Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Beagles Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Beagles Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Beagles Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Beagles Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Beagles Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Beagles Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Beagles Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Beagles Easy to Train?
- Do Beagles Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Beagles Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Beagles have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Beagles Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Beagles Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Beagles Playful? What is the Energy Level of Beagles
- Conclusion on Beagle Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Beagle
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Beagle out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Beagle based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Beagle breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Beagle by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Beagle.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Beagle for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Beagle.
The summary table below shows the score of the Beagle for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Separation Related Behavior | 62.0 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 57.6 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 56.7 percent |
| Stubbornness | 54.7 percent |
| Excitability | 50.7 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 48.8 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 47.9 percent |
| Prey Drive | 46.7 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 45.9 percent |
| Energy Level | 45.5 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 44.9 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 41.6 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 32.4 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 29.9 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Beagle`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Beagle, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Beagle.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Beagles Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Beagles are somewhat aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Beagle ranks average for aggression towards strangers.
The Beagle ranks number 57 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 32.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat aggressive towards strangers just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Great Dane | 34.8 % |
| 55 | Akita | 33.6 % |
| 56 | Mastiff (English) | 33.1 % |
| 57 | Beagle | 32.4 % |
| 58 | Italian Greyhound | 32.4 % |
| 59 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 32.3 % |
| 60 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 32.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Beagles Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Beagles are very much aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Beagle ranks very high for aggression towards its owner.
The Beagle ranks number 14 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has an owner-directed-aggression score of 41.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much owner-aggressive just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Maltese | 46.0 % |
| 12 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 45.5 % |
| 13 | Basset Hound | 43.2 % |
| 14 | Beagle | 41.6 % |
| 15 | Bull Terrier | 41.0 % |
| 16 | Dachshund | 40.0 % |
| 17 | Cairn Terrier | 38.2 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Beagles Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Beagles are somewhat aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Beagle ranks average for aggression towards other dogs.
The Beagle ranks number 60 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a dog-directed aggression score of 45.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat dog-aggressive just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 57 | Border Collie | 47.6 % |
| 58 | Afghan Hound | 47.6 % |
| 59 | Bouvier des Flandres | 47.1 % |
| 60 | Beagle | 45.9 % |
| 61 | Giant Schnauzer | 45.8 % |
| 62 | Airedale Terrier | 45.7 % |
| 63 | Pomeranian | 44.9 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Beagles Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Beagles are somewhat fearful of strangers.
This is because the Beagle ranks average for fear of strangers.
The Beagle ranks number 58 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a stranger-directed-fear score of 29.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Belgian Malinois | 31.0 % |
| 56 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 30.6 % |
| 57 | Redbone Coonhound | 30.0 % |
| 58 | Beagle | 29.9 % |
| 59 | Chinook | 29.5 % |
| 60 | Weimaraner | 28.8 % |
| 61 | Australian Kelpie | 28.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Beagles Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Beagles are very much fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Beagle ranks very high for fear of other dogs.
The Beagle ranks number 21 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a dog-directed-fear score of 57.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much other-dog-fearful just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Poodle (Miniature) | 59.5 % |
| 19 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 59.1 % |
| 20 | American Eskimo Dog | 58.8 % |
| 21 | Beagle | 57.6 % |
| 22 | Poodle (Toy) | 56.9 % |
| 23 | Saint Bernard | 56.8 % |
| 24 | Yorkshire Terrier | 56.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Beagles Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Beagles are quite a bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Beagle ranks high for non-social fear.
The Beagle ranks number 26 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a nonsocial-fear score of 48.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Bearded Collie | 50.0 % |
| 24 | Shiba Inu | 49.6 % |
| 25 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 49.0 % |
| 26 | Beagle | 48.8 % |
| 27 | American Eskimo Dog | 48.6 % |
| 28 | Shetland Sheepdog | 48.1 % |
| 29 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 48.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Beagles Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Beagles are quite a bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Beagle ranks high on dog rivalry.
