Beagle Profile

THE BEAGLE – a breed profile

The Beagle is aptly described by the Kennel Club Standard as, “a merry hound whose essential function is to hunt “, and as “bold, with great activity, stamina and determination.”

His small size, unexaggerated appearance, short coat and pleasant disposition, particularly with children, are all points in his favour as an ideal family pet. It must be remembered however, that despite his good temperament, the Beagle can be extremely strong willed and independent and not an easy dog to train.

There are many colours and a wide range of markings acceptable in the breed including tricolour, lemon and white, hare-pied and mottled. They are all equally acceptable although of course people have individual preferences. The only essential marking is the white tip to the stern (tail) that is there to enable the huntsman to see it more easily in thick cover. Whilst accepted by hunting packs, the Kennel Club standard does not permit liver as a colour option.

Two of the Beagle’s greatest loves are exercise and food. He loves free exercise, off the lead so that he can explore and gallop to satisfy his inquisitive and energetic nature. He will walk as far as you want him to, and more besides, but will be content to enjoy a minimum walk of say one mile or 20 minutes each day, so long as he also has frequent access to the garden for a chase or a sniff around. As far as feeding goes, he will thrive on very little; in fact the Beagle Owner’s biggest downfall is often to overfeed his pet - Beagles are not only noted for their good appetites but also for their inclination to put on weight very easily. Being a short-coated breed, a Beagle requires a minimum amount of grooming. A hound glove with a bristly side and a velvety side is all that is really required to keep his coat clean and shiny. Although Beagles do shed their coats it is rare for them to do so heavily. Usually the transition from old to new occurs more gradually than in other more densely coated breeds.

Beagles have no Kennel Club listed hereditary problems although, there are occasional instances of certain conditions such as epilepsy, hip dysplasia and steroid responsive meningitis. The best way to keep your beagle healthy is to ensure that he isn’t allowed to put on too much weight and so long as his other basic needs, such as regular exercise and a warm dry bed to snuggle up in, are catered for, he will provide his owners with affection and fun for many years, possibly well into his teens.

A good sense of humour, lots of patience and occasionally nerves of steel are all essential characteristics of the successful Beagle owner, particularly on those occasions when the beloved pet refuses to come back when called; preferring to play with one of his canine pals, pursue the line of a rabbit or simply to roll in something nasty!

David Nicholson