Did you know?
· In 1888 the National Beagle Club was formed and held the first field trial.
· The height limit of a Beagle in the United States is 15 inches and in England
16 inches.
· Beagles do not drool or have a doggy odor, and shedding is minimal.
So you want to own a Beagle?
The Beagle's coat is short and requires minimal grooming. A regular brushing and
bath will help control the shedding process.
No Beagle should be allowed to roam free, as its nose will surely get it into
trouble.
Future Beagle owners should be aware that Beagles are known to bark as part of
their hunting heritage.
Breed Standard
Head
The skull should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput, with cranium broad
and full. Ears--Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out
nearly, if not quite, to the end of the nose; fine in texture, fairly broad-with
almost entire absence of erectile power-setting close to the head, with the
forward edge slightly inturning to the cheek--rounded at tip. Eyes--Eyes large,
set well apart-soft and houndlike--expression gentle and pleading; of a brown or
hazel color. Muzzle--Muzzle of medium length-straight and square--cut--the stop
moderately defined. Jaws--Level. Lips free from flews; nostrils large and open.
Defects--A very flat skull, narrow across the top; excess of dome, eyes small,
sharp and terrierlike, or prominent and protruding; muzzle long, snipy or cut
away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a
dish-face expression. Ears short, set on high or with a tendency to rise above
the point of origin.
Body
Neck and Throat--Neck rising free and light from the shoulders strong in
substance yet not loaded, of medium length. The throat clean and free from folds
of skin; a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, may be allowable.
Defects--A thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the
shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed
"throatiness."
Shoulders and Chest
Shoulders sloping--clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded--conveying the idea of
freedom of action with activity and strength. Chest deep and broad, but not
broad enough to interfere with the free play of the shoulders.
Defects--Straight, upright shoulders. Chest disproportionately wide or with lack
of depth.
Back, Loin and Ribs
Back short, muscular and strong. Loin broad and slightly arched, and the ribs
well sprung, giving abundance of lung room. Defects--Very long or swayed or
roached back. Flat, narrow loin. Flat ribs.
Forelegs and Feet
Forelegs--Straight, with plenty of bone in proportion to size of the hound.
Pasterns short and straight. Feet--Close, round and firm. Pad full and hard.
Defects--Out at elbows. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs
crooked or Dachshundlike. Feet long, open or spreading.
Hips, Thighs, Hind Legs and Feet
Hips and thighs strong and well muscled, giving abundance of propelling power.
Stifles strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical and moderately bent.
Feet close and firm. Defects--Cowhocks, or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and
propelling power. Open feet.
Tail
Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back; with
slight curve; short as compared with size of the hound; with brush. Defects--A
long tail. Teapot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail with absence
of brush.
Coat
A close, hard, hound coat of medium length. Defects--A short, thin coat, or of a
soft quality.
Color
Any true hound color.
General Appearance
A miniature Foxhound, solid and big for his inches, with the wear-and-tear look
of the hound that can last in the chase and follow his quarry to the death.
Varieties
There shall be two varieties:
Thirteen Inch--which shall be for hounds not exceeding 13 inches in height.
Fifteen Inch--which shall be for hounds over 13 but not exceeding 15 inches in
height.
Disqualification
Any hound measuring more than 15 inches shall be disqualified.
Manners
The hounds must all work gaily and cheerfully, with flags up--obeying all
commands cheerfully. They should be broken to heel up, kennel up, follow
promptly and stand. Cringing, sulking, lying down to be avoided. Also, a pack
must not work as though in terror of master and whips. In Beagle packs it is
recommended that the whip be used as little as possible.
Appointments
Master and whips should be dressed alike, the master or huntsman to carry
horn--the whips and master to carry light thong whips. One whip should carry
extra couplings on shoulder strap.
Recommendations for Show Livery
Black velvet cap, white stock, green coat, white breeches or knickerbockers,
green or black stockings, white spats, black or dark brown shoes. Vest and
gloves optional. Ladies should turn out exactly the same except for a white
skirt instead of white breeches.
Information taken from http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/beagle.cfm