The Beagle ranks number 25 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a dog-rivalry score of 56.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit competition-driven just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Pit Bull mix | 59.7 % |
| 23 | Alaskan Husky | 58.6 % |
| 24 | Cairn Terrier | 58.4 % |
| 25 | Beagle | 56.7 % |
| 26 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 56.3 % |
| 27 | Schipperke | 55.7 % |
| 28 | Dingo | 55.6 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Beagles Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Beagles are not easy to train.
This is because the Beagle ranks very low for trainability.
The Beagle ranks number 109 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the trainability of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a trainability score of 45.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are not easy to train just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | Saint Bernard | 46.5 % |
| 107 | Pug | 45.9 % |
| 108 | French Bulldog | 45.4 % |
| 109 | Beagle | 45.3 % |
| 110 | Yorkshire Terrier | 45.1 % |
| 111 | Greyhound | 44.9 % |
| 112 | Bull Terrier | 44.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Beagle is and how the intelligence of the Beagle affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Beagle is.
Do Beagles Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Beagles are somewhat into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Beagle ranks average for small-pet-chasing.
The Beagle ranks number 67 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a chasing score of 46.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat into chasing after smaller pets just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | Australian Shepherd | 47.3 % |
| 65 | Poodle (Standard) | 46.9 % |
| 66 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 46.8 % |
| 67 | Beagle | 46.7 % |
| 68 | American Eskimo Dog | 46.5 % |
| 69 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 46.2 % |
| 70 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 46.1 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Beagles Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Beagles are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Beagle ranks low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Beagle ranks number 81 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 44.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 78 | Shetland Sheepdog | 46.9 % |
| 79 | Bulldog | 45.5 % |
| 80 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 45.4 % |
| 81 | Beagle | 44.9 % |
| 82 | Papillon | 44.2 % |
| 83 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 43.7 % |
| 84 | Pekingese | 43.4 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Beagles have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Beagles are very much prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Beagle ranks very high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Beagle ranks number 15 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a separation anxiety score of 62.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Basenji | 63.8 % |
| 13 | Weimaraner | 63.6 % |
| 14 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 62.0 % |
| 15 | Beagle | 62.0 % |
| 16 | Pekingese | 57.8 % |
| 17 | Pit Bull | 57.5 % |
| 18 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 57.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Beagles Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Beagles are very much touch-sensitive.
This is because the Beagle ranks very high for touch sensitivity.
The Beagle ranks number 16 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has a touch-sensitivity score of 47.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much touch-sensitive just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Pug | 48.7 % |
| 14 | Schipperke | 48.6 % |
| 15 | Rat Terrier | 48.2 % |
| 16 | Beagle | 47.9 % |
| 17 | American Eskimo Dog | 47.5 % |
| 18 | English Bulldog | 46.5 % |
| 19 | Dachshund (Miniature) | 46.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Beagles Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Beagles are quite a bit hyper (excitable).
This is because the Beagle ranks high for excitability.
The Beagle ranks number 45 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has an excitability score of 50.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit excitable just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Rat Terrier | 51.1 % |
| 43 | Pit Bull | 51.0 % |
| 44 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 51.0 % |
| 45 | Beagle | 50.7 % |
| 46 | Giant Schnauzer | 50.6 % |
| 47 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 50.2 % |
| 48 | American Bulldog | 49.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Beagles Playful? What is the Energy Level of Beagles
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Beagles are a little bit energetic.
This is because the Beagle ranks low for energy level.
The Beagle ranks number 89 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 108 Beagle owners reported on the temperament of their Beagle in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Beagle has an energy-level score of 45.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit energetic just like the Beagle are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | Bouvier des Flandres | 47.3 % |
| 87 | Saint Bernard | 46.7 % |
| 88 | Pug | 46.5 % |
| 89 | Beagle | 45.5 % |
| 90 | Norwegian Elkhound | 44.6 % |
| 91 | Shiba Inu | 44.4 % |
| 92 | Bearded Collie | 42.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Beagle Temperament
The temperament of your Beagle comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Beagle is exposed to.
You cannot change your Beagle`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Beagle to.
Exposing your Beagle to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Beagle to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Beagle`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Beagle.
If you think the Beagle is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Beagles cost and Beagle puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Beagle breeders in the United States and the prices of their Beagle puppies.