The blue tick beagle is not a different breed of beagle, it just has different coloration. To learn more about this type of beagle, scroll below.
Small but quick and alert, with a pleasing nature, the Beagle is a dog breed designed for the hunt. Being a member of the hound group of dogs, it has an amazing sense of smell and can very accurately track a variety of smells. Today, the beagle is still used as a hunting dog for small-sized game like rabbits and is also used as a detection dog, in law enforcement agencies, due to its keen sense of smell. It has also made an impact in popular culture, mainly through the comic character, “Snoopy”.
Appearance
Height: 13-16 inches
Weight: 18-35 lbs
Body structure: Compact and lean body with muscular legs, shorter in proportion to body. Broad, smooth head with large eyes and long, soft, rounded ears. Broad-chested with narrow abdomen and short tail.
Type of coat: Short-haired, smooth, hard coat, typical of the hound group.
Color: Tricolor (black, white, brown) or white with different colors (tan, lemon, red, brown, liver, black)
Markings: Blue ticks or flecks on the light-colored part of the coat.
Beagles do not have block or singular coat colors, rather, their coats are mixed patterns in either two or three colors, such as a black back or saddle with a brown head and white underbelly. They can also have small flecks or spots on the white parts of their body, either blue or red in color. This color variety of beagles are called ticked or mottled beagles. A blue ticked beagle has black or blue flecks on the white part of its body.
Temperament
The term “blue tick” is just used to denote the color of this dog. Blue tick beagles behave just like other beagles.
Intelligent and smart: They need to be kept active and love to play games.
Curious and alert: This small dog will examine and explore at will, tracking a scent or determinedly pursuing a target.
Gentle and friendly: They are affectionate and loving companions if socialized and trained at an early age.
Sociable: This breed of dog is good with adults, kid-friendly and will gel with other dogs. Their gentle and patient nature makes them ideal pets for children.
Lively and playful: Beagles have high-energy levels and love to run around, explore or dig around the yard.
Working together: Beagles are ancestrally, used to work together in groups. They do really well with other dogs.
Vocal in barking and baying: They belong to the hound group of dogs, so on picking up a scent or exploring, they can bay or bark loudly.
Care
Beagles can be apartment dogs, provided there is enough space for them to be active indoors and they can be taken outside and exercised. A small, fenced yard is necessary to keep this dog active and healthy.
This small dog breed is very energetic and needs at least one brisk walk, each day. It is a hunting dog and will chase interesting scents. So always walk the dog on a leash, to prevent it from running off.
Don’t be fooled by its cute, sweet face. The beagle is an intelligent little fellow, with a very determined personality. Its training requires consistency and force free training. It’s best to make sure you have a really good recall as this dog breed gets distracted very easily. Keep them well exercised and train often to keep their bodies and minds healthy. If not exercised consistently, they may develop behavioral problems.
A beagle requires grooming from time to time, but it’s minimal. They have a short-haired coat and don’t shed a lot. They need to be brushed from time to time. It is not necessary to bathe them often, unless they are obviously dirty (from rolling around in the mud).
Beagles, as a purebred dog breed, suffer from few health problems. Their expected lifespan is between 10-13 years. Epilepsy, dwarfism, hypothyroidism and eye problems like retinal atrophy, glaucoma and “cherry eye” are some health issues, that this breed are prone to.
To sum up, the blue tick beagle is a colorful, active and bright little four-legged friend, ideal for a family or as a companion to a single adult. The cheery and friendly nature of this diminutive canine is why it ranks as one of the most popular and well-loved breeds in the U.S.A. But a beagle is not a good pet for those who work for long hours and have little time to spare, as this type of dog needs exercise and attention.