| Is the Beagle the right dog breed choice for you? | | | | Personality and Temperament: The Beagle is |
| Following is a brief standard on Beagles. Their | | | | inherently active, playful and affectionate. Its |
| history, their physical and mental makeup and | | | | curious and brave personality along with its almost |
| how to best care for them. | | | | continuous tail-wagging tendency has endeared it |
| History: The Beagle can be traced back to the | | | | to all dog-lovers. They are known to be very |
| reign of King Edward III who used them during | | | | good companions for children and are comfortable |
| the Hundred Years' War. The name is derived | | | | in the presence of other dogs as well. If you |
| from the Old English word "beag", meaning small. | | | | intend keeping your beagle along with other |
| Originally used to hunt hares and wild rabbit in | | | | non-canine pets, make sure you start socializing |
| Wales and France, beagles are also known to | | | | him early itself. These dogs have a mind of their |
| have aided in hunting for wild pigs and deer in the | | | | own and need to be handled firmly and patiently |
| Scandinavian region. Subsequently, they began to | | | | when training. Beagles like to be in the company |
| be used as gundogs for tracking as well as | | | | of people and should preferably not be left alone |
| retrieving in the United States and Canada. The | | | | for extended periods of time. This breed is not |
| current breed is thought to have descended from | | | | the easiest to train. |
| the cross between the Harrier and other breeds | | | | Care: This breed does not require elaborate |
| of hound in England. | | | | grooming. Its coat is easy to maintain by regularly |
| The type of work the breed does: This breed is | | | | brushing with a firm-bristle brush. Though these |
| used in hunting pheasants, hares and quails. They | | | | dogs can be bathed regularly, dry shampooing |
| have also become an integral part of narcotics | | | | should be done only when necessary. The ears |
| detection teams because of their sharp sense of | | | | should be checked regularly for infection. These |
| smell. Beagles have developed into very good | | | | dogs are average shedders. |
| companion pets as well. | | | | Living environment: Though they manage to stay |
| Physical Representation: The Beagle is a small but | | | | quite active indoors, they look forward to a good |
| sturdy and squarely-built dog. Its medium length | | | | romp around in the back yard. They require |
| coat is short, hard and sleek and comes in a wide | | | | plenty of physical activity. Daily walks are |
| range of color combinations including red and | | | | advisable but a leash is imperative as their curious |
| white, black and tan, orange and white as well as | | | | nature makes them liable to wander off while |
| lemon and white. They have a round and broad | | | | following a particular scent. |
| skull with a straight muzzle which is square in | | | | At a glance: |
| shape. The extremely sensitive nose is inevitably | | | | - Breed Group: Beagle |
| black in color. The eyes are either brown or hazel | | | | - Height: 13 to 16 inches |
| in color with an identifiable pleading expression and | | | | - Weight: 20 to 25 lbs |
| the drooping ears are long and wide. The Beagle | | | | - Color: black & tan, red & white, orange |
| has round and strong feet and the tail is carried | | | | & white, lemon & white. |
| gaily behind the body. | | | | |