Are Pocket Beagles Real and Do You Need One?

Last Updated on April 23, 2023

Yes and no. Olde English Pocket Beagles are nowhere as small as their ancestors. But, they are smaller than their normal-sized Beagle brothers and are twice as lovable.

Discover the breed that once charmed the royal courts of England with their size and big personality. Read on to find out more about this interesting breed!

The Long History of Miniature Beagles

The origins of this breed beloved by royals are unclear. They were a court favorite around the 1300s-1600s. Queen Elizabeth used to let her Pocket Beagles entertain guests at the dining table.

They were nicknamed ‘Glove Beagles’ because they fit in a hunting glove. The Queen also called them her ‘Singing Beagles’.

When fox hunting became popular, the breed fell out of favor. At only 9 inches tall, they weren’t big enough to join the hunt. This led farmers to keep them for rabbit hunting.

They also developed the breed so they would be big and fast enough to hunt foxes.

That’s how the Teacup Beagle went extinct. But that hasn’t stopped breeders from trying to recreate them.

Do Pocket Beagles look any different from regular-sized Beagles?

Not at all! Pocket Beagles look exactly the same, except smaller. So, you can expect the same adorable floppy ears and warm brown eyes. But there’s a small chance of getting a miniature Beagle with one blue eye.

Beagles generally have black square noses (which are pink at birth!) with a strong and square muzzle. Being hound dogs, they have a sleek and muscular build.

How big is a full-grown Pocket Beagle?

According to the breed standard, Beagles come in two sizes and you can get them both from the same litter!

The smaller variation wouldn’t exceed a height of 13 inches (33 cm) and has a weight of 22 to 30 pounds (10 to 14 kg).

Standard-sized Beagles have a height of 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm) at the shoulder and should not weigh more than 35 pounds (16 kg).

The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize Pocket or Miniature Beagles as its own breed.

They are only registered or considered as the smaller version of the standard Beagle.

Some breeders still try to maintain the size of Mini Beagles at 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30.5 cm) and their weight at 7 to 15 pounds (3 to 7 kg).

You can use a weight chart to track your Pocket Beagle’s growth since they won’t grow the way we expect them to. Generally, it should look like this:

Based on this table, a Pocket Beagle is considered full-grown by the time they’re 1 to 1 ½ years old. Once they reach the age of 8 months, you should be able to get an idea of how big they will get.

Due to their size, they can stay in an apartment, provided they have a chance to go outdoors often. With that, the best environment is a house with a yard. 

Also read: Beagle Growth and Weight Chart

The coat & color of Pocket Beagles

Pocket Beagles also come in a myriad of colors: Black and Tan Beagles or Lemon Beagles are most common and widespread.

They can also be red, bluetick, lemon, pied, or tricolor, but any hound color is acceptable.

They should have a saddle, but Irish spotting is not uncommon. They usually have a white tip tail, then their legs and stomachs are almost always white.

Learn more: The Different Beagle Coat Color Variations

Temperament: Are Pocket Beagles Good Pets?

Yes, they are. Beagles bond exceptionally great with family members, especially children. But due to their fragile size, playtime with kids should be supervised.

It’s not advisable to leave a Toy Beagle with a child to avoid accidents. These tiny doggos should be treated gently, or they could get mouthy.

Other than that, they have gentle souls that simply love having fun and need a companion that can match their joy for life.

Pocket Beagles don’t yap, they bay

This can be distressing when you hear it for the first time. But Beagles bay when they get excited.

Beagles are vocal and will express themselves through sounds. You can expect yelping, howling, and snorting.

A sweet breed with a merry disposition, you can expect him to get along well with everyone. And he will make all sorts of noises to make sure you know he loves you!

Teacup Beagles don’t need you around 24/7

Pocket Beagles are somewhat independent, and as long as there’s something for them to do, they will be fine. But bear in mind that a bored dog is a lonely and destructive pet.

If you cannot spend lots of time with him, consider getting him a playmate. It doesn’t matter whether it’s another dog or a cat. What they want is companionship or stimulation.

