Beagle Puppies for Sale

 

 

While its origins can be traced back to the harrier and other hounds in England, the Beagle is still one of the most iconic breeds in the U.S. thanks to its distinctive look that has been featured in many films and TV shows, giving them the rightfully earned reputation as loyal companions for adults and kids alike.

However, if you’re looking for a beagle to call your own, it is vital to first learn the specific history and traits of the breed. This will ensure that the dog will get the care and attention it needs, and that you will be able to adjust your habits and living arrangements in order to accommodate the new addition to your family.

History of the Beagle

Tracing the origins of the modern beagle back to its earliest ancestor can be difficult, because there are no reliable records available outside of accounts of similar-sized dogs being used as hunting dogs in Greece during the 5^th century BCE.

The oldest named breed that bear similarity to the breed we now consider as a Beagle is the St. Hubert Hound, which were used as scent hounds during the 8^th century. The St. Hubert Hound then begat the Talbot Hound breed, which William the Conqueror brought to England in the 11^th Century.

The Talbot Hound had an exceptional gift for scent-based tracking and hunting, but its main weakness is that it is a slow runner. They were then crossbred by hunting enthusiasts with greyhounds in order to produce a new breed that had the Talbot’s keen sense of smell, but the speed of a greyhound. The earliest successful results of this crossbreeding were the first beagles. They were referred to as “pocket beagles” because many of them only stood less than 10 inches tall, which made them small enough to fit into the pockets of hunters. This breed died out around 1901 when hunters started preferring larger dogs.

A couple of new breeds took its place. First is the Southern Hound, while the other is the North Country Beagle. The 1840s saw this one further being bred into four different varieties, each one varying in size. There’s the medium beagle, the fox beagle, the small lapdog beagle, and then there’s also the terrier beagle that people loved due to its rough coat.

The beagles faced a conundrum in 1887, when their population fell so low that there were only 18 packs left throughout England. This necessitated in the formation of the Beagle Club and the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles, which joined forces in order to help raise the population of breed packs. In 1902, they succeeded.

It was around this time that America got its first beagles, courtesy of General Richard Rowett who imported them from England and started enforcing a quality bloodline. The dogs that General Rowett served as the yardstick for the first American standard Beagles, and it is these Beagles that the AKC recognized in 1884.

Beagles: One of the Most Popular Breeds in America

Around the 20^th century, the American beagles were elevated from being mere hunting companions to family pets. And the breed started winning prizes at Kennel Club shows, until 2008 when the first ever Beagle won Best in Show. These days, the breed is on the top three position of AKC’s most popular dog breed list. It was also the only breed to have ranked in the top ten consistently every year since their addition to the AKC registry.

Having a Beagle as a Pet

The key to living harmoniously and happily with dogs is knowing their traits and specific quirks, so that you can train them accordingly and make adjustments to your own habits and living arrangements. For a Beagle, there are a number that you need to pay close attention to:

• Obedience Training is a Must – while beagles are friendly enough and won’t unnecessarily attack its owners, its instincts as a scent hound means that it has a tendency to prioritize his nose while ignoring everything. If his nose locks on to something he wants to follow, you may find it difficult to get him to respond to anything else. So obedience training must be started at an early age.
• Beagles are Lively and Sociable – the reasons that make them great family dogs are also the same reasons why they can be a huge responsibility. They are full of energy and always willing to socialize. On the one hand, it means they may great playmates and will excitedly greet you any time, but on the other hand it also means you may find yourself constantly running around after the pet or being badgered frequently. Additionally, the overenthusiasm and their natural mischievousness means you need to be careful leaving them alone with small kids, and that obedience training is a must.
• Might Be Easily Distracted – we emphasize the need for obedience training because this breed is prone to losing interest and focusing instead on things that catch his attention. Obedience training will at least help alleviate any potential problems that arise from this, and make the beagle even more suitable as a family pet.

Caring for a Beagle

• Beagles have a unique temperament that stems from their origins as hunting dogs. They can be left alone, but they get bored easily and will find ways to keep busy. These activities can range from just howling to destructive ones such as digging, chewing things, and even trying to escape.
• Beagles can be prone to excessive barking, which could get you into trouble if you live in an apartment or a neighborhood where noise can be an issue. Obedience plays a key role here, as well as not leaving your dog alone for long periods of time.
• There is a huge risk for beagles to overeat if given a chance. Obesity can be as big of a problem for dogs as it is for humans, as it leads to other health issues such as heart attacks and diabetes. So make sure that you monitor their eating and the amount of food you give them.
• If you have kids in the house, make sure you teach them not to disturb the dog while it is eating. Beagles are sociable and friendly, but some of them can be possessive or territorial when it comes to their food bowl.
• Beagles are prime targets for thieves, so make sure your dog is chipped and trained not to wander outside on its own. They are also not good guard dogs due to their gentle nature, but they can help alert people of intruders due to their loud bark.

Health Concerns for Beagles

Not all beagles will get the following health issues, but the breed is genetically prone to them so you may want to watch out:

• Invertebral Disk Disease: this is essentially compression of the spinal chord. Less severe cases only result in back and neck pain, but the severe cases can result in loss of sensation, renal failure, and even paralysis. This is treated through surgery.
• Hip Dysplasia: this is a genetic condition that results when the thighbone does not fit well into the hip joint. Beagles that have this condition will show pain and lameness while walking, usually on their rear legs. This can only be properly diagnosed through X-ray. Regular visits to the vet may help catch this condition early.
• Glaucoma: the same eye condition that affects humans can also affect beagles. This is when pressure in the eyes is abnormally high, which can either be caused by genetics or by high blood pressure resulting from poor diet and lack of exercise. As with most health-related issues in canines, this is best addressed by consulting your vet.
• Epilepsy: this is a neurological condition that is inherited, so there’s not much you can do to avoid it if your dog is unlucky enough to have inherited the condition. But early detection through proper diagnosis by your vet can help with getting the right treatment. Prognosis for dogs with epilepsy are generally very good.

Grooming Your Beagle

Of course, health issues is not the only reason to care for your dog. Sometimes you just want your dog to look their best. And when it comes to grooming, there are a number of things to consider with a beagle.

For starters, beagles can be of any hound color. The most popular colors include lemon, blue tick, grey (with the most common one being tricolor with a black saddle), but most of them share one thing in common with their coat: a white tip on their tails. This was generally intended to help hunters see them when hunting in tall grass.

Take care of their coats. They are generally clean dogs that don’t require frequent baths, but they are known to sometimes take interest in dirty things that can be rolled in (for instance, mud and sand.) Don’t let them stay dirty for long, especially in winter when their coats are generally longer.

Check and clean their ears regularly because being droop-eared dogs, they ears can easily build up wax and can get infections due to the poor air circulation.

Lastly, dental hygiene is important so make sure to at least brush their teeth two times a week, or daily if you can manage it.

If you want to have a Beagle, call CT Breeder – (203) 920-4950.