Beagle
The American Kennel Club says that the “actual origin is rather obscure with no reliable documentation on the earliest days of development. There are accounts of packs of hounds in England before the times of the Romans, and these dogs are thought to be the basis of both sight and scent hounds. By the 18th century, fox hunting became quite popular, and the Foxhound was developed by crossing a buck hound and a Beagle. Two distinct types came through this mixture, one of which was named the Southern Hound and the other the North Country Beagle.” Beagles were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as members of the Hound Group. The National Beagle Club was formed in 1888 in the United States.
Most experts agree that hounds are indeed the original ancestors of all sporting breeds – including the gazehounds or sighthounds, which hunt almost exclusively by sight, and the true hounds, which hunt primarily by their sense of smell. The Beagle is and always has been a scent hound.
The origin of the Beagle’s name is not known, but it may derive from the Gaelic word “beag,” which means “little.” It also may come from the French term "be’geule," referring to the baying voice of the hounds when in pursuit of game.
Personality
Beagles make the most wonderful family pets – they are clever, very affectionate, friendly, love investigating and so very playful. They do not make a good addition to your family if you are laid back and want a dog that will lie at your feet all day long though! This lovely dog need lots of exercise, a large garden and loves being played with.
They can get bored easily so keeping them stimulated is important and that they are of the hound breed and have wonderful noses, in addition to long scenting walks, let them run in a save enclosed area so they can investigate, you can hide treats around the garden and teach the dog to find them. Give them plenty of varied chew toys such as various Kongs or Zoinks to keep them entertained.
They love the company of people and other dogs so are not a breed to be left alone as they can develop behaviour problems. If you have a situation where your Beagle is an only dog and left alone at lot, do consider doggy day care. They are also known to roam so secure garden fencing is a must as is a microchip. Beagles should always be kept on lead while out for walks unless you are in safe, fenced off area and have a good recall in place.
When exceedingly happy or excited a Beagle will often by (howl) with joy.
Not giving them the exercise and stimulation they need can lead to behaviour problems. Beagles who bark or howl are often doing so because they are bored.
Most experts agree that hounds are indeed the original ancestors of all sporting breeds – including the gazehounds or sighthounds, which hunt almost exclusively by sight, and the true hounds, which hunt primarily by their sense of smell. The Beagle is and always has been a scent hound.
The origin of the Beagle’s name is not known, but it may derive from the Gaelic word “beag,” which means “little.” It also may come from the French term "be’geule," referring to the baying voice of the hounds when in pursuit of game.
Personality
Beagles make the most wonderful family pets – they are clever, very affectionate, friendly, love investigating and so very playful. They do not make a good addition to your family if you are laid back and want a dog that will lie at your feet all day long though! This lovely dog need lots of exercise, a large garden and loves being played with.
They can get bored easily so keeping them stimulated is important and that they are of the hound breed and have wonderful noses, in addition to long scenting walks, let them run in a save enclosed area so they can investigate, you can hide treats around the garden and teach the dog to find them. Give them plenty of varied chew toys such as various Kongs or Zoinks to keep them entertained.
They love the company of people and other dogs so are not a breed to be left alone as they can develop behaviour problems. If you have a situation where your Beagle is an only dog and left alone at lot, do consider doggy day care. They are also known to roam so secure garden fencing is a must as is a microchip. Beagles should always be kept on lead while out for walks unless you are in safe, fenced off area and have a good recall in place.
When exceedingly happy or excited a Beagle will often by (howl) with joy.
Not giving them the exercise and stimulation they need can lead to behaviour problems. Beagles who bark or howl are often doing so because they are bored.
Do they get on well with kids and other animals?
They are one of the best breeds to have with children, even small children - although it must be noted that all children should be taught the correct way to treat and interact with a dog! This breed is tolerant and affectionate and emotionally stable and with older children will play games with them for hours at a time.
They get on with most other breeds, but your best option is always male/female. They are know to resource guard food bowls at times so caution must be taken in this area.
If brought into a home with a cat they can get on well. However this is a hound breed and they are borne to chase, and will often do so even with cats they know, and especially with rabbits and rodents.
Training and Grooming
Training
Start training your pup as soon as possible bringing in all the basics. Many people see this breed as being very stubborn, but personally I believe that they are a breed where ‘less is more’ is required and rather do short bouts of training using positive reinforcement and treats on occasion, as I believe what many people see as stubborn is actually boredom.
