Beagles

The Beagle is a small hound dog that is capable of being a great hunter dog and a great pet dog. Beagles are a medium breed sized dog and are a member of the Hound Group. Most children are familiar with Beagles because they have watched the movie "The Fox and the Hound"; although true Beagles are shorter with longer ears. They are scented hounds, developed mostly for tracking other animals such as rabbits, foxes, and other small and large animals. They have also been used in searching through agricultural imports because of their keen sense of smell. One of the most famous beagles ever known today is "Snoopy." Beagles have made debuts in the television and movie industry and are beloved pets among many households because of their size and temperament.

History

The History behind the Beagle can be dated back as far as 400 B.C. Xenon who was born around 433 B.C. was recorded to have used hounds on their hunts for animals. It is also believed that the Romans brought and used beagle type dogs to England where they were used and bred with local native Great Britain hounds. During medieval times there were many different types of beagles. Some were so small that they could fit into a pocket or small sack and be carried alongside its owner. Queen Elizabeth I was known to have kept a Pocket Beagle that stood about eight or nine inches tall and was small enough to fit into a pocket. She often would entertain guests with the small pup as she would let it freely roam the tables during meal times. By the early 1700s beagles began to be much larger than those known of during the medieval times. Two larger breeds during this time are known as the Southern Hound, and the North Country Beagle. The Southern Hound was a tall, heavy dog that was slower than others yet had stamina and great scenting abilities. The North Country Beagle was bred in Yorkshire and was more commonly found in the northern countries. The Northern Country Beagle was faster than the Southern but did not have the same excellent scenting abilities. The modern beagle today after many different beagles were bred together is known to many as the Foxhound.

Description

A general description of a beagle resembles a Foxhound but slightly larger. The head is broader and the nose shorter. They usually stand about thirteen to sixteen inches at shoulder height and can weigh anywhere between eighteen and thirty five pounds. Beagles have a very strong jaw and sharp teeth which fit perfectly over each other when they come together (top over bottom). With long soft ears and a medium length neck they can easily pick up many different distinct scents which make them great tracking dogs. The body of a beagle is quite muscular with a smooth hard coat of fur. The color of the fur can vary somewhat depending on the breed but they are usually white with black and tan colored.

Sense of Smell

Bloodhounds are known specifically for their great sense of smell and tracking abilities and Beagles next to bloodhounds have one of the best senses of smell. During the 1950s tests were ran on how fast certain dog types could find a mouse and beagles found them in less than one minute. Beagles do their best tracking when they are following the scent on ground. It is for this reason that they usually are the fits dogs requested during mountain and ground search and rescue parties.

Temperament

Because the beagle has been coined for such a gentle disposition they have become house pets to many people around the world. They are generally not known to be aggressive unless provoked by something and are easy to have around. Although if you are looking for a guard dog this is not their strong suit. They have a tendency to bark and howl therefore they can make great watch dogs but generally will not guard anything. They are extremely intelligent breeds but because they have been bred to track it can be hard to get them to want to do anything else. They can become easily distracted by scents they pick up and can become bored with things very easily. If you have children though, they are exceptional with them; gentle, fun-loving, and eager to please.

Beagles have become one of the favorites among many people today; used widely for ground hunting and also making great domestic pets.

P.S. Here is a Beagle coloring page.

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