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Beagle Dog Breed
The Beagle is a medium-sized dog breed and a member of the hound group, similar in appearance to a Foxhound but smaller with shorter legs, and with longer, softer ears. As well as making excellent (if not very trainable) pets, Beagles are used for hunting.
 A hardy, sturdy squarely-built, small hound, the Beagle has a sleek, easy-care, short coat. The coat is close, hard and of medium length. The Beagle looks like a small English Foxhound. The skull is broad and slightly rounded, and the muzzle is straight and square. The feet are round and strong. The black nose has full nostrils for scenting. The long, wide ears are pendant. The brown or hazel eyes have a characteristic pleading expression. The tail is carried gaily, but never curled over the back.
The Beagle is a strong, muscular dog with a deep chest, straight legs, and round feet. His tail should be set high and carried with a slight curve. The coat of the Beagle is of medium length, hard and close. The preferred colors of the coat
are white on the chest and legs, black on the sides and back and neck and tan elsewhere. However, any hound color is acceptable.
Beagle Breed Outline
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Country of Origin: | Great Britain |
| FCI Classification: |
Group 6: Scenthounds; Small-sized Hounds. |
| Utilization: |
Hound |
| AKC Classification: |
Hound Group |
| Size: | Medium |
| Personality: | Lively, active, high energy, eager to please, intelligent and mischievous. Bold, with great activity, stamina and determination. Alert and of even temperament, showing no aggression or timidity. |
| Height: | 13-16 inches at shoulders |
| Colors: |
Any recognized hound color other than liver. |
| Litter Size: | 5 to 7 puppies |
| Life Span: | 9-15 years |
| Grooming Requirements: |
Beagles need quick daily brushing and regular ear cleaning. They are naturally looking dogs and do not need trimming. |
| Shedding: | Heavy |
| Social skills: |
Beagles get along with cats when properly socialized from puppy hood. |
| Suitability for Children: | Patient with children of all ages. |
| Exercise Needs: | Medium-High. Beagles require daily 60-90 minutes energetic exercise. They have a strong hunting instinct and should never be off leash unless very well trained. |
| Train Ability: | Beagles can be hard to house train, slow to learn new things, stubborn. |
| Health Issues: | Beagles have several serious health problems. The most common are eye and ear infections, joint and spine disorders ("slipped disk"), chronic brain disease (meningitis), heart problems and other. |
| Negative Characteristics: | Beagles shed a lot and have a distinctive dog odor. They can be very noisy. It is strongly recommended to buy a Beagle puppy from a reputable breeder to avoid temperament problems. |
Comments
Beagle Breed
I have a beagle who is going on her 16th year. I bought her from a breeder when she was 6 weeks old. She has been both a challenge and a joy. I ride horses and she went on hundreds of trail rides with me. Training her to stay with me and not run off chasing some scent was the biggest challenge. We lived on a farm for several years and she would go wandering on occasion, following her nose. She was and still is obsessed with food. ALWAYS hungry and looking for everything and anything to get into. Aside from the challenges she has been a wonderful partner. Until recently she hiked wtih me up mountains, rode fearlessly in my kayak and on my 4-wheeler, was my co-pilot in car rides, and slept under the covers on cold winter nights. She is nearing the end of her journey. She went deaf a few years ago and most recently suffered a couple of strokes and a slipped disc. However, she has a tanacious spirit and continues to inspire me with her will to keep going. Her adventure days are over now. She sleeps contently and takes short walks and wags her little tail at me everyday (especially at dinner time). When that tail stops wagging, I will know it's time....
I wouldn't suggest a beagle if someone ask me. But Molly has taught me so much about life, love and devotion. I don't regret a minute I have had with her.
Posted by Guest_4352 on Sunday, October 25, 2009
Beagle history and name of the breed
Hundreds of years have gone into selective breeding of this great scenthound. Hare hunting with hounds was popular in England as early as the 14th century, and while those hounds were likely of Beagle type, the breed name was not yet in use. The actual origin of the name is uncertain. It may have derived from the old French "begeule" meaning "gape throat" and referring to the baying voice of the hounds when in hot pursuit of their quarry. Other breed researchers suggested that the name came from the old English "begele" meaning small and referred to the diminutive size of the breed. Anyway, as early as 1790 the breed was declared to be the smallest of the English hounds kept for th chase and used solely for hunting the hare.
Primary development of the breed occurred in Britain. English beagles of the past comprised of several distinctive varieties, and to this day the hounds of individual hunting packs vary as to the size and style. There were 4 distinctive varieties: medium beagle, dwarf or lapdog beagle, fox beagle and rough-coated beagle.
Posted by Guest_3447 on Saturday, April 05, 2008
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