

History Beagles (as a breed) have been in existence for quite some time, although their precise origins are only vaguely known. Beagle-type dogs are described in documents dating from 400 B.C. Greece and A.D. 200 Britain. The Romans are thought to have transported to England small rabbit hunting hounds and bred them with the local hounds. Talbot Hounds were brought to England from France during the Norman Conquest in 1066 and are considered to be ancestors to the Southern Hound, the Beagle and the Foxhound. Beagles became quite popular with the British monarchy in the 1300 and 1400's. Edward II and Henry VII both kept packs of Glove Beagles, so named since they were small enough to fit on a glove. Elizabeth I kept packs of Pocket Beagles which were only nine inches high at the withers. By the 1400's Beagles existed in Britain, Italy, Greece and France. The word "beagle" has two possible origins. It either originates from the Celtic word "beag" which means small or from the French word "begle" meaning "useless or of little value". By the 1700's two types of hounds existed for hunting rabbits: the Southern Hound and the much quicker North Country Beagle. Since fox hunting was becoming increasingly popular, Beagles lost ground to the Foxhounds. Fortunately for the continuing existence of the Beagle, farmers in England, Ireland and Wales continued to keep hunting packs. In the mid-1800's Reverend Phillip Honeywood established his pack in Essex, England. This is thought to be the progenitor of the modern Beagle. He was breeding for hunting skills though, not looks. A fellow Englishman, Thomas Johnson, was responsible for breeding lines of Beagles that could both hunt and look attractive. Beagles were imported into the United States in 1876 and accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1884. Beagles Today Beagles can be compared to Foxhounds (33") and Harriers (21-25"), hounds which are similar in structure and coloring. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes two sizes: 15" beagles and 13" beagles. Depending on the characteristics of the individuals, the sizes can be hard to tell apart without using a wicket (a judge's measure)- both sizes are born into the same litters. Although a breeder can guess, based on family history, whether a puppy will grow to be 13" or 15", there's no rule. Their future height may be obvious in some pups from as young as six months, but beagles can continue to grow until they're two years old. Today's beagles are happy family members, agility-certified athletes, hunting warriors, show dogs, film stars, and hard-working service-sniffers. Their remarkable ability to scent well-disguised contraband makes them invaluable- you'll often see them searching airport baggage. Beagles are also compact, robust, breed true, and have fairly large litters- which makes them ideal candidates for lab experiments. Kim Basinger is well-known for her love of beagles and her efforts to rescue them from inhumane laboratory conditions. That said, research on beagles has been instrumental in modern medical research and advances. It's a small glimmer of comfort to those of us who love them dearly. Beagles are known for their lively, mischievous and gentle nature. Unlike protective dogs, beagles are accustomed to the pack and count everyone a friend; in general, they are terrific with children. Their roots in the hunt means they may bark, but remember that love, toys, and lots of playtime can work miracles. Thinking of buying a Jackpot beagle? Prepare for a family-style life with lots of time at home, a babysitter for emergencies, and a yard. As pack dogs, beagles are happiest with constant contests and play. They'd love to be part of a big, active family. Small families may consider training one beagle and then buying a friend for his first birthday. Description The AKC homepage http://www.akc.org describes the breed standards. The English Breed Standard follows; please note that there are some differences. Should you require the American Standard, please contact your local breed club or the AKC. English Beagle Standard (Revised 1988) GENERAL APPEARANCE A sturdy, compactly-built hound, conveying the impression of quality without coarseness. CHARACTERISTICS A merry hound whose essential function is to hunt, primarily hare, by following a scent. Bold, with great activity, stamina and determination. Alert, intelligent, and of even temperament. TEMPERAMENT Amiable and alert, showing no aggression or timidity. HEAD AND SKULL Fair length, powerful without being coarse, finer in the bitch, free from frown and wrinkle. Skull slightly domed, moderately wide, with slight peak. Stop well defined and dividing length, between occiput and tip of nose, as equally as possible. Muzzle not snipey, lips reasonably well flewed. Nose broad, preferably black, but less pigmentation permissible in the lighter coloured hounds. Nostrils wide. EYES Dark brown or hazel, fairly large, not deep set or prominent, set well apart with mild appealing expression. EARS Long, with rounded tip, reaching nearly to the end of nose when drawn out. Set on low, fine in texture and hanging gracefully close to cheeks. MOUTH The jaws should be strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e., the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth, and set square to the jaw. NECK Sufficiently long to enable hound to come down to scent easily, slightly arched and showing little dewlap. FOREQUARTERS Shoulders well laid back, not loaded. Forelegs straight and upright, well under the hound, good substance, and round in the bone, not tapering off to feet. Pasterns short. Elbows firm, turning neither in or out. Height to elbow about half height at withers. BODY Top line straight and level. Chest let down to below