Estonian hound and beagle: comparison, differences and characteristics

What is the difference between a beagle and an Estonian hound? Both breeds were bred for hunting small game, but the Estonian hound is not yet recognized by international federations. At the same time, both breeds are the closest relatives and are similar in appearance. And what are the differences?

Beagles were bred in Great Britain in the middle of the 1957th century, the breed standard was fixed in XNUMX, and the Estonian hound appeared only in the XNUMXth century. What is the difference between them?

Beagle

The Beagle is a short-haired breed with a friendly disposition that gets along well with children and other pets. Dogs are medium in size, weigh up to 15 kg, height at the withers is about 40 cm. Beagles live 13–16 years, but there are also centenarians among them.

● Appearance. Small growth is compensated by a powerful physique with pronounced muscles. Paws are powerful, with small fingers and short claws. The ears are soft, long and hanging, reach the tip of the nose, the tail is straight, not curled into a ring. The eyes are dark or light brown, large in size. The coat is short, dense, thick, but without undercoat, does not get wet for a long time, which allows dogs to stay in the rain for a long time.

● Character. Beagles are calm, friendly and even-tempered, but sometimes they become very stubborn. When training a beagle, you will need the help of a professional dog handler. Animals are very energetic, therefore, without proper education, they may refuse to listen to the owner, gnaw on things and spoil furniture. They absolutely cannot stand being alone.

● Keeping. It is better to start training a beagle from a very young age, so that later there are no problems. In care, dogs are unpretentious, as they themselves are very clean and do not need special care. During molting, the animal needs to be combed out, you can bathe only as it gets very dirty. The beagle needs only timely cleaning of the ears and trimming of the claws. For nutrition, please consult with the breeder or veterinarian.

Estonian Hound

The Estonian Hound is a sweet and friendly creature despite being a hunting dog. These are medium-sized animals, weighing no more than 20 kg, the average height at the withers is 42–49 cm. Estonian hounds usually live up to 15 years.

● Appearance. Outwardly, the Estonian Hound is similar to the Beagle, but slightly higher at the withers. Differs in a harmonous physique with the expressed muscles. The tail is long, thinning towards the tip, the ears are long and soft, hanging almost to the neck. The eyes are large, dark brown. The coat is thick and dense, with characteristic spots, almost without undercoat.

● Character. The Estonian Hound is friendly, very adventurous and active. Training is quite easy, as the animals try very hard to follow all the commands and quickly remember everything you need. Dogs easily get along with other pets, they are gentle with children.

● Keeping. The ideal housing option for the Estonian hound would be a private house and a large surrounding area, as this dog needs constant exercise. The animal does not require special care: washing as it gets dirty, combing out during molting. Paws and ears should be wiped several times a week, but without using strong smelling products – dogs have a very delicate sense of smell.

When choosing a breed, it is better to consult with breeders and professional cynologists – an Estonian hound is more suitable for a novice owner, as it is easier to train.

See also:

Hunting dogs: what breeds are they and their features We take a puppy for education: a guide Medium-sized dogs: the golden mean