Search Wiki Pet
Suggested Contributors
These members have shown interest in Beagle
Suggested Friends
Meet fellow pet fans & make new friends!
Advertisement
Beagle Facts
- Group
- Hound
- Affiliations
- UKC, CKC, AKC
- Height
- 12" - 15" (30.5 - 38cm)
- Weight
- 15 - 30lbs (6.8 - 13.6kg)
- Lifespan
- 13 years | 2 responses - Add yours
- Exercise Requirement
- Training Requirement
- Grooming Requirement
- Colors
- Breed Characteristics
Alternate Names
There are no alternate names for the Beagle.
Origin
The Beagle originated in Great Britain.
Date Of Origin
Beagle type dogs have been around since the 1300's, however the Beagle as we know it today was developed around the late 1800's.
History
The Beagle was a small hound capable of accompanying small-game hunters on foot. Reverend Phillip Honeywood established a Beagle pack in Essex in the 1830s and it is believed that this pack formed the basis for the modern Beagle breed. Although details of the pack's lineage are not recorded, it is assumed that North Country Beagles and Southern Hounds were strongly represented.
William Youatt suspected that Harriers formed a good majority of the Beagles bloodline, but the origin of the Harrier is itself obscure. Honeywood's Beagles were small, standing at about 10 inches (25 cm) at the shoulder, and pure white according to John Mills (writing in The Sportsman's Library in 1845). Prince Albert and Lord Winterton also had Beagle packs around this time, and Royal favor no doubt led to some revival of interest in the breed, but Honeywood's pack was regarded as the finest of the three.
Description
The Beagle is a small, lean dog that is slightly longer than it is tall. It has a long skull and square muzzle. It has large brown or hazel eyes and a black nose. The drop ears are long and broad and the naturally short tail is set high. The short hard coat is of any hound color.
Temperament
The Beagle is a good-natured but independent-minded dog, but is first and foremost a hunting hound. They will pursue a scent anywhere. It is outgoing and friendly and gets along well with children and other animals as long as it is socialized. The Beagle is a popular companion because of it's affectionate nature. They are clean, do not have a dog-odor, and do not mind spending time outside.
Being hounds, Beagles produce a unique type of sound called "baying", which may be very loud at times and has the potential to cause problems in a suburban neighborhood. As with many of the hunting breeds, Beagles should not be trusted alone with small pets, even though they are very social with other dogs.
The Beagle requires daily exercise, and a walk or run will suffice. Take care to keep your beagle on a leash when outside the confines of a fenced yard, as they can easily be distracted by a new scent and decide to follow the trail.
Hunting ability, combined with a pleasant personality, has made the Beagle one of the most popular dogs in the United States according to AKC Registration Statistics.
Uses
The Beagle is specialized for the hunting of hare, pheasant, and quail, but has even been used for catching fish. The Beagle remains active in and known for its hunting skills and companionship qualities.
Health Concerns
Possible health concerns for the Beagle include cleft palate, demodectic mange (not contagious), dwarfism, epilepsy, eye problems, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, intervertebral disc disease, luxating patellas, reproductive disorders.
Additional Information
Grooming the Beagle is easy and only requires once or twice weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush. This short coat does shed, but not heavily. The dropped ears of the Beagle should be checked regularly for debris, dirt, and signs of infection (common in breeds with pendulous ears).
The Beagle is known for his robust voice, be prepared for a vocal dog.
Contributors
Sources
Simon & Schusters Guide to Dogs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster inc, 1980
Website: http://www.simonandschuster.com
Author: Elizabeth Meriwether Schuler
Dog Bible
Publisher: BowTie Press, 2005
Website: http://www.bowtiepress.com/bowtie/
Authors: Kristin Meuh-Roe, Jarelle S. Stein
The Howell Book Of Dogs
Publisher: Wiley Publishing Inc, 2007
Website: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Author: Liz Palika
Bearded Collie | Next >
< Previous | Basset Hound
0 Comments For "Beagle"