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Beagle
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The Beagle is a breed of small to medium-sized dog. A member of
the Hound Group, it is similar in appearance to the Foxhound but
smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are
scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and
other game. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct
that sees them employed as detection dogs for prohibited
agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world.
They are popular as pets because of their size, even temper, and
lack of inherited health problems. These characteristics also make
them the dog of choice for animal testing.
Although beagle-type dogs have existed for over 2,000 years, the
modern breed was developed in Great Britain around the 1830s
from several breeds, including the Talbot Hound, the North
Country Beagle, the Southern Hound, and possibly the Harrier.
Beagles have been depicted in popular culture since Elizabethan
times in literature and paintings, and latterly in film, television and
comic books. Snoopy of the comic strip Peanuts has been
promoted as "the world's most famous beagle".
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Beagle
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Country of origin
United Kingdom
Weight
18-35 lb
Height
13-16 in
Coat
Medium, smooth and
hard
Color
Range, tri-color most
common
Life span
12-15 years
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Description
Appearance
The general appearance of the Beagle resembles a Foxhound in
miniature, but the head is broader and the muzzle shorter, the
expression completely different and the legs shorter in proportion
to the body. They are generally between 13 and 16 inches high at
the withers and weigh between 18 and 35 lb, with females being
slightly smaller than males on average.
They have a smooth, somewhat domed skull with a medium-length,
square-cut muzzle and a black (or occasionally liver), gumdrop
nose. The jaw is strong and the teeth scissor together with the
upper teeth fitting perfectly over the lower teeth and both sets
aligned square to the jaw. The eyes are large, hazel or brown, with
a mild hound-like pleading look. The large ears are long, soft and
low-set, turning towards the cheeks slightly and rounded at the
tips. Beagles have a strong, medium-length neck (which is long
enough for them to easily bend to the ground to pick up a scent),
with little folding in the skin but some evidence of a dewlap; a
broad chest narrowing to a tapered abdomen and waist and a
short, slightly curved tail (known as the "stern") tipped with white.
The white tip, known as the "flag" has been selectively bred for, as
it allows the dog to be easily seen when its head is down following
a scent. The tail does not curl over the back, but is held upright
when the dog is active. The Beagle has a muscular body and a
medium-length, smooth, hard coat. The front legs are straight and
carried under the body while the rear legs are muscular and well
bent at the stifles.
Temperament
The Beagle has an even temper and gentle disposition. Described
in several breed standards as "merry", they are amiable and
generally neither aggressive nor timid. They enjoy company, and
although they may initially be standoffish with strangers, they are
easily won over. They make poor guard dogs for this reason,
although their tendency to bark or howl when confronted with the
unfamiliar makes them good watch dogs. In a 1985 study
conducted by Ben and Lynette Hart, the Beagle was given the
highest excitability rating, along with the Yorkshire Terrier, Cairn
Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, West Highland White Terrier and Fox
Terrier. Beagles are intelligent, but as a result of being bred for
the long chase are single-minded and determined, which can make
them hard to train. They are generally obedient but can be difficult
to recall once they have picked up a scent and are easily
distracted by smells around them. They do not generally feature in
obedience trials; while they are alert, respond well to food-reward
training, and are eager to please, they are easily bored or
distracted. They are ranked 72nd in Stanley Coren's, The
Intelligence of Dogs, as Coren places them among the group with
the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence.
Beagles are excellent with children and this is one of the reasons
they have become popular family pets, but they are pack animals,
and can be prone to separation anxiety. Not all Beagles will howl,
but most will bark when confronted with strange situations, and
some will bay (also referred to as "speaking", "giving tongue", or
"opening") when they catch the scent of potential quarry. They
also generally get along well with other dogs. They are not
demanding with regard to exercise; their inbred stamina means
they do not easily tire when exercised, but they also do not need to
be worked to exhaustion before they will rest, though regular
exercise helps ward off the weight gain to which the breed is prone.
Health
The median longevity of Beagles is about 12.5 years which is a
typical lifespan for a dog of their size. Weight gain can be a
problem in older or sedentary dogs, which in turn can lead to heart
and joint problems.
Beagles may be prone to epilepsy, but this can be controlled with
medication. Hypothyroidism and a number of types of dwarfism
occur in Beagles. Two conditions in particular are unique to the
breed: Funny Puppy, in which the puppy is slow to develop and
eventually develops weak legs, a crooked back and although
normally healthy, is prone to range of illnesses; Hip dysplasia,
common in Harriers and in some larger breeds, is rarely
considered a problem in Beagles. Beagles are considered a
chondrodystrophic breed, meaning that they are prone to types of
disk diseases.
In rare cases, Beagles may develop immune mediated polygenic
arthritis (where the immune system attacks the joints) even at a
young age. The symptoms can sometimes be relieved by steroid
treatments.
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