elbow. Ribs well sprung and extending well back. Short in the couplings but well balanced. Loins powerful and supple, without excessive tuck-up. HINDQUARTERS Muscular thighs. Stifles well bent. Hocks firm, well let down and parallel to each other. FEET Tight and firm. Well knuckled up and strongly padded. Not hare-footed. Nails short. TAIL Sturdy, moderately long. Set on high, carried gaily but not curled over back or inclined forward from the root. Well covered with hair, especially on underside. GAIT/MOVEMENT Back level, firm with no indication of roll. Stride free, long reaching in front and straight without thigh action. Hind legs showing drive. Should not move close behind nor paddle not plait in front. COAT Short, dense and weatherproof. COLOUR Any recognized hound colour other than liver. Tip of stern white. SIZE Desirable minimum height at withers 33cm (13 ins). Desirable maximum height at withers 40cm (16 ins). * Please note, in the USA, there are two recognized sizes. 13 inches (Not exceeding 13 inches at the withers.) 15 inches (Not exceeding 15 inches at the withers.) FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. NOTE Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Frequently Asked Questions Are beagles easily trained?** There is no simple answer to this question because, like people and most other breeds of dogs, individuals vary. However, in general, hounds are challenging to train. Beagles are often said to "live on their own agenda." This doesn't make training impossible, it just means you need to find the training method that works for your dog. Food is often the best motivator for beagles. The use of food in training is not accepted by all dog trainers, so it is important to find an instructor who understands beagles (or scent hounds in general) and is willing to use different methods, depending on what is effective for your beagle. Beagles are intelligent dogs and very good problem solvers. They can get bored very quickly with an exercise and find another way to have fun... which may mean teaching you to interrupt a training session for supper. You should count on short training sessions every day for at least the first two years of your dog's life if you want a perfectly obedient dog. There aren't many beagles out there with Obedience titles, but there are some, and it can be done. If you want a dog that is easily trained to be 100% obedient, don't get a beagle. Are beagles easily housebroken? Beagles can be challenging to train, which may (but doesn't necessarily) carry over into house-training. There are many methods of house-training. Your best bet is to read up on the subject and choose one with which you are comfortable. If your dog doesn't respond to your favorite method, don't despair - just try another way. Many beagle owners find crate-training sufficient, and it tends to solve other problems such as destructive chewing. Crate training is fairly easy for you and the dog, and allows you to establish a schedule that meets your needs. Consistency and vigilance will almost always result in a properly trained dog. Be warned however, some beagles take up to a year to be fully house-trained, and the odd few are never completely reliable. What are beagles like with children? Beagles generally adore children and will play for hours with them. However, like any breed, beagles need to be socialized properly, and should never be left alone with young children. Socialization and supervision should be sufficient to make beagles the perfect playmate, however, there are two things you should know: First, beagles play rambunctiously and can accidentally hurt young children. Second, beagles tend to be "mouthy", which means they like to play with their mouths, or chew things. This is not biting, but grabbing things with their mouth. It is not done in anger or fear- for beagles, it is a way to play. Over-enthusiastic play and "mouthiness" may be trained out of most puppies, but it seems to be instinctive and is something that you should be aware of when considering a beagle. Do beagles shed? Do they require regular grooming? Yes, beagles shed - don't be fooled by the short coat. However, beagle shedding is rarely intrusive because they shed short hairs. Their coat is actually classified as a medium length (as opposed to a short-coated breed like the Doberman) because they have double-coats, which include a coarse outer coat and a soft undercoat. Beagles generally shed more in the Spring, as their coats tend to thicken over the winter. This isn't necessarily due to climate. Hair growth depends on the amount of light, not on temperature. As the days get shorter, hair grows faster. Beagles should be groomed with a medium-bristle brush or a hound glove at least once a week. This loosens and removes dead hair and allows for new hair growth. It's also good for the skin. A product called 'Zoom Groom' is very popular with many Beagle owners. Beagles are fairly clean and, as long as they aren't rolling in really-nice-dead-things, don't require frequent baths. However, bathing helps if you are trying to control fleas. Beagles' hanging ears must be checked at least every two weeks for infection and waxy build-up. There are several great ear-wash products available, and this doesn't need to take more than a minute. Odors from your dog's ears may indicate a yeast build-up or infection, and may need stronger treatment. Other signs of ear infections include constant head-shaking and scratching at or just below the ears. Do beagles make a lot of noise? Beagles do not tend to be 'yappy' dogs, however, as hounds they are trained to sound when they sight quarry. For some beagles, "quarry" means a shadow, a bug, a plane, a leaf... but other beagles are very quiet and rarely make a noise. Most will bark or