Beagle: description of the breed and features of care

The beagle is not just a beautiful dog, but also an excellent hunter. The ancient English breed has a mischievous and active character. They are intelligent, good-natured, agile, easily get along with other pets and children. Beagles stay in the top of the most popular breeds for many years and this fact has many reasons. We will tell more about the characteristics of the nature of these animals, the rules of nutrition and other nuances of their content.

Historical findings suggest a very ancient history of hunting dogs. Many objects with images of dogs resembling dachshunds, hounds and other human helpers have survived to this day. There is a version that the ancestors of modern hunting breeds came to European countries from ancient Rome and Greece. When crossing with local dogs, the Bigley appeared that today conquer us with their positive character and hunting qualities.

Over time, English culture began to acquire more and more specific distinctive features, and at the same time the breeding of purely English dog breeds began. The ancestors of the beagle with their miniature were very comfortable when hunting for rabbits, and their neat appearance quite corresponded to the strict tastes of the aristocrats.

The first official mention of the beagle breed refers to 1475, and the name comes from the English word "small." However, the French dispute the British origin of the breed, considering this dog to come from their own country. In support of this theory, they say that the word “Begueule” is in their language, which means “tinned throat”, and this expression is fully applicable to the vocal beagle.

When, during the hunt, these dogs began to bark at the victim, the woof was spread throughout the forest. In this case, it was believed that this breed has a soft and not too shrill voice.

By the XVI-XVII centuries, the content of the beagles ceased to be the privilege of the nobility - they began to appear in the families of ordinary farmers. Due to this breeding bigley began to occur more actively. If these dogs remained exclusively pets of aristocrats, then the breed population could seriously decline. In high society, more tall Foxhounds were becoming increasingly popular, so babies were beginning to be forgotten.

In the 19th century, the British Sport Manual was published, which mentioned various bigley subspecies: Fox beagles hunting foxes, southern c heavier skeleton and active neat northern, dwarf, long-haired terrier bigley. In 1890, the Beagle Club was formed, and after 5 years the breed standard was defined. At the beginning of the 20th century, these dogs were forgotten, but in the 50s they became popular again, at the same time they approved a new standard.

Modern beagles have a height of up to 40 cm and weigh up to 14 pounds.Life expectancy of representatives of this breed varies from 12 to 15 years. The body has a stocky constitution, not elongated, covered with short hair. On the nape of the domed skull there is a projection. The ears have a rounded shape, neat appearance, large eyes are not too convex, and the tail has a straight shape, at its end there is always a white speck.

The colors most often beagle tricolor and includes white, red and black colors. In bicolors, you can see a combination of white and red, red, brown and yellowish fur. Motley individuals have signs of a hare, badger color or beige tones.

First of all, it is worth noting that this dog is very friendly, agile and loves to communicate with people. Because of the latter quality, they are not the best guards, but the owners do not have to be bored with them - he is able to cheer up a child, and adults. If the animal does not give plenty to run and jump, it can get fat. Small animals or cats in the house may not get along with an active beagle who instinctively sees in them an object of hunting.

Beginner dog lovers may encounter difficulties in raising a puppy, as he has a slightly self-willed temper. The beagle reluctantly remembers its place, cheats and pretends that it does not understand the commands of the host. But he does not strive for domination and does not choose for himself the strongest "leader" in the family, since historically he is adapted to live in a pack. On the contrary, he often chooses a child as a pet, becoming his devoted friend.

There are beagle-like breeds that also have a cheerful character and a similar exterior with some differences. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with them in more detail.

This progenitor just, so their similarity is no doubt. The breed does not need special care, wool should be combed once a week, the dog is quite mobile and smart. In the presence of the same hanging "beagle" ears, these animals are larger and more slender.

They can be recommended to owners who work a lot, as Estonian is more tolerant of loneliness than a beagle.

This English hare is also a descendant of ancient English hounds. It was obtained by breeding in southern England specifically for hunting rabbits. In addition to the stunning scent, it is very hardy and looks bigger than the beagle, although it is quite similar to it. She gets along very well with pets and is able to obey.

It is difficult to find differences in their character from the beagle, they are quite similar in everything: they like to explore everything, run, jump and play with people. However, some argue that he is even more noisy and stubborn. Besides, Russell belongs to burrow dogs.

The breed is characterized by more erect ears and a physique stronger, and its tail is wrapped in a ringlet. The legs of the bassenji are long and the back is always straight. AT unlike the vocal heroes of our article, this breed cannot bark. Nevertheless, the guard from her turns out better, because at the sight of a stranger, she immediately takes a stand and makes sounds like smoking.

