Beagle dogs: breeds and features

Beagle dogs are one of the most numerous groups of dogs. Initially, these are hunting dogs, the main task of which in hunting is to follow the trail of prey, chasing and driving game. Today, hounds are often bred as companion dogs.

Popular group members and pet care

Some of the most popular breeds in the hound group are the English and American Foxhounds, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Dalmatians, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Bloodhounds, and Finnhounds.

Hounds differ from each other in appearance, but they all have the same sign – hanging ears. These dogs are distinguished by a straight back and a general strength of physique. The coat is most often short and straight, with a variety of colors.

By their nature, hounds are not aggressive towards people, obedient and well socialized. Dogs have a stubborn nature and are able to make their own decisions.

If you decide to get a beagle dog breed, please note that the pet needs a lot of free space and the possibility of long walks. Hounds are very active and should get enough exercise. In the city, you need to walk on a leash, otherwise the pet can go very far from home. In keeping, the hounds are unpretentious and quickly get used to their place and feeding regimen.

History and purpose of breeding

Hounds are first mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. There are images of hounds on ancient Egyptian monuments. In the Middle Ages in Europe, mainly in France, hounds were very popular. Many modern hound breeds are French in origin. Aristocrats kept whole packs of hounds. In England, separate subspecies of hounds were bred for different types of hunting. In the Russian Empire, hounds were used for dog hunting.

What breeds are included in the group

According to the classification of the International Cynological Federation, the group includes 71 breeds. The group is subdivided into large hounds, medium hounds, small hounds, pack dogs and related breeds.

• Large Hounds (17 breeds): American Foxhound, English Foxhound, Billy, Bloodhound, Greater Anglo-French White and Red Hound, Greater Anglo-French White and Black Hound, Greater Anglo-French Tricolor Hound, Great Blue Gascon Hound, Great Vendée Griffon , Gascon Saintonge Hound (large), Otterhound, Polish Ogar, Poitevin, French White and Red Hound, French White and Black Hound, French Tricolor Hound, Black and Tan Coonhound.

• Medium Hounds (38 breeds): Austrian Smooth-haired Bracque, Austrian Broad-haired Bracque, Anglo-French Small Venery, Artois Hound, Ariège Hound, Beagle Harrier, Bosnian Wirehaired Hound, Gascon Saintonge Hound (small), Blue Gascon Griffon, Hamilton Hound, Hound Schillera, Dunker, Spanish Hound, Istrian Wirehaired Hound, Istrian Shorthaired Hound, Italian Hound, Small Blue Gascony Hound, Nivernai Griffon, Polish Hound, Posava Hound, Red Breton Griffon, Segugio Maremmano, Serbian Hound, Serbian Tricolor Hound, Smolandian Hound Hound, Vendean Griffon, Tyrolean Brakk, Transylvanian Hound, Porcelain Hound, Finnish Hound, Halden Hound, Harrier, Hugenhund, Montenegrin Mountain Hound, Swiss Hound, Hellenic Hare Hound, Estonian Hound.

• Small Hounds (11 breeds): Artesian-Norman Basset, Basset Hound, Beagle, Great Basset Griffon Vendée, Westphalian Dachsbracke Bracke, Blue Basset Gascony, Drever, Small Swiss Hound, Small Basset Griffon Vendée, German Bracket, Red Breton Basset .

• Breed dogs (3 breeds): Alpine Dachshund Hound, Bavarian Mountain Hound, Hanoverian Hound.

• Related breeds (2 breeds): Dalmatian and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

The group is very diverse, but, unfortunately, the International Cynological Federation has not yet recognized the Russian breeds – the Russian hound and the Russian piebald hound.