Beagles are adventurous dogs and enjoy spending long hours outdoors, making them ideal hiking partners. Beagles love to go on trails and hike for miles, tracking scents, and tiring themselves out. 

It goes without saying that due to their hunting heritage, beagles were bred primarily for their powerful noses, which can sometimes get them into trouble in the outdoors. However with the proper prep, beagles can be great hiking companions for any terrains.

Are Beagles Able to Hike For Long Periods of Time?

If you walk at a reasonable pace, then hiking can be an excellent activity for your beagle. 

Apart from personality, sometimes physical characteristics are also important when choosing the right dog breed to become your hiking partner. Beagles are always happy to accompany humans, especially on long trails. 

As a breed, they have plenty of energy, but you should keep in mind their smaller stature if you are planning to hike for extended periods on rough terrain. 

If your beagle is new to hiking, they may not be able to go for a long rocky hike, and will need to be trained on easier trails in the beginning. Hiking requires immense amounts of stamina, and without proper training and conditioning for long walks, your beagle may be susceptible to leg injuries. 

The skeletal system of beagles does not fully develop until they are at least 18 months old. So taking them for long hikes regularly as puppies can be detrimental for their joints and also can disrupt the healthy growth of their bones. Hiking for long periods of time can also result in paw pad injuries which are extremely painful for dogs.

With the right gear and prep time however, you can get your beagle into the proper physical shape to hike by your side.

How to Train Your Beagle for Hiking

Proper conditioning of beagles can make them great hiking companions. You can train your beagle to be off-leash because when you are hiking, especially on rocky terrain, there are chances of the leash getting tangled in branches and rocks. 

Obedience training can help your beagle to stay off-leash while hiking, but you can’t deny the fact that beagles are scent hounds. They possess a strong sense of smell and are also capable of retaining those scents for longer. That explains why they keep following a trail long after prey is gone. So when beagles get a whiff of something, they become deaf to your commands. This behavior can make training them a little challenging, especially in the great outdoors with tons of new smells to catch. 

Teaching a beagle for recall can be an uphill task, but it is not impossible. It will be hard to distract a beagle on a trail from what they are doing. One thing you can do is use the food motivation or reward method to train them for recall. 

It’s best to start your recall training first indoors in a low distraction environment. Then gradually add distractions and move the training outside when your beagle starts understanding your commands. 

It’s important to remember to never punish your beagle if they fail to respond to a recall. Keep yummy high-value rewards handy during training sessions to catch your beagle’s attention. Teach your beagle that responding to recall will mean a reward for them. If your beagle is new to hiking, it is a good idea to keep them on a leash and allow them to sniff around and explore. You can train your beagle not to pull at the leash over time, but know that they will want to pull a lot at first. Teach some verbal and hand commands to help keep them mentally stimulated while hiking, including sit, down, stay, and come.

Before you head off for hiking with your beagle, consult your vet to check if they are physically ready for it and build up your beagle’s stamina gradually. 

Start with shorter hikes of not more than an hour or so to monitor your beagle’s energy levels. If your beagle seems super active, you can increase the time of the hike. 

Beagles are easy-going and friendly dogs, and will not likely cause any problem when encountering other hikers or dogs. 

Training a beagle for hiking may be a challenge, but consistency, patience, and harnessing the dog’s natural instincts can go a long way and yield a well-behaved hiking companion. 

Things to Avoid When Hiking With Beagles

Hiking with beagles is going to take a lot of patience, but following these tips will help keep both you and your pup safe:

• Always keep your beagle on a leash as they can stray very easily and get lost. If you are planning to camp also overnight, never leave your beagle alone at the campsite.
• The biggest threat to your beagle when hiking in hot weather is heat and humidity. Early mornings and late evenings are the best time to take your beagle for hiking. Do not take your beagle for long hikes when the weather is too hot because they may find it difficult to regulate their body temperature. 
  • In some cases, heatstroke can be fatal. If your beagle is overheated, you will notice symptoms like dehydration, excessive panting, and drooling. If you notice these symptoms, bring your beagle to a shaded spot and give them some water as soon as you can.
• Whether your beagle gets overheated or not, take periodic breaks, and give water to your dog. Hang out in the shade or sit on a bench for sometime.
• Do not take your beagle on hiking on a full stomach.
• Give a balanced diet to your beagle to allow your dog to keep up their energy during a hike.
• While hiking in the woods, your beagle can get cuts and scrapes, mainly in their paw pads. To avoid these, if your beagle will allow, you can make them wear hiking boots. These boots will also shield their feet from abrasion and extreme heat and extreme cold.
• Don’t allow your beagle to overexert themselves.
• Don’t let your beagle drink water straight from a stream, spring, or lake as these are sometimes contaminated with parasites and can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and gas in your beagle. Bring enough clean water supply for you and your beagle.
• When you are going hiking, other animals may pose a threat to your beagle. Keep an eye on your beagle, and watch out for other animals. Snakes are most likely found under fallen logs, rocks, and boulders, so don’t let your beagle dig around these areas.

Best Hiking Gear for Dogs

Before you embark upon a hiking trip with your beagle, both you and your dog must be appropriately equipped for the adventure. There are myriads of tools and gear options available for dogs to optimize their hiking adventure. Your dog can even carry some of their own supplies. Some of my favorites include:

• A hiking bag

A multifunctional hiking bag that your dog can carry, with pockets for tools and snacks.

• Food and water bowls

You can bring lightweight, compact, and collapsible containers to hold water and food for your dog to drink and eat.

• Dog tracking gear

A waterproof iPhone or Android compatible tracker to track your dog if they are off-leash can help you if you ever get separated

• LED collar cover or a collar light

If you are hiking late evening or at night, a LED collar cover or a collar light will help you locate your dog in the dark.

• Reflective vest

A reflective vest in a comfortable design with plenty of reflective panels can help find your dog at night.

• Leash

Leashes are required for the safety of both you and your dog and even other people. Use a leash made with a rope like material and not a flat one. Start with a 4 foot leash for more control and add lengths as your dog matures. I’d never recommend using a retractable leash, especially for hiking.

• Harness

A good quality body harness will avoid undue stress on your dog’s neck and trachea when they pull at the leash. A harness will keep your dog secure, under control and prevent them from escaping.

• Hiking boots

High-quality, rugged hiking boots that provide proper traction on varied terrains and keep debris and dirt out can protect the dog’s paws from cuts and scratches.

• Cooling water bottle

A toxic-free, eco-friendly water bottle that can keep the water cold for up to 6 hours is essential for both you and your furry hiking partner.

Final Thoughts

Hiking is one of the best ways to explore nature and bond with your beagle. A beagle can make an excellent hiking companion. 

Beagles have the tenacity to run off in pursuit of a scent. However, it is possible to teach a beagle to avoid distractions, hike without a leash, and even respond to your commands when you are at a distance. 

Hiking is a great way to keep your beagle both physically and mentally stimulated. You will make great memories with your little buddy on your hiking adventures. But make sure your outdoor adventure is safe and healthy for you, your beagle, other people, and the wildlife you may cross paths with.