Beagle

AKC Group: Hound

Club: National Beagle Club

Corresponding Secretary : Emily Southgate
Address: Po Box 642, Middleburg, VA , 20118-0642
Website: clubs.akc.org/NBC/
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

A miniature Foxhound, solid and big for his inches, with the wear-and-tear look of the hound that can last in the chase

Coat:

A close, hard, hound coat of medium length. Defects --A short, thin coat, or of a soft quality.

Temperament:

The hounds must all work gaily and cheerfully, with flags up--obeying all commands cheerfully. They should be broken to heel up, kennel up, follow promptly and stand. Cringing, sulking, lying down to be avoided. Also, a pack must not work as though in terror of master and whips. In Beagle packs it is recommended that the whip be used as little as possible.

History:

The actual origin of the Beagle seems to be obscure with no reliable documentation on the earliest days of development. There are accounts of packs of hounds in England before the times of the Romans, and these dogs are thought to be the basis of both sight and scent hounds. By the 18th century, fox hunting became quite popular, and the Foxhound was developed by crossing a buck hound and a Beagle. Two distinct types came through this mixture, one of which was named the Southern Hound and the other the North Country Beagle.

Previous to 1870 in the United States, the little hunting hounds of the southern states, then called Beagles, were more of the type of straight-legged Bassets or Dachshunds with weaker heads than the Bassets. These dogs were snappy, tireless hunters full of energy and quickness but lacking in type. The turning point for American Beagles came in the 1860's, when dogs from a well-bred strain in England were imported to inject beautiful breed type. Then in 1888, the National Beagle Club was formed and held its first trial. From that time on field trials carrying championship points sprang up rapidly all over the United States, and classes developed for hounds under 13 inches and 13-15 inches.

Beagles are still used today for hunting in packs on larger hare, but are equally prized for their companionship, courage and stamina. Their compact size, short easy to care for coat and intelligence make the Beagle an excellent family dog.

Fun Facts:

• In 1888 the National Beagle Club was formed and held the first field trial.
  
  
• The height limit of a Beagle in the United States is 15 inches and in England 16 inches; in addition, there are two varieties of Beagle within the prescribed height: those under 13 inches and those over 13 but at or under 15 inches.
  
  
• The American Beagle standard contains a section with "Recommendations for Show Livery", with the appropriate items to be worn on a hunt.
  
  
• Beagles do not drool or have a doggy odor, and shedding is minimal.
  
  
• Beagles are scent hounds used primarily for hunting rabbits to larger hares.
  
  
• The Beagle we know today is the result of select English importation; previous to about 1870 in the US, the little hunting hounds of the South, called Beagles, were more of the type of straight-legged Bassets or Dachshunds with weaker heads than the Bassets.
  
  
• Lyndon B. Johnson owned three Beagles named "Him," "Her," and "Edgar."