Group 6 · Scent hounds
Beagle
The Beagle is a cheerful, sociable pack hound with an excellent nose and unshakeable good humour. It loves people and other dogs, but likes to follow its nose, is food-obsessed and can be loud.
Health
These examinations come from the official breeding programme for the breed Beagle by Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen (Animal Welfare Flanders). They apply to the puppies’ parents.
In short
Both parents must have 7 examinations:
- 6 DNA tests
- 1 X-ray examination
The breeding programme also recommends 6 further examinations.
A sample for DNA tests can be taken either with a mouth swab or by a blood sample. To carry out the examinations, the breeder uses a vet or a laboratory. For each examination below, you can see from what age and how often it must be done. Ask the breeder for the results of both parent dogs.
Mandatory examinations (7)
-
Progressive retinal atrophy – cone-rod dystrophy 4 (cord1-PRA/crd4)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- RPGRIP1: c.142_143ins[A[29]; GGAAGCAACAGGATG
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Degenerative myelopathy (DM)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- SOD1: c.118G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Factor VII deficiency (F7def)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- F7: c.407G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Hypocatalasia (Hypoc)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- CAT: c.979G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal incompletely dominant
-
Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- CUBN: c.786del
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
X-ray once from 2 years
Official description
- Method
- X-ray: lateral (C1 to Cd1 must be assessable)
-
Musladin-Lueke syndrome (MLS)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- ADAMTSL2: c.661C>T
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
Recommended examinations (6)
-
Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- CHRNE: c.1508dup
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- DNM1: c.767G>T
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKLR)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- PKLR: c.994G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- ADAMTS10: c.1981G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Progressive retinal atrophy – progressive rod-cone degeneration (Prcd-PRA)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- PRCD: c.5G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Patellar luxation
Kneecap examination once at least 1 year
Official description
- Method
- palpation of the kneecap
The breeding programme also contains the breeding advice for each examination and general rules on inbreeding, the number of matings per stud dog and the use of frozen semen. You can find these in the official document.
Source: breeding programme Beagle, Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen, last updated on 15/05/2025.
View the official breeding programme (PDF, in Dutch)
A breeding programme reduces the risk of hereditary conditions, but does not offer a 100% health guarantee.
Translation of the Dutch breeding programme by Puppymakelaar. In case of any difference, the official document prevails.
This breed profile is not a breed sheet within the meaning of the Flemish Breeding Decree (Fokkerijbesluit). The legal rules for breeding this breed are set out in the official breeding programme.
Considerations when buying
According to the breeding programme approved by Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen, these examinations must be carried out on both parent dogs: Progressive retinal atrophy – cone-rod dystrophy 4 (cord1-PRA/crd4), Degenerative myelopathy (DM), Factor VII deficiency (F7def), Hypocatalasia (Hypoc), Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS), Chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and Musladin-Lueke syndrome (MLS). The breeding programme also lists these recommended examinations: Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), Exercise-induced collapse (EIC), Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKLR), Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), Progressive retinal atrophy – progressive rod-cone degeneration (Prcd-PRA) and Patellar luxation. A puppy with a Flemish pedigree comes from parent dogs bred according to this breeding programme. Ask for the results of both parent dogs and compare them with the overview above. A Beagle needs long walks every day, ideally with sniffing work. Only let it off the lead in a well-fenced area: once it is on a scent, it no longer hears you. Its short coat is easy to look after.
Questions for the breeder
- Have both parent dogs undergone all the mandatory examinations in the breeding programme, and may I see the results?
- Will the puppy receive a Flemish pedigree from a recognised breed registry association?
- How are the puppies socialised before they go to their new home?
Breed-specific challenges
A Beagle is a pack hound: it likes company and can bark or howl loudly when left alone. It is clever but independent, and food is often the key to training it. Put food away carefully, because a Beagle will find it. Ask the breeder for the results of the mandatory examinations of both parent dogs.
More background
General guides that help you understand this breed information and choose well.
