Skip to Content

Are Beagles Good Apartment Dogs?

*This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclaimer for additional details..

People who live in apartments often search for a smaller breed when they decide to add a dog to their family. Since space is an issue, this approach makes sense.

But this can pose a problem because not all small dog breeds enjoy living in smaller living spaces.  

Are Beagles good apartment dogs? Yes, beagles are good apartment dogs. They are small enough for an apartment, and they do not have to be groomed often. Besides, they enjoy being around people. So living in an apartment and having people around constantly would be no issue for them.

Beagle tired sleeping on couch yawning

While Beagles are suitable for apartments, there are a couple of things to consider to ensure it all works out. In the rest of this article, we discuss some of these considerations.

How Do You Train a Beagle in an Apartment?

Beagles are small intelligent dogs. With proper instruction, they can obey and remember numerous commands. Therefore, you can train yours on how to behave in your apartment. 

Training a Beagle should begin in the early stages of their lives. You can divide this training into several phases:

  • At 6 months old, your Beagle puppy should recognize its name already. At this point, you can begin teaching it basic commands. This phase is essential if the rest of the training will be successful. 
  • As your beagle puppy gets older, you can begin teaching it more advanced commands.

If it already stays in the apartment, you will need to give it apartment-specific commands. 

  • Once your puppy is a year old, they are already adults and can be treated as such. If you have not started training your puppy for apartment living, now is the time to do so. It is not too late for your dog to learn, but it gets more challenging the longer you wait. It is best if you start training them for apartment living as soon as possible. 

One behavior tip you should give your Beagle is how to obey commands without the need to bark.

The sooner you teach your Beagle to obey nonverbal commands, the sooner it will do so without making any noise. You also need to train your Beagle how not to bark at any little thing indoors. 

Do Beagles Bark Too Much for an Apartment?

Yes, beagles can bark too much for an apartment. They are known to be quite noisy, and in the past, they were used as hunting companions because of their superb noses.

Beagles bark and bay like other hunting dogs. They typically do this when they pick up an unfamiliar scent, and they do it continuously.

This constant barking can be annoying to your neighbors, and you are likely to receive noise complaints. If you are to avoid this, you should train your Beagle to be less noisy.

Are Beagles Smelly?

Beagle Dog in Armchair

Yes, Beagles are smelly dogs. Generally, Beagles are smelly dogs simply because they are hound dogs.

Hound dogs usually emit a doggy smell, and for Beagles, this odor comes from their anal glands and hair follicles.

Luckily, you can stop or minimize this odor. To do this, ensure the Beagle lives in a clean environment and bathe and groom it when necessary. Also, ensure its diet is of high quality and take it to the vet regularly.

As a Beagle owner, there is a lot you can do to prevent your dog from smelling bad. But remember that all dogs do have a natural doggy smell.

What Are the Disadvantages of Owning a Beagle?

Owning a Beagle might have its advantages, but it also comes with a few disadvantages. They include the following:

Beagles Are Loud Dogs

Beagles might be small, but they are pretty loud dogs. This is something you need to consider if you have neighbors or live in a city. Alternatively, you can get a quieter dog breed.

Beagles Love to Dig

Beagles also love to dig. Beagles were bred for hunting foxes, which can include digging them out of a burrow. Your dog may think it is digging out a fox, but what it is doing is messing up your backyard or shared green space. 

Beagles Are Stubborn

Beagles have a stubborn side. A stubborn Beagle can make training challenging. If your dog decides to do what it wants, you may have no choice but to give in and try to keep it safe. 

Beagles are hound dogs and will always follow their noses. This means if your dog is off its leash, it has to be in a fenced area.

So, when you take your Beagle for a walk, ensure you keep it on a leash to prevent it from wandering away as it follows its nose. 

Beagles Will Shed

Beagles tend to shed a lot, and they are not hypoallergenic. They have a double coat which helps to protect them from debris and shrubs during hunting trips. However, this double coat usually leads to heavier shedding. 

When you combine excess shedding with a small space, it can cause problems for people allergic to dog fur (dander). When dander circulates through the air, it increases the chances of an allergic reaction. 

They Are Energetic Dogs

Beagles have no problems staying in an apartment. But they are energetic, and they require daily cardio. To this end, ensure your Beagle gets about 60-90 minutes of exercise per day.

While you may not need to take your Beagle outside for its workout, you still need to ensure it gets some outside time. This way, they can get some fresh air and run around freely.

Can a Beagle Be Left Alone?

Beagle dog sleeping on a sofa

No, a Beagle cannot be left alone. An adult Beagle that is over 18 months should not be left alone for more than 4-6 hours each day. A Beagle pup should not be left alone for over 2 hours. 

When Beagles are left alone for long periods, they tend to bay or bark excessively, develop anxiety, or become destructive due to boredom. 

Beagles are members of the hound family. Hounds generally are sociable and enjoy being around other dogs and people.

If they are not well trained, Beagles tend to get stressed when they are left alone. In some cases, leaving them alone can result in separation anxiety.  

Separation anxiety in dogs is when dogs left alone become distressed and anxious. If your Beagle shows signs of separation anxiety, take it to a qualified behaviorist or vet for proper diagnosis and advice.

Final Take

Beagles will make good apartment dogs because they are small and will fit in without problems.

Their high energy, stubbornness, and loud barks are challenges apartment dwellers should consider before bringing one home.

But if you train them correctly, they should adapt to living in an apartment.

Resources