The Beagle is a medium-sized breed belonging to the hound sporting group. Though many variations of this breed have existed throughout history, the modern breed emerged in England in the early 1800s. The Beagle is a popular choice for pet owners because of its size and calm temperament, and is useful for hunters because of its sharp sense of smell.

 

Physical Characteristics

 

Having a solid structure, the Beagle resembles a Foxhound. Hunters can follow the dog on foot, and the tuneful bay of the Beagle aids hunters in locating the dog from a distance. Because of its moderate size, the Beagle can even be carried to the hunting site, where it can then scurry into the dense undergrowth to look for the target. The dog receives protection against the thick underbrush from its coarse and close coat. And being an amicable dog makes it a great pack hunter, mixing well with other dogs.

 

Personality and Temperament

 

Known to be among the most friendly of the hound breeds, the Beagle was developed to be a pack hunter. The best qualities in the Beagle are its fondness for exploring the outdoors and its enthusiasm for trailing. This independent breed barks, howls, and sometimes runs off on a trail on its own. Because it is also an incredibly tolerant, calm and adventurously playful dog, the Beagle also makes a perfect pet for families with children.

 

Care

 

The Beagle is a social dog that is particularly well suited to the company of humans and other dogs alike. It also needs to spend equal time in the yard as it does in the house. Regular exercise, such as a romp at the park or in a spacious yard area, along with regular leash-led walks are great outdoor activities for the Beagle. This breed can withstand temperate climates and live outdoors most seasons, as long as it has bedding and an enclosed, warm shelter. With its short, close coat, the Beagle does not require extensive grooming. An occasional brushing to encourage turnover of hair, and to minimize hair buildup in the house is all that is needed to keep your Beagle looking healthy and vibrant.

 

Health

 

The Beagle has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. While this breed is generally healthy overall, some specific ailments that are known to affect the Beagle breed are patellar luxation, glaucoma, epilepsy, central progressive retinal atrophy (CPRA), hypothyroidism, distichiasis, chondrodysplasia, cherry eye, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Deafness, cataract, hemophilia A, demodicosis, and umbilical hernia are some other health problems that affect the breed, while some major ailments include primary carnitine deficiency (CUD) and intervertebral disk disease. Some exams used to identify these conditions include hip, thyroid, and eye tests.

 

History and Background

 

The word “beagle” is thought to have come from certain old French words meaning an open throat, a possible connection to the dog’s musical bay. It is also speculated that the dog’s name might have derived from old French, Celtic or English words meaning small. Beagle-like dogs were probably used for the popular sport of hare-hunting in England during the 1300s, but the term "beagle" was not used until 1475. Hunters would follow the dog on foot and sometimes even carry one in his pocket. There were several sizes of Beagles in the 1800s, but the pocket-size dogs were most popular. These small dogs measured only about nine inches and required the hunter's help while crossing rough fields. Because the smaller Beagles were slower and easier to follow on foot, they appealed especially to women, the elderly, and those who otherwise did not have the stamina or inclination to keep up with an active dog.

 

The first mention of the Beagle in the United States occurred in the town records of Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1642. Before the American Civil War, people in the South used Beagles, but these dogs did not resemble English Beagles. However, when the war was over, English Beagles were imported for crossbreeding and to develop the modern American Beagle we know today. The last part of the 19th century saw the emergence of Beagles as popular competitors on the field and in exhibitions. Soon thereafter, this little hound dog with the melodic howl came to be amongst the most preferred family pets in the U.S.

groom

To wash or brush or otherwise care for the appearance of an animal

gene

A unit of inheritance; something that is passed down (as in a trait)

genera

The plural form of the word ‘genus.’

hernia

The condition of having a part of a body part protruding through the tissue that would normally cover it

retina

The layer of the eye that is charged with receiving and processing images

lope

A slower type of gallop

health

A state of being in which all body parts function as they should

aids

Used in the equine industry; indicates the methods by with a rider communicates with his horse.

nit

An egg of a louse

ark

A term usually used in the context of care for rabbits; a little structure with a ridged roof that may be used to house rabbits.

doe

A female goat, rabbit, or deer that has not been spayed

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

rot

A type of decay that is caused by fungus or bacteria

growth

An increase in size or weight; may also refer to a tumor or gall

atrophy

The wasting away of certain tissues; a medical condition that occurs when tissues fail to grow.

dysplasia

A condition in which growth and development are not up to normal standards

glaucoma

A disorder that has resulted from intraocular pressure

distichia

Two sets of eyelashes; often results in an injury to the lining of the eye

hemophilia

A genetic condition in which blood does not properly coagulate

idiopathic

Relating to a disease of unknown origin, which may or may not have arisen spontaneously

deficiency

Less than what is normally required or needed of something

vertebra

A bone in the spinal column

prolapse

The falling forward of something, usually visceral

genetic

Referring to genes or traits that are inherited

distichiasis

A condition in which there are two rows of lashes in place of one

trailing

The driving of types of livestock from place to place

luxation

The dislocation of a bone from the joint

epilepsy

A condition of frequent or recurring seizures that are not of a system origin

patella

The term for the knee cap

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The Beagle is a medium-sized breed belonging to the hound sporting group. Though many variations of this breed have existed throughout history, the modern breed emerged in England in the early 1800s. The Beagle is a popular choice for pet owners because of its size and calm temperament, and is useful for hunters because of its sharp sense of smell.

