Introduction to the Beagle – A brief guide for prospective owners
The real family friend
The Beagle’s happy, affectionate nature and robust character makes it an ideal family pet. They are extremely intelligent and keen to please. Their hunting heritage gives them the quality of persistence and the ability to work things out for themselves. Their rather ‘happy go lucky’ outlook makes them great companions for all the family, both human and animal alike.
Clean living
Being only 13-16″ at the shoulder, the Beagle is a great little athlete, with masses of stamina and with energy to spare. They love plenty of exercise and, being short coated, they are easy to look after, whatever the weather. A simple rub down with a dry towel and they are clean again, even after the muddiest of walks. Their dense, weatherproof coats. clean legs and small, compact feet make them a blessing in any household! Beagles never need to be clipped and their strong, healthy constitution makes them an ideal choice for anyone looking for a sporting breed with real character.
User friendly
Beagles enjoy eating and are extremely ‘good doers’, so it is far more a case of being strict and avoiding titbits between meals or over feeding than having to worry about trying to find something they will want to eat. An adult beagle only needs one meal a day, with usually a biscuit in the evening to go to bed with.
Active sportsman
Like all dogs, they need daily exercise to keep them fit and happy, but the beagle is a great entertainer and will play endlessly in a well fenced garden. Owners need to adopt a sensible approach to keeping a dog – any animal left locked up day after day without proper exercise will soon become a nuisance and unwanted. Beagles are not a toy breed and really do need to have decent exercise every day. If you must exercise your beagle in public areas, please do not add ammunition to the anti-dog movement, by not clearing up after your dog!
All-round performer
The beagle’s many attributes make it a perfect companion – they are thinkers and doers and really enjoy joining in with all the action. They are good with children and an ideal size for all the family to manage. Their fun-loving attitude ensures that everyone enjoys themselves.
Great fun to own
The popularity of the beagle has grown with a steady increase in registrations with the Royal Kennel Club.
Owners can exhibit their beagle in the show ring against other beagles, at any of the hundreds of dog shows held across the UK annually.
A real hound
The Beagle is one of the smaller hounds, an ancient breed in Britain, he has proved a joy to the sportsman for hundreds of years. In the opinion of those who have researched the subject, the Beagle has evolved from small hounds used for hunting small game in Southern Europe. Beagles were first mentioned by name in writings published in 1475. Chaucer called them the ‘smale houndes’ in his Canterbury Tales. Followed on foot and on horseback they have been hunted in packs after hare from time immemorial, and right up to the present. Queen Elizabeth, I kept a pack, as too did George IV.
The scenting prowess of the beagle is legendary and today they are helping custom officers in the U.S.A. and Australia ‘sniff out’ illegal drugs at airports. They are also being used in the U.S.A. to detect arson.
Over one hundred years ago The Beagle Club was formed under the auspices of The Kennel Club for sporting purposes and exhibition. Since that time the membership has continued to increase since the first 12 founder members.
The Beagle Club extends a warm welcome to the new beagle owner, and offers a wide variety of interesting beagle activities, including Open and Championship shows. When you join the Beagle Club, you will be kept advised of events which will enable you to participate where a warm welcome is always on offer with likeminded beagle enthusiasts and a chance to make new friends.
“Beagles, first they steal your heart and then they steal your dinner.”
— A very wise owner
THE BEAGLE CLUB 