Housebreaking is hard, but they are highly intelligent

Small breeds are generally challenging to housebreak, and this pooch is no different. They can take up to one year to housetrain. Thus, crating your fido is ideal.

Due to their intelligence, these Toy Beagles need obedience training. Pocket Beagles can become quite stubborn without proper training or discipline. If you treat them harshly, they will tune you out.

They will do anything for food, so positive reinforcement will work wonders. Be careful when feeding treats. Please don’t give them whole biscuits or treats. Instead, break them up into smaller pieces as your pocket Beagle wouldn’t require much.

Taking Care of Your Miniature Beagle

Small dogs have been known to be carried off by birds of prey. Since Teacup Beagles are quite small, you should keep them indoors. This will protect them from both threats and the weather. 

They lose heat quickly, so if you’re bringing them out in winter, make sure that they have on a jacket. 

These Pocket Beagles are low maintenance but you will need to spend a fair bit of time with them. They need lots of exercise and patience when it comes to training. 

Exercising your Pocket Beagle is not just a walk in the park

Pocket Beagles might be small, but they need an hour of exercise daily. But you need to wait till they are 18 months or older. Starting regular exercise too young may lead to joint damage.

Because of their tiny size, it is possible to over-exercise. If you’re planning to bring them trekking, you might want to invest in a doggy backpack or carrier. This way, you can lug your fur baby when he gets tired.

They love romping around and wandering freely, so don’t expect them to walk quietly beside you. Your little Teacup Beagle will give everything a good sniff.

He might even chase after smells. It’s good practice to keep him on a leash unless you’re in a gated compound.

They do get more relaxed as they mature, so don’t be surprised when he begins to pack on the pounds. To prevent this from happening, make sure they get exercise! 

Grooming: Do Pocket Beagles shed a lot?

Many have the wrong impression that Beagles are short-coated, but the truth is their coats are medium-length. They shed all year round, most noticeably around spring. With that said, the Pocket Beagle is not a hypoallergenic dog and is considered moderate shedder.

Their dense coats are resistant to rain which would require weekly brushing. A grooming glove is a great tool to remove dead hair. This will give your Pocket Beagle a glossy and healthy coat.

As for all Beagles, they can be washed every two to six months, or when necessary, with a mild shampoo. When you’re bathing your pet, take extra care to keep water away from his ears. Their droopy ears tend to develop ear infections easily.

Make sure to check their ears twice a week to maintain cleanliness.

Their nails should also be checked regularly and trimmed once every 6-8 weeks.

Lock food away because the toy Beagle will sniff out their favorite snacks

Beagles are known to be chowhounds and will eat much as you allow them and more. They can get protective and overexcited with food. Try not to disturb him while he’s eating. It can help by putting his bowl in a quiet area. Also, don’t tease him with food!

They need to be fed according to their activity level and age. Give them 1 cup of high-quality dog food daily and separate this into two or three meals. Small kibbles are preferred due to their small jaws and don’t forget to make allowance for their treats. 

Pocket Beagles are Not as Fragile as You Might Think

The average life expectancy of a Toy Beagle is between 12 to 15 years. But did you know that one of the oldest dogs that ever lived was actually a Beagle named Butch who enjoyed a lifespan of 27 years! 

Invest in a slow feeder so they don’t scarf down their food, which can lead to health complications. 

Remember: if you don’t see their waist, they are obese. You’ll need to control his portions more firmly and stick to an exercise routine. 

Since they are so Tiny, do pocket Beagles have any health issues? 

This breed is predisposed to cherry eyes (where a gland in the eyelid swells up). They can also get glaucoma, cataracts, retinal dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy – all of which can lead to blindness. Dry eye and Distichiasis are also some things to watch out for. 

Pocket Beagles, in particular, might suffer from underdeveloped organs and dwarfism. Funny Puppy Syndrome is also often associated with Pocket Beagles. Why? Because runts of the litter usually exhibit it. This condition can cause walking disabilities but the puppy might outgrow it. 

