Beagle Information and Common Questions

The beagle is a compact little rabbit hunter, one of the smallest members of the hound group that relies on scent to find his quarry. Since the 1950s, the beagle has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 most loved breeds in the United States.

What is the Beagle breed origin?
Possible Ancestors,In the eleventh century, William the Conqueror brought the Talbot hound into Great Britain. A white scent hound, the Talbot (now extinct) is thought to be a more recent ancestor of the modern day beagle.The black and tan Irish Kerry Beagles are also considered another possible link in the evolution of early beagles. A small hunter similar to the Bloodhound, Kerry Beagles may be the reason for the strong scenting abilities of beagles today.Though the precise origin of the beagle is unknown, the breed seems to have been a favorite human companion and vigorous rabbit hunter for centuries. Name: The origin of the word "beagle" is uncertain. Possibly it comes from the French begueule (meaning "open throat", or "loudmouth") or from an Old English, French, or Welsh term beag, meaning "small." Other possibilities: the French beugler (meaning "to bellow") and the German begele (meaning "to scold").

How is the Beagle appearance and size?
The Beagle has a smooth, somewhat oval skull; a medium-length, square-cut muzzle; a black, gumdrop nose (the AKC Beagle standard states that for colours other than tri, for instance, red & white, a liver coloured nose is acceptable); large, hound-like hazel or brown eyes; long, velveteen, low-set ears (big), turning towards the cheeks slightly and rounded at the tips; a medium-length, strong neck without folds in the skin; a broad chest narrowing to a tapered abdomen and waist; a short, slightly curved tail; an overall muscular body; and a medium-length, smooth, hard coat. The Beagle's droopy ears should be very soft on the outside and fabricy on the inside. One standard calls for ideally shaped beagles to be twice as long as tall, and twice as tall as wide.Tan and white 13 inch Beagle Puppy.They appear in a range of colors, not limited to the familiar tricolor (white with large black areas and light brown spots). Some tricolored dogs have a color pattern referred to as "broken." These dogs have mostly white coats with slightly circular patches of black and brown hair. Two-color varieties are always white with colored areas, including such colors as "lemon", a very light tan; "red", a reddish, almost orangish brown; and "liver", a darker brown (liver is the only colour not allowed in the British Standard). "Ticked" varieties may be either white or black with different colored spots ("ticking"), such as the bluetick beagle, which has spots that appear to be a midnight-blue color, similar to the Bluetick Coonhound. Some tricolor beagles also have ticking of various colors in their white areas.Tricolor beagles are almost always born black and white, with the brownish areas developing later. The brown is usually the last color to appear, taking sometimes 1-2 years to fully develop. Some beagles gradually change color throughout their lives. Beagles typically have a white-tipped tail, or "flag", which is important in locating them in the field due to their short height.The American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club recognize two separate varieties of Beagle: the 13-inch for hounds less than 13 inches (330 mm), and the 15-inch for those between 13 and 15 inches (330 and 380 mm). The Kennel Club (UK) and FCI affiliated clubs recognize a single type, with a height of between 13 and 16 inches (330 and 400 mm). These standard dogs can reach 35 lb (16 kg) or more.In Medieval times, there was a breed called a pocket beagle, which stood at 8 to 9 inches (200 to 230 mm). Small enough to fit in a "pocket" or saddlebag, they rode along on the hunt. The larger foxhounds would run the prey to ground, then the hunters would release the small beagles to continue the chase through underbrush into their burrows. Queen Elizabeth I often entertained guests at her royal table by letting her pocket beagles cavort amid their plates and cups. This genetic line is now nearly extinct.[1]The beagle can also be broken into English Beagle and American Beagle

Is the Beagle children compatible?
Beagles are excellent choices for families with children. The breed's easygoing nature makes them tolerant family members that love to participate in games. Beagles do not enjoy being left alone for extended periods of time. They can easily become frustrated and bored, leading to behavior problems, including destructive behavior.

Special Concerns
Beagles love to hunt. This results in a strong desire to dig, which can be problematic for some homeowners and gardeners. Some beagles tend to be quite vocal and, if not given appropriate home care, may excessively bark. On the plus side, they don't drool, shed little and they have minimal doggy odor.Since beagles thoroughly enjoy hunting and digging, providing a safe and adequate confinement may be difficult. For some persistent dogs, special fencing may be required.

Common Diseases and Disorders
Dermatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the skin and can be caused by allergies, infections or even parasites such as mange

Beagle Photo Gallery