HOW TO GROOM YOUR BEAGLE

Why do I Need to Brush My Beagle?

Grooming your Beagle invariably involves brushing. This is an essential step that gets rid of dead hair and debris. It also allows you to check whether your pooch is infested with parasites or has a skin problem that requires veterinary intervention. Additionally, brushing your dog is a great way to spend time with them. Beagles have a sociable, affectionate temperament and love to be close to their master. As such, they will appreciate these moments of quality time with you.

What's the Best Brush for a Beagle?

The Beagle’s coat is short and dense. It doesn’t tangle, so you won’t need a detangling brush as you do for long-haired dogs. The most suitable type of brush for a Beagle is a curry comb, which is great for removing dead hair from the surface, or a carding brush, which is more versatile and also allows you to groom the undercoat. However, take care not to be too rough with this tool or use it too often, so as not to damage your dog's skin.

Top 3 Best Brushes for Beagle Dogs

These brushes have been tried and tested and proved ideal for brushing your Beagle, without the fear of hurting them.

The FURminator Brush

This is, without a doubt, the best dog brush on the market. More expensive than the others, it offers incomparable quality. Pleasant to handle, this brush has metal teeth that remove and retain a greater amount of dead hair than other models on the market. It is a very attractive long-term investment. This tool is particularly effective and very popular with dog owners of all dog breeds. Be careful, however, not to use it too often!

The Pecute Slicker Dog Brush

Less expensive than the FURminator, the Pecute carding brush is very effective at removing dead hairs from your dog’s coat. Use long, gentle strokes so that you don't hurt your dog.

The Belisy Dog Brush

This is an excellent additional brush, useful for supplementing one of the other two. This type of brush allows you to stimulate blood flow and lift the fur to make the work of another brush easier. This brush is suitable for brushing smoother hair.

How Often Should Beagles be Bathed?

Baths are also important for grooming your Beagle. However, be careful not to bathe your dog too often, at the risk of damaging their skin. One to two baths per year is normally enough to keep your Beagle clean and healthy. Of course, if you use your Beagle as a hunting dog, they will be more exposed to bad weather, mud, and dirt. If your pooch gets their coat particularly dirty or smells bad, don't wait to bathe them. If the smell persists, this may also be because they're suffering from skin problems. Always check with your vet if you suspect a health issue.

To wash your Beagle, choose a suitable dog shampoo. A good dog shampoo respects your dog's hair, but also their skin type (oily, dry, etc.). Never use human shampoo on your dog! Use lukewarm water, neither too hot nor too cold, and be careful not to get shampoo in your dog's eyes. Since the Beagle is a small to medium-sized dog, it should be quite easy to get them into the shower or bathtub and do this process yourself. However, if in doubt, you can always take your pooch to a professional dog groomer.

Complementary Health Care

In addition to bathing and brushing, it's also essential to take care of your dog’s eyes, ears, teeth, and nails. Trim your Beagle's nails regularly to prevent them from hurting themselves. For a Beagle, use a regular nail clipper and make sure to carefully locate the quick of the nail before cutting to avoid injuring your pooch. The quick is the live part of the nail which contains blood vessels and nerve endings - it is recognisable by its pink colour. You only want to cut the white part of the nail. If your dog has black claws, it's best not to cut them too short, as a precaution.

Regularly clean your dog’s eyes and inspect and clean their floppy ears to prevent ear infections. Use cotton pads and saline solution. Avoid using cotton wool or Q-tips which may leave cotton fibres behind. Proceed gently so as not to injure your dog. Take a pad soaked in the saline solution and run it over your dog's eyes to sweep away any impurities. Start from the inside of the eye and move outwards, so as not to allow other dirt to get in. Do the same with the ears, from inside to outside.

Also, teach your pooch to accept a toothbrush from an early age, to get rid of dental plaque and maintain healthy gums. Finally, don't forget about preventive medical care. Make sure to take your Beagle for regular anti-parasitic and deworming treatments, especially if you live in the countryside, and keep all their vaccines up to date. It's a good idea to schedule at least one veterinary check-up a year, especially when your dog gets older. All these things play a big role in your Beagle's health and thus help to extend their life expectancy.