The similarity with the beagle of these dogs is not so obvious, their ears are much longer, and besides, on all parts of the body the skin hangs low enough. With the beagle of these hounds makes love for children and waywardness - the basset is in no hurry to do everything they say. The activity of these dogs is a little lower, but even without long walks they can begin to spoil the furniture. Moreover, in the absence of sufficient physical activity bassetta easily become fat.

There are some popular big-dog half breeds that are popular with dog lovers. Let's name the most popular options.

This “mixture” even received the status of a separate breed, which was called “pagl”. Its unpredictability lies in the fact that it is impossible to guess into whom the puppies will go. If the genes of the beagle will be dominant, then the dog receives the qualities of a hunter, if the pug - he will be more calm. However, with either of the two options, the puppy will be fun, playful and energetic.

They are called jack-ebi or jack-bee. Possesses double activity and an excellent set of hunting qualities. Because of the spurting key energy, the mestizo can be a little aggressive. Most likely, he will not tolerate if he will be teased, and may engage in fights with other dogs.

He has such powerful hunting instincts that he simply cannot calmly pass by a small animal that has come into his field of vision. And his magnificent scent makes it easy to find a new victim. To keep your pet from eating any mice, you better keep it on a leash.

From mom and dad, such a half-breed gets double obstinacy, because dachshunds at least just can damage. RThe ibreed doesn’t look as elongated as a dachshund, it has a taller and more harmonious physique. Like any half-breed, he is not suitable for participation in exhibitions, but will become a devoted pet and pet of the whole family.

Choose a dog "for the soul" is not difficult. It is enough to come to the right address and choose a baby that you like best. Dogs who seriously expect to start breeding bigley for sale, as well as attend exhibitions, will have to first find a good nursery and listen to the reviews. Then the selected dog will really meet all the characteristics.

When the choice in favor of this or that breeder is made, it remains to get acquainted with the parents of the puppies or dogs that are just waiting for the offspring. When choosing a puppy directly, pay attention to its compliance with all standards: Are there any shortcomings in the exterior of the baby, how active is it and does it get along with people? Remember that up to about three months of age, dog colors may vary. So, dark spots can get away from the head.

It is believed that you need to choose the strongest and bravest puppies, as they are more viable, have the best health and are more likely able to pass it on. Well, if the puppy is not afraid to go out to the man and sniff his feet. This means that the baby is not shy, he is curious and has a lively disposition. Ask the seller what vaccine is made to puppies.

The price for the beagle usually does not reach 20 thousand rubles, if you buy it by ad or from sellers in the market. Puppies from official kennels from eminent parents are more expensive, but they can participate in exhibitions and officially participate in breeding. The cost of such babies varies between 25-75 thousand rubles.Higher cost owners ask for the best puppies without defects, also the price may differ from the subspecies or color of the doggie.

Kennels engaged in the sale of these dogs are present in many cities of Russia. AstraVegas in Moscow, Anvi High Line in St. Petersburg. They also exist in the cities of Cheboksary, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Volgograd.

The sly beagle always thinks like a hunting dog, such is his nature. It is this fact that pushes him to wallow in foreign excrement in order to bring down his own smell, in which case he, of course, will have to be washed. In general, to prevent such oddities from the pet, watch him as closely as possible. Otherwise, these dogs are clean, it is easy to care for and train them to use the toilet.

This breed does not apply to those that are recommended to keep in aviaries. An apartment or house is quite suitable for these small playful dogs. However, the option with an aviary is also not excluded, provided that it is not just a large cage. The house in it should be well insulated. However, even if you build such a building for the beagle, do not forget to take him to walk in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Beagle molting has no special boundaries for the seasons, it happens constantly, but not too intense. Combing it once a week with a special glove, you will delight the dog with a massage and save the house from possible contamination with wool. Check the beagle's ears weekly, otherwise dirt can accumulate in them, which will make itself felt like an unpleasant smell. Moreover, in case of violation of hygiene rules, ear infections are not excluded.

Walking on the asphalt, the beagle's claws go through a natural "haircut." They kind of grind and thus relieve the dog from discomfort. If the animal rarely goes for a walk or the terrain chosen for this does not allow to sharpen the claws, then the owner should periodically groom the pet's own nails.

Despite the fact that estrus can already come at 7 months, with offspring it is worth waiting until the age of one and a half to two years.

