The Beagle Origin Story
The beagle's origin can be traced back to 5th century Greece where they were bred as rabbit-hunting hounds with their incredible sense of smell.
Around then, there was no conventional name given to these canines yet they are accepted to be the early precursors of the primary beagle.
By the 8th century, Normandy saw the development of a new breed called the Talbot Hound which came from the scent hound breed known as the St. Hubert Hound.
By the 11th century, both the St. Hubert Hound and the Talbot Hound were brought to England by William the Conqueror and were used for hunting.
As both breeds were known as slow runners, they were bred with greyhounds to increase their speed and endurance.
This Beagle breed resembled the Harrier breed and some believed that they looked like the now-extinct Southern Hound.
The earliest dogs that were called Beagles were small hound dogs that were 8- 9 inches tall and were popularly called “pocket beagles”.
It was known that Queen Elizabeth I owned a pocket beagle during that time.
During this era, the so-called “glove beagles” came to light. They were so tiny that they could easily be kept in a glove.
But as hunting increased in the mid-18th century and the demand for larger dogs for hunting became more popular, the glove beagles eventually became extinct.
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The Southern Hound and the North Country Beagle
In the 18th century, two beagle breeds emerged: the Southern Hound and The North Country Beagle. Both used for hunting rabbits and hares.
The Southern Hound, contrasted with the present Beagle, was tall and weighty and had long, delicate ears very much like the present Beagle.
The North Country Beagle's built was smaller than the Southern Hound.
The northern hound also had a more pointed muzzle, enhancing their sense of smell.
It was quicker than the Southern Hound yet its scenting capacities were not as comparable as the Southern Hound.
These dogs were crossed with larger dog breeds such as Stag Hounds, creating the Foxhound.
The standard beagle type along with four different Beagle varieties: Medium Beagle, dwarf/lapdog Beagle, fox Beagle, and the rough-coated/terrier Beagle came was developed in the 1840s.
In 1887, only 18 documented Beagles were left in England.
But Beagle lovers were determined to preserve their lineage.
The Beagle Club established in 1890 and the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles established 1891 met up and raised the quantity of Beagle packs in presence to 44 by 1902
The Beagle Name Origin
Although the beginning of “beagle” is unsure, it is accepted that the word beagle came from the French word “begueule” signifying “open throat”…
It may also come from the Gaelic word beag that means “small,” or from the German word begele that means “to scold.”
Another possibility is that the name began from the French word beugler, which signifies, “to howl.”
The Beagle Move to America
In 1870, General Richard Rowett from Illinois imported a few canines from England and started breeding the canines.
General Rowett's beagles became the models for the first American standard beagles.
In 1884, the beagle was accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The Beagle Today
By the 20th century, the beagle breed became popular in American households initially as hunting companions but later becoming one of the most beloved dog breeds for families all over the world.
When it comes to famous beagles in entertainment, by 1928, beagles began winning prizes at the Westminster Kennel Club dog shows and even took the title of top-winning American-bred dog of the year in 1939.
Best in Show
A beagle won “Best in Show” for the first time in 2008.
Beagles held the number three position on the American Kennel Club's “America's 10 Most Popular Dog Breed List” in 2019.
Beagles and the American Kennel Club
They have been the only breed to rank in the top ten every year since their AKC registry.
The Beagle have two varieties as recognized by The American Kennel Club:
- 13-inch variety for those that do not exceed 13 inches in height.
- 15-inch for those that are 13 to 15 inches tall.
Beagles generally weigh between 18 and 30 pounds, depending on their size.
Beagle Health
Beagles are generally healthy dogs but they can still develop health conditions.
Common Health Conditions
Here are the common health conditions that beagles usually develop:
- Hip Dysplasia – An inherited condition in which the thigh bone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint.
- Cherry Eye – A condition in which the gland under the third eyelid protrudes and looks rather like a cherry in the corner of the eye.
- Intervertebral Disk Disease – Occurs when the jelly-like inner layer of the spine protrudes into the spinal canal and pushes against the spinal cord.
