A
hardy, sturdy squarely-built, small hound. The
Beagle has a sleek, easy-care, short coat, which
can come in any hound color, for example, tri-color,
black and tan, red and white, orange and white,
or lemon and white. 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. Beagles have a distinct howl
/ bay of a bark when they are on the hunt.
Temperament
The
Beagle is a gentle, sweet, lively and curious
dog that just loves everyone! A happy little
tail-wagger! Sociable, brave and intelligent.
Calm and loving. Excellent with children and
generally good with other dogs, but should not
be trusted with non-canine pets, unless they
are socialized with cats and other household
animals when they are young. Beagles have minds
of their own. They are determined and watchful
and require patient, firm training. This breed
doesn't like being left alone. Consider buying
two if you will be gone a lot. A Beagle has
a loud baying cry that was a delight to hunting
horsemen, but can be disturbing to family and
neighbors. Beagles have a tendency to follow
their own noses. They may take off on their
own exploration if let off their leash in an
unfenced area. Be careful when selecting your
Beagle. The breed is being over bred and in
some lines, the dogs temperament is suffering
because of it.
Height,
Weight
Height:
Dogs 14-16 inches (36-41cm) Bitches 13-15 inches
(33-38cm)
There are two height classes, 13-15 inches (33-38cm)
and under 13 inches (33cm).
Weight: Dogs 22-25 pounds (10-11kg) Bitches
20-23 pounds (9-10kg)
Health
Problems
Some
lines can be prone to heart disease, epilepsy,
eye and back problems. Also prone to chondroplasia,
aka dwarfism (warped front legs, like a Basset's).
Living
Conditions
Beagles
will do okay in an apartment if they get plenty
of chances to be outdoors. They are very active
indoors and a small yard will be sufficient.
Exercise
Energetic
and possessing great stamina, the Beagle needs plenty
of exercise, including a brisk daily walk. It
should have a fenced yard of reasonable size
to romp in. Always use a lead when walking this
breed or you will be running the risk of it
disappearing in search of wild game.
Life
Expectancy
About
12-15 years
Litter
Size
2
- 14 puppies - Average 7
Grooming
The
Beagle's smooth short-haired coat is easy to
look after. Brush with a firm bristle brush,
and bathe with mild soap only when necessary.
Dry shampoo occasionally.Be sure to check the
ears carefully for signs of infection and keep
the nails trimmed. This breed is an average
shedder.
Origin
The
Beagle is one of the most popular scent hounds
because of his energy, willingness, and merry,
sweet disposition. The breed probably originated
as a cross between the Harrier and other hounds
in England. The Beagle has been used in packs,
alone, and in pairs, for hunting hare, pheasant
and quail. He has also served as an excellent
narcotics detection dog and makes a fine family
companion. Unfortunately, because they are fairly
uniform in size and small, Beagles are often
used for medical experimentation.
