Beagles
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Edit
The most popular breed in the United States behind the Cocker Spaniel are Beagles. Thousands who own one or two dogs hunt them in the field, with cottontail rabbits the favored game, and thousands more keep them as house pets because they are small enough, merry and affectionate. The breed abounds at dog shows and some are champions both of the bench and field.
A writer for the National Beagle Club of America believes that the Beagle is one of the oldest of breeds and, with the Bloodhound and perhaps the Otterhound, closest to the original breed of hounds. A pack owned by the Rev.Philip Honeywood in England during the middle of the Nineteenth Century is credited as being the foundation of the modern dog. Almost every outstanding subsequent pack had some of its blood.
You can read about "Keeshonden" here
You can read about "Keeshonden" here
The Beagle probably gets his keen nose from the Kerry Beagle, a small dog of Bloodhound type that otherwise did not contribute importantly to the breed. A cross between the Harrier and the South of England or Southern Hound probably contributed most.
Beginning in the 1860s, there were importations of packs into the United States and in 1888 the National Beagle Club was organized and held its first field trial. The trials of the many clubs formed since then are a major factor in today's canine sport. On the bench and in the field, the breed is divided according to size, those under 13 inches and those 13 to 15 inches. The height limit in the United States is 15 inches and in England 16.
It is believed that about the time of Queen Elizabeth's reign, Beagles were very small from 8 to 12 inches high.
Beagles Characteristic:
Robust, merry and very affectionate; good temperament; good housedog; fair watchdog; excellent with children; responds to proper training but inclined to wander.
Color : Coal-black with rich tan markings
Height : Dog 25-27 in; bitch 23 - 25 in
Coat type : Short and very dense; needs regular attention with a hound glove, and attention to ears.
Exercise : Needs lots of vigorous exercise