How to Groom a Beagle

Year after year, the beagle is among the most popular dogs in the United States. They are intelligent, gentle, good-natured dogs, who make excellent family pets. They are a small to medium sized breed, with a stout body and large, droopy ears. Their medium-length, hard coat usually appears in tri-colors: brown, black, tan, white and gray. Average to slightly heavy shedders, they are fairly easy to groom. Read on to learn how to groom a beagle.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Firm bristle brush
• Mild dog shampoo for dry skin
• Cotton pads or tissues
• Ear cleansing solution

1. Brush your beagle at least once or twice a week with a firm bristle brush to groom her. Regular brushing helps get rid of dead fur and keeps itching, odor and shedding under control. A beagle's fur should lie flat but not be smooth or silky.

2. Bathe your beagle only when necessary. Beagles' skin tends to dry out and they typically are clean dogs, so a necessary bath is rare. Bathe them once a month at most unless he rolls around in something unsavory. Use a mild dog shampoo, preferably one for dry skin, which you can find at any pet store.

3. Clean his ears out every day with a cotton pad or tissue. Beagles are highly prone to ear infections, wax buildup and ear mites.

4. Wash ears once a week with an ear cleansing solution made for dogs which you can find at any pet store. Put cleanser on a cotton pad and clean the outer rim and inside of his ears, being careful not to penetrate anywhere inside his ears you can't see.

Tips & Warnings

• Giving your beagle a warm bath when spring and fall shedding begins helps speed up the shedding process and aids in grooming.
• If your beagle's ears have an unpleasant odor, this may indicate infection.
• Never place anything into a dog's ear canal, where you can't see. You could rupture an eardrum or cause other major damage.