The origin of the Beagle is unknown today...maybe a lot of this is due to how far, in obscurity, they date back. Beagle-featured dogs have been described in Greece as far back as 400 B.C; and, they have also been documented in the British Isles from 200 A.D.
The British monarchy seemed to abound with Beagles...especially from the 1300s through 1400s. Both Edward II and Henry VII were known to have "Glove Beagles" (because they were small enough to fit within a glove. These Beagles were only 9 inches in height.
Note: New Mexico Beagles all average a little under 13" in height...which are considered smaller Beagles today.
On up to the 1400s, Beagles became more and more prominent...from Britain to France...from Italy to Greece...Beagles made their indelible arrival...usually with upper class societies.
The origin of the term, "Beagles", has been conjectured as a French appellation meaning: "useless or of little value." This is far from the truth for Beagles were found to be indispensable for bringing home small game.
Note: New Mexico Beagles, being smaller than 13" at the withers, are purchased more as loving pets.
The other conjecture for "Beagles" is arrived at from the Celtic term "beag" meaning small...which is more than likely the true origin of the term.
Popularity of the breed waned when the British aristocracy favored the Foxhounds over the Beagles...it was only the country folk that saw the true value of the Beagle in the 1700s. In fact, if it wasn't for the farmers of the British Isles, seeing the true practicality of the smaller Beagle, who knows, the breed may have been nonexistent today.
We have Reverend Phillip Honeywood to thank today for establishing the parameters and guidelines of today's accepted Beagle standards. In the 1800s, the Reverend kept an entire pack of Beagles for hunting purposes...and bred them specifically for this purpose. He was breeding strictly for these skills not for looks. Notwithstanding, today, they're bred more for their looks...and the simple fact that they make the best, and smartest, pets anyone could ask for.
Note: The New Mexico Beagles focus is on high AKC standards...yet, with the hopes that they become respected for their intelligence, dedication, and friendliness...of which make them the most well-loved pets in the AKC registry...NMB does not breed them for hunting purposes.
Beagles were brought to the US in 1876...exactly 100 years after the American Revolution...I guess British importing was well accepted long after the Boston Tea Party. Interestingly, most of the early settlers of the colonies were also of British origin...hence, importing Beagles seemed to be bringing a piece of past home back to the new country.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted this breed as a standard in 1884.
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Brenda Cook e-mail: chiefcook2@juno.com
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