THE BEAGLE

A SCENT HOUND PAR EXCELLENCE

In this issue, we take a look at the benevolent Beagle. This gorgeous breed has been alongside man throughout the throes of history, whether it be hunting, as a companion dog, or both. Don't let his cute looks and silly demeanour fool you, though; this is one tough scent hound. He is dedicated to the hunt. Where his nose goes, you are sure to follow, because he is seldom wrong. The Beagle always nose, you know.

BEAGLE OVERVIEW

A Beagle's nose guides him through life, and boy, does he love a good scent. This scent hound was bred to accompany hunters and help them sniff out their prey. Beagles are smaller than other hounds, so that hunters could hunt on foot as opposed to horseback, with their diminutive companions in tow. Hunters mainly employed Beagles to help them catch hares and rabbits, but they have been known to take down larger prey such as jackals and wild pigs.

The Beagle is a true pack animal and, to this day, prefers to be in company. Today, Beagles are still used for hunting, but like all modern dogs, they have adapted to living a life of domestic luxury. They're exceptionally friendly to other dogs and don't take long to warm up to strangers, either. Needless to say, they are well-known for being excellent family dogs. Beagles are often described as cheerful and a little goofy, and they absolutely love affection.

Traditionally, Beagles are bred in two size categories. The first being roughly 30cm or lower and the second between 30cm and 38cm. They can be classified as small or medium dogs as their weight can vary between 8kg and 14kg. Beagles come in various gorgeous colours, but the most traditional are black, tan, and white—the true colours of a hound dog. Their most distinctive features are their long droopy ears and their soulful, pleading eyes that make you want to donate an entire meal to their cause.

FUN BEAGLE FACTS

• Beagles are pack hunters: This means they hunt cooperatively. Each pack has a hierarchy, and each dog performs a function to successfully complete the hunt.

• The smaller Beagles were bred to hunt in more confined spaces: Larger Beagles were bred to hunt in open areas and could cover more ground. Aside from their size, the smaller and larger Beagles are exactly the same, and any litter could produce a small or large Beagle.

• A Beagle's ears hang soft and are never erect: When a Beagle has his nose to the ground, those floppy ears help gather and concentrate the scent around the nose.

• Hunters keep track of their dogs by following the beautiful voice of the Beagle as well as by spotting the white-tipped tail in the long grass.

• Beagles are extremely vocal: They use their voice to communicate on hunts. Beagles have many ways of communicating. They have a firm bark, a bale, a yodel, and an all-out howl. They can also mix these up to create some very interesting vocalisations.

• Beagles make excellent therapy dogs: Their happy-golucky and friendly demeanour will brighten anyone's day!

• Celebrity Beagles: Beagles have been the feature of motion pictures, artworks and illustrations throughout the centuries. The breed has won the hearts of many celebrities and royalty. The most famous Beagle of all time is our old pal Snoopy. The character Snoopy was created by Charles M. Schulz, and first appeared in comics in 1950. Schultz based the character on a black and white beagle he had as a teenager.

BEAGLE HISTORY

Beagles are among the oldest dog breeds. Greek writings from 400 BC refer to small scent hounds bred to hunt rabbits and hares, and these could be the ancestors of today's Beagle. Today's Beagles, however, look quite different from their ancestors, mostly due to the many invasions throughout history and the breeds that these brought with them. When a foreign land invaded new territory, they would bring their hunting and herding dogs along to assist in establishing a settlement. Throughout the course of the invasion and for centuries after, local dogs were bred with dogs from other lands, and this changed the course of many breeds.

In England, Beagles became popular very early in history. During the reign of King Edward II (1307-1327) Beagles were bred small enough to hold in a gloved hand. During this time, most Beagles stood 20cm or smaller. Although they were very good hunters, they weren't very popular for hunting due to their lack of speed.

As fox hunting increased in popularity during the 1700s, the Beagle breed almost died out. The Fox Hound was the preferred dog for the job, but luckily farmers around the British Isles still relied on Beagles to hunt small game and were able to keep the breed going.

The 1800s marks the beginnings of the modern-day Beagle as we know it. Reverend Phillip Honeywood developed a pack of Beagles in Essex, England. These Beagles were bred predominantly for their hunting skills until Thomas Johnson began refining the breed. He started breeding Beagles for their looks, but they were still excellent hunters.

Wealthy English hunters always kept packs of large dogs to assist them in the hunt. These larger dogs had to be accompanied on horseback due to their speed and the amount of ground they covered during a hunt. The Beagle's specific traits gave the average person —who couldn't afford stabling and the upkeep of horses — a way to hunt small game on foot. Hence they earned the name "foot hound."

