Beagle Breed Origins and Caracteristics
When hunting with tracking was in fashion, dogs that chased the prey in packs followed by horse-riders were raised. Most of these dogs were raised for a large game hunting and fox hunt. But the rabbit hunt through tracking, for which the smallest dogs are the best, and they also have great popularity. The smallest breed used in packs is the Beagle. The smallest breed used in packs is the Beagle. According to the chronicles, Henry VII had these dogs in his kennel. No doubt the Beagle is one of the dogs of packs which history can be followed easily from mid 18th century, when it passed from France to England, up to our days. It was crossed with the Foxhound and the French Basset and thus this breed was born with a fine sense of smell and it follows the prey with a loud vocal force and prodigious tenacity.
The Beagle is much appreciated because it is pacific and it can be dominated without problems even in the great pack. Therefore, it was adapted as a pet dog, because it was an intelligent and nice companion. Since many years, due to its character and its physiological qualities, it is used as a lab animal. Nowadays, both in the United States and England and France, there are rabbit hunting packs. These are the countries where this dog is popular.
During centuries, different types of Beagles of great size were raised. It was in the 20th century when the big type got fixed. This type gradually became an independent breed called Harrier.
Beagle (1). Size: 33-40 cm. The weight is not indicated in the standards. Colors: one-color, purplish or with yellow, orange, red, blue or black patches over a white background in combination but always with a white-tipped tail. Generally, the dogs have three colors (1). Although the most common, the beagles, have straight hair, there are rare specimens which hair is hard and its coat is very dense and threadbare.
Harrier. Size: 48-53 cm. Weight: 25 kg approximately. Color: white with patches of all the tonalities, black to orange. The most common are the dogs with dark purplish patches over a white background. There are also dogs that have a patch that extends all over the back (2). The tip of tail is also white.
