who has a firm grip on the leash.
Because they’re so similar to beagles in terms of breeding background and intelligence, they make great companions for them.
9. Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese mountain dogs are a great dog for families with kids. They’re very intelligent, easy to train, and loyal.
While they can appear intimidatingly large, they are very docile animals that love to play around with other dogs.
If your beagle can get over this size difference, they’ll be fast friends with your Bernese Mountain Dog.
Bernese Mountain Dogs also have a higher need for exercise, so it’s important to keep an eye on your beagle during walks with them, as they can easily get tired and overexert themselves trying to keep up with bigger breeds.
If you get the Bernese Mountain Dog while your beagle is still young, it can also help if beagles see this companion dog as a role model for proper behavior.
10. Weimaraners
The Weimaraner is a hunting dog that has been popular since the mid 1800s.
They have long, lean bodies that are very fast-moving and agile. They also have a very distinctive look, with a long, thin muzzle and medium-length coat.
Because of their lifestyle, they are very energetic dogs that can be active in rather small spaces. While they can be aggressive towards other dogs, they get along great with kids.
It’s important to socialize them with other animals and people as soon as possible to minimize this behavior.
Their high affinity for exercise will make for a great play or running partner for your beagle.
11. Cocker Spaniels
Cocker spaniels are known to be great all-around dogs that are smart, affectionate, and amicable with other dogs.
They were bred for their small size and friendly demeanor to be companion dogs.
While they might not seem like it, they actually have an abundance of energy, and can keep a beagle busy as a playmate.
Why Socializing Beagle Puppies Is So Important
Lastly, I’d like to stress how important it is to socialize your beagles from a young age if you have the opportunity. This not only will dramatically lower the severity of any onset separation anxiety, but it will also make them adjust much easier to a second dog joining their pack.
If you push off your socialization training with your beagle until they are an adult, it will take much longer for them to learn how to interact with other dogs.
Beagles are wonderful dogs that make great companions. While their hunting instincts might stress some people out, you can easily channel that energy by training them well and introducing them to other dogs.
Part of this reason is genetic and commonplace for all dogs. Dogs are born in big litters with lots of siblings that they grow up with.
But today, most puppies are separated from their siblings and mothers as early as eight weeks of age. This puts the onus of socialization on their new adoptive owners.
Final Thoughts
The decision to get a second dog is a big one. If you do decide to adopt another pup, make sure you take the necessary precautions to ensure both they and your beagle live a long and compatible life.
By taking the steps laid out above, you’re going to ensure that your beagle not only gets along with their new furry friend, but grows with them and loves them as a member of their own pack. Also, if you’re ever looking to make your dog family even bigger, it’ll make adding a third dog to your pack an even easier endeavor.