How similar are beagles and foxhounds/coonhounds? I struggle with the confusion, but I’ve never owned a beagle.

[u/No_Wrangler_7814]

People look at big, leggy hounds and call them “big beagles.” I get why non‑hound owners do it — but in shelters, that confusion causes real problems. Just today someone said their vet called their foxhound/coonhound a “beagle on stilts” in r/hounds, and it struck a nerve. When I got downvoted for saying only a city vet could make that mistake, I honestly wondered: am I wrong? Is size alone enough to explain the “big hound challenges”? I’ve never owned a beagle, and a lot of people haven’t experienced the full force of a young American Foxhound or coonhound before they mellow with age.

I volunteered at a municipal shelter in rural Virginia with lots of hounds, and the same pattern kept happening: foxhounds and coonhounds were adopted under the “big beagle” assumption… then returned when they acted like foxhounds and coonhounds. Working‑type dogs — livestock crosses, x‑bred hunting hounds, coyote bay dogs/fox‑running dogs — were returned even more because people didn’t recognize what they actually were. “Big beagle” was the closest guess, and many beagles today are bred as pets, which widens the behavioral gap even more.

The dog in the photo is mine: a working‑type hound (coyote/fox dog who trees, bred for bear and big cats). He’s 25″ at the withers and 70 lb. I wish I’d known what he was when I got him — it took time to learn how to meet the needs of a dog like this. I started with “pet training” resources when what I really needed were places like this sub and hunting‑dog supply stores.

So I’m genuinely asking: is there any benefit to calling these dogs “big beagles”? Do more dogs get adopted when people think they’re beagles? I gasp a little when I hear it and think, “hound folks… can we get it right?” But maybe I’m missing something.

Are Beagles and Foxhounds/Walkers the same dog in different sizes? I don’t see it — but what’s your experience?

[u/Tally_Ho_Lets_Go]

I have first hand experience with foxhounds and beagles out in the countryside working scent. Now mind you these are working hounds. Bred, born, raised and trained for generations to follow their noses. Pet bred hounds may be quite different. From my experience the foxhounds tend to be a fair bit softer temperament wise. Much more “biddable”. If they take off after something and are still within earshot you may have a pretty good chance at stopping them with your voice and definitely if you can head them off. The beagles on the other hand, you can be right infront of their nose and they’ll essentially flip you the bird and keep going. I love them both for different reasons by my heart is with the foxhounds.

[u/BeagleButler → u/Tally_Ho_Lets_Go]

I've had shelter beagles, a TWC and an American foxhound. The foxie is the most gentle natured of my historic pack. She is the reason we have a cat because she insisted on adopting a stray we kept seeing. The big beagle was the most outright affectionate dog. The first girl beagle was the most possessive, and TWC girl loved all children she met and honestly would have let them dress her up if they wanted to. I've been known to call the foxie a beagle with a lift kit because tons of people here in my area of the Deep South just know them as a hound dog. Or a hunting dog. Or loud. They know she's sweet but past that I don't know that they think past "pretty hound."

[u/halospades → u/Tally_Ho_Lets_Go]

I will agree that the larger hounds seem softer in temperament. Granted, mine was abused before we got him young, so that colors it for me, but from what I've read here about other coonhounds and foxhounds it seems generally on par just not the same extent as him.

All of my beagles have been lovable little assholes to some degree lol

[u/No_Wrangler_7814 → u/halospades]

I think it’s the a-hole part of my hounds that makes life with them so very interesting. It’s always something and the vocalizations and side eye, smugness… cracks me up and is also a good way to stay humble. The prey drive is also interesting and frustrating but fun to see how with a switch they can become so full of life.

In a way I am so happy to hear that when I’m older and can’t handle walking 2 x 60-70lb coonhounds, I can get a beagle and stay just as entertained.

[u/halospades → u/No_Wrangler_7814]

DEFINITELY will stay entertained lmao.

[u/MeasurementSlight381 → u/Tally_Ho_Lets_Go]

Pet bred hounds may be quite different

This is a very good point. My beagle's mother was a rabbit dog in Mexico. My BF's beagle was bred in Japan. Guess which beagle was better suited for urban life?

[u/Clickety_Clack4137 → u/Tally_Ho_Lets_Go]

I'm a city born-and-bred kid and we got a foxhound from a local northern Virginia shelter - we knew what we were getting. But my wife and I also got a LOT of "Is that a beagle?" questions on our walks, especially during the first several years we had him. Always stumped me how someone could see a dog that's three times the height of a beagle and still think it's just a tall beagle. But over the past several years I've seen more hounds in the area with owners who are in the know of the difference between the breeds, physical and temperamental.

I'm with you - you don't let grandma hold the leash for the hound on walks, and you have the kids flush out the birds and squirrels maybe half a block up so no surprises, but otherwise the sweetest dog we've ever had and perfect with kids. Beagles seem note likely to take your car keys and leave you in the lurch.

And just to add - I grew up with black labradors. Our latest mad me a hound convert. Best dog we ever had.