My Friendly Pets

The beagle is such a popular breed and yet we don’t often notice them as the quality of dog that they truly are. Because of their quiet temperment, their size and their lack of hereditary health problems, they go rather unnoticed.

The beagle is part of the hound family and they have exceptional scent detection qualities. Their breeding allowed them to develop as hunters of hare, rabbits and other types of game. Because of this superb quality, they have been used as detection dogs for protecting people from prohibited agricultural goods.

It is said that the beagle has been around as a “breed” for over 2000 years, but the modern beagle as we know him, really gained popularity and distinction as a breed in England during the 1700’s. To enhance the physical characteristics and hunting strengths of this dog, Reverend Phillip Honeywood in England formed a beagle pack in the 1830’s and continued to breed from this pack to establish the beagle we know of today.

Quality beagles did not start to be imported and seen in this country until the 1870’s and wasn’t recognized as a breed by the AKC American Kennel club until 1884.

Beagles are medium sized dogs averaging between 13 and 16 inches high and can weigh between 18 and 35 pounds. They have strong jaws with teeth that scissor together. This allows for better hunting and gathering of the prey. The beagle has a muscular body with a medium length, smooth hard coat. Beagles can come in different colors, but the tri-color coat is what we are most used to seeing.

The beagle is considered a very even tempered dog who is considered neither aggressive or timid. They like people but need to warm up to strangers in order to truly show their affection. They are a basically obedient breed, but can be distracted when a strong scent takes away their attention. Its in their blood!!! They are considered great family dogs because they are so good with kids, but because they see themselves as so much a part of the family “pack”, they can suffer from separation anxiety.

As mentioned this breed probably doesn’t get the attention it deserves. However, when a breed spawns one of the most endearing and enduring cartoon characters known as “Snoopy” from Charlie Brown fame, we truly know how very special a dog from this breed can be.