THE BEAGLES

The Beagles are always happy with a face that melts your heart. Beagles are very recognizable, I suppose Snoopy had something to do with that. They have large brown eyes that seem always to be begging for food. Beagles love to eat. They can be classified as the little big dog.

The Beagle is a scent hound and follows his nose with intense concentration. Once on a scent trail there is nothing that will get his attention, well almost, food always does the trick for me. But the Beagles sweet temperament and intelligence makes them great for the show ring and agility competition. Because of their kin scent you might find some working as sniff dogs at airports. But for me the most interesting thing about the Beagle is their ability to solve problems. I would classify them as one of the most resourceful dogs. There is no limit to what they can accomplish. Although that said and their mail role is just been a pet. The Beagle ranks amongst the top three most popular breed in the United States.

The Beagle AKC 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 in turning to the cheek -- rounded at tip.

EYES - Eyes large, set well apart -- soft and hound like --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 terrier like, or prominent and protruding; muzzle long, snippy or cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed or upturned giving a dish-faced expression. Ears short, set on high or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin.

BODY

NECK & 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 & 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.

BACK, LOIN & 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 & FEET - 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 & 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.