They can also suffer from hypothyroidism. This is an issue with the thyroid that can cause weight and reproduction problems and make their coat look poorly. 

Other issues that can affect Beagles are Canine Hip Dysplasia, Chinese Beagle Syndrome, Cryptorchidism, Cleft Lip or Palate, Epilepsy, Epiphyseal Dysplasia, Hermaphroditism, Hypoglycemia, Intervertebral Disc Disease and Patellar Luxation. 

Don’t Get a Pocket Beagle on Impulse

We get it, they are super cute, but pets are a lifelong commitment. If you’re unable to care for them properly, they might end up at the shelter.

The price of Pocket Beagles can go as high as $2,500 and as low as $500, depending on where you get it. Always insist on seeing the parents if you are buying from a breeder. If the parents look unhealthy, go to someone else. 

Their litter size can get quite large – up to 14 puppies. The average litter is half that size, but sometimes there are only 2 in a litter.

Also read: The Beagle Price Factors Explained

Spend Time Searching for the Right Breeder

When purchasing, you should always buy from a responsible breeder. You can find them through a friend’s recommendation or kennel clubs. 

Make sure you understand how they breed their puppies and choose one that feels right for you. 

Teacup Beagles are achieved through: 

• Cross Breeding: In an attempt to make their dogs smaller, breeders might breed a full-sized Beagle to a Daschund. Crossbreeds might look like Teacup Beagles when they are puppies. But, they might grow up to have longer snouts, longer coats, or un-dropped ears. 

• Selective Breeding: Beagles with dwarfism are bred together to create Mini Beagles. These Beagles may have bowed limbs, joint problems, and spinal abnormalities.

• Breeding Runts: Taking the smallest, weakest pup and breeding it to another runt. This practice creates small and unhealthy Pocket Beagles. 

• Inbreeding: Selective breeding of two related dogs is something that the AKC condones. This is done to preserve a desirable treat, but this can cause genetic damage. 

Olde English Beagle Breeders should be mindful of their health

It can be hard to find a reputable breeder who is committed to improving the breed because a lot of people do it for the money and profit off the teacup size. Sometimes breeders underfeed their dogs to make them smaller.

If you buy from an unethical breeder, you’ll have a sickly pup.

You also want to be wary of false advertising or marketing tactics. Pixie Beagles is said to be a smaller version of Pocket Beagles, but there is nothing to back up this claim. No breeder can confirm a puppy’s adult size without tracking its growth.

Reputable breeders will have their parent’s papers on hand. The kennel should also be clean, and the dogs happy. Don’t be surprised when you are waitlisted. Usually, only backyard breeders will have a steady stream of puppies.

Here are a few reputable breeders: 

• Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagles (Collegedale, TN)
• Scarlett’s Old English Pocket Beagles (Walworth, NY)
• Pocket Beagles USA (Dallas, TX)

Rescuing Pocket Beagles and giving them a good life

Perfect for those who have a smaller budget or want to give another dog a second chance. 

Older or adult dogs are great – you’ll have their complete medical history and won’t be taken by surprise. 

Sometimes, you’ll find younger dogs to adopt. Many of these come from owners who don’t know how to train them properly. You might need more resources and time to rehabilitate them. 

If you choose to rescue, good on you! Here are a few rescues you may consider: 

• Hound Rescue (Austin, TX)
• Beagles R Us (London, OH)
• SOS Beagles (TN/GA/AL)

So, Pocket Beagles, Should You Get One? 

A fun-sized companion for both the young and old. Their cute antics will keep you entertained for hours.

But it might also annoy your neighbors. If you need a quiet dog, we’d suggest the small Cavachon or the Basenji hound. 

Having a Pixie Beagle around is like having a toddler in the house. You’ll need to pet-proof your home and make sure no food (or small toys) is lying around. 

Aside from that, you will need to be prepared to spend lots of time training and playing with your puppy. But he will reward you with lots of love and loyalty. 

Would you get a Pocket Beagle? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.

Further reading: Learn more about the Beagle dog breed

• 500+ Most Popular Beagle Names
• 45 Adorable Beagle Mixes