6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Beagle

Beagles are a popular American dog, and make our list of top 25 popular dog breeds at #17! The former hunting dogs are quick-witted with a knack for curiosity, and a nose as strong as their stature. We bet there are some facts about these joyful pups that will surprise you. Below are 6 facts you need to know about Beagles!

1. They’ve been around for a while.
Evidence of Beagles can be traced back thousands of years, with dogs of similar size used for hunting as early as 5th-century Greece. While it is difficult to trace the exact origins of this hunting hound, we know that the American Beagles of today were bred from attractive strains of the English Beagle in the 1860’s.

2. Their name means “loudmouth.”
Beagles are vocal dogs with a lot to say, known for their rambunctious barks and howls. Because of this, the French gave them the name “bee gueule,” which translates approximately to “loudmouth” in Middle French.

3. They used to come in a smaller size.
This might be hard to believe, but early Beagles actually used to be miniature. They were so small in fact that they travelled in their owners’ pockets on hunting expeditions, earning them the name “Pocket Beagles.” The puppy-sized pooches were only 8-9 inches tall!

4. All purebreds share a distinct feature.
Beagles were bred to have white-tipped tails so they’d be easy to spot out on the field, so if a Beagle does not have a white-tipped tail, then it is not 100% purebred. Some purebred Beagles have mostly white tails, while others might just have a few white hairs at the tip.

5. One was the star of a popular comic.
Charlie Brown’s best pup pal Snoopy was none other than a Beagle—a fictional Beagle, but a Beagle nonetheless. The widely popular “Peanuts” animated series owes much of its success to Snoopy’s thoughtful and imaginative character.

6. They have a special job in the US government.
Ever heard of the Beagle Brigade? Turns out that the US government trains Beagles to sniff out luggage at the airport for contraband. The dogs’ special noses help catch tens of thousands of illegal items every year.

What’s your favorite Beagle fact?

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