Beagle 20

Beagles are small-sized hound dogs originally developed for hunting rabbits or hares. History tells us Rev. Phillip Honeywood is responsible for the pack that created today's Beagle. Sometime in the 1830s, he bred a pack of small Beagles that stood around 10 inches at the shoulder and were pure white in color. There were originally two different types - the smooth and rough-coated varieties. It is thought that by the beginning of the 20th century, the rough-coated type had become extinct.

The Beagle first came to the United States sometime in the 1840s; imported strictly to be hunting dogs. The AKC recognized the Beagle in 1885 and they are a member of the Hound Group. Although this dog breed may have originated in the United Kingdom, it has always been much more popular throughout the United States and Canada. Beagles have consistently been one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States for over 30 years and continue to be a widely adored breed throughout the nation.