According to the AKC Registration Statistics, the Beagle was the fifth most popular dog breed in the United States in 2008. The Beagle is a hardy, squarely built small hound. They make great family pets due to their friendly and curious dispositions. The Beagle is also favored for his compact size. The breed belongs to the Hound Group, which means he’ll be easily distracted by his surroundings.
The Beagle originated in England as a hunting dog. Beagles were used to hunt small game like rabbits and quail. They hunted in packs, pairs and individually. The Beagle was one of the more popular hunting hounds due to his willingness and sweet temperament. Today, you can find Beagles doing scent work for police and narcotics units. There is some controversy over where the name originated. Some think it came from the French word “be’geule,” meaning “gape throat,” which refers to “the baying voice of the hounds when in pursuit of game.”
Some think the name originated from the small stature of the dog. The name could have been derived from the Old English word “begele,” the French term “beigh” or possibly even the Celtic word “beag,” all of which mean “small.”
The Beagle comes in two acceptable sizes, 13 inches and 15 inches. Beagles also come in a variety of colors, including tri-color, red and white, and lemon. Typically, any true hound coloring is acceptable. The Beagle enjoys the company of humans and other dogs because he has lived in a pack for hundreds of years.
Your local dog trainer will advise you to be a strong leader with your Beagle. Since the Beagle is a member of the Hound Group, he’ll have an independent nature about him. Hounds are bred to work independently, making their drive to please much lower than other dogs. Even though the Beagle is a friendly companion, he may become easily bored with little activity and get into trouble.
RELATED: 3 Ways to Become the Pack Leader
Always make sure to provide your Beagle with daily physical and mental stimulation. Since the Beagle bark can be somewhat irksome to neighbors and family members, remember to reward your dog for an alternate good behavior. It’s necessary to begin dog obedience training at an early age. You can work on teaching your Beagle scent games to keep him entertained.
If you’re looking for a friendly family companion, the Beagle is the dog for you. Beagles require daily exercise and minimal grooming. The Beagle is best suited for homes with a small yard. However, if he is walked daily, he’ll be well-suited to apartment living as well. The Beagle has been a favored companion for hundreds of years and will continue to be for many more.
Sources:
www.akc.org
www.dogbreedinfo.com
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