If you’re stuck choosing between the beagle vs husky then this is the guide for you.
In this article we’ll break down the key differences and similarities between the two so you can get a better understanding of which dog is more suited to your specific needs.
Before we get into the details, here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know:
Contents
Siberian Husky Overview
Huskies were bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia to assist with pulling sleds over long distances.
Huskies have a pack mentality and were not used for guarding or hunting, but rather as a functional part of a pack to work.
Huskies retain a large capacity for exercise due to this and like to be around other dogs due to their pack mentality.
They are very intelligent but difficult to train as they can be stubborn and independent.
They have a thick double coat that requires regular grooming and are not suited for being left alone as they will get bored easily and can develop destructive behaviors.
Beagle Overview
Beagles were originally bred as scenthounds and used to track small game (mainly rabbits).
They would hunt in packs, similarly to how huskies would pull sleds and live in packs, and they are still used as scenthounds in some places today.
Beagles have a high-energy drive and have a very loving and caring personality.
They are very kind towards strangers and have a happy-go-lucky outlook on life.
Beagles do not cope well if left alone and can be very dramatic and make a lot of noise if they are unhappy. They are quite a high-maintenance dog breed, and can be hard to train.
Difference In Appearance
Before we get into the main differences and similarities between these breeds, let’s get the most obvious out of the way first.
Huskies and beagles have very different appearances.
Huskies have a wolf-like artic aesthetic, with pointed ears and long snouts. They are similar to other artic breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute in appearance.
On the other hand, beagles have large floppy ears and caring and gentle eyes.
Beagles retain much of the hound look, which makes sense given that they are a small scent hound by breed. You only have to look at a list of hound breeds to see the strong resemblance.
Anyway, now that’s out of the way let’s explore some other differences and similarities between them.
More Differences Between Beagle VS Husky
Besides the clear difference in appearance, what are the other differences between huskies and beagles?
Size (Height & Weight)
Beagles are much smaller than huskies, both in height and weight.
- Huskies reach between 20 and 23.5 inches and weigh 35 to 60 lbs on average.
- Beagles, on the other hand, have two distinct sizes (both of which are small). One size grows to 13 to 15 inches and weighs 20 to 30 lbs, while the other is usually under 13 inches and weighs less than 20 lbs (source).
Huskies can weigh two to four times that of a beagle with around 10 inches in extra height, so they are much larger physically and this is important to consider when comparing the two.
Temperament
beagles are full of energy, just like huskies, and love to be around people. They are sweet and gentle but can be naughty at times.
Huskies are similar, but they have more of an independent nature and won’t pester you for attention like a beagle will. Huskies are often described as having as being more cat than dog.
Similarities Between The Beagles And Huskies
Despite their appearances, you might be surprised just how many similarities there are between beagles and huskies.
Prey Drive
Beagles have a high prey drive due to their hunting background, but you might be surprised to learn that huskies have a high prey drive as well.
Although they were used specifically for pulling sleds, it’s thought they aided in hunting and other activities as well.
So both of these breeds share a high prey drive, but what does this mean in reality?
A high prey drive means that both of these dogs will chase after small animals without thinking about it.
It’s why they should both be on a leash when in public – more for their own safety than anything else – and also why care needs to be taken if you want them to live with other small animals like cats.
The best advice here is to raise them from young with other cats or small dogs so they can learn to be around them. Introducing either breed as adults to a household with cats can be difficult, especially if they haven’t lived with them before.
Escape Artists
Another trait that huskies and beagles share is their ability to escape from unsecured places.
This comes from a mixture of how easily bored these breeds get, and also their strong intuition to explore or become distracted by scents or other animals.
If you want to keep either of these breeds you’ll need a secured yard for them to play in. Fences need to be at least 6ft tall for huskies or 5ft for beagles, and ideally higher.
They will also try to dig underneath, so you need to secure the bottom as well.
Lifespan & Health Problems
Huskies and beagles share an expected lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and they are at a risk of similar health issues:
- Hip dysplasia – This is a condition where the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t fit together or develop properly. It can lead to pain and difficulty in movement, and eventually, the hip joint will lose function.
- Hypothyroidism – This is common in older huskies and beagles, and is a condition where the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This can result in changes in the skin and coat (e.g dry skin), and it can also cause weight gain.
Luckily these conditions can either be treated relatively easily with medication (in the case of hypothyroidism) or made less likely by feeding a balanced diet and providing the right type and amount of exercise (in the case of hip dysplasia).
Double Coated
Beagles and huskies have double coats.
This means their fur is made of two layers; a dense undercoat of short hairs and a top coat made of longer guard hairs.
Beagles have denser and shorter coats, but they still shed moderately and need frequent grooming.
Huskies obviously have much longer fur, which means more shedding and regular grooming, especially when they are blowing coat, but beagles are not as low maintenance in terms of their fur as many people would think.
Pack Mentality
Huskies and beagles are both pack animals due to their history of working in packs to fulfil their jobs (hunting and pulling sleds).
This means that they make great family pets and love to be around other people and dogs.
Separation Anxiety
The pack mentality does also bring some issues, particularly if they are left alone for long periods of time.
Huskies and beagles suffer from separation anxiety, the extent of which varies between individuals. Separation anxiety leads to destructive behaviors if they are left alone, such as chewing or excessive barking or howling.
Difficult To Train
Huskies and beagles are difficult to train.
Beagles are difficult to train because they are easily distracted by their strong sense of smell, and can be very stubborn as well.
Huskies are difficult to train because they do not care for pleasing their owners, and are much like cats in this manner. They can also be very independent and stubborn, which makes them even harder to train.
Exercise Requirement
Beagles and huskies are highly active and need a lot of exercise.
In theory, huskies can be bred to run for over 100 miles per day while pulling a sled, which very few other dogs can match.
When kept as pets, however, huskies and beagles thrive with lots of exercise. You should aim for at least 2 hours per day for both breeds, although beagles can manage with 1 to 2 hours.
Lack Of Guarding Instinct
If you want a dog with guarding instincts then huskies and beagles are not the right choice.
They are both more prone to making friends with strangers and do not possess guarding instincts like other guarding breeds (like the doberman, for example).
In Summary
There are a lot more similarities between beagles and huskies than you would first imagine.
Both are quite hard work, proving difficult to train and requiring a lot of exercise and attention.
Beagles are smaller in size and have a more outgoing personality, whereas huskies are larger and can be more stubborn or independent, or even cat-like.
Hopefully this guide has given you all the information to decide which breed is best for you!
Interested in checking out more husky comparison guides? We’ve covered plenty of others:
