Height: up to 13 inches at shoulder; or 13 to 15 inches at shoulder
Weight: 18 to 30 pounds
Coat: short
Life span: 10 to 15 years
Breed Group: Hounds

Small, compact, and hardy, Beagles are active companions for kids and adults alike. They are merry and fun loving, but being hounds, they can also be stubborn and require patient, creative training techniques. Their noses guide them through life, and they're never happier than when following an interesting scent. The Beagle originally was bred as a scenthound to track small game, mostly rabbits and hare. He is still used for this purpose in many countries, including the United States.