Like most dogs, the Beagle is a dog bred for hunting. Back in the 1500s, it was a very popular breed amongst all English gentlemen. The name originated from the French term “begeule”, which refers to the baying voice of these dogs while they are hunting.
The dogs of this breed can be recognized easily, being miniature foxhounds. The skull is long, with a full and broad cranium, the ears are set moderately low, the eyes are large and colored hazel or brown, set well apart, the expression is pleading and gentle.
The medium sized neck is rising from the shoulders free and light, the throat has no skin folds, though at times a slight wrinkle might be present below the angle of the jaw. The body is generally muscular, yet not buff, perfectly combining strength with the freedom of action. The tail is set quite high and wiggles gaily, slightly curved, but not turned over the back.
The Beagle is a rather colorful breed, and the dogs can have any true hound color. The most common is the tricolor white, large black spots and brown shading. However, there are many other coloring possibilities: the Dark Tri with large, faint brown markings mingling with large, black spots, the Classic Tri with a black saddle, the Faded Tri with faint markings in black and prominent brown ones. The coat is hard, close, and of a medium length.
The dogs of this breed are best known for their scent. Ever since the breed became so popular, several tests have been made to verify the sense of smell in these dogs, and the results have always been more than satisfying.
The Beagle dogs have quite a temper. They are always in a playful disposition, for which they have been described over the decades as “merry”. They are very determined, single minded, and they can be quite intelligent. However, they do have a low point. That is, they may be rather hard to train, as they get distracted almost immediately by all the smells around them. Otherwise, these dogs are very obedient, eager to please and respond well to the food-reward type of training.
As these dogs live around 10 to 13 years, when they are getting older, the dogs are predisposed to weight gain, which can later lead to joint problems or heart disease. Epilepsy, hypothyroidism, dwarfism, hip dysplasia, immune mediate polygenic arthritis, glaucoma and corneal dystrophy are the diseases that your Beagle can suffer from in his life. If you make sure that your dog gets enough exercise and leads a normal healthy life, there are not many reasons to be concerned, as the percentage for all these diseases is very low.
The dogs of this breed can make the best companions ever. Though they can be rather stubborn, you will surely manage to get through to your dog and enjoy each second you spend together. Take the time to relax and go out on long walks with your very own Beagle!
