The Beagle is a small dog and averages between 32 and 40 cm (13 and 16 inches) in height. They are however quite substantial animals for their size and weight between 8 and 16 kg (18 – 35 lbs). They are small and muscular and have amazing endurance. They may have short legs, but they will run you or any other animal into the ground. The Beagle was bred as a scent hound and has the second best nose in the business. Whatever they follow they will catch; they may be slow but they are sure.

The Beagle is stout in stature and has shorter legs for its size than other breeds although not as short as a Dachshund. They resemble a small short Fox hound although there are subtle differences between them. They have a broader head and shorter muzzle when compared to body size and they have the hang dog pleading look that a number of dogs of the hound family have. Their ears are also a little low set on their heads and hang from nearly the level of their eyes. This gives their head a domed look, very similar to that of a spaniel. Their bite is also quite strong and they have what is called a scissor bite where the teeth from the upper jaw and the lower jaw mesh together. They do not have any dewlaps although their cheeks tend to hand down just a tad.

The image that the Beagle portrays is that of compact strength. They are neither eager in their stance, nor are they laid back. They never look relaxed, even when they are lying down and always seem high strung. In fact this is one of their defining characters that they are always on the move and very rarely sit still, unless exercised a lot.

They have a very short but thick coat that requires very little maintenance. The most common color is of course the tri color with black, tan and white. The combinations can and do vary, but the white tends to be lower and on the legs than the colors. This is not the only color however and Beagles can come in any color that is natural to Hound dogs.

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