Beagle Dog Breed Profile Information

The Beagle is a member of the hound family. This breed is a hardy hound that has the look of the Foxhound but in miniature. This breed has a unique howl come bark as they chase their pray on the hunt. This is a well-built dog that is well proportioned to look at. The body is slightly square-built. The head is somewhat domed and moderately long. As with the body the muzzle is square and straight and intermediate in length, the nostrils are full and broad. The nose is black. It has large eyes, which are brown in colour and look soulful. The ears are pendant in shape and hang low and long. The tail is set reasonably high and not set over the back. Legs should be straight with good round feet that are firm. They have a medium length of coat that is hard but sleek and is easy to care for. Colours are broad and any colours are accepted but more desirable are tri- colouring, black and tan, red and white, lemon and lemon and white, orange and white, red tick and blue tick.

History: The Beagle dogs history has evidence that goes back to the 1500s. In England hunters would take packs of these dogs out for hunting as they work well as a team or on their own. It is thought that this breed has come from the Harrier and other English hounds. It was brought to America and has gained in reputation to become one of the popular breeds. Here we find the Beagle is more popular than in its native country. The National Beagle Club of America was formed in 1888. There is evidence that this dog was developed in 1830 in England. When it came to America it soon helped by injecting beauty into the previous hounds that had longer legs with weaker heads that previously were present. Snoopy from the comic strip "Peanuts" is appropriately the most famous Beagle to date.

Temperament: The Beagle dog breed needs good leadership and training. This needs to be firm but gentle and always consistent. They need a lot of mental and physical exercise to maintain a health balance, or you can get a dog that is obsessively barking, and can have destructive behaviour when left alone. This dog can suffer from separation anxiety. All this can be controlled by good exercise. This is a dog that loves to tracking, and you will have hours of fun fulfilling this need in your dog. While out walking your dog is better to be kept on the lead, because if he smells something he wishes to track, he is oblivious to all else, this includes you trying to call him back. If you meet this dog's instinctive needs you will have a lovely pet. They are loving, and like to greet all. Wonderful with children but it is best not to trust them with small pets as they have high natural hunting abilities.

Health issues: In some lines, you can have aka dwarfism, epilepsy, heart problems, and some lines have back and eye problems.

Grooming: The Beagle is a fairly easy dog to groom only needing brushing weekly. Bath only when it is really needed. Check ears and eyes weekly for signs of infection.

Living Conditions: Beagles are very active dogs indoors, but as long as you have enough space they adapt well to living pretty much anywhere. They would ideally like a yard in which to play. It can live in an apartment, as long as they are well exercised and taken out regularly, as they need to spend time outdoors, daily.