Beagle

History of the Beagle breed

The origin of the beagle goes back to antiquity, namely in the era of prosperity of Ancient Greece. The first indirect mentions of the breed date back to this time. So, the famous historian and writer Xenophon spoke about hounds of compact size. They were popular with hunters due to their outstanding speed and excellent nose – the perfect combination for successful game fishing.

Inspired by the example of the Greeks, the ancient Romans also engaged in breeding the breed, who later brought the ancestors of beagles to the UK and began to cross them with aboriginal dogs. This experiment gave rise to many new breeds: directly beagles, foxhounds, harriers and otterhounds.

There is another version of the origin of the breed. According to her, beagles appeared as a result of the mating of European hounds with Celtic, and they came to England only in the XI century together with the Normans. At the same time, William the Conqueror brought into the country a talbothound (talbot), which, when crossed with greyhounds, gave rise to the progenitors of modern beagles.

A fascinating legend is also connected with the breed. In it, dogs appear as loyal companions of the knights of the Round Table. So, according to legend, beagles accompanied their owners even at the time when they went in search of the Holy Grail.

Be that as it may, during the reign of Edward II, the breed gained crushing popularity. Then the dogs were much smaller than modern specimens and even earned the nickname “Glove Beagles” – beagles that easily fit in a glove. The animals were transported in the pockets of a hunting suit or in baskets, which were tied on both sides of the horses. These improvised "vessels" could hold 10-12 pairs of dogs! The dimensions of the pocket beagles were miniature: their weight did not reach 8 kg, and their height did not exceed 25 cm.

The book "The Poor-born Esquire", published in the second half of the XV century, became the first source where the breed was mentioned under the name already known to us. Two centuries later, the writer Blum, who was fond of hunting, presented England with a book where he described in detail the beagle – his favorite breed. In 1790, Biuik revealed the features of these dogs and the main scope of their use – hunting.

Despite their seemingly uselessness, these crumbs played an important role in the process of baiting wild animals. While the dogs of normal size drove the game, the beagles continued their pursuit in the undergrowth, where larger hounds could not get through. Then this breed was the smallest of the hunting ones and was used mainly for hare baiting. In this form, beagles existed until the beginning of the XIX century, until they finally turned into larger and more massive dogs.

By the middle of the XVII century, the southern hound and the northern beagle were common in England. At the same time, the latter continued to undergo genetic modifications. So, to accelerate the breed, its representatives were injected with the blood of whippets – dogs that resembled a crossbreed levretki and greyhound. The result was positive: now the northern beagles could chase prey faster than the southern hounds, but still inferior to them in sense of smell. With the popularization of fox hunting, the need to maintain numerous kennels disappeared.

The number of hounds and beagles has decreased significantly. It is unknown what the fate of the latter would have turned out to be if not for the farmers of the southern counties, who continued to keep dogs for hunting rabbits and hares. Thanks to this, it was possible to preserve many valuable pedigrees, which later became excellent genetic material for crossing with southern hounds.

Interest in the Beagle breed was revived in the first half of the XIX century. Breeder Philip Honeywood, when returning to Essex, took with him a pack of mestizos, from which modern beagles originated. According to the documentary data of 1845, Philip's dogs had a white color and reached 25 cm at the withers. While Honeywood preferred to breed beagles for hunting, Thomas Johnson preferred to improve the appearance of animals. Thanks to his efforts, two types of beagles appeared – long-haired and short-haired. Unfortunately, only the second type of breed has reached our days, while the long-haired ones existed only until the second half of the XX century. The pureblood of these dogs is doubted to this day.

In 1861, the "Handbook of British Sport" divided the breed into four categories: terrier beagle, fox beagle, dwarf beagle and medium-sized beagle (the northern type was characterized by a lower weight compared to the southern one). Nine years later, the first representatives of the breed set foot on the lands of the New World, where they received the name "little hounds of the South". American dog breeders have attempted to change the appearance of beagles. As a result , the breed began to resemble bassethounds and acquired a white color with dark points.

This experiment was considered unsuccessful, because despite the excellent qualities of the hunter, the dogs did not look as attractive as their English relatives. Fortunately, Richard Rowett, a military man from Illinois, owned a large pack of beagles, a significant part of which were immigrants from Great Britain. It was the latter that later spread across America, improving the beagle gene pool.

The threat of extinction of dogs completely disappeared by the end of the XIX century. In 1895, the Beagle Club approved the first standard, which was presented at an exhibition in Birmingham. It became the starting point for the spread of dogs around the world. At that time, two types of beagles were bred: medium (up to 33 cm at the withers) and relatively large (up to 40 cm). In general, the height of the animal should not exceed 41 cm.