- Glaucoma – A condition in which pressure in the eye becomes abnormally high.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – A genetic condition characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina.
- Beagle Dwarfism – This is where the dog is smaller than normal.
- Chinese Beagle Syndrome (CBS) – A condition described by having a wide skull and skewed eyes. More often than not, beagles with CBS foster heart issues and toe anomalies.
Beagle Care
Beagles have short, water- resistant coats that are prone to shedding.
Their floppy ears need to be cleaned regularly to prevent ear infections.
The beagle's nails need to be trimmed regularly to prevent overgrowth, which can affect the gait.
It is also good to brush their teeth at least a couple of times a week to maintain good oral health.
Beagles have a lot of energy and would need regular exercise to use up all the energy.
Walking them twice a day and letting them have the freedom to roam and sniff the environment will exercise both the beagle's mind and body.
Beagle Behavior
Since beagles were originally bred as hunting dogs or scent hounds, they have more than 200 million scent receptors as compared to humans that only have 5 million.
You would expect a beagle to always sniff their environment, and this is also why you would often see them work at airports all over the country, showcasing their ability to pick up commands quickly.
Since beagles are cute, friendly, and small, they do not normally intimidate people like other large dog breeds, making them a fit worker at airports and baggage counters.
Beagles are Pack Animals
Since beagles are pack animals, they get along well with other dogs in the household but not for non- canine animals such as cats, hamsters, bunnies, and other small animals.
Their hunter instinct would most likely prevail over non-canine animals and result in the not so favorable chasing after them.
Separation Anxiety
Although they were bred as members of a pack, beagles have an independent streak but are also prone to separation anxiety.
It is recommended for beagles to undergo obedience training because they can become unruly and stubborn.
Once trained, they can become great companions and family dogs.
Beagles are not considered as guard dogs or protectors because they are generally friendly to everyone they encounter.
Beagle Appetite
Beagles are considered “chow hounds” and they tend to overeat when given a chance.
Beagle Puppy Diet
For Beagle puppies up to 4 weeks, their main diet will mostly consist of their mom's milk.
Newborn beagles need to nurse every couple of hours and then weaned off after week 4 by slowly introducing them to solid food of either dog food or home cooked food.
By Week 8 till their 6th month, they are fed with dog food 3 times a day.
It is recommended to have scheduled meal times for better behavior.
After They Reach 6 Months Old
After their 6th month, beagles can be fed twice a day, preferably in the morning and in the early evening.
The amount of food to be given to a beagle would depend on activity level, size, and age.
The general food recommendation is ¾ cup of dry dog food per meal.
Learn more about best beagle puppy food options and the 10 top-rated dog food for beagles.
Beagles and Treats
Beagles love their treats but should only be given to them in moderation.
Beagles love to rummage around for food and it is important to secure human food as well as their own food to avoid overeating.
Seek guidance from the best beagle website to better understand beagle appetites.
Food Ingredients for Beagles to Avoid
When buying dog food for beagles (and any other dog breed), it is important to know what is included in the food.
The most common ingredients included in mass-produced, cheap dog foods that should be avoided are:
- Fillers – These are placed in the dog food to “pump” it up. It fills your dog's stomach but provides zero nutrients and may cause beagles to have gas problems and other health-related issues.
- Preservatives and Additives – These may cause beagles to have skin reactions (dryness, itching, thin coat) and gastrointestinal distress.
- Meat By-Products – These are animal parts that are low in protein and considered unfit for human consumption. Beagles need to eat real meat and get the needed protein.
Essential Beagle Supplies & Accessories
For a complete list of essential beagle supplies and accessories that will make your life and your pup's life even better, click here.
Where to Adopt a Beagle
If you think you are ready to adopt and care for a beagle, here are some resources you can check out:
Beagle Rescue Groups:
Local Shelters
You may also check your local shelters to see if they have beagles ready for adoption / re-homing or your state and regional rescue groups.
Reputable Beagle Breeders
National Beagle Club of America
You can also check The National Beagle Club of America for a list of beagle breeders and also find more information about the Beagle.
Thanks for checking out our beagle origin and history overview.
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