The Beagle is a medium-sized dog breed with a very jovial personality. This dog breed is extraordinarily intelligent, loving, and affectionate.
Before you decide to adopt one, here are 15 things you might not know about the Beagle!
1. The Beagle appears in many cartoons
You may have already made the connection, but Snoopy, the dog from the comic strip Peanuts, is a very famous Beagle! This dog is known for sleeping on the roof of his red doghouse.
2. Queen Elizabeth loved Beagles
Queen Elizabeth II is known for loving Corgis. However, Queen Elizabeth I was a big fan of Beagles. She loved the miniature version of Beagles we know today.
3. Beagle, the French origins of the name
While the true origin of the word Beagle is unknown, it is believed to come from Old French. It is said to be a contraction of the verb “beer” (meaning open wide) and the noun “gueule” (meaning throat). However, some people believe that it could also come from the French word for “bellow” or “holler” which would is “beugler”.
4. The Beagle is one of the oldest dog breeds
This dog breed is one of the oldest. In fact, it is so old that it is difficult to determine its exact origin. However, we do know that the ancestors of the Beagles came from England. They were used for fox hunting in the 18th century.
5. By adopting a Beagle, you can save a life
Unfortunately animal experimentation still exists. Many animals, including dogs, spend most of their life locked in a cage to be used for laboratory tests. They usually end up euthanized once their life as a test animal is over. Many Beagles are used for this because they are docile. Some of them are also taken in by animal associations or shelters, which then do their best to find them forever families.
6. The tip of their tail must be white
The Beagles breed standard states that the tip of the dog’s tail must be white. This is an obligation, and if it is not respected, the dog in question will not be able to participate in dog shows.
When Beagles were used as a hunting dog in the past, this physical characteristic was used to identify dogs that were sniffing the ground because they had found something.
It is said that Beagles with a completely white tip are pure breeds.
7. The first Beagles were miniature dogs
As we mentioned earlier, before the Beagle we all know today came to be, there was a miniature version of this dog. These little Beagles were called “Pocket Beagles” because they were small enough to be carried in a pocket or bag. These small dogs measured between 20 and 23 cm (around 7.8 and 9 in) at the withers.
8. Beagles at the White House
President Lyndon Johnson had two Beagles that he named Him and Her. They lived in the White House during his term. There are many pictures of him with his dogs, playing or walking with them.
9. The Beagle’s ears improve its sense of smell
Beagles are known for their large soft ears! But their eyes are not just for looks. Their ears improve their sense of smell. For example, when a Beagle has its nose on the ground, its ears stir the air, making the smell reach its nose more easily. This is true for other dogs with large floppy ears as well!
10. The Beagle expresses itself with a very developed vocal spectrum
Did you know that this dog is not afraid to use its voice? The Beagle has a much more developed repertoire of sounds than most dogs. It uses many sounds to communicate with otherson a daily basis. This helps them to better communicate how they are feeling. For example, a regular bark is used to alert their owner. When they are excited, they will use another distinct sound to indicate to other dogs nearby that they can join in on the fun as well. Beagles also know how to let others know when they are bored or sad. When they are feeling this way, they usually howl.
11. The Beagle doesn’t like being alone
In the past, Beagles were used as hunting dogs! Back then, they were often part of a pack. Because of this, the Beagle has a difficult time being alone and it can suffer from separation anxiety. When Beagles are lonely or bored, they sometimes express themselves by howling. This can quickly become unpleasant for the people living in your neighborhood.
To avoid this type of situation, do your best to keep your Beagle active and stimulated. When your Beagle is young, teach them to stay alone, by leaving the house in stages. First for a few minutes, then for several hours.
12. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has its own “Beagle Brigade”
The government trains Beagles to sniff luggage at airports. This canine brigade helps the government find prohibited products and prevents them from reaching American soil.
Their mission is to find meat or other food products that are prohibited on American soil. This is because these products could transmit diseases. Beagles were chosen for this important job because they have a powerful sense of smell!
Since this breed can be trained to detect a number of this, humans have found many uses for them. For example, there are Beagles that are used to detect bed bugs, especially in hotels.
13. The Beagle is a well-balanced dog
This breed is said to be a well-balanced because it is never too much or too little of anything — whatever the subject! For example, the Beagle is neither shy nor aggressive and neither big nor small. When it comes to the Beagles personality, it can be very energetic, however, it also knows how to be calm. They are also very friendly, but are not overly invasive.
Beagles are the perfect companion, especially for families because they love to play. However, it is important to train them if you do not want them to become stubborn. The only downside of owning a Beagle is that sometimes the breed could become unpleasant or destructive when bored. With that being said, if you make an effort to keep your Beagle entertained and physically active, this shouldn’t be a problem.
14. Elvis the Beagle
While it’s true that Elvis the Beagle can’t sing, he has a whole other talent that’s even better! At the Denver zoo, Elvis was on a very important mission. He had to detect if a polar bear at the zoo was pregnant. He was able to detect this because he was trained to sniff bear dung.
15. MJ & Will, Instagram stars
There are many Beagle accounts on Instagram. However, one of the most popular Beagle accounts is a French Beagle account called mj_the_beagle. The two Beagles, MJ & Will post beautiful pictures of their daily life. By adopting a Beagle, you’re sure to be the next Instagram star!