Beagle

There is nothing to surpass the beauty of the Beagles either to see him on the flags of his kennel or in unraveling a difficulty on the line of a dodging hare. In neatness he is really the little model of a Foxhound. He is, of course, finer, but with the length of neck so perfect in the bigger hound, the little shoulders of the same pattern, and the typical quarters and second thighs. Then how quick he is in his casts! and when he is fairly on a line, of course he sticks to it, as the saying is, “like a beagle.”

Origin: Beagles have been carefully preserved for a great many years, and in some cases they have been in families for almost centuries. In the hereditary hunting establishments they have been frequently found, as the medium of amusement and instruction in hunting for the juvenile members of the house; and there can be nothing more likely to instill the right principles of venery into the youthful mind than to follow all the ways of these little hounds.

Dorsetshire used to be the great county for Beagles. The downs there were exactly fitted for them, and years ago, when roe deer were preserved on the large estates, Beagles were used to hunt this small breed of deer.

The uses of the Beagle in the early days of the last century, however, were a good deal diversified. They were hunted in big woodlands to drive game to the gun, and perhaps the ordinary Beagle of from 12 inches to 14 inches was not big enough for the requirements of the times. It is quite possible, therefore, that the Beagle was crossed with the Welsh, Southern or Otter hound, to get more size and power, as there certainly was a Welsh rough coated Beagle of good 18 inches, and an almost identical contemporary that was called the Essex Beagle.

Sixty years ago such hounds were common enough, but possibly through the adoption of the more prevalent plan of beating coverts, and Spaniels being in more general use, the vocation of the Beagle in this particular direction died out, and a big rough coated Beagle is now very rarely seen.

That a great many of the true order were bred became very manifest as soon as the Harrier and Beagle Association was formed, and more particularly when a section of the Peterborough Hound Show was reserved for them. Then they seemed to spring from every part of the country. In 1896 one became well acquainted with many packs that had apparently held aloof from the dog shows.

Beagle owners, like the masters of Foxhound kennels, have never been very partial to the ordinary dog shows, and so the development of the up-to-date Beagle, as seen at recent shows, is somewhat new. It is just as it should be, and if more people take up “beagling” it may not be in the least surprising. They are very beautiful little hounds, can give a vast amount of amusement, and, for the matter of that, healthy exercise. If a stout runner can keep within fairly easy distance of a pack of well-bred Beagles on the line of a lively Jack hare, he is in the sort of condition to be generally envied.

Beagles have proved highly adaptable by nature, and packs have been used to hunt a wide variety of game, ranging from rabbits in the UK to wild pigs in Sri Lanka. They may be accompanied on foot or horseback, and must have regular exercise if they are kept as pets.

Temperament: Cheerful and friendly, but with a tendency to willfulness typical of pack dogs.

Exercise: Beagles should be exercised every day, and they cannot be left alone for too long. A compactly built hound, without coarseness, conveying the impression of great stamina and vivacity.

Training: Obedience training and firm handling are essential. Persistent training is highly recommended from an early age, so as to ensure they will return when called, if they are running off the leash.

Grooming: The Beagle’s weatherproof coat requires little to no grooming.

Physical appearance of the Beagle

Head: Fair length, powerful without being coarse; skull domed, moderately wide, with an indication of peak, stop well defined, muzzle not snippy, and lips well flexed.

Nose: Black, broad, and nostrils well expanded.

Eyes: Brown, dark hazel or hazel, not deep set nor bulgy, and with a mild expression.

Ears: Long, set on low, fine in texture, and hanging in a graceful fold close to the cheek.

Neck: Moderately long, slightly arched, the throat showing some dewlap.

Shoulders: Clean and slightly sloping.

Body: Short between the couplings, well let down in chest, ribs fairly well sprung and well ribbed up, with powerful and not tucked up loins.

Hind-quarters: Very muscular about the thighs, stifles and hocks well bent, and hocks well let down

Forelegs: Quite straight, well under the dog, of good substance and round in the bone.

Feet: Round, well knuckled up, and strongly padded.

Stern: Moderate length, set on high, thick and carried gaily, but not curled over the back.

Color: Any recognized hound color.

Coat: Smooth variety: Smooth, very dense and not too fine or short. Rough variety: Very dense and wiry.

Height: 33 to 41 cm /13 to 16 in

Weight: 8 to 14 kg / 18 to 30 lb