Is my Beagle a pocket beagle

Pocket Beagle: Breed Info, Facts & Care Guide (With Pictures)

If you have an unexplainable fondness for small dogs and Beagles, the Pocket Beagle might interest you. If you dont know about them, these are miniature versions of the crowd-favorite Beagle.

Youre wrong if you think Beagles cant get any cuter! But are Pocket Beagles a separate breed? How small can they get, and do they behave differently than a normal-sized Beagle?

Lets find out all of that and more through this guide!

Breed Overview

What Is a Pocket Beagle? Do Pocket Beagles Exist?

The Pocket Beagle is the miniaturized variant of the Beagle breed, and yes, they exist! Pocket Beagles are roughly two to three inches smaller than regular Beagles. This compact dog is said to be produced by mixing runts together or by mixing a Beagle with a different toy breed.

Contrary to popular belief, the Pocket Beagle is not a separate breed. In fact, it is classified as the 13-inch variant under the Beagle breed standard alongside the 15-inch standard Beagle.

Standard and Pocket Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Pocket Beagles are also referred to as miniature Beagles, toy Beagles, or Queen Elizabeth Beagles.

Check out this video comparing a miniature Beagle with a normal size one:

3 Little-Known Facts About Pocket Beagles

There are lots of interesting things to know about the Pocket Beagle. Lets commence this guide by reading these three little-known trivia about these miniature scent hounds.

1. The real Pocket Beagles are extinct

The modern Beagle that we know today is not as small as those that existed before. The Olde English Pocket Beagle stood only eight to nine inches. It was popular in the 1300s but went extinct in the 1900s.

2. Most Pocket Beagles have white-tipped tails

Their white-tipped tails played an important role in these hunting dogs. During hunts, tiny Beagles would have their noses on the ground, making them hard to see.

But through their white-tipped tails, their owners were able to identify them amidst tall grasses and plants.

3. Pocket Beagles can run as fast as 24 kilometers per hour

When it comes to running, you dont take a Pocket Beagle lightly. Their speed is the same as athletes average sprinting speed. Thus, be prepared for an intense run with your Pocket Beagle when you take them outside!

Were sure these small hunters have sparked your interest by now. If youre hooked and ready to dive deeper into the Pocket Beagle dog, then keep your eyes on this guide!

Pocket Beagle Origin and History

Pocket Beagles have been popular in England since the 13th century. They accompanied nobles and larger hounds in hunting for rabbits and small animals.

Because of their size, they were mainly tasked to chase prey through the forest floor. Queen Elizabeth I highly favored the Olde English Pocket Beagle and nicknamed her mini Beagles the singing Beagles.

These little dogs were able to maintain their popularity until the 1900s when they became extinct. Farmers kept them to hunt rabbits while others developed the breed to become bigger and faster.

Still, they were soon wiped out of existence. Today, there were ways through which breeders create Pocket Beagles, some of which are considered poor breeding practices.

The safest way is by mating runt puppies or the smallest Beagle from a litter and breeding it with another in hopes of producing a Pocket Beagle. It isnt always successful, plus finding small Beagles can be challenging.

Some breeders use the method of inbreeding, but keep in mind that this is sometimes unethical. Plus, this results in litter with lots of health issues.

Another way to breed miniature Beagles is by breeding Beagles with a toy or small dog breed. Naturally, the resulting mixed breeds are unpredictable.

Pocket Beagle Size and Weight

The breed standard by the National Beagle Club of America specifies that a full-grown Pocket Beagle is less than 13 inches tall at the withers. As per their weight, a Pocket Beagle weighs 7 to 15 pounds.

In some cases, a male mini Beagle will outgrow a female Pocket Beagle. But, it will still be much smaller and lighter than a standard Beagle, which can weigh 20 to 30 pounds and be as tall as 20 to 25 inches.

The Pocket Beagle can have a similar height to a teacup French Bulldog, Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu, Maltese, and other toy breeds.

