| You've hunted around in a shelter or at and see a | | | | wind up in shelters or are abandoned. Check with |
| really cute little dog described as a "Miniature | | | | the shelter staff to see if they know why the |
| Beagle". You go to the American Kennel Club | | | | miniature Beagle you are looking at was |
| (AKC) website and see there is no such breed as | | | | abandoned. Don't be surprised if they don't know. |
| a miniature Beagle. What's going on here? Well, | | | | According to most Beagle information websites |
| the dog could very well be a new trend in Beagle | | | | and books, miniature Beagles (and regular sized |
| breeding - for "teacup" or sizes under twelve | | | | Beagles) are fully-grown at nine months of age. |
| inches tall at the withers (highest point of the | | | | Beagles have a reputation of being cleverer than |
| shoulder.) | | | | their owners (one of the reasons why Snoopy |
| Beagles themselves are miniature versions of the | | | | was a Beagle). Usually, they need positive outlets |
| mighty Foxhounds (English or American) that are | | | | for their huge reserves of energy. Miniature |
| big, elegant, strong dogs. Beagles were bred for | | | | Beagles that are less than ten inches tall have |
| the hunt, as well as Jack Russels. A usual English | | | | been known to be more hyperactive than their |
| foxhunting pack had a few "couples" of Beagles | | | | bigger kin. Be sure the dog is thoroughly vetted, |
| to get into places the big Foxhounds couldn't, and | | | | as miniature Beagles have been known to have |
| Jack Russels to get into the places even the | | | | health problems. |
| Beagles couldn't get into. Beagles have always had | | | | Although it might be tempting to breed your pet |
| a height variation in their breed. This is why in | | | | miniature Beagle, do yourself and the dog a favor |
| America they are shown in two classes - for | | | | by getting him neutered or her spayed as soon |
| Beagles up to thirteen inches at the withers and | | | | as they hit six months of age. Neutering and |
| Beagles between thirteen and fifteen inches. | | | | spaying cannot only protect the dog from some |
| Breeders have been purposefully breeding smaller | | | | cancers, but will cut out the distraction of looking |
| and smaller size dogs for the fashionable crowd | | | | for a mate so they can focus on paying more |
| that likes to imitate Paris Hilton. Unfortunately, with | | | | attention to you. Leave dog breeding to the |
| any upsurge in popularity of any dog breed many | | | | professionals. |