History: The origin of the Beagle is still uncertain to this day. This breed became popular in England, during the reigns of Edward II and Henry VII. During the mid-1800’s, Rev. Phillip Honeywood formed a pack of Beagles in Essex, England that are thought to be the ancestors of today’s modern Beagle. The breed was finally registered with the AKC during the year 1884.
Temperament: Beagles are a very energetic, intelligent, and active breed. They are even-tempered and tend to be gentle and sweet but may also have some tendencies for naughty behaviors. If left alone, they can become destructive and tend to be great escape artists. It is important to know that this breed is very vocal, although constant barking/howling should be controlled with training. It is recommended that a Beagle gets at least an hour of exercise a day. Keep in mind, that this breed was bred with a very strong hunting instinct, so having a fenced in yard and walking them on a leash will help any escaping if they pick up a compelling scent. Early socialization and obedience training will help you have a well-rounded Beagle for your family.
Health/Grooming: Beagles have a smooth but dense, double-coat which is rain resistant. It is recommended that they are brushed once a week to remove dead hair and promote new hair growth. They are average shedders but tend to shed more in the spring because their coat gets thicker during the winter-time. Beagles have drop-ears and this means that air does not properly circulate inside their ears, making them more prone to infections. Checking their ears frequently for wax buildup or signs of infections will help to avoid these issues. This breed is also more prone to diseases such as: intervertebral disk disease, hip dysplasia, cherry eye, glaucoma, and PRA. Make sure your breeder has tests from a Hip evaluation and Ophthalmologist evaluation.
