The American Kennel Club - Meet the Beagle

Brought to you by The American Kennel Club and The National Beagle Club of America.

Lead Editor: Karen Julian

Art Director: Cindy Kassebaum

Production Manager: Laurie Panaggio

Production Supervisor: Jessica Jaensch

Production Coordinator: Leah Rosalez

Vice President, Chief Content Officer: June Kikuchi

Vice President, Kennel Club Books: Andrew DePrisco

I-5 Press: Jennifer Calvert, Amy Deputato, Karen Julian, Jarelle S. Stein

Photographs by: Blackhawk Productions (Dwight Dyke): 34, 62, 73; Cheryl Ertelt: 65; Faith A. Uridel: 24, 37, 80-81, 87, 106; Fox Hill Photo (Daniel Johnson): 72, 75, 79, 86, 92, 109, 121, (Paulette Johnson): 31, 38, 49, 59, 63, 64, 67, 89, 90-91, 99, 105, 110; Gina Cioli/I-5 Studio: cover inset, back cover, 14, 18, 27, 69, 74, 95, 103, 108, 111, 115; LMEimages (Laurie Meehan-Elmer): cover, 30, 32, 43, 44, 45, 52, 57, 58, 66, 70-71, 76, 77, 78, 83, 88, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 102, 120; Mark Raycroft Photography: cover insets, 1, 3, 4, 6-7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16-17, 19, 20-21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28-29, 40-41, 42, 46, 50-51, 55, 60-61, 68, 82, 85, 100-101, 117; Mary Bloom: 119; Shutter-stock: 35, 36, 39, 47, 54, 84, 124; Sporthorse Photography (Tara Gregg): cover inset, 112-113, 114; Wesley Goldstein: 56

Copyright 2012 The American Kennel Club and I-5 Press

I-5 Press

A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of I-5 Press, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The American Kennel Clubs meet the beagle : the responsible dog owners handbook.

p. cm. -- (AKCs meet the breeds series)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-937049-98-0

eISBN 978-1-620080-49-8

1. Beagle (Dog breed) 2. Beagle (Dog breed)--Training--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Dogs--Training--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. American Kennel Club. II. Title: Meet the beagle.

SF429.B3A44 2012

636.7537--dc23

2012025436

Printed and bound in the United States

16 15 14 13 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Meet Your New Dog

Welcome to Meet the Beagle. Whether youre a long-time Beagle owner or youve just gotten your first puppy, we wish you a lifetime of happiness and enjoyment with your new pet.

In this book, youll learn about the history of the breed, receive tips on feeding, grooming, and training, and learn about all the fun you can have with your dog. The American Kennel Club and I-5 Press hope that this book serves as a useful guide on the lifelong journey youll take with your canine companion.

Owned and cherished by millions across America, Beagles make wonderful companions and also enjoy taking part in a variety of dog sports, including Conformation (dog shows), Obedience, Rally, and Agility.

Thousands of Beagles have also earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification by demonstrating their good manners at home and in the community. We hope that you and your Beagle will become involved in AKC events, too! Learn how to get involved at www.akc.org/events or find a training club in your area at www.akc.org/events/trainingclubs.cfm.

We encourage you to connect with other Beagle owners on the AKC website (www.akc.org), Facebook (www.facebook.com/americankennelclub), and Twitter (@akcdog lovers). Also visit the website for the National Beagle Club of America (http://clubs.akc.org/NBC), the national parent club for the Beagle, to learn about the breed from reputable exhibitors and breeders.

Enjoy Meet the Beagle!

Sincerely,

Dennis B. Sprung

AKC President and CEO

Contents

W ho doesnt know the Beagle? Thanks to Charles M. Schultz, the Beagle is the most famous dog in the worldor so thinks the lovable Snoopy! Even before the launch of the Peanuts comic strip in October 1950, everyone in the Western world recognized the merry little hunting hound with the one-of-a-kind name. The Beagle was, in fact, the countrys top breed for most of the 1950s, according to American Kennel Club registration statistics, and the first choice of families from coast to coast. Who can resist those soft pleading eyes, those cute droopy ears, and that nonstop wagging tail? All dog peoplewhether hunters, field-trial enthusiasts, dog show folk, or just dedicated pet loverseasily fall prey to the Beagles down-to-earth charm, natural charisma, and joy-filled attitude toward everyone he meets.

A top choice among dog lovers and hunting enthusiasts since the turn of the century, Beagles are family-friendly, energetic hounds with a nose for adventure.

ARE YOU CUT OUT FOR THE BEAGLE?

Charisma and cuteness certainly go far, but theres more to a Beagle than his smiling face and waving tail. He requires a special owner, one who has time and energy to share. A happy, easygoing approach to life and a strong desire to have fun qualify you as a likely Beagle person. The Beagle is a pawn-sized hound with a king-sized zest for living, and he doesnt like playing alone. Everything is more fun with a friendor thirty! If you dont mind this little foxhound looking upon you as a human member of his pack, then perhaps a Beagle is for you.

The Beagle is bred in two different heights: 13 inches and under and 15 inches and under. The breed is separated into two sizes for hunting ability in different types of cover. Both sizes make perfectly wonderful urban or field companions.

As a family dog, the Beagle excels. Hes not a one-man dog, but considers the whole familyyoung and old, and everyone in betweenhis pack. Teach your children how to handle pets and to respect all animals, and the smaller members of your household will most certainly become Beagle people, too. Beagles take to children like rabbits to the field!

BEAGLE CHORES

For all his muddy glory, the Beagle is a wash-and-wear kind of hound, and you wont waste countless hours grooming your dog or styling his coat. A once-over with a grooming glove or a natural bristle brush and a quick ear-cleaning is all your Beagle requires. It takes about two-and-a-half minutes per day to groom a Beagles coat, though youll have to devote another ten or fifteen minutes to vacuum the shed hair left around the house. Yes, Beagles shed, so if an immaculate house is of paramount importance to you, invest in a good Hoover or a reliable cleaning serviceor choose a nonshedding breed!

Luckily, the Beagles a small dog, so house-cleaning chores are minimal compared to those for a Golden Retriever or a Newfoundland. During the winter, your vacuum will get a break as the Beagles coat thickens up for the colder months and sheds less. Your mop, however, doesnt get a vacation, as Beagles can get just as muddy on a summer hike as they can on a snowy romp. And the mop will come in handy during the first few house-training months, too.