Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Story of the Beagle

The Beagle has become a popular breed of dog in the United States over the past century or so. In fact, in the 1950’s, this breed enjoyed a brief stint at the number one spot for most sought after dogs in this country. But the Beagle’s roots go back much farther than 100 years or so – and could possibly date back to around 400 B.C. in Greece. Documents show that a Beagle type of dog may have been in existence at this time.

However, the Beagle as we know it probably originated in England in the early years of the second century. Royalty in Great Britain was known to keep packs of these hounds for hunting purposes. The Beagle was originally bred to hunt hares, and is quite adept at sniffing these creatures out and luring them back to the location where the hunter is waiting. To this day, Beagles can still be used for hunting, although many are simply family pets to be enjoyed.
England is the country that can receive the majority of credit for making the Beagle breed what it is today. It began in the middle of the nineteenth century with an Englishman by the name of Reverend Phillip Honeywood who bred these dogs as skilled hunters without much regard for the look of the animal. Another man from England, Thomas Johnson, took the breeding process to the next level by creating dogs that were beautiful as well as skilled hunters. When Beagles first came to the United States, the same care was unfortunately not taken to keep the breed intact.

The good news is that a man named General Richard Rowett decided to import English Beagles to breed, and completed the process in a deliberate and careful fashion. This resulted in Beagles making an appearance with the American Kennel Association in 1885, and standards being established for this breed by 1888, when the National Beagle Club was formed. Today, Beagles are still used as hunting dogs, although many more are simply enjoyed as family pets, due to their abundant energy and friendly natures.
If you are considering Beagle as a family pet you can rest assured that you will be getting a dog with a rich and colorful history. Whether you plan to use your dog as a hunting companion or simply a companion to curl up on the couch with on cold winter nights, this dog can fit the bill. Unfortunately, the history and the popularity of this breed has led to many Beagles getting bred in puppy mills, meaning that you need to do your homework before purchasing a Beagle to ensure that you are getting a dog that will be healthy and social. By understanding a bit of the history of the breed and collecting other types of Beagle information you will go far in helping yourself to find the right dog for you. You can find this information through articles like this, by studying websites on the Internet and by talking to your veterinarian or responsible breeder. The right dog will bring your family joy for years to come. Enjoy your Beagle!

Since breeding brings certain instincts and behaviors into play with different types of dogs understanding the history of your Beagle will better equip you to work with your new pet. Reading articles like this and talking to experts in the field will give you all of the Beagle information you need to know about your wonderful pet.

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Beagle Information