Which is bigger, a Dachshund or a Beagle?

A Beagle is significantly bigger, typically 9 to 11kg, compared with a Dachshund's 4 to 12kg depending on whether it is a miniature or standard, with even a standard Dachshund usually smaller and lower to the ground than a Beagle.

Do Beagles or Dachshunds need more exercise?

Beagles generally need considerably more daily exercise, having been bred to run for extended periods with a pack. Dachshunds need a moderate amount but nowhere near the same volume, and their back health means avoiding certain high-impact activities regardless.

Are Beagles or Dachshunds easier to train?

Both breeds have a strong, independent scent-driven instinct that can make recall and general obedience challenging, and neither is typically the easiest first dog for someone expecting quick, easy training. Consistent, patient training works with both.

Do Dachshunds or Beagles have more health problems?

Dachshunds carry a well-known and significant risk of back problems because of their long spine. Beagles have their own considerations, including a tendency toward weight gain and ear problems linked to their long ears, but do not share the same spinal risk.

Which breed is more vocal, a Dachshund or a Beagle?

Both breeds have a reputation for being vocal, though for different reasons — Beagles are known for baying while on a scent, and Dachshunds can be surprisingly loud barkers for their size, often when alerting to something new.

Dachshund vs Beagle: how the two breeds compare

Dachshunds and Beagles are both scent-driven hunting breeds but differ substantially in size and daily needs: a Dachshund is small with a long back that needs protecting, while a Beagle is a sturdier medium-sized dog bred to run for hours with a pack. Their shared hunting instincts show up differently because of that size gap.

Size and build

Dachshunds are small dogs, typically 4 to 12kg depending on whether they are miniature or standard, with a distinctive long back and short legs. Beagles are noticeably larger, generally 9 to 11kg, with a more conventional, sturdily built body designed for stamina over rough ground.

The Dachshund's elongated spine is a genuine health consideration, with a real risk of back problems including slipped discs, which the Beagle's more standard build does not carry in the same way.

Temperament

Both breeds were bred to hunt by scent, which shows up in a strong nose-led instinct and a tendency to follow it regardless of what you would rather they were doing. Beagles are famously prone to wandering off after a scent, and Dachshunds share a similar single-mindedness in a smaller package.

Beagles are generally considered sociable, friendly dogs that do well with people and other dogs, often described as good-natured but stubborn when a scent has their attention. Dachshunds tend to be more strong-willed and can be more reserved with strangers, alongside a similarly independent streak.

Exercise and lifestyle fit

Beagles need substantial daily exercise, having been bred to run for extended periods as part of a pack, and a bored, under-exercised Beagle can become vocal and destructive. Secure fencing matters a lot for this breed given their instinct to follow a scent regardless of recall training.

Dachshunds need moderate daily exercise but nowhere near the volume a Beagle needs, and their back health means avoiding excessive jumping and stair use. A Dachshund tends to suit a less physically demanding routine than a Beagle by some distance.

Grooming and health

Beagles have a short, low-maintenance coat needing only occasional brushing, and their long ears benefit from regular checking to prevent ear problems. Dachshunds vary by coat type — smooth, long-haired and wire-haired varieties each need different levels of grooming.

Beyond the Dachshund's well-known back problems, both breeds can be prone to weight gain if exercise and portion control are not managed carefully, since both have a strong food drive that can work against them at the bowl.

Which suits you

A Beagle tends to suit an active household able to provide substantial daily exercise and secure outdoor space, and who is prepared for a determined nose-led streak. A Dachshund suits an owner wanting a smaller dog with more moderate exercise needs, provided they are willing to manage the back-health precautions the breed's shape demands.

Both make loyal, characterful companions, and the shared scent-hound instinct means recall training and secure boundaries matter for either breed — the real decision comes down to size, exercise capacity, and how much space and time you can offer.

Common questions

Which is bigger, a Dachshund or a Beagle?: A Beagle is significantly bigger, typically 9 to 11kg, compared with a Dachshund's 4 to 12kg depending on whether it is a miniature or standard, with even a standard Dachshund usually smaller and lower to the ground than a Beagle.
Do Beagles or Dachshunds need more exercise?: Beagles generally need considerably more daily exercise, having been bred to run for extended periods with a pack. Dachshunds need a moderate amount but nowhere near the same volume, and their back health means avoiding certain high-impact activities regardless.
Are Beagles or Dachshunds easier to train?: Both breeds have a strong, independent scent-driven instinct that can make recall and general obedience challenging, and neither is typically the easiest first dog for someone expecting quick, easy training. Consistent, patient training works with both.
Do Dachshunds or Beagles have more health problems?: Dachshunds carry a well-known and significant risk of back problems because of their long spine. Beagles have their own considerations, including a tendency toward weight gain and ear problems linked to their long ears, but do not share the same spinal risk.
Which breed is more vocal, a Dachshund or a Beagle?: Both breeds have a reputation for being vocal, though for different reasons — Beagles are known for baying while on a scent, and Dachshunds can be surprisingly loud barkers for their size, often when alerting to something new.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

PDSA — Pet Health Hub

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.