By the middle of the XX century, the beagle became one of the most popular breeds in America. Many hunters used them to hunt rabbits, which the beagles excellently coped with. Spreading across Europe, these dogs have played an important role in breeding new breeds and improving old ones. So, beagles were used to strengthen paws and reduce growth, which made it possible to make hounds more adapted to hunting. In 1957, a new official breed standard was adopted, which is still in effect today.

The end of the XX century was marked by a successful experiment in crossing the beagle and pug . As a result, an unusual breed called "pagl" appeared. She was never officially recognized, although the exterior of the dogs looked quite presentable.

Despite the fact that beagles first appeared on the territory of Russia in 1740, active interest in this breed was awakened only two centuries later. Specimens imported from the Czech Republic and England gave offspring, and later beagles spread throughout the country. Now they are actively used not only for hunting, but also as service dogs with a well-developed nose. Do not forget that beagles are also brought as pets – loving, loyal and incredibly charming animals.

Video: Beagle

Beagle's appearance

The beagle belongs to medium breeds with elastic muscles and strong bones – as befits hunters. According to the FCI standard, the height of an adult animal at the withers reaches 33-40 cm. The average weight of a beagle is from 8 to 18 kg. Do not forget that males are mostly larger than bitches.

Head and skull

The beagle's head is quite powerful, but it doesn't look rough and clumsy. It differs in average length, in bitches it is more refined. The skin does not wrinkle and does not form folds. The shape of the skull resembles a dome. The occipital protuberance is slightly pronounced.

Muzzle

The dog's muzzle is not pointed. A clearly defined foot divides the distance between the nasal lobe and the occipital part into approximately equal segments. This is clearly noticeable when the animal is in profile. A large nose with wide open nostrils is predominantly black. Weakened pigmentation is acceptable in beagles of light colors. The lips are loosely attached to the jaws, which makes the animal look flaky.

Ears

When pulling, the rounded tips of the ears almost reach the dog's nose. They are planted low and hang down on the sides of the muzzle, adjacent to the cheeks. Thin and soft to the touch.

Eyes

The beagle's eyes are not set too deep, together with the nose they form an equilateral triangle. The color is walnut or dark brown. Dry eyelids fit tightly, have dark pigmentation. The beagle has an intelligent look even in the frequent moments of mischief.

Jaws and teeth

The beagle's strong and strong jaws are positioned so that the lower ones are completely overlapped by the upper ones, thereby forming a scissor bite. The incisors are planted vertically. A complete dental formula should be available.

Neck

Due to the sufficient length of the neck, the beagle easily follows the prey. It is characterized by a slight bend and suspension.

Housing

The topline smoothly turns into a moderately sloping croup of the dog. The loin is slightly convex, short and wide. We can say that it is well balanced in relation to the rest of the body. The deep chest of the beagle is distinguished by voluminous and well-bent ribs, lowered below the level of the elbows. The stomach does not sag.

Tail

Has an average length and a high fit. It is characterized by a thick woolen coat (especially on the lower part). The beagle's tail does not twist and does not collapse at the base.

Forelimbs

Straight parallel legs are located under the body of the dog. They have a good strong backbone. Oblique shoulders are distinguished by developed musculature. The long shoulder blades are adjacent to the upper part of the body. The beagle's elbows are turned strictly backwards. The distance from them to the surface of the earth is half the height of the animal at the withers. Short pasterns turn into oval paws of small size, which end with pronounced pads and claws.

Hind limbs

Muscular thighs and straight shins provide precise and powerful beagle movements. The dog's knees are distinguished by a well-defined angle. The hocks are pointing downwards. Paws are compact due to crowded fingers.

Manner of movement

The beagle pushes off with its hind limbs, while directing the front ones forward. The step is unencumbered and free. A waddling gait is uncharacteristic for this breed. The back remains flat; there is not a single hint of stooping.

Wool cover

The Beagle is the lucky owner of a short and thick coat of medium hardness without an undercoat. It perfectly protects from the weather and does not soak in moisture in a matter of minutes. During hunting, short hairs do not cling to the branches of shrubs. The coat fits snugly to the body of the dog and has a healthy shine.

Color

The color of the beagle is variable. The most common type is red–black-and-white (or, as it is called, tricolor). It can be considered a classic, since it is this color that appears to a person who hears the word "beagle". In addition to it, red-blue-white, red-white, red-white, lemon-white, black-and-white, lemon-mottled, hare and badger mottled are common. All colors, except completely white, may have speckles – small spots. Other options are unacceptable. Pay attention to the tip of the animal's tail: it always remains white regardless of the color of the coat.

