Do Beagles Get Along With Other Dogs? Why?
Have you thought about adding another dog to your household, but are wondering if your Beagle will get along well with another four-legged family member? If you have a Beagle, chances are you’ve thought about getting another dog. Or, you want to socialize your pet and take them to dog parks and for hikes where they may encounter other canines. Though dogs are as individual as people, you want to know ahead of time if your Beagle’s general temperament means he likes or dislikes being around other pups.
Do Beagles Get Along With Other Dogs?
Beagles enjoy being around other dogs because they are devoted pack animals, love to play, and aim to please. If you want to introduce another dog into your Beagle’s life, it won’t be hard, as long as you understand how to do it appropriately.
Being your Beagle’s only playmate can get tiresome. These fellas love to engage with others and need a fair amount of attention. If you are thinking of spending time around another dog with your Beagle, make sure you have a good grasp of what it will take to make that a positive experience for everyone.
I have always had at least two dogs. Sometimes I’ve questioned my decision when both are giving me a run for my money! But, I find my dogs tend to be happiest when one of our family members is another canine. Below I’ll explain why your Beagle will have no trouble getting along with another dog.
Do Beagles Get Along With Other Dogs?
As I said earlier, Beagles are like people. Most will get along with everyone…others will need more convincing. Even the friendliest pup can have an off-day and not want to socialize with a single soul.
For the most part, though, Beagles are very friendly dogs and will benefit from having other pups to play with. Here’s why:
Hopelessly Devoted
One reason why most Beagle owners have no problem letting their pups engage with other dogs is because they know that these hounds are hopelessly devoted pack animals. “The more the merrier” could be the Beagle’s mantra.
Beagles were bred to be hunting dogs and they understand the desire to be part of a pack. And, they respect pack rules. These dogs are not loners. In fact, if left alone for long periods of time, a Beagle will get anxious and maybe even destructive. This is a dog that feels most secure when part of a group, not alone.
And, though they do great with adults, kids, and even cats, they will get even more enjoyment out of having another dog as part of their pack.
Plays Well With Others
The Beagle knows how to play – and would prefer to do it with others. A dog with the level of energy that a Beagle has is going to be hard to satisfy with just human interaction. It’s doable, sure, but you may find it to be a bit exhausting.
Giving your Beagle buddy some time with other dogs will not only help him socialize, but it will also alleviate some of the energy that, at times, seems to never end.
Whether you’re considering getting a second dog, planning to take your pooch to the dog park, or considering enrolling him in doggy day-care classes, most Beagles will welcome the additional play pal. Rare is the Beagle who won’t play well with others. It’s just not in their nature.
People Pleaser
Again, Beagles were bred to be hunters. And, as hunters, they were bred to take commands from humans. The Beagle is smart, curious, and excitable. But he is also a willing companion who wants nothing more than to show his human what he’s capable of.
For this reason, a Beagle will get along well with another dog if you expect him to. Whether it’s a new family pet or a hiking buddy, your Beagle will take his cues from you. If you seem excited about the new friend, he most likely will too.
One caveat – Beagles can be possessive at times. The older your dog is, the more this may be baked into his personality. If he sees you paying attention to another dog, he may experience a bit of possessiveness and that possessiveness might manifest as aggression.
But, if you keep your cool and make it clear to him that this new dog friend is not a foe, your Beagle will most likely follow your lead.
How Do I Introduce My Beagle to Another Dog?
Even the most social Beagle may need some time when warming up to a new person, animal, or situation. Following certain guidelines will ensure that the experience is a positive one for you, your Beagle, and the other dog.
Choose Your Turf Carefully
Deciding to bring a new dog into your Beagle’s space can be overwhelming for even these easy-going dogs. As I said earlier, the Beagle is a good-natured guy, but he can also be a bit possessive, especially if there has never been another animal in his home before.
Plan for the first meeting to be in a neutral spot, preferably outdoors. Whether you’re bringing home a new pup, or just meeting a new potential playmate, letting both dogs get to know each other where neither will feel the need to protect their space is ideal.
And, just like any first date, plan for this first meeting to be short, which will (hopefully!) leave most dogs wanting more.
Give Everyone Some Space
Not only is a neutral location important, but so is space. Some dogs tend to be unusually aggressive when being bound to a leash. Others will feel the need to protect you and may act inappropriately because you are just steps away.
See if the neutral meeting spot can be somewhere outdoors, where both dogs can be allowed to be off-leash, but still confined to a specific space. This will give your Beagle and the other pooch a chance to get to know each other without feeling confined or protective.
Anyone who knows dogs knows the first (and probably tenth!) meet and greet is going to involve a lot of private-part sniffing, mounting, ear-licking, and more sniffing. This is all totally normal and how dogs communicate.
Keep an eye on the behavior, but give your Beagle and the other dog the freedom they need to really get to know each other.
Know the Boundaries
Yes, dog dates involve a lot of sticking their noses where they don’t always belong. Seems weird to us, maybe, but for our four-legged friends, it’s perfectly acceptable.
That said, it’s a good idea to know a bit beforehand, just in case your Beagle or the other dog don’t appreciate such “friendliness”.
Some dogs don’t like to be sniffed or mounted. Others will tolerate it to a point, and may even expect a chance to do it themselves. If your Beagle seems skittish or uncomfortable with certain behavior, you may need to intervene.
Likewise, if you find your Beagle is being more frisky than the other dog desires, you’ll need to make it clear to him that his actions are not okay.
Certain breeds tend to be much more aggressive than others, and this may not be a good fit for your Beagle. If one of the dogs isn’t neutered or spayed, this can also pose a problem.
