Beagles
The Beagle is a dog of medium size which is a
member of the hound family. Beagles are excellent scent hounds and have
been used as hunting dogs to hunt rabbits. The name Beagle is thought to
come from a French word meaning "open throat" which would come from the
dogs characteristic of being loud. They have a very distinct howl or
baying and will usually howl instead of bark.
Appearance
There are two varieties of Beagle. There is
the 13 inch Beagle (standing less than 13 inches tall at the shoulders)
and the 15 inch Beagle (standing between 13 and 15 inches at the
shoulders). Beagles have rather muscular bodies with a broad chest that
tapers down to their waist. They come in a variety of colors. For example,
there is the tricolor which will be white with black and light brown areas
and there is the lemon Beagle which will be white with very light tan
spots
Personality
Beagles are smart dogs all be it a little
stubborn. This can make them harder than some other breeds to train. They
get along with other dogs, children and strangers if they are socialized
well when young. A good fence is a requirement for Beagles because if they
get out and get a hold of a scent they can wander for miles.
Health
Overall, Beagles are healthy animals with few
health problems. Because of their long ears, they can be prone to ear
infections so regular cleaning is recommended. They also seem to be likely
to become overweight so you should regulate their diets by portioning
their food. Another problem which affects Beagles often is epilepsy and
seizures but these conditions if found can be treated easily by your
veterinarian.
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