growl when strange dogs/people/things-you-can't-see come into their territory. They may also bark when excited, although this varies from dog to dog. Beagles can howl. This alerts hunters when the beagle pack corners their prey. Again, not all beagles will howl, but you should be prepared for the possibility. A third noise beagles can make is hard to describe, kind of like a half-howl, called baying. Beagles will often make this noise when they catch the scent of "quarry," which was useful during the hunt. If you want your dog to be quiet, you can patiently train them, but it may take several months for your dog to understand the 'quiet' command. Some beagles never do understand that you want quiet. If quiet is a necessity, you may want to consider another breed, or more radical training methods such as anti-bark collars. What colors do Beagles come in? The most common color combination is called tri-color. It means a black saddle, white legs, chest, and belly, with a tan head, and tan around the edges of the saddle. Many dogs have a white blaze on their face, but a solid tan face is common too. Tri-color puppies are born black and white - tan develops as the puppy gets older. Red and White: There is no black at all, and the red can range from a light tan to a darker red. These puppies are born as red and whites, or sometimes even a solid white, with the color developing later. Lemon and White: The lemon varies from an off-white, to a dark lemon. These puppies are often born completely white, with the color developing later. Black and White: Very rare. With all of these colors, you can have freckling, mottling, ticking, and grizzling. Occasionally, an all-white hound appears, but this is very rare. These are not albinos, simply white dogs. Personality and Temperament When looking for a life companion, it is important to understand their personality, temperament, and traits. Temperament can generally be traced to the purpose for which a particular group of dogs was bred. First off, there is no difference in temperament between the two Beagle varieties (13" and 15"). Beagles are scent hounds, bred to track prey over the countryside. This required energetic, independent, outgoing, and sometimes stubborn dogs who would follow a plan to it's conclusion. Beagles were kept in packs, resulting in a strong need for companionship from another dog or from you. A lone Beagle won't necessarily be underfoot, but they require substantial playtime and attention. Without stimulation from their 'pack', they will amuse themselves - and this can mean trouble. Beagles can do astonishing damage! Beagles do not make good 'outside' dogs, especially if you only have one. Again, they need to be kept occupied and if regularly left in a backyard, will usually dig, bark, explore, experiment, and contemplate escape. If you are dedicated to walking in the morning before work and spending lots of time with them when you get home, your beagle should be able to spend the day in a securely fenced yard. However, most owners keep their dogs inside when they're unsupervised for long periods. For many reasons, including risk of theft, escape, or torment by neighborhood children and dogs, having a secure indoor place for your Beagle is the best bet. As stated in the frequently asked questions section, the Beagle's independent and stubborn nature makes obedience training a necessity and a challenge. Be sure to get into some kind of training routine early in your Beagle's life. If you attend obedience classes, make sure your instructor understands the hound personality. Beagles require a firm trainer, but not a physical one. Beagles neither respect nor acknowledge physical force. Beagles have loads of energy and are well-suited to someone who likes to take long walks. Beagles can be kept in apartments, however, you must be extremely dedicated to taking your dog for regular walks. Bred to run cross-country in pursuit of rabbits and foxes, they enjoy long runs. Keep in mind that you should wait until the dog is at least a year old before starting a running program, and you should start slowly. Talk to your vet for more information on running with your dog. Because Beagles were bred as a pack animal, they generally get along well with other dogs, and often cats. Beagles should not be aggressive towards other dogs, however, they will protect their territory by growling and other posturing. More often than not, your Beagle will end up playing with rather than fighting with the intruder. Beagles should never ever be aggressive towards humans. That said, due to their intelligence and independence, they will try to dominate you. You should not allow this and if you are having problems, see a good dog trainer on how to correct it. Beagles generally adore children, if they are socialized properly with them. Small children and dogs should never be left unsupervised, but in general, you will find that Beagles make wonderful companions for kids and adults alike. When looking for a Beagle, you need to be sure to go to a reputable, responsible breeder. Beagles are one of the top puppy-mill dogs because they produce such adorable puppies. Dogs from puppy mills, usually those purchased in a pet store, can be extremely timid and/or aggressive. In addition, they can suffer from numerous health problems. Please read the following section on genetic disorders for more in-depth information on the problems from which poorly-bred Beagles suffer. Please also see the section on Responsible Breeders to aid you in your search. Overall, Beagles are fun-loving, happy dogs. As long as you understand the Beagle personality, they can make a great addition to your family. One Beagle owner was heard to say that "beagles belong in Disneyland - they are the happiest dogs on earth."

