Beagle Facts And Info

The Beagle is not just a family dog but a hunting hound. And this little hunter has a lot to offer. Here are some of the most interesting Beagle facts and info that you’ll want to know about this breed.

Possibly Named For Its Size   

No one knows for sure how the breed’s name came about. Many people believe that the name Beagle is derived from either the Old English word “begele,” the Celtic word “beag,” or the French word “begle.” Because all three terms mean “small,” and that accurately describes the size of the breed, it’s anyone’s guess which one of these if any influenced the name.

Pro Rabbit Hunter

The Beagle was developed in England to hunt rabbits, and more specifically the European hare. This helped give the breed an outstanding nose as rabbits actually leave behind very little scent. While they originally hunted in large packs, today single dogs are often used.

Rabbits will often retreat from threats in a large circle, returning to where they started. A Beagle hunting a rabbit will typically jump the rabbit, find its scent trail, and follow that trail. As it follows it will bark and howl pushing the rabbit to keep moving back towards the waiting hunter.

FC Wilcliffe Boogie

Many Beagles today can trace their bloodlines back to a dog famous in the early 1950s known as Field Champion Wilcliffe Boogie. He was a slow-trailing dog that would meticulously check and follow the exact scent trail of his quarry. This trait was highly desired at the time and he was therefore bred many times. He produced a large number of pups and this intensified the trait within the breed.

Two Sizes

There are two types of Beagles that are distinguished from each other by their size. The smaller variety is often called the Pocket Beagle, but also the Teacup or Mini Beagle. It’s stands 13 inches at the shoulder or less. The standard Beagle on the other hand is between 13 and 15 inches tall.

The Beagle Brigade

The Beagle’s sensitive nose is can be used for much more than finding game in the field. In fact, canine members of the USDA’S Beagle Brigade are used in international airports around the U.S. to help find prohibited plants and foods which have been illegally imported.

This is an important job that prevents potentially dangerous plant and animal diseases from getting into the country. The Beagle is also commonly employed by various law enforcement agencies to search out narcotics and can even be used to help detect the presence of termites and mold in buildings.

Allergy Sufferers Beware

This is not a dog for anyone who is sensitive or allergic to dog hair. The Beagle coat is short, hard, and well-known for causing allergy sufferers to sneeze. This is something worth thinking about before you decide to share your home with this breed.

The Beagle Bark

While it can make an excellent family pet, it is a hunting hound that was purposely bred to have a very loud and unique bark. And like all hounds, it also howls. For this reason, it may not be the right choice in apartments or areas where noise will cause problems with neighbors.

Benefits Of A Pack Mentality

The Beagle was bred to be a pack hunter and this influenced the character of the breed. It needed to both hunt and often live in extremely close quarters with a large number of other dogs without fighting. This history helped to make the Beagle of today a sociable breed. It gets along very well with other canines, and children, and is a friendly companion that loves to spend time with its pack of humans.

Less Frequent Exercise

While it’s considered an active small dog breed, the Beagle does not need vigorous exercise sessions every day. In fact, it’s usually content with just a few exercise sessions per week. This comes from the fact that the breed wasn’t meant to hunt each and every day. After a hunt or long walk with the pack, the Beagle was typically kenneled and left to rest up for several days afterward.

Keep That Leash On

When it comes time to take your Beagle for a walk, you should always do so with the leash on. That’s because if it comes across an animal’s scent trail it’s likely that your pet will want to follow it up. The breed is known for not always listening to commands when it’s hot on the trail, so for your pet’s safety always keep the leash on no matter how well-trained your pooch may be.

Standard For Well-Dressed Owners

One of the lesser-known Beagle facts is the official breed standard also includes clothing suggestions for the owner as well. For example, it states that both men and women should wear accessories such as a black velvet cap, black or green stockings, a white tie, and either dark brown or black shoes.

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