Breed of the week - the Beagle

The Beagle is a breed of small scent hound, similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound. The beagle was developed primarily for hunting rabbit or hare, known as beagling. Possessing a great sense of smell and superior tracking instincts, the Beagle is the primary breed used as a detection dog for prohibited agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. As purebred dogs, Beagles have always been more popular in the United States and Canada than in their native country England.

The Beagle has an even temper and gentle disposition. Described in several breed standards as "merry", they are amiable and typically neither aggressive nor timid, although this depends on the individual. They enjoy company, and although they may initially be standoffish with strangers, they are easily won over. They make poor guard dogs for this reason, although their tendency to bark or howl when confronted with the unfamiliar makes them good watch dogs.

Beagles have a lifespan from 10 to 15 years. They have a short, smooth coat, their shedding level is medium. The tricoloured Beagle—white with large black areas and light brown shading—is the most common. There exists also a bi-color Beagle, with always a white basis.

Xoxo, Alice

N.B. thank you to my Dad, who made the Beagle my first dog love.

Snoopy, the famous Peanuts comics character, is a Beagle