The modern age has given the Beagle a function to perform, sniffing out contraband at airports. They are preferred for this job as they are not intimidating and don't scare or make people nervous, but there's no denying it, they are excellent at what they do.

LIVING WITH A BEAGLE

If you're looking for a great family dog, the Beagle is definitely top of the list. The breed is best described as bouncy, always active, always happy, and always glad to see you. They are extremely affectionate and loyal, and they just love to play.

Beagles have been rated in the top 10 breeds by the American Kennel Club for more than 60 years, and for good reason. Beagles are super active and athletic and perform extremely well when put to the test. They are easy enough to train, but you must start early on. They are eager to please, but the rules need to be firmly in place to prevent lifelong bad habits from setting in.

This means that, should your Beagle not get the required attention and stimulation, they can develop bad habits and can be quite destructive. If they aren't content in their surroundings, they can also develop eating disorders. Beagles have an intense food drive and will eat whatever they can if given a chance. Owners need to be extremely disciplined when it comes to feeding and exercise.

A Beagle's grooming needs are minimal; they are shedders, but the hair is so short it's hardly noticeable. During the colder months, their coat does thicken, so you'll need to give them a solid brushing in the spring. Check your Beagle's ears regularly. Due to their shape, air does not circulate well, and this could result in infection.

Beagles love to exercise and make great running companions once they mature. They really love to run in an open field, but make sure to train your Beagle to come back to you, or you'll have a long and frustrating day trying to track him down while he follows every scent he can find.

A microchip is essential, so if your wandering canine friend gets away, he can be easily returned. A solid fence, preferably one that runs underground, is another nonnegotiable for Beagle owners. Once he gets the scent of something he wants, he will risk everything to get at it.

BEAGLE HEALTH

Beagles are generally a healthy breed, but here are a few things to watch out for should you consider adopting a Beagle into the family:

• Ear Infections: Due to air not circulating well around the ears, they are prone to ear infections. It is wise to check your Beagle's ears for redness, inflammation, or a bad odour every week or so and look out for signs of ear infections such as head shaking and excessive ear scratching.

• Hypothyroidism: If your Beagle is experiencing a dull coat, hair loss, tiredness, weight gain or intolerance for cold weather, have your vet check his thyroid activity. Hypothyroidism is easily treated with a daily thyroid hormone supplement.

• Idiopathic epilepsy: This condition is quite common for the breed. Seizures show themselves in many forms, but luckily, the condition is easily managed with anti-seizure medication. Should you suspect your dog is having a seizure, stay calm and capture a video of the incident so your vet can accurately diagnose the issue. Don't try and intervene; rather, let the seizure play out unless your dog is in imminent danger.

• Obesity: Beagles aren't called chow hounds for nothing; these dogs love to eat! It is vital to monitor their food consumption, especially when they get a bit older and start to take their foot off the pedal.

When it comes to our precious fur babies, we always want them in pristine condition. If you notice any strange behaviour, ailments or symptoms, it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian, no matter how small you think the problem may be. Minor symptoms may be a sign that something larger is at play, and we always feel it is better to be safe than sorry.

IS A BEAGLE THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU?

A Beagle might be the right dog for you if:

• You want a happy-go-lucky, fun, and loving family dog that is always willing to please.

• You have a medium-sized garden for them to play in.

• You enjoy walking or running, as a mature beagle has a tonne of stamina.

• You have other dogs at home; these dogs do better with canine company.

• You want a dog that is low maintenance in the grooming department.

• You enjoy participating in canine games or enjoy canine showing competitions.

• You enjoy plenty of poochy playtime; these dogs are dedicated to having fun!

A Beagle might not be the right dog for you if:

• You can't handle excess barking and noise; these dogs are extremely vocal.

• You live in an apartment; these dogs need to be kept busy and active.

• You don't have a secure property to keep them in; these dogs love to roam and chase after a scent.

• You only want a single dog.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Beagles are comical, loving and affectionate dogs who make a mark on everyone they come across. Their happygo-lucky attitudes and goofy demeanours mean they get away with multiple offences; after all, how can you be angry with that gorgeous smile and soulful chocolate eyes? They are loyal, lovable companions with just the right amount of spunk to keep things interesting. They are devoted to your children and possess an easy-going nature that's challenging to replicate.

If you're considering adopting a Beagle, be sure to only use ethical breeders who have done all the necessary health checks. Then, be prepared to be entertained constantly and receive big sloppy kisses in reward for just being their human. These dogs don't ask a lot from us, but we are their entire world!