Beagle

The first Beagles date back to the 1500s and the AKC first recognized them in 1885. English hunters would take packs of these dogs out on the hunt tracking rabbits, hare, pheasant, quail and other small animals. They have a great sense of smell and tracking instinct.

As part of a research, they tested the scenting abilities of various breeds by putting a mouse in a one-acre field and timing how long it took the dogs to find it. The Beagle found it in less than a minute, while Fox Terriers took 15 minutes and Scottish Terriers failed to find it at all. The breed can hunt alone, in pairs or in packs. He has also served as an excellent narcotics detection dog.

The Beagle is a breed of small to medium-sized dog. They are generally between 13 and 16 inches (33 and 41 cm) high at the withers and weigh between 18 and 35 lb. (8.2 and 15.9 kg), with females being slightly smaller than males on average. A member of the hound group, it is similar in appearance to the foxhound, but smaller with shorter legs and longer, softer ears the head is broader and the muzzle shorter, the expression completely different. The typical longevity of Beagles is 12–15 years, which is a common lifespan for dogs of their size.

Beagles will do okay in an apartment if they get plenty of chances to be outdoors. They are energetic and possess great stamina; so they need plenty of exercise, including a brisk daily walk. They are very active indoors and a small yard with a reasonable size fence to romp in will be enough. Always use a lead when walking this breed or you will be running the risk of it disappearing in search of wild game.

One of the most amiable hounds, the Beagle was bred as a pack hunter and needs companionship, whether human or canine. It loves to explore the outdoors and is an enthusiastic trailer. Given adequate exercise, it is a calm, tractable house pet. It is an excellent child’s dog, gentle, incredibly tolerant and always ready to join in a game or an adventure.