Beagle

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Size: Medium
Other Names: English Beagle
Country of Origin: England
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Hound
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Hounds
United Kennel Club (UKC): Scenthound
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Hounds
The Kennel Club (KC): Hound
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Hound
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Hound

The Beagle is a small to medium-sized dog, with a muscular body, and a smooth, somewhat domed skull, with a medium-length, square-cut muzzle and a black (or occasionally liver), gumdrop nose. The eyes are large, hazel or brown, with a mild hound-like pleading look. The large ears are long, soft and low-set, and rounded at the tips. The Beagle has a strong, medium-length neck (which is long enough for him to easily bend to the ground to pick up a scent), a broad chest, narrowing to a tapered abdomen and waist, and a short, slightly curved tail tipped with white. The tail does not curl over the back, but is help upright when the dog is active. The front legs are straight and carried under the body, while the rear legs are muscular and well bent at the stifles.

A compact pack hound who can share a house or a larger apartment if walked; short coat, a famous bay, and a nose that will wander if the yard is not fenced.

Beagles are scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game. The Beagle’s white tipped tail, known as the "stern" or "flag", has been selectively bred, as it allows the dog to be easily seen when its head is down following a scent. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct, and are employed as detection dogs for prohibited agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. Beagles are popular as pets due to their size, even temper, and lack of inherited health problems. The breed was developed in Britain from several breeds, including the Talbot Hound, the North Country Beagle, the Southern Hound, and possibly the Harrier. The Beagle is similar in appearance to the Foxhound, but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Note: Pocket Beagles are sometimes advertised for sale but the bloodline for this variety is extinct. Although the UK Kennel Club originally specified a standard for the Pocket Beagle in 1901, the variety is now now recognized by any Kennel Club. Often, small Beagles are the result of poor breeding or dwarfism.

Height: 13-16 inches; "13-Inch" is less than 13 inches; "15-Inch" is 13-15 inches
Weight: 18-45 pounds
Color: Although the tricolor (white with large black areas and light brown shading) is the most common, Beagles can occur in any hound color. Tricolored Beagles occur in a number of combinations of shades of black, brown, and white. Two-color varieties always have a white base with areas of tan, lemon, light tan, red, red-orange, brown, liver, dark brown, and black. Ticked or mottled varieties may be either white or black with different colored flecks (ticking). Some tricolor Beagles also have ticking of various colors in their white areas.
Coat: Medium-length, smooth, hard coat
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Litter size: 4–6 puppies

Temperament

Often referred to as "merry", the Beagle has an even temper and gentle disposition. They are amiable and generally neither aggressive nor timid. Beagles enjoy company, and are excellent with children. They are pack animals, and can be prone to separation anxiety. Beagles generally get along well with other dogs. Although they may initially be standoffish with strangers, they are easily won over, making them poor guard dogs. However, their tendency to bark or howl when confronted with the unfamiliar, makes them good watch dogs.

Training

Beagles are intelligent, but as a result of being bred for the long chase, are single-minded and determined, which can make them hard to train. They are generally obedient, but can be difficult to recall once they have picked up a scent and are easily distracted by smells around them. While they are alert, respond well to food-reward training, and are eager to please, they are easily bored or distracted.

Care and grooming

Beagles are not demanding with regard to exercise. Their inbred stamina means they do not easily tire when exercised, but they also do not need to be worked to exhaustion before they will rest. However, regular exercise helps ward off the weight gain to which the breed is prone. Obesity is a common problem, as Beagles will eat whenever food is available and rely on their owners to regulate their weight. As field dogs, Beagles are prone to minor injuries, such a cuts and sprains. When working or running free, Beagles are also likely to pick up parasites, such as fleas, ticks, harvest mites and tapeworms, and irritants such as grass seeds can become trapped in their eyes, soft wars, or paws.

Shedding

Moderate.

Health

Beagles may develop epilepsy, hypothyroidism, cherry eye, intervertebral disc disease, and ear infections. Their long ears need regular cleaning, and they should be kept at a healthy weight.

Crosses that include the Beagle

These hybrid pages list this breed as a parent. Open a name to see the other contributing breed.

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