The Beagles ancestry is clouded, but most agree that he probably derived from a similar hound that roamed the British isles in early Roman times. In medieval times, Beagles could fit into the the pocket of a hunt coat, and was popular in Greece, France, and Great Britain for amusement as well as hunting small game of little value. The word "Beagle" is believed to have originated from similar French and Gaelic words meaning "useless, of odd appearance, of little value."
It wasn't until the 1860's that "well represented" Beagles were introduced to the United States. Dogs of poorer quality had been introduced decades before, which resembled small Basset Hounds with weak heads. Our present-day Beagle was created from several hounds, such as Foxhounds, Coonhounds, and Bloodhound types.
The National Beagle Club of America was established in 1888, after the National Beagle Club and the American Beagle Club merged, and is actually older than The Beagle Club in England! The NBC's first field trial was held in 1890 and its first specialty show was held in 1970.
A Beagle's most distinguishing characteristic by far is his deep, choclate brown eyes that so many people fall in love with. However, this is not the only thing that draw those people to be owned by a Beagle! Their outgoing and energetic personalities make the prime show dogs, as well as entertaining family pets. Beagles are, for the most part, a healthy breed. Most will retain good health through old age. However, diseases such as epilepsy, P.R.A. (Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a disease which may lead to blindness), and E.D. (epiphyseal displaysia, a disease which effects the growth of bones) have been reported in some lines. Many Beagles do not suffer from car sickness (Unfortunatly, Sassy is one of the few that do!)
Beagles will often attach themselves to a particular member of the family, usually whoever feeds them, or the person the find to be the most fun at the moment. Dispite this, it must be noted that the Beagle is not a one person dog! They like to "share the wealth!" Beagles and kids get along famously, and they often become "partners in crime."
Beagles are very intelligent dogs and tend to learn very quickly by reinforcement, esspecially in the early stages of life. This is why most Beagle puppies can be lead broken easily by their breeder before they reach six weeks. Beagles have been dubbed "a stubborn breed" by trainers who use forceful methods to train their dogs. However, taught with the right methods Beagles are eager to learn. They might as well be carrying a sign that says "WILL WORK FOR FOOD!"
Beagles are generally bred in two "types": show and field. Unfortunatly, most people who show their Beagles are not involved in field trials and vice-versa. Because of the differing needs of both groups of people, the two types differ in behavior and appearance. Though it depends on what type of trial they compete in, field Beagles resemble the early American imports described above, with more "ticking" and variations of markings than show Beagles. Show Beagles tend to have shorter backs and squarer muzzles. Field Beagles tend to have mellower, but sometimes skiddish, temperaments, and have a slightly more difficult time learning than show Beagles do. Show Beagles are the more outgoing of the two, but much of their hunting heritage has been lost, so they happen to have a stronger need for human company. Dispite this upsetting split in type, there is a commendable few who are reviving the breed's instinct by field trialing while keeping his conformation by showing.