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Dog Articles
Past and Present: Beagle
The Beagle
is not over 15 inches high. He must not be bandy-legged like the
Dachshund, nor long and low in the body, these qualities being
reserved for the basset. He should be an active, intelligent, well
proportioned, and capable little dog, with plenty of tenacity of
purpose, though great speed is not to be expected. The ears, while
long, do not in any way equal those of the Bloodhound or Basset,
reaching just to the tip of the nose.
He must
have no terrier traits, either physical or temperamental, nor any
throaty tendency nor flews. The expression is just like that of a
very alert Foxhound. The legs must be strong and straight, the
stifle well let down, and the hock fairly well bent, and the feet
strong and close, with full, hard pads. Any hound colors are correct
- that is, black saddle and neck, with tan legs, hijis, shoulders,
and head, interrupted anywhere by white. 'They carry a gay stern,
and are in every way very engaging, safe, companionable little dogs.
Like all hounds, they make friends easily, and are therefore more
easily led astray than some dogs, particularly when young.
Harriers
resemble Foxhounds, but are somewhat smaller, and, as the name
implies, are kept for hunting Hares. They are not used in this
country, but in England they are hunted in packs as in Fox-hunting,
the hunters following on horseback.
The Beagle
and Basset are smaller hounds, used chiefly for hunting hares and
rabbits, and are usually followed on foot. There are smooth-coated
and rough-coated varieties of both breeds.
Source:
National Geographic 1919
Recommended Reading
Dog Training
Mastery - An Owners' Manual
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