Travelling with a Beagle

Beagles bring their nose-first approach to travel, turning every walk into an olfactory adventure. These friendly, food-motivated hounds are generally cheerful travellers, but their scent-driven nature and selective recall require understanding and management. With the right approach, Beagles make wonderful holiday companions.

Understanding Beagle Travel Needs

Breed Characteristics

What Makes Them Great Travellers:

• Friendly and sociable
• Generally adaptable
• Hardy and robust
• Good size for travel
• Love exploring
• Food motivated (training opportunity)
• Cheerful temperament

Considerations:

• Scent-driven (nose rules)
• Recall can be challenging
• Stubborn streak
• Food obsession (watch what they eat)
• Can be vocal
• Escape artists when scent calls

The Beagle Nose

Understanding: Beagles were bred to track scent. Their nose has approximately 220 million scent receptors. When a scent catches their attention, the world disappears.

On Holiday:

• New places = new smells = distracted Beagle
• May pull towards scents
• Recall compromised when tracking
• Accept this is who they are

Best Destinations

Perfect Beagle Destinations

Countryside: Rich scent environments that satisfy their nose.

• Yorkshire - varied terrain, good scents
• Peak District - moorland exploring
• Cotswolds - gentle countryside
• New Forest - woodland exploring

Coastal: Beaches offer interesting smells and good exercise.

• Norfolk - varied coastal scents
• Northumberland - space for exploring
• Dorset - interesting terrain

Woodland: Forest floors are scent heaven.

• Forest of Dean
• Forestry England sites throughout UK

Considerations for Destinations

Watch For:

• Livestock areas (scent may trigger chase instinct)
• Wildlife-rich areas (keep controlled)
• Areas with many rabbits (irresistible)

Exercise Needs

Daily Requirements

Moderate to High:

• 1-2 hours daily
• Mental stimulation through sniffing
• Stamina for longer walks
• Can be satisfied with quality over quantity

The Sniff Factor: Beagle walks take longer because sniffing is essential. A 30-minute walk might take an hour with proper sniffing time.

Activity Ideas

Perfect Beagle Activities:

Sniff Walks: Let them lead with their nose. Don't rush. This is what they're built for.

Scent Games: Hide treats, track scents. Uses their natural abilities.

Countryside Walks: Varied terrain, interesting smells. Paradise for Beagles.

Beach Exploration: New smells, good running, interesting things washed up.

Forest Walks: Layers of scent on forest floor. Very satisfying.

Mental Stimulation:

• Puzzle feeders
• Snuffle mats
• Food-finding games
• Tracking games

Recall Challenges

The Reality

Beagle Recall: Selective at best. When a scent captures their attention, they genuinely cannot hear you.

Not Disobedience: It's breeding. Their brain is wired to follow scent. Don't take it personally.

Management on Holiday

Strategies:

Long Line: Use a long line (10-15 metres) for controlled freedom. They can explore without disappearing.

Secure Areas Only: Off-lead only in fully enclosed spaces where escape is impossible.

High-Value Rewards: Make coming back worth more than the scent. Difficult but possible with amazing treats.

Accept Limitations: Some Beagles will never have reliable recall. Manage accordingly.

Safe Off-Lead Options

Where Beagles Can Run Free:

• Fully enclosed gardens
• Secure dog parks
• Fenced fields
• Beaches with no escape routes
• Long line in open areas

Food Obsession

The Beagle Appetite

Reality: Beagles are food-obsessed. They will eat anything, anywhere, regardless of whether it's food.

On Holiday:

• Watch what they pick up on walks
• Secure food at accommodation
• Be careful at pub stops
• Monitor around other people's picnics
• Check for hazards (mushrooms, dropped food, rubbish)

Training Advantage

Food Motivation Works For You: Use their food obsession for training. High-value treats can work miracles.

Recall Training: Make returning to you mean amazing food. Practice constantly. Some success possible.

Accommodation

What Works

Important Features:

• Enclosed garden (escape-proof)
• Secure fencing (Beagles climb and dig)
• No gaps in boundaries
• Self-catering (control food access)

Watch For:

• Fence gaps
• Climbable fencing
• Diggable boundaries
• Easy escape routes

Security Check

On Arrival: Walk the entire boundary. Find and block any weak points before letting your Beagle out.

Social Aspects

With People

Generally Excellent: Beagles are typically friendly with everyone. Sociable and cheerful.

Benefits:

• Good at pubs and cafes
• Friendly with strangers
• Enjoy attention
• Generally well-received

With Other Dogs

Usually Good: Pack hounds by breeding. Generally sociable with other dogs.

Considerations:

• May follow other dogs on scent trails
• Social nature is positive
• Rarely aggressive

Vocalization

Beagle Noises

The Reality: Beagles can be vocal. Baying, howling, barking.

Triggers:

• Excitement
• Scent trails
• Boredom
• Separation
• Other dogs howling

On Holiday:

• May howl at new sounds
• Could disturb neighbours in close accommodation
• Choose rural/detached properties
• Don't leave alone for long periods

Travel

Car Travel

Generally Good: Most Beagles travel well. Food motivation helps with loading.

Tips:

• Secure properly
• May be excited initially
• Usually settle
• Don't leave food accessible in car

Train Travel

Can Work: Beagles are manageable size and usually friendly on trains.

Considerations:

• Food from other passengers tempting
• Keep on short lead
• Bring high-value treats
• Generally good travellers

See our Train Travel guide.

Seasonal Considerations

All Seasons Work

Beagles Are Hardy:

• Handle most weather
• Short coat dries quickly
• Not affected by heat as much as long-coated breeds
• Happy in rain

Summer: Don't overexercise in extreme heat. Early/late walks.

Winter: May need coat in very cold wet weather. Generally fine.

Health Considerations

On Holiday

Watch For:

Eating Things: Biggest risk. Beagles eat first, regret later. Monitor constantly.

Weight Gain: Easy to overfeed on holiday. Maintain portion control.

Ear Health: Floppy ears need checking after wet walks.

Prevention

Daily:

• Monitor food intake
• Check what they're eating on walks
• Ear checks
• Watch for signs of eating something bad

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Beagles be off-lead on holiday?

Only in secure, enclosed areas. Recall is unreliable when scent is involved. Use long line for open areas.

Are Beagles good travellers?

Generally excellent. Friendly, adaptable, and food-motivated. Good size for transport.

Will my Beagle run away on holiday?

Possible if they catch a scent and aren't secured. Manage with leads, long lines, and secure spaces.

Best type of holiday for a Beagle?

Countryside with interesting scents. Woodland walks. Beaches for exploration. Anywhere they can use their nose.

How do I exercise a Beagle without reliable recall?

Long line for open spaces, enclosed areas for free running, sniff walks on lead (let them lead with their nose).

Will my Beagle's howling disturb holiday neighbours?

Possible. Choose detached/rural properties. Don't leave alone for extended periods.

Nose-First Adventures Await

Beagles approach the world through scent, transforming every walk into an exploration. Accept their nature, manage their challenges, and enjoy their cheerful, friendly companionship. They may not come when called, but they'll make every outing an adventure.

Luke appreciates the unique character of Beagles - their determination, their cheerfulness, and their complete dedication to following their nose wherever it leads.