History

Beagles (as a breed) have been in existence for quite some time, although their precise origins are only vaguely known. Beagle-type dogs are described in documents dating from 400 B.C. Greece and A.D. 200 Britain. The Romans are thought to have transported to England small rabbit hunting hounds and bred them with the local hounds. Talbot Hounds were brought to England from France during the Norman Conquest in 1066 and are considered to be ancestors to the Southern Hound, the Beagle and the Foxhound.

Beagles became quite popular with the British monarchy in the 1300 and 1400's. Edward II and Henry VII both kept packs of Glove Beagles, so named since they were small enough to fit on a glove. Elizabeth I kept packs of Pocket Beagles which were only nine inches high at the withers.

By the 1400's Beagles existed in Britain, Italy, Greece and France. The word "beagle" has two possible origins. It either originates from the Celtic word "beag" which means small or from the French word "begle" meaning "useless or of little value".

By the 1700's two types of hounds existed for hunting rabbits: the Southern Hound and the much quicker North Country Beagle. Since fox hunting was becoming increasingly popular, Beagles lost ground to the Foxhounds. Fortunately for the continuing existence of the Beagle, farmers in England, Ireland and Wales continued to keep hunting packs.

In the mid-1800's Reverend Phillip Honeywood established his pack in Essex, England. This is thought to be the progenitor of the modern Beagle. He was breeding for hunting skills though, not looks. A fellow Englishman, Thomas Johnson, was responsible for breeding lines of Beagles that could both hunt and look attractive.

Beagles were imported into the United States in 1876 and accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1884.

Beagles Today

Beagles can be compared to Foxhounds (33") and Harriers (21-25"), hounds which are similar in structure and coloring. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes two sizes: 15" beagles and 13" beagles.

Depending on the characteristics of the individuals, the sizes can be hard to tell apart without using a wicket (a judge's measure)- both sizes are born into the same litters. Although a breeder can guess, based on family history, whether a puppy will grow to be 13" or 15", there's no rule. Their future height may be obvious in some pups from as young as six months, but beagles can continue to grow until they're two years old.