Miniature Beagles stop growing once they reach eight months, while it takes 18 months before they grow into their adult weight. Keep in mind that these puppies will continue to gain weight if their diet is unregulated.

Pocket Beagle Appearance

The appearance of a miniature Beagle does not stray far from that of the standard Beagle, except that the pocket one is much smaller.

The Pocket Beagle has a muscular but lean frame combined with a deep chest and a long, expressive tail. Its muzzle is square and narrow and is framed by its large, floppy ears. The toy Beagle also has brown or hazel eyes.

This hounds coat is soft, straight, and dense. It comes in lots of colors, such as white, brown, black, red, pied, black and tan, and tricolor. Pocket Beagles can also be lemon, blue tick, and albino.

A miniature Beagle typically has white fur on their legs, belly, chest, and tail. Its neck and head will be tan-colored. Along its back, you will find a large black, dark brown or red spot called a saddle.

Pocket Beagle Lifespan and Health Issues

If you manage to keep your Pocket Beagle healthy, it can live up to 12 to 15 years. It is typical for small dogs like the toy Beagle to have a longer life span, unlike large breed dogs.

In terms of health, like most miniature dogs, they are prone to various health issues. And as owners, it is important to be familiar with these health conditions that might affect your pooches.

Here are some common health conditions of Pocket Beagles:

• Eye Disease: Eye disease is another common health condition for dogs. There are different types of eye diseases listed, but the most common are cherry eyes, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, ectropion, etc. While some eye diseases are mild, others can severely affect your dogs vision.
• Chinese Beagle Syndrome (CBS): Chinese Beagle Syndrome, also referred to as Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS), is a common genetic, incurable disease for Beagles. If diagnosed, your teacup Beagle will have shorter toes on the front, creased ears with a flat skull, slant narrowed eyes, thick, tight skin and muscles, seizures, and heart ailments.
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a health issue where a dogs thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. This affects the metabolism and causes it to slow down. Hypothyroidism is treatable through oral administration of thyroid replacement hormone.

Keep in mind that the list provided above is not the complete list of diseases a Pocket Beagle may suffer from. There are more health conditions this dog breed may encounter as they grow up.

The best way to be informed and educated about your pets health care is by visiting your veterinarian. Frequent visits can help prevent diseases from worsening and treat health issues early.

Pocket Beagle Temperament and Personality

Pocket Beagles make great family dogs, which is why pet lovers adore them. This breed is often called tail-waggers because of their bubbly personality that entertains everyone in the room.

The Pocket Beagles personality is usually sweet and playful, making them excellent playmates that can get along with children of all ages. Miniature Beagles are also affectionate around their family.

On the other hand, these canines have a tendency to chase other animals in the house. Thankfully, this can be corrected through early socialization training.

Pocket Beagles are intelligent and curious. These pups are easily distracted, so they can be disobedient and hard to teach.

Pocket Beagles are also very easily bored, so always keep them stimulated, or they can develop destructive habits.

Generally speaking, Pocket Beagles are not vocal dogs. They only bark if its necessary or when they need attention.

But when they do bark, it usually comes out as a baying howl or a half-baying howl. Dont worry, though, because this animal behavior is common in hounds.

How to Take Care of Your Pocket Beagle

One thing that dog owners love about Pocket Beagles is that they are low-maintenance dogs. All they need are high-quality kibbles, a light grooming routine, and a few minutes of daily exercise.

Read on for a more detailed guide on caring for your Pocket Beagle.

Food and Diet

Pocket Beagles have the appetite of a large dog, which earned them the nickname chow hounds.

These dog breeds will eat without restraint as long as there is food in their food bowl. This tendency to overeat can pose health risks for them. Thus, its important that you, as an owner, regulate your Pocket Beagles diet.

Because they are smaller than the typical Beagle, Pocket Beagles can only handle so much food intake. Split only one to one and a half cups of dog food into two meals each day for your Pocket Beagle.