The diet of dogs does not have any specific recommendations, the main thing is not to give the beagles to overeat, as they tend to gain extra pounds. Small puppies need to be given food 5 times a day, and a year later the number of meals can be twice a day. Some owners prefer to buy special food, others adhere to the opinion that it does not compare with natural food. Each owner of the beagle makes a choice based on their capabilities, because not everyone has time to prepare food for their pet every day. Here are the main points that should be taken into account in the preparation of the diet just.

1. Dry food is very convenient when feeding. To give the dog another batch, just open the bag and pour the contents into the bowl. Portion packaging is also very convenient. Usually products for feeding dogs equipped with all the vitamins. Premium-class products have won a good reputation among dog breeders, so the owners most often make a choice in favor of it, not doubting the quality and composition of food.
2. "Natural" often consists of meat porridge or vegetables. If you decide to feed your pet with ordinary foods, keep in mind that the ratio of ingredients should be as follows: 70% meat, 25% cereal and only 5% vegetables.
3. Water needs to be changed every two days, but if the dog drinks it earlier, do not forget to fill the bowl in a timely manner. In summer, fluid requirements increase, and this too needs to be taken into account.
4. Because of the tendency of these babies to obesity, you should not indulge them with fatty foods.As if touchingly the beagle begged for a piece of fat from your table, gather the will into a fist and deny it.
5. Weekly beagle kids should eat cottage cheese.
6. Such products as lean meat, boneless sea fish, offal, seedless turkey, vegetables, fruits, soft-boiled eggs will be useful in the diet of the beagle.

With a sufficiently strong immunity of these dogs there are ills, to which they have a tendency:

• intervertebral disc disease;
• changing the shape of the front limbs;
• problems in the work of the thyroid gland;
• problems with hair growth;
• diseases of the heart and organs of vision;
• epilepsy;
• elevated blood sugar.

The stubbornness of the beagle makes it difficult to use his intellect for training. He always shirks from the execution of commands and often misses them, pretending not to hear. Check out some tips before raising your puppy.

1. Beginners are not recommended to beginner breeders because of their stubbornness, because you have to have tremendous patience to obtain obedience from them. If you are confident in your abilities, you can start classes. And remember that assault will not help you achieve success - because of this, a stubborn dog will become even less obedient and lose confidence in you.
2. Since you chose such a difficult dog, then start raising a puppy from the earliest times. In 2 months - namely, at this age dogs usually get into the house, begin to outline the boundaries of the place, and also set the diet and walks. It is worth scolding just for mistakes immediately after the fact, otherwise it will grow as a spoiled dog. The charming gaze of his hazel eyes should not touch you when you need to convey to the pet that he is wrong. Talk to him firmly and be a strict teacher for your four-legged friend.
3. The general course of training is desirable to go to puberty, otherwise during a riot of hormones the dog will be uncontrollable. There are trainers who know how to find a common language, even with recalcitrant rocks. It is necessary to approach the choice of a specialist with all seriousness, because training will not be the easiest. Use the reviews of other owners of bigley, read the information on the forums of dog breeders or ask for recommendations in the club.
4. Best of all the beagle learns the lessons presented in the form of a game. Monotonous training will quickly tire him and he will take time off from them in every possible way. As soon as the first and main points are learned, namely the place and mode of the day, you can make the lessons a little more fun. Do not forget about the promotions in the form of treats and praise, but only timely. The dog must understand that in training your game is just an additional element of the program and the last word is always yours.
5. In order for the high communicative qualities of the dog to be fully revealed, periodically introduce him to other people and animals. Only not cats or pigeons, which he can take for potential prey. It is better if they are dogs of the same or another breed. Socialization in this case is an element of education. Let the dog learns to communicate with representatives of society - his character will be more balanced and harmonious.

In Russia, a bigley is not often attracted to the hunt, but they are well aware of their purpose and, under certain circumstances, gladly “come into play." This breed belongs to the small hound and perfectly hunts small animals, such as rabbits, rabbits, they are not averse to running after rodents. When the beagle attacks the trail, he follows the victim on his heels, uttering a barking to attract a hunter or another hound to complete the work he has begun.

Learning bigley the art of hunting usually begin at 9 months of age. Usually, a forest is chosen for this, where a large number of hares dwell, and September is considered the most successful period for study. “Untangling” the tracks, the beagle lowers its head and moves tirelessly forward. At such moments, he really loses touch with reality, but in his head there is only one thought, or rather two: to hunt down and wait for help, to transfer the victim.