Today's beagles are happy family members, agility-certified athletes, hunting warriors, show dogs, film stars, and hard-working service-sniffers. Their remarkable ability to scent well-disguised contraband makes them invaluable- you'll often see them searching airport baggage.

Beagles are also compact, robust, breed true, and have fairly large litters- which makes them ideal candidates for lab experiments. Kim Basinger is well-known for her love of beagles and her efforts to rescue them from inhumane laboratory conditions. That said, research on beagles has been instrumental in modern medical research and advances. It's a small glimmer of comfort to those of us who love them dearly.

Beagles are known for their lively, mischievous and gentle nature. Unlike protective dogs, beagles are accustomed to the pack and count everyone a friend; in general, they are terrific with children. Their roots in the hunt means they may bark, but remember that love, toys, and lots of playtime can work miracles.

Thinking of buying a Jackpot beagle? Prepare for a family-style life with lots of time at home, a babysitter for emergencies, and a yard. As pack dogs, beagles are happiest with constant contests and play. They'd love to be part of a big, active family. Small families may consider training one beagle and then buying a friend for his first birthday.

Description

The AKC homepage http://www.akc.org describes the breed standards. The English Breed Standard follows; please note that there are some differences. Should you require the American Standard, please contact your local breed club or the AKC.

English Beagle Standard (Revised 1988)

GENERAL APPEARANCE A sturdy, compactly-built hound, conveying the impression of quality without coarseness.

CHARACTERISTICS A merry hound whose essential function is to hunt, primarily hare, by following a scent. Bold, with great activity, stamina and determination. Alert, intelligent, and of even temperament.

TEMPERAMENT Amiable and alert, showing no aggression or timidity.

HEAD AND SKULL Fair length, powerful without being coarse, finer in the bitch, free from frown and wrinkle. Skull slightly domed, moderately wide, with slight peak. Stop well defined and dividing length, between occiput and tip of nose, as equally as possible. Muzzle not snipey, lips reasonably well flewed. Nose broad, preferably black, but less pigmentation permissible in the lighter coloured hounds. Nostrils wide.

EYES Dark brown or hazel, fairly large, not deep set or prominent, set well apart with mild appealing expression.

EARS Long, with rounded tip, reaching nearly to the end of nose when drawn out. Set on low, fine in texture and hanging gracefully close to cheeks.

MOUTH The jaws should be strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e., the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth, and set square to the jaw.

NECK Sufficiently long to enable hound to come down to scent easily, slightly arched and showing little dewlap.

FOREQUARTERS Shoulders well laid back, not loaded. Forelegs straight and upright, well under the hound, good substance, and round in the bone, not tapering off to feet. Pasterns short. Elbows firm, turning neither in or out. Height to elbow about half height at withers.

BODY Top line straight and level. Chest let down to below elbow. Ribs well sprung and extending well back. Short in the couplings but well balanced. Loins powerful and supple, without excessive tuck-up.

HINDQUARTERS Muscular thighs. Stifles well bent. Hocks firm, well let down and parallel to each other.

FEET Tight and firm. Well knuckled up and strongly padded. Not hare-footed. Nails short.

TAIL Sturdy, moderately long. Set on high, carried gaily but not curled over back or inclined forward from the root. Well covered with hair, especially on underside.

GAIT/MOVEMENT Back level, firm with no indication of roll. Stride free, long reaching in front and straight without thigh action. Hind legs showing drive. Should not move close behind nor paddle not plait in front.

COAT Short, dense and weatherproof.

COLOUR Any recognized hound colour other than liver. Tip of stern white.

SIZE Desirable minimum height at withers 33cm (13 ins). Desirable maximum height at withers 40cm (16 ins).

*** Please note, in the USA, there are two recognized sizes.
13 inches (Not exceeding 13 inches at the withers.)
15 inches (Not exceeding 15 inches at the withers.)

FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are beagles easily trained?

There is no simple answer to this question because, like people and most other breeds of dogs, individuals vary. However, in general, hounds are challenging to train. Beagles are often said to "live on their own agenda." This doesn't make training impossible, it just means you need to find the training method that works for your dog.

