Beagle

The Beagle is a breed of small to medium-sized dog. A member of the Hound Group, it is similar inappearance to the Foxhound but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are scenthounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game. They have a keen sense ofsmell and tracking instinct that sees them employed as detection dogs for prohibited agriculturalimports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. They are popular as pets because of theirsize, even temper, and lack of inherited health problems. These characteristics also make them thedog of choice for animal testing.Although beagle-type dogs have existed for over 2,000 years, themodern breed was developed in Britain around the 1830s from several breeds, including the TalbotHound, the North Country Beagle, the Southern Hound, and possibly the Harrier.Beagles have beendepicted in popular culture since Elizabethan times in literature and paintings, and latterly infilm, television and comic books. Snoopy of the comic strip Peanuts has been promoted as "theworld's most famous beagle".The Beagle has an even temper and gentle disposition. Described inseveral breed standards as "merry", they are amiable and generally neither aggressive nor timid.They enjoy company, and although they may initially be standoffish with strangers, they are easilywon over. They make poor guard dogs for this reason, although their tendency to bark or howl whenconfronted with the unfamiliar makes them good watch dogs.Beagles are intelligent, but as a resultof being bred for the long chase are single-minded and determined, which can make them hard totrain. They are generally obedient but can be difficult to recall once they have picked up a scentand are easily distracted by smells around them. They do not generally feature in obedience trials;while they are alert, respond well to food-reward training, and are eager to please, they are easilybored or distracted.They are ranked 72nd in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, as Corenplaces them among the group with the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence.Beagles areexcellent with children and this is one of the reasons they have become popular family pets, butthey are pack animals, and can be prone to separation anxiety.Not all Beagles will howl, but mostwill bark when confronted with strange situations, and some will bay (also referred to as"speaking", "giving tongue", or "opening") when they catch the scent of potential quarry. They alsogenerally get along well with other dogs. They are not demanding with regard to exercise; theirinbred stamina means they do not easily tire when exercised, but they also do not need to be workedto exhaustion before they will rest, though regular exercise helps ward off the weight gain to whichthe breed is prone.