The Beagle has become a popular breed of dog in the United States over the past century or so. In fact, in the 1950’s, this breed enjoyed a brief stint at the number one spot for most sought after dogs in this country. But the Beagle’s roots go back much farther than 100 years or so – and could possibly date back to around 400 B.C. in Greece. Documents show that a Beagle type of dog may have been in existence at this time.However, the Beagle as we know it probably originated in England in the early years of the second century. Royalty in Great Britain was known to keep packs of these hounds for hunting purposes. The Beagle was originally bred to hunt hares, and is quite adept at sniffing these creatures out and chasing them. Generally the hare circles back. The challenge for the hunter is to guess where to wait to get a shot at the oncoming hare. To this day, Beagles can still be used for hunting, although many are simply family pets to be enjoyed.
England was most definitely the country that can be credited for the development and preservation of the Beagle breed. However, this dog came to the United States in 1876, where the breed was not cared for in the same careful way that it had been in England. General Richard Rowett of Illinois changed that by importing Beagles from England and maintaining careful record keeping of the breeding that took place with these dogs. By 1885, the American Kennel Association recognized Beagles as an official breed, and in 1888 the National Beagle Club was formed. This is the year that a standard for this breed was established.
In the middle part of the last century, the Beagle actually made it to the number one spot as the most popular breed in this country. It has consistently remained in the top ten most desirable breeds, undoubtedly due to its sweet, friendly nature and abounding energy that makes it a perfect family pet.
Are you convinced that beagle is the perfect choice for your next family pet? If the answer is yes then your homework and research has just begun. Unfortunately, the popularity of these dogs has led to many puppy mills cropping up across the country. These "breeders" are only interested in producing as many Beagle puppies as possible so that they can turn over a much bigger profit. Factors like health and temperament of the dogs is rarely a consideration in these situations. However, by spending time researching the Beagle breed and studying the history of these dogs you can go far in ensuring that you find a good, healthy dog. Collect plenty of Beagle information by reading articles like these and checking out other sites on the Internet, and talking to experts like reputable breeders and veterinarians about the best places to find healthy dogs. Your hard work will pay off in a family pet that will bring you years of enjoyment. Love your Beagle!