Food is often the best motivator for beagles. The use of food in training is not accepted by all dog trainers, so it is important to find an instructor who understands beagles (or scent hounds in general) and is willing to use different methods, depending on what is effective for your beagle.

Beagles are intelligent dogs and very good problem solvers. They can get bored very quickly with an exercise and find another way to have fun... which may mean teaching you to interrupt a training session for supper.

You should count on short training sessions *every day* for at least the first two years of your dog's life if you want a perfectly obedient dog. There aren't many beagles out there with Obedience titles, but there are some, and it can be done.

If you want a dog that is easily trained to be 100% obedient, don't get a beagle.

Are beagles easily housebroken?

Beagles can be challenging to train, which may (but doesn't necessarily) carry over into house-training.

There are many methods of house-training. Your best bet is to read up on the subject and choose one with which you are comfortable. If your dog doesn't respond to your favorite method, don't despair - just try another way.

Many beagle owners find crate-training sufficient, and it tends to solve other problems such as destructive chewing. Crate training is fairly easy for you and the dog, and allows you to establish a schedule that meets your needs. Consistency and vigilance will almost always result in a properly trained dog.

Be warned however, some beagles take up to a year to be fully house-trained, and the odd few are never completely reliable.

What are beagles like with children?

Beagles generally adore children and will play for hours with them. However, like any breed, beagles need to be socialized properly, and should never be left alone with young children.

Socialization and supervision should be sufficient to make beagles the perfect playmate, however, there are two things you should know:

First, beagles play rambunctiously and can accidentally hurt young children. Second, beagles tend to be "mouthy", which means they like to play with their mouths, or chew things. This is not biting, but grabbing things with their mouth. It is not done in anger or fear- for beagles, it is a way to play.

Over-enthusiastic play and "mouthiness" may be trained out of most puppies, but it seems to be instinctive and is something that you should be aware of when considering a beagle.

Do beagles shed? Do they require regular grooming?

Yes, beagles shed - don't be fooled by the short coat. However, beagle shedding is rarely intrusive because they shed short hairs. Their coat is actually classified as a medium length (as opposed to a short-coated breed like the Doberman) because they have double-coats, which include a coarse outer coat and a soft undercoat.

Beagles generally shed more in the Spring, as their coats tend to thicken over the winter. This isn't necessarily due to climate. Hair growth depends on the amount of light, not on temperature. As the days get shorter, hair grows faster.

Beagles should be groomed with a medium-bristle brush or a hound glove at least once a week. This loosens and removes dead hair and allows for new hair growth. It's also good for the skin. A product called 'Zoom Groom' is very popular with many Beagle owners.

Beagles are fairly clean and, as long as they aren't rolling in really-nice-dead-things, don't require frequent baths. However, bathing helps if you are trying to control fleas.

Beagles' hanging ears must be checked at least every two weeks for infection and waxy build-up. There are several great ear-wash products available, and this doesn't need to take more than a minute.

Odors from your dog's ears may indicate a yeast build-up or infection, and may need stronger treatment. Other signs of ear infections include constant head-shaking and scratching at or just below the ears.

Do beagles make a lot of noise?

Beagles do not tend to be 'yappy' dogs, however, as hounds they are trained to sound when they sight quarry. For some beagles, "quarry" means a shadow, a bug, a plane, a leaf... but other beagles are very quiet and rarely make a noise.

Most will bark or growl when strange dogs/people/things-you-can't-see come into their territory. They may also bark when excited, although this varies from dog to dog.

Beagles can howl. This alerts hunters when the beagle pack corners their prey. Again, not all beagles will howl, but you should be prepared for the possibility.

A third noise beagles can make is hard to describe, kind of like a half-howl, called baying. Beagles will often make this noise when they catch the scent of "quarry," which was useful during the hunt.

If you want your dog to be quiet, you can patiently train them, but it may take several months for your dog to understand the 'quiet' command. Some beagles never do understand that you want quiet. If quiet is a necessity, you may want to consider another breed, or more radical training methods such as anti-bark collars.

