Is a Beagle a hunting dog? This may sound like a funny question to a hunter. And that’s because this breed has become such a popular family companion that many people are totally unaware of its hunting roots and abilities.
A Hare Hunter
There are records of small hound-type dogs being used for hunting in Europe for close to two thousand years. The Beagle, however, as far we know, was developed in the 1500s. It originated in England and was used particularly for hunting the European Hare. This little hound originally hunted in large packs by following the hare’s scent.
The Beagle hunting packs would chase the hare into the hunters’ nets. Its small size allowed the Beagle to easily get into the areas where rabbits were hiding. And it also made them less expensive for the average farmer to keep, and carry. In fact, some were so small they could be carried in a pocket. This is what led to the smaller variety of the breed being nicknamed the Pocket Beagle.
Versatile Hunting Hound
Today the Beagle is still considered one of the top-notch rabbit-hunting dog breeds. However, instead of using nets, hunters use firearms to secure their quarry. And while packs are still used, it’s more common for a hunter to go rabbit hunting with one beagle as opposed to an entire pack.
The breed is used for a variety of rabbit species, but also for other game as well. So it’s not uncommon to see a Beagle pheasant hunting or being used to pursue other game birds such as quail. They’re also used for hunting coyotes, bobcats, foxes, deer, and even boar. So is a Beagle a hunting dog? The answer is a definite yes, and it’s an excellent little hunter at that!
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