When did Beagles come about?

Beagles have been around for some time. They have actually dated to exist since 400 B.C. Greece. The Romans are also thought to have transported to England with them small rabbit hunting hounds and bred them with the local hounds. This is why most beagles are known for their sharp hunting capabilities.

Beagles Specifications

APPEARANCE A sturdy, compactly-built hound.

FULL SIZE Height ranges from 13-15 inches.

CHARACTERISTICS A merry hound whose essential function is to hunt, primarily hare, by following a scent. Bold, with great activity, stamina and determination. Alert, intelligent, and of even temperament.

TEMPERAMENT Amiable and alert, showing no aggression or timidity. Great dog for kids and family.

EARS Long, with rounded tip. This is what makes the beagle famous (thanks to Snoopy). Make sure you clean them after every bath to decrease the frequency of ear infection.

BARK Beagles are known for their howling, but not all beagles do this. This is very useful if you are planning to use your beagle for hunting purposes. They will howl to let their owner know that they have caught their prey.

SILENT BARK Another noise beagles can make is hard to describe, kind of like a half-howl, called baying. Beagles will often make this noise when they catch the scent of something, again, this was useful in hunting. This action is also thought to be a beagle sneeze. According to Beagles on the Web, this is also called a "reverse sneeze", although it actually has nothing to do with sneezing. It sounds like a cross between coughing and gasping for breath, is often accompanied by drooling, and can last for a couple of minutes. The cause of reverse sneezing is unclear - the soft palate is often implicated - but the important thing to know is that it is a common occurence in beagles and is not dangerous. Getting your beagle to swallow seems to help stop it. To do this you can gently stroke his throat while you briefly cover his nostrils.