In choosing the right dog food for your Pocket Beagle, look for the ones with low calorie and fat content. On the other hand, your dog will benefit from protein, so make sure you provide protein-rich, high-quality dog food.

Cleaning and Grooming

Miniature Beagles possess coats that shed moderately or heavily. But thanks to their short coat hairs, they arent likely to make a mess and require heavy maintenance. With that said, brush your pups coat once or twice a week.

Pocket Beagles dont need to bathe frequently; once every three weeks will do. Of course, if your pooch becomes smelly or dirty, you should break this rule and get him into the bathroom.

In terms of other ways to clean your Pocket Beagle, you should cut its nails once every five to six weeks. Rub some paw wax onto your Pocket Beagles paws to keep them healthy and moisturized.

Regularly check its ears to avoid infections. Dont forget to brush your pups teeth a few times a week to prevent tartar and food build-up.

Training and Exercise

Pocket Beagles are intelligent creatures, but they are not easy to train. Blame their stubborn streak and short attention spans. Putting your Pocket Beagle on obedience training and positive reinforcement will help.

In terms of exercise, these hounds need at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. This hunting dog will love field trials as it simulates hunting for prey, which is what Pocket Beagles were initially used for.

These dogs will likely have their noses on the ground when you bring them outdoors, so make sure to keep them on a leash.

After all, they are scent hounds that love following scents. Consider taking them to new locations so they can explore with their nose!

How Much Does a Pocket Beagle Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

Pocket Beagles are not budget-friendly. Due to their rarity, youll have to shell out about $800 to $2,000 for a Pocket Beagle puppy. Prices may vary depending on the puppys health, location, source, documentation, etc.

You can also adopt a Pocket Beagle puppy for only about $200 to $500. This saves you a big chunk of cash, and you get to save a homeless puppy as well!

Other than that, prepare your pockets for the initial costs of raising a miniature Beagle.

Here is a breakdown of the initial expenses that you may incur when you bring home a Pocket Beagle:

Furthermore, you must consider the costs of maintaining your Pocket Beagle puppy. For this, expect to pay $495 to $2,470 monthly for the food supplies, your pets medical costs, professional groomer fees, and other costs.

Depending on your Pocket Beagles needs, you may spend more or less than estimated. Nonetheless, always aim to provide your dog with the best quality food, supplies, tools, and equipment.

Places to Find Pocket Beagle Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Finding a Pocket Beagle might be burdensome if you dont know how to look at the right places. After all, Pocket Beagle puppies are considered uncommon and difficult to breed.

To ease your search, weve created a small list of places where you can buy or adopt Pocket Beagle puppies.

Below are some of the places where you can find Pocket Beagles for sale:

• Quail Ridge Pocket Beagles Quail Ridge Pocket Beagles is a Texas-based breeder. They breed Pocket Beagles for temperament, so you can be assured that youre getting a well-behaved Pocket Beagle from this breeder. Check out their webpage to see their upcoming litters.
• Perfect Pocket Beagles If youre anywhere near Southern Oklahoma, consider giving Perfect Pocket Beagles a call. They are the highest-recognized breeder of purebred Pocket Beagles. Perfect Pocket Beagles have 20 years of experience, so they surely wont disappoint with the quality of their pups and service.
• Pocket Beagle NY Pocket Beagle NY is a hobby breeder that has been producing and raising Pocket Beagles since 2013. They breed for the health and overall quality of Pocket Beagles. Dont forget to visit their website to inquire about their available litters.

Meanwhile, below are some Pocket Beagle rescue centers you should check out:

• Beagles & Buddies This rescue is a non-profit organization that aims to save and adopt neglected and abused purebred and mixed Beagles into loving homes. Beagles & Buddies vaccinate their dogs, so expect to see healthy Beagle puppies from them. Check them out to see if they have available Pocket Beagles.
• Beagle Rescue Victoria, Inc. Beagle Rescue Victoria, Inc. is a charity run by volunteers. They made it their mission to rehome abandoned, neglected, and abused Beagles, Beagle mixes, and other hounds. You have a good chance of finding a Pocket Beagle from this rescue, so dont forget to give them a call to inquire.
• SOS Beagle Rescue, Inc. As a non-profit organization, SOS (Save Our Snoopies) Beagle Rescue is devoted to preserving Beagles by fostering and placing them in happy homes. Make sure you check them out to see if they have Pocket Beagles as well.

