Brief History of the Beagle Breed
If you are looking for a new dog for your family, consider the many attributes of the Beagle. This low-maintenance hound is high on energy and is usually a friendly and playful choice for most clans. But where did the Beagle come from originally? It seems that this breed has a bit of a cloudy history, although Beagle-type dogs can be traced back as far as 400 B.C. in Greece.
However, the Beagle as we know it today probably originated in Great Britain in the first part of the second century. Beagles are thought to be a descendant of the Talbot Hound, along with Foxhounds and the Southern Hound.
England is the country that can receive the majority of credit for making the Beagle breed what it is today. It began in the middle of the nineteenth century with an Englishman by the name of Reverend Phillip Honeywood who bred these dogs as skilled hunters without much regard for the look of the animal.
Another Englishman, Thomas Johnson took that breeding a step further to combine the best of both worlds - an attractive dog that was a competent hunter as well. Beagles came to the United States at about this time, although the same care was not taken at first to preserve the breed.
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.
Beagle can make the perfect pet for many families since the characteristic of this breed is usually a friendly, social nature. However, the popularity of breeds like Beagles has led to the establishment of many puppy mills where dogs are bred for profit instead of health and quality of the animals.
This is why it is so important that you take the time to do plenty of research before you purchase your Beagle by reading articles like this, scanning the Internet for up to date Beagle information and talking to experts like reputable breeders and veterinarians for information and recommendations.
It is also helpful to understand the history of the Beagle so that you have a good idea of what these dogs were bred for and what you should expect from your own pet. Beagles that are carefully chosen can bring their owners and families plenty of love and fun for many years to come.