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Similar in appearance to a Foxhound, the Beagle is a popular breed, a small to medium-sized dog that was originally developed primarily for tracking game such as rabbits. While their keen sense of smell and tracking ability make them ideal hunting dogs, Beagles make the perfect pet for those who are looking for a dog that is enthusiastic and good natured.

History

The modern breed of Beagle we know today was developed sometime around the 1830's in Great Britain; several breeds were used in the development of this breed, including the Southern Hound, North Country Beagle and Talbot Hound. Beagle was the term used to describe smaller hounds in medieval times, although these dogs were not highly similar to the beagles we are all familiar with today.

In Essex in the 1830's, Reverend Phillip Honeywood established a Beagle pack which is believed to be the basis of the modern breed of Beagle we know today. While Honeywood was credited with developing the modern breed, his focus was to produce dogs for hunting; eventually, Thomas Johnson was left the task of refining the Beagle breed to produce dogs that were capable hunters, but also attractive. In this development, Johnson developed a smooth-coated Beagle and a rough-coated Beagle. The rough-coated Beagle is now extinct, believed to have survived until the early 20th century.

In the early 1870's, General Richard Rowett from Illinois began serious attempts at developing a quality bloodline, and began breeding after importing dogs from England. The Beagles established by Rowett are thought to have formed the models for the first American standard, drawn up by Norman Ellmore, L.H. Twadell and Rowett in 1887. In 1884, the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the Beagle as a breed. Since that time, popularity has spread around the world.

Appearance

Beagles can occur in any hound color, although the most common colors are white with black areas and light brown shading (tricolor). Two-color varieties are also common, and typically have a white base with tan as the secondary color, although some appear reddish in color, light tan, dark brown or even orange or yellow.

On average, beagles weigh between 18 and 35 pounds, and are between 13 and 16 inches high at the withers, the ridge between the shoulder blades. Males are usually a bit larger in size than females. Beagles have those "pleading" eyes that often melt the hearts of their owners, usually large and brown or hazel in color. Long, soft ears are rounded at the tips, the jaw strong. Beagles usually have a white-tipped, slightly curved tail that allows them to be easily seen even as the dog's head is down tracking a scent.

Temperament

Often described as "merry," beagles have a gentle disposition and even temper, and are neither too timid or aggressive. While they are good natured, they can also be difficult to train due to a bit of stubbornness. Their independent attitude can make them a bit more difficult to house train than other breeds of dogs, and their main focus is not on pleasing their owner, as is the case with many other breeds.

However, many families choose the beagle as a family pet, because it does have a great personality and tends to be athletic, which makes it an ideal choice for those who camp, hike, fish or enjoy other outdoor activities.

Environment

Beagles love the outdoors, and can become overweight if kept indoors. An indoor beagle is more prone to developing joint and heart problems due to this excess weight and lack of exercise.

Because beagles are social in nature and enjoy companionship, the ideal setting is a home where your pet can enjoy both the indoors and out, with the majority of his/her time being spent outdoors. Not only do they enjoy human contact, but contact with other dogs as well, as long as you provide shelter and bedding. A temperate climate is ideal for this breed.

Grooming

Beagles have a smooth coat and are easy to care for in terms of grooming. While they do shed a moderate amount of hair, their short coat doesn't require a great deal of maintenance. Brushing once or twice each week is all that is necessary to ensure that your furnishings, carpet, and clothes are free of hair.

Health

Some of the health issues that beagles may face, particularly if not selected from a reputable breeder, include orthopedic problems, allergies, thyroid disease and seizures. Recurrent ear infections and was buildup in the ears are another common health problem, but many of these issues can be avoided if you obtain your pet from a breeder rather than a local shelter. Their long, floppy ears is what makes this breed more prone to ear infections than some other breeds.

A condition referred to as "Funny Puppy" is one that is unique to the beagle. While their health is not affected in a major way, beagles with this condition may develop slowly and are prone to more illness than those not affected. A beagle with this condition may have a back that grows crooked, because the legs do not acquire the necessary strength to support them. However, this condition is quite rare.

Beagles as pets

Just like most other breeds, there are advantages and disadvantage to owning a beagle as a pet.

Because of their happy nature, intelligence, temper and size, and the fact that they are not prone to numerous health issues, beagles make ideal pets, particularly for active families. Beagles are very good with other dogs, and are typically not aggressive so they make good pets for families with children. While it will take firm coaching to train a beagle, their love for the outdoors and exploring, as well as their curiosity, make them easy to love.

The disadvantages of owning a beagle as a pet include their independent nature, which can make them difficult to train, their roaming tendencies, and the fact that they can be noisy, a factor you may want to consider if you have nearby neighbors. Because beagles have such a sensitive nose and are experts at following scents, this may cause them to roam. This means that as an owner, you should have very secure fencing that prevents your pet from "digging out" to follow an interesting scent.

In regards to noise, many beagles have a loud howl that can be annoying, so keep this in mind when choosing a pet. This may or may not be a factor, depending upon whether you live in a heavily populated neighborhood or in a rural area where there aren't many nearby neighbors.

Overall, beagles make ideal pets in most situations. The popularity of this breed continues to grown, and it's easy to understand why with their sweet nature and "puppy dog" eyes!

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