Any deviation from the standard is considered a defect of the Beagle breed. Among them:

• small or, on the contrary, too bulging eyes;
• waddling gait or in the manner of "prancing";
• pronounced occipital protuberance;
• low height of the dog at the withers;
• poorly developed musculature;
• partial eyelid pigmentation;
• strongly pointed muzzle;
• atypical tail shape;
• unexpressed stop.

Beagles are characterized by the following disqualifying vices:

• aggressiveness or timidity of the animal;
• fear at the sound of gunshots;
• lack of hunting instincts;
• depigmentation of lips, nose and eyelids;
• tick-shaped bite;
• light eye color.

The male's testicles should be in the scrotum.

Photo of an adult beagle

Beagle character

Beagle is a bright combination of excellent hunting instincts and genuine good nature. These dogs are the best companions for the reason that even at the dawn of the formation of the breed they walked side by side with people, facilitating their existence. Beagles embody inexhaustible optimism and energy that needs to be thrown out in active games and walks. If you go with your pet to a park where a lot of people are resting, there will be no limit to the dog's happiness. The beagle likes to attract the attention of others and feels better in large companies (both human and canine).

Adherents of hunting can't find a better pet! The beagle is distinguished by endurance, which allows you to stay in nature for more than one hour and at the same time feel like a fish in water. You will have a whole day of exciting adventures and chasing prey that will not escape the dog's attentive gaze. Does the thought of hunting bring a lump to your throat? This will not save you from the need for proper maintenance and upbringing of the beagle. In particular, you should regularly allocate time for trips out of town, where the dog could run freely without a leash and run out onto the road during busy car traffic.

Beagles show remarkable curiosity about new smells. During a walk, it is not recommended to take your eyes off your pet, otherwise he may chase an intriguing fragrance and get lost. In the event that you live in a private house, be sure to make sure of the integrity of the fence: the dog can slip out even through a seemingly small gap.

The worst punishment for beagles is a day spent alone in a few square meters of an apartment. In an attempt to amuse himself, the dog will resort to extreme measures – the destruction of his habitat. Returning home, be ready to meet with torn wallpaper, gnawed furniture, chewed slippers – and this is not the only thing the little prankster's to-do list is not limited to. If you stay at work for a long time and do not want to witness the apocalypse, get a second dog that will become an active play partner for the beagle.

Representatives of the breed get along with cats less often, and from small animals – decorative rats, hamsters, parrots – it is worth refraining at all. You can't know when a dog's hunting instincts will wake up. If a little friend already lives in the house, protect him from contact with the beagle to the maximum.

Representatives of the breed are friendly to children and will gladly take part in a common game, whether it is a frisbee chase or a tug of war, so families with a small child should pay attention to this breed. The beagle will become a wonderful friend and will never grin in response to a careless poke or pulling by the tail. The dog will follow his little master and protect him from the brewing threat.

As for the security qualities of the beagle, opinions differ here. Some argue that the animal reacts sensitively to the slightest rustle or an unfamiliar smell, after which it notifies the owner of the source of a potential threat by barking loudly. Other owners of beagles are more categorical, because they have repeatedly witnessed a situation when a dog prefers to limit itself to barking and hides behind the owner's legs. However, this may be enough if the attacker does not know about the features of the breed and abandons his intentions so as not to face the "brave defender" face to face.

Beagles subtly feel the situation and smooth out its roughness with their mischief. The dog will attract attention to itself, which will eliminate the brewing conflict and make you forget about the causes of the dispute that has flared up. Sometimes it seems that this beagle teaches others a simple lesson: put aside the negative, because there are so many reasons to rejoice and give happiness to each other in the world!

Education and training

The breed is distinguished by intelligence and ingenuity combined with unshakable stubbornness. The beagle has selective attention and "hears" only what it considers necessary. In other cases, the dog prefers to melt the heart of a demanding owner with a gentle look and a funny expression of the muzzle. The beagle will not miss the chance to show who is in charge in the house, and will not immediately execute even a well-known command. You are facing a difficult task – to gather patience into a fist and let the dog understand that leadership remains with you. In any case, do not resort to physical assault, otherwise the animal will lose confidence.

It is necessary to start raising a beagle already from puppy age. The optimal period is two to three months from the birth of the dog. The pet must clearly understand the limits of what is permissible, as well as the time of feeding and walking. It is necessary to punish the beagle for disobedience promptly and moderately strictly, otherwise by the year you will get a spoiled dog. Do not forget that the representatives of this breed are very smart and will try to evade punishment thanks to their charm and penetrating gaze.

Before puberty of the beagle, it is recommended to take a general training course, otherwise the dog may become uncontrollable under the influence of instincts and hormones. It is not uncommon for beagle owners to turn to trainers with enormous experience and qualifications. By the end of the course, your pet must execute commands and clearly realize that the last word is not for him.

