All About Beagles...

Beagles are happy-go-lucky and friendly, making them a wonderful family pet. They are also favored for their compact size and short easy to care for coat. Since they lived in packs for hundreds of years, they naturally enjoy the company of other dogs and humans. Curious and comedic, they often follow their noses–which can lead to some mischief if they are not provided with daily activity.

Beagles, as a breed, have been in existence for quite some time, although their precise origins are only vaguely known. Beagle-type dogs are described in documents dating from 400 B.C. Greece and A.D. 200 Britain. The Romans are also thought to have transported to England with them small rabbit hunting hounds and bred them with the local hounds. Talbot Hounds were brought to England from France during the Norman Conquest in 1066 and are considered to be ancestors to the Southern Hound, the Beagle and the Foxhound.

Beagles became quite popular with the British monarchy in the 1300 and 1400's. Edward II and Henry VII both kept packs of Glove Beagles, so named since they were small enough to fit on a glove. Elizabeth I kept packs of Pocket Beagles which were only nine inches high at the withers.

By the 1400's Beagles existed in Britain, Italy, Greece and France. The word "beagle" has two possible origins. It either originates from the Celtic word "beag" which means small or from the French word "begle" meaning "useless or of little value".

By the 1700's two types of hounds existed for hunting rabbits: the Southern Hound and the much quicker North Country Beagle. Since fox hunting was becoming increasingly popular, Beagles were being kept less and less in favour of Foxhounds. Fortunately for the continuing existence of the Beagle, farmers in England, Ireland and Wales continued to keep packs to hunt with.

In the mid 1800's Reverend Phillip Honeywood established his pack in Essex, England which is thought to be the progenitor of the modern Beagle. He was breeding for hunting skills though, not looks. A fellow Englishman, Thomas Johnson, was responsible for breeding lines of Beagles that could hunt and look attractive.

Beagles were imported into the United States in 1876 and accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1884.

Beagle Resources

Training and Health Resources for your Beagle...

How to Train a Beagle: Videos and Resources from ehow.com

Top Ten Dog Behavior Problems: From about.com

American Veterinary Medical Association: Animal Health Resources

Health and veterinary information: From Dog Owners Guide

Beagle Stuff...

See our home page for Beagle Buddies T-Shirts, Tote Bag, and Dog T!

Books about Beagles: Amazon.com

Beagle Stuff to Buy: Google Shopping (Beagle Buddies does not benefit from these sales)

Drs Foster and Smith: Dog Supplies (Beagle Buddies does not benefit from these sales)

 

"Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship.  We are called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or some claim to equality, but in a sense because they don't; because they all stand unequal and powerless before us." ~Matthew Scully

Beagle Buddies Rescue work is dedicated to all the homeless and unwanted beagles sitting in shelters and living on the streets in every city and town in this country. There are so many wonderful pets in local shelters and through rescue organizations. Don't breed or buy a pet when you can save a life.