 

Physical Characteristics

 

Having a solid structure, the Beagle resembles a Foxhound. Hunters can follow the dog on foot, and the tuneful bay of the Beagle aids hunters in locating the dog from a distance. Because of its moderate size, the Beagle can even be carried to the hunting site, where it can then scurry into the dense undergrowth to look for the target. The dog receives protection against the thick underbrush from its coarse and close coat. And being an amicable dog makes it a great pack hunter, mixing well with other dogs.

 

Personality and Temperament

 

Known to be among the most friendly of the hound breeds, the Beagle was developed to be a pack hunter. The best qualities in the Beagle are its fondness for exploring the outdoors and its enthusiasm for trailing. This independent breed barks, howls, and sometimes runs off on a trail on its own. Because it is also an incredibly tolerant, calm and adventurously playful dog, the Beagle also makes a perfect pet for families with children.

 

Care

 

The Beagle is a social dog that is particularly well suited to the company of humans and other dogs alike. It also needs to spend equal time in the yard as it does in the house. Regular exercise, such as a romp at the park or in a spacious yard area, along with regular leash-led walks are great outdoor activities for the Beagle. This breed can withstand temperate climates and live outdoors most seasons, as long as it has bedding and an enclosed, warm shelter. With its short, close coat, the Beagle does not require extensive grooming. An occasional brushing to encourage turnover of hair, and to minimize hair buildup in the house is all that is needed to keep your Beagle looking healthy and vibrant.

 

Health

 

The Beagle has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. While this breed is generally healthy overall, some specific ailments that are known to affect the Beagle breed are patellar luxation, glaucoma, epilepsy, central progressive retinal atrophy (CPRA), hypothyroidism, distichiasis, chondrodysplasia, cherry eye, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Deafness, cataract, hemophilia A, demodicosis, and umbilical hernia are some other health problems that affect the breed, while some major ailments include primary carnitine deficiency (CUD) and intervertebral disk disease. Some exams used to identify these conditions include hip, thyroid, and eye tests.

 

History and Background

 

The word “beagle” is thought to have come from certain old French words meaning an open throat, a possible connection to the dog’s musical bay. It is also speculated that the dog’s name might have derived from old French, Celtic or English words meaning small. Beagle-like dogs were probably used for the popular sport of hare-hunting in England during the 1300s, but the term "beagle" was not used until 1475. Hunters would follow the dog on foot and sometimes even carry one in his pocket. There were several sizes of Beagles in the 1800s, but the pocket-size dogs were most popular. These small dogs measured only about nine inches and required the hunter's help while crossing rough fields. Because the smaller Beagles were slower and easier to follow on foot, they appealed especially to women, the elderly, and those who otherwise did not have the stamina or inclination to keep up with an active dog.

 

The first mention of the Beagle in the United States occurred in the town records of Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1642. Before the American Civil War, people in the South used Beagles, but these dogs did not resemble English Beagles. However, when the war was over, English Beagles were imported for crossbreeding and to develop the modern American Beagle we know today. The last part of the 19th century saw the emergence of Beagles as popular competitors on the field and in exhibitions. Soon thereafter, this little hound dog with the melodic howl came to be amongst the most preferred family pets in the U.S.

groom

To wash or brush or otherwise care for the appearance of an animal

gene

A unit of inheritance; something that is passed down (as in a trait)

genera

The plural form of the word ‘genus.’

hernia

The condition of having a part of a body part protruding through the tissue that would normally cover it

retina

The layer of the eye that is charged with receiving and processing images

lope

A slower type of gallop

health

A state of being in which all body parts function as they should

aids

Used in the equine industry; indicates the methods by with a rider communicates with his horse.

nit

An egg of a louse

ark

A term usually used in the context of care for rabbits; a little structure with a ridged roof that may be used to house rabbits.

doe

A female goat, rabbit, or deer that has not been spayed

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

rot

A type of decay that is caused by fungus or bacteria

growth

An increase in size or weight; may also refer to a tumor or gall

atrophy

The wasting away of certain tissues; a medical condition that occurs when tissues fail to grow.

dysplasia

A condition in which growth and development are not up to normal standards

glaucoma

A disorder that has resulted from intraocular pressure

distichia

Two sets of eyelashes; often results in an injury to the lining of the eye

hemophilia

A genetic condition in which blood does not properly coagulate

idiopathic

Relating to a disease of unknown origin, which may or may not have arisen spontaneously

deficiency

Less than what is normally required or needed of something

vertebra

A bone in the spinal column

prolapse

The falling forward of something, usually visceral

genetic

Referring to genes or traits that are inherited

distichiasis

A condition in which there are two rows of lashes in place of one

trailing

The driving of types of livestock from place to place

luxation

The dislocation of a bone from the joint

epilepsy

A condition of frequent or recurring seizures that are not of a system origin

patella

The term for the knee cap

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