Remember to only adopt from reputable rescues and buy from reputable breeders that facilitate consistent health checks on their dogs. One of the best indicators of puppy health is the health of the puppys parents.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Pocket Beagle

In deciding whether or not to bring a Pocket Beagle puppy home, its important to weigh the pros and cons of owning one objectively. To help you with this, weve rounded up a small list of points to consider.

Here are the advantages of owning a Pocket Beagle:

• Low-maintenance: Pocket Beagles are extremely easy to care for. They dont have a special diet, grooming, training, and exercise needs. Thus, busy dog owners wont struggle to maintain and care for a Pocket Beagle at home.
• Great for families with kids: Pocket Beagles are great family dogs, especially for families with small children. They are playful, affectionate, outgoing, and gentle. You wont have problems leaving a Pocket Beagle with a child or another pet.
• Intelligent and trainable: Pocket Beagles are naturally bright, so teaching them tricks wont be difficult. In fact, studies say that these dogs can understand gestures and simple mathematical calculations, use basic devices, and learn at least 150 words.

Here are the disadvantages of owning a Pocket Beagle:

• Rare and expensive: You wont find a Pocket Beagle just anywhere. These dog breeds are a result of special breeding methods. Thus, not many breeders cater to the Pocket Beagle market, making them rare. Moreover, these dogs come with high price tags.
• Stubborn and strong-willed: Pocket Beagles have a reputation for being naughty, and its because they are headstrong and determined. This can make training sessions a bit hard.
• Not hypoallergenic: Pocket Beagles may not be the perfect family pets for people with allergies. These dogs shed all year round, which only worsens in the cold seasons.

After contemplating these matters, what do you think about the Pocket Beagle now? Is it the right pup for you? Answer these questions by considering your lifestyle, health conditions, availability, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pocket Beagles Rare?

Yes. In fact, among the many breeds of hounds, Pocket Beagles are the rarest. Keep in mind that the Old English Pocket Beagle is extinct, and today, it is replaced by smaller versions of the Beagle dog.

Breeding these teacup Beagles requires a challenging process. Thus, not many breeders produce Pocket Beagles, making this dog breed limited to the market.

Do Pocket Beagles Bark a Lot?

No. Despite Pocket Beagles having a reputation for being loud, these dogs only bark when they need attention or are bored. Usually, these dogs wont do it for no apparent reason.

Do Pocket Beagles Shed?

Yes, but it wont be noticeable because they have short coats. With that said, grooming Pocket Beagles wont be difficult for their owners. But keep in mind that, like most dogs, Pocket Beagles shed more during springtime.

Are Pocket Beagles Hypoallergenic?

No, they are not hypoallergenic. After all, Pocket Beagles shed fur all year long. Thus, if you have allergies, its best to consult a professional before taking a Pocket Beagle home.

Are Pocket Beagles Easy to Train?

Yes. Pocket Beagles are naturally smart and can pick up tricks quickly. However, you need lots of patience and creativity when training them, as they tend to be stubborn and have short attention spans.

Final Thoughts

Its common knowledge that Pocket Beagles are excellent home companions. These hunting dogs are friendly, loving, and gentle, making them perfect for any type of family.

Some do not favor Pocket Beagles as they are quite strong-willed and stubborn, but thats okay! Owning a dog requires choosing one that fits your preferences, lifestyle, and capacities.

But whether or not the Pocket Beagle is suitable for you is something that only you can answer. Do you see yourself raising a Pocket Beagle at home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.