Taking the trail, he is able to run away from his master and even find himself in another terrain, because the persistence of the beagle in the pursuit of game is inflexible. Because of this, an unprepared beagle owner can lose his pet.

Most often, purebred puppies are given names from birth, since each litter of the official nursery is painted. This may seem convenient, because a beautiful and sonorous name has been thought up before you. However, in practice, often these official names do not take root - in everyday life, the dog is given a completely different nickname. Before deciding which name your pet will go on in life, look at its character for several days and then make a choice.

Among the popular names for bigley girls include the following:

• Daisy;
• Julie;
• Lyme;
• Linda;
• Rixie;
• Hilda;
• Elsa.

Boys of this breed are often called:

• Harold;
• Denis;
• Keny;
• Cleo;
• May;
• Oscar;
• Richard;
• Rocks;
• Hoop

1. In 1950, the beagle breed became the most popular - such a conclusion was made by representatives of the American Kennel Club.
2. Beagles help look for explosives or drugs, but other uses have found their scent. In the Ministry of Agriculture of America there is a "team of specially trained bigley." Animals work in customs, where their duties include the study of baggage for the presence of agricultural products. In Australia, dogs of this breed help to find colonies of termites that can cause great harm to land.
3. In England, lived the smallest beagles, who quietly fit in the palm of a person, easily transferred in handbags and even in your pocket. Thus in the hunting bag wore whole packs of these dogs. Today the miniature beagle is considered an extinct breed.
4. At the court of the English Queen Elizabeth, unusual bigley lived in the nursery with curly and very tough hair, like wire.
5. In English, there is a word denoting the hunt for rabbits, hares and other animals - "beagling".
6. The author of the theory of evolution, Charles Darwin, carried out his most important research for world science, traveling on the Beagle.
7. In the literature, the beagle is also represented in some works of Shakespeare. In popular culture, the image of this dog is present in the comics — this is Snoopy's dog, and in cartoons, Ode's dog from Garfield.
8. The president of the United States, Lyndon Johnson, had a pair of beagles, their name was He and She.

When dealing with dogs of this breed, most people have very vivid impressions - ranging from their charming appearance and gaze to the inexhaustible vitality. They are amazed how bigley are energetic, how much they love children, and passers-by cause them the most lively interest. However, not everyone enthusiastically speaks about energetic and sociable beagles, and the reason for this is their obstinate temper. If the owner did not show maximum patience and failed to raise a dog, then his behavior on the street will be very defiant. Dogs bark loudly, gnaw on everything and rush headlong for each cat or dog.

This causes discomfort not only for the owners, but also for those around them. In this case, it seems that the beagle is not smart enough, although in reality this is not at all the case. “They tear off the leash, scream, wheeze, bark. The rest of the dogs avoid them.I don’t know what this breed may like? ”, One of the forum members asks with surprise. It is quite obvious that a dog born by a hunter is going crazy, feeling an interesting smell or seeing a potential "game". It seems that the author of these words just had to deal with a poorly educated beagle, whose owner clearly did not appreciate his abilities in dog training.

To avoid conflicts with other dog lovers and passers-by, be sure to take the time to educate your four-way friend or entrust this uneasy business to an experienced trainer. Most reviews agree that training bigley must be professional. If you have financial opportunities, you should definitely contact the club, where experts in this field work. Then your "difficult child" will turn into a clever dog, obeying its master.

Breeders warn future owners that These dogs have a restless temper and can turn the house upside down.. Of course, losses are inevitable, but in order to minimize them, owners of bigley recommend in advance to hide everything that is valuable or dangerous for an animal as high as possible, to the zone of inaccessibility. What is not cleaned, you can smear something tasteless, for example, the powder of the tablets "Levomycetin." His bitter taste discourages any desire to gnaw furniture, and if finding an animal for a crime, also slapping a newspaper next to his head, the effect should be even more powerful.

Love for outdoor activities and walks makes the owners spend a lot of time on the street. It is good if the family consists of several people and this honorable duty is performed in turn, otherwise the dog may simply exhaust his master. This breed is definitely not recommended for older dogmasters. A person who loves movement, trips and a change of impressions can cope much better with her. It is even better if it is an entire family with an active lifestyle, who loves joint recreation, playing in nature and traveling.

Beagles require a lot of time from the owner. As air, he needs regular walks several times a day, active games and communication with the outside world. Not less troublesome and training of these cute animals with a touching look. With all the difficulties of education, if you can pass them successfully, you will certainly get a harmonious and cheerful dog, always ready to infect with the positive and energy of your beloved master.

About the features of the breed, see below.