Hunting With a Beagle: Rabbit Hunting, Training and Choosing a Hunting Beagle

The beagle was bred for one job: hunting rabbits and hares by scent, usually in a pack, with hunters following on foot. That job shaped everything about the breed — the nose, the stamina, the friendly pack temperament and the famous baying voice. Plenty of beagles still hunt today, and many family beagles still have a powerful hunting instinct.

How beagles hunt

A hunting beagle searches for a rabbit's scent, follows the trail and announces it with a ringing bay so the hunter knows where the chase is going. Rabbits tend to run in a wide circle and return close to where they started, so hunters wait near the start for the rabbit to come back around ahead of the dogs. Beagles hunt with persistence rather than speed, which keeps the rabbit moving steadily rather than bolting for cover.

Beagles hunt cottontail rabbits and hares, and some are used on other small game. They're also popular as tracking and detection dogs thanks to their nose.

Are beagles good hunting dogs?

Yes — for rabbits and hares, they're one of the classic hunting breeds. Good hunting beagles are:

• driven by scent, but also willing to work with the hunter
• steady, staying on the trail and not switching to deer or other game
• vocal, with a clear voice that tells you what's happening
• sound, with good feet and stamina for long days in the field

Field lines vs. show and companion lines

Beagles have been bred for different purposes. Field lines are selected for hunting ability; show lines for the breed standard; companion lines for family life. All of them still carry the beagle nose, but if you want a serious hunting dog, a puppy from proven hunting parents is a better bet.

If hunting matters to you, tell us in your inquiry. We'll tell you honestly whether a particular litter suits what you're looking for.

Starting a beagle puppy on rabbits

• Build the bond and basics first: name, recall, crate, leash and car rides.
• Introduce scent early with games and drag lines using rabbit scent.
• Start in the field when the puppy is old enough and confident, often between about 4 and 8 months. Many hunters start in an enclosed area or with an experienced older beagle.
• Keep it fun and short at first, and build up.
• Use a GPS collar for hunting in open country.

Beagle field trials and hunts

Field trials test beagles' trailing ability on rabbits and hares. The American Kennel Club runs several beagle field trial formats, including brace (dogs run in pairs), small pack and large pack on hare, and other organizations such as the United Kennel Club and the American Rabbit Hound Association hold their own hunts and trials.

Safety tips for hunting beagles

• Check local hunting laws, seasons and land permissions.
• Use a GPS tracking collar and keep ID and microchip details up to date.
• Wear bright colors, and put a high-visibility vest on your dog.
• Check feet, ears and coat for ticks, burrs and cuts after every hunt.
• Bring water and watch for heat stress in warm weather.

Questions

What do beagles hunt?

Mainly rabbits and hares, which they track by scent.

At what age can a beagle start hunting?

Many hunters introduce puppies to rabbit scent early and start field work between about 4 and 8 months, at the puppy's pace.

Can a hunting beagle also be a family pet?

Yes. Beagles are gentle and sociable, and many hunting beagles live happily in the house with their families.

Do you sell hunting beagles?

We raise beagles as family companions. Many have a keen nose — ask us about a specific litter in your inquiry.