What colors do Beagles come in?

The most common color combination is called tri-color. It means a black saddle, white legs, chest, and belly, with a tan head, and tan around the edges of the saddle. Many dogs have a white blaze on their face, but a solid tan face is common too. Tri-color puppies are born black and white - tan develops as the puppy gets older.

Red and White: There is no black at all, and the red can range from a light tan to a darker red. These puppies are born as red and whites, or sometimes even a solid white, with the color developing later.

Lemon and White: The lemon varies from an off-white, to a dark lemon. These puppies are often born completely white, with the color developing later.

Black and White: Very rare.

With all of these colors, you can have freckling, mottling, ticking, and grizzling. Occasionally, an all-white hound appears, but this is very rare. These are not albinos, simply white dogs.

Personality and Temperament

When looking for a life companion, it is important to understand their personality, temperament, and traits. Temperament can generally be traced to the purpose for which a particular group of dogs was bred.

First off, there is no difference in temperament between the two Beagle varieties (13" and 15"). Beagles are scent hounds, bred to track prey over the countryside. This required energetic, independent, outgoing, and sometimes stubborn dogs who would follow a plan to it's conclusion.

Beagles were kept in packs, resulting in a strong need for companionship from another dog or from you. A lone Beagle won't necessarily be underfoot, but they require substantial playtime and attention. Without stimulation from their 'pack', they will amuse themselves - and this can mean trouble. Beagles can do astonishing damage!

Beagles do not make good 'outside' dogs, especially if you only have one. Again, they need to be kept occupied and if regularly left in a backyard, will usually dig, bark, explore, experiment, and contemplate escape. If you are dedicated to walking in the morning before work and spending lots of time with them when you get home, your beagle should be able to spend the day in a securely fenced yard. However, most owners keep their dogs inside when they're unsupervised for long periods. For many reasons, including risk of theft, escape, or torment by neighborhood children and dogs, having a secure indoor place for your Beagle is the best bet.

As stated in the frequently asked questions section, the Beagle's independent and stubborn nature makes obedience training a necessity and a challenge. Be sure to get into some kind of training routine early in your Beagle's life. If you attend obedience classes, make sure your instructor understands the hound personality. Beagles require a firm trainer, but not a physical one. Beagles neither respect nor acknowledge physical force.

Beagles have loads of energy and are well-suited to someone who likes to take long walks. Beagles can be kept in apartments, however, you must be extremely dedicated to taking your dog for regular walks. Bred to run cross-country in pursuit of rabbits and foxes, they enjoy long runs. Keep in mind that you should wait until the dog is at least a year old before starting a running program, and you should start slowly. Talk to your vet for more information on running with your dog.

Because Beagles were bred as a pack animal, they generally get along well with other dogs, and often cats. Beagles should not be aggressive towards other dogs, however, they will protect their territory by growling and other posturing. More often than not, your Beagle will end up playing with rather than fighting with the intruder. Beagles should *never ever* be aggressive towards humans. That said, due to their intelligence and independence, they will try to dominate you. You should not allow this and if you are having problems, see a good dog trainer on how to correct it.

Beagles generally adore children, if they are socialized properly with them. Small children and dogs should never be left unsupervised, but in general, you will find that Beagles make wonderful companions for kids and adults alike.

When looking for a Beagle, you need to be sure to go to a reputable, responsible breeder. Beagles are one of the top puppy-mill dogs because they produce such adorable puppies. Dogs from puppy mills, usually those purchased in a pet store, can be extremely timid and/or aggressive. In addition, they can suffer from numerous health problems. Please read the following section on genetic disorders for more in-depth information on the problems from which poorly-bred Beagles suffer. Please also see the section on Responsible Breeders to aid you in your search.

Overall, Beagles are fun-loving, happy dogs. As long as you understand the Beagle personality, they can make a great addition to your family. One Beagle owner was heard to say that "beagles belong in Disneyland - they are the happiest dogs on earth."