Their brilliant sense of smell is something that should be used and if possible join a club where your beagle can use its sense of smell to full advantage. These dogs are bred to scent and you should look for as many activates that involve this as possible even playing scent games at home and hiding treats, toys around the garden.
The sense of smell can be a drawback when your Beagle takes off after a scent and does not even seem to hear you! I would suggest that early training with a recall is brought in and the one I prefer is the Real Reliable Recall. It is important to get the dog back as soon as you can and if in an area that is not safely enclosed, and then use a long line for safety.
Grooming
Beagles have a short, dense coat that lays flat across the body and is weather-resistant. They shed lightly throughout the year, but this is manageable through weekly brushing.
Interesting Facts
Health
They have drop ears which makes Beagles prone to ear infections. When air can't circulate into the ear, wax, water and harmful bacteria can get out of control. Weekly maintenance ear cleaning with a veterinarian-approved cleanser can keep painful ear infections to a minimum.
The common health problems that the beagles face are as follows:
a) Cherry Eye
b) Glaucoma
c) Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy
d) Hypothyroidism
e) Dwarfism
f) Elongated Palate
g) Ear Infection
h) Heart Diseases
i) Invertebral Disk Disease
j) Epilepsy
k) Umbilical Hernia
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
They are one of the best breeds to have with children, even small children - although it must be noted that all children should be taught the correct way to treat and interact with a dog! This breed is tolerant and affectionate and emotionally stable and with older children will play games with them for hours at a time.
They get on with most other breeds, but your best option is always male/female. They are know to resource guard food bowls at times so caution must be taken in this area.
If brought into a home with a cat they can get on well. However this is a hound breed and they are borne to chase, and will often do so even with cats they know, and especially with rabbits and rodents.
Training and Grooming
Training
Start training your pup as soon as possible bringing in all the basics. Many people see this breed as being very stubborn, but personally I believe that they are a breed where ‘less is more’ is required and rather do short bouts of training using positive reinforcement and treats on occasion, as I believe what many people see as stubborn is actually boredom.
Their brilliant sense of smell is something that should be used and if possible join a club where your beagle can use its sense of smell to full advantage. These dogs are bred to scent and you should look for as many activates that involve this as possible even playing scent games at home and hiding treats, toys around the garden.
The sense of smell can be a drawback when your Beagle takes off after a scent and does not even seem to hear you! I would suggest that early training with a recall is brought in and the one I prefer is the Real Reliable Recall. It is important to get the dog back as soon as you can and if in an area that is not safely enclosed, and then use a long line for safety.
Grooming
Beagles have a short, dense coat that lays flat across the body and is weather-resistant. They shed lightly throughout the year, but this is manageable through weekly brushing.
Interesting Facts
- The Beagle, also known as the English Beagle, the Regal Beagle and the Jelly Dog,
- The most well-known of all Beagles perhaps is Snoopy - Charlie Brown’s friend and companion from the “Peanuts” cartoon strip created by Charles Schultz.
- The most common colour for Beagles is tricolour with a black saddle, white legs, chest, belly, and usually a white tip on the tail. Tan occurs on the head and around the saddle.
- The second most frequent colour combination is red and white in a spotted pattern on the face, neck, legs and tip of the tail. Tricolours are born with only black and white markings, and the brown settles in with age.
- Beagles almost always have white tipped tails – a characteristic that developed so hunters were able to spot the dog when they're hunting in tall grass.
- Beagles do not drool or have a doggy odour, and shedding is minimal.
- Beagles are scent hounds used primarily for hunting rabbits to larger hares.
- Lyndon B. Johnson owned three Beagles named "Him," "Her," and "Edgar."
Health
They have drop ears which makes Beagles prone to ear infections. When air can't circulate into the ear, wax, water and harmful bacteria can get out of control. Weekly maintenance ear cleaning with a veterinarian-approved cleanser can keep painful ear infections to a minimum.
The common health problems that the beagles face are as follows:
a) Cherry Eye
b) Glaucoma
c) Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy
d) Hypothyroidism
e) Dwarfism
f) Elongated Palate
g) Ear Infection
h) Heart Diseases
i) Invertebral Disk Disease
j) Epilepsy
k) Umbilical Hernia
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
References
http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Breed-Center/Hound-Group/Beagle.aspx
http://www.akc.org/breeds/beagle/history.cfm
http://www.beagles.net/beagle-health-problems-2
http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Breed-Center/Hound-Group/Beagle.aspx
http://www.akc.org/breeds/beagle/history.cfm
http://www.beagles.net/beagle-health-problems-2