If you decide to train a dog yourself, pay attention to the following: monotonous training sooner or later will bore the beagle, and he will stop responding to your words. The secret of proper training is diversity. Come up with an interesting and exciting program, do not forget to encourage your pet with a treat and a word. This approach will only strengthen your friendship with the beagle and give you positive emotions from communicating with the dog.

The correct socialization of the pet is no less important. Introduce him to new people, animals, places and smells so that the correct picture of the world is gradually formed in the dog's mind – the key to the animal's sociability and friendliness.

Care and maintenance

Beagles require minimal care and are very unpretentious to the conditions of detention. The dog's short coat needs to be combed once or twice a week. To do this, usually use a brush or a rubber glove. During the molting of the animal, the procedure is carried out more often. This time, the "tool" is a furminator comb, which will easily remove dead hairs and make the dog's appearance more neat.

Bathing a pet should not be your goal. It is worth arranging water procedures for the beagle as rarely as possible, so as not to wash off the protective "film" from the wool. If such a need does arise, use mild soap or hypoallergenic shampoo for dogs with short hair. After taking a "bath", insert cotton pads into the pet's ears to remove excess moisture. Eliminate all drafts, otherwise the animal will catch a cold.

After a walk, it is enough to wipe dirty paws, and sometimes the stomach, with a damp cloth. In rainy weather, it is recommended to wash the lower part of the beagle body with water with the addition of tar soap. Do not forget to check the pads of the paws for cuts and wounds. To soften rough and cracked skin, you can rub vegetable oil. In winter, when the icy asphalt is sprinkled with reagents and salt, you can use "protection" for the paws of the beagle: socks or boots.

For eye care, it is necessary to purchase a special liquid for removing secretions at a pet store. If they are too abundant, and the view seems cloudy, contact the veterinarian immediately. Do not ignore the long ears of the beagle. Clean them from accumulated plaque and dust once every two weeks.

The dog's claws should be regularly worn off during walks, but a claw cutter in the house will not hurt. If necessary, carefully trim the claws and smooth out the sharp edges with a nail file. If the beagle panics at the sight of the tool, start with one paw, and the next day – with the other. A treat for encouragement also won't hurt.

As for teeth, they should be cleaned once or twice a week with a brush, a piece of bandage or a finger attachment. You do not need to use your own paste: dogs do not like the taste and sharp smell of human hygiene products.

The beagle's diet should be balanced. Do not forget that this breed is prone to fullness, and therefore the chance to make a motionless bun on the paws of a lean dog is very high. For feeding, use premium dry food with a high content of vitamins and minerals. Its daily dose is usually indicated on the package. From time to time, dilute the monotonous diet with natural products. Be sure to give the animal a teaspoon of vegetable oil so that the coat always retains a healthy shine.

In no case treat the beagle with the following "treats":

• dairy products (irrelevant for puppies);
• raw dough with yeast content;
• river fish in any form;
• raw meat and eggs;
• tubular bones;
• onion and garlic;
• legumes;
• pork;
• mushrooms.

The water must be filtered and always present in the drinker.

Beagle Health and Diseases

The breed is characterized by strong immunity, but still beagles are susceptible to some diseases. Among them:

• intervertebral disc disease;
• deformity of the forelimbs;
• thyroid dysfunction;
• congenital lack of hair;
• heart and eye problems;
• epilepsy;
• diabetes.

Visit the vet regularly if you want to see your pet healthy and happy.

How to choose a puppy

It is recommended to purchase a beagle only in proven kennels, where puppies are kept in the right conditions and undergo veterinary and preventive procedures. Before you start choosing a charming toddler, watch the bitch, because in most cases her character and habits are transmitted to the kids. Do not forget to ask about the male: so, he should not be a close relative of the bitch.

The best age to purchase a puppy is 1.5-2 months. During this period, biglenok was already used to self-feeding and gradually moved away from the excessive care of his mother. Do not forget about the main thing: the sooner the baby appears in your house, the more chances there are to make him a well-mannered and obedient dog.

A healthy puppy shows activity and curiosity, happily plays with other toddlers and does not run into a corner from the outstretched hand of a stranger. Check the baby for compliance with the standard, if this is important to you. Are you planning to raise a champion beagle puppy? Then trust your intuition: if you looked at the baby and couldn't take your eyes off him, then this is your dog!

Photos of beagle puppies

How much does a beagle cost

The price of a beagle depends on the quality of the dog, the presence or absence of defects and marriage, while gender does not matter. The cost of a pet-class puppy starts from $300. Such a pet will be an excellent pet, but will not be able to shine at exhibitions. Breed-puppies stand from $500 – $600. The show class will cost even more. We strongly recommend that you purchase a beagle with documents in verified nurseries.