Читать книгу Puggle - Miriam Fields-Babineau - Страница 11

Beagles are popular pets and great hunting dogs. They have energy, willingness and great dispositions. They originated in England as a cross between the Harrier and other hounds. Beagles can hunt in packs, alone or in pairs. The most common use of a Beagle is as a rabbit-hunting dog, though they also track quail and pheasant equally well. Because Beagles have incredible scenting abilities, they are currently being used as narcotic-detection dogs in airports and at border checkpoints. They have also been trained to detect bomb-building materials and other contraband. Their small size and cuteness make them less menacing in appearance than the usual police dogs and their noses are unsurpassed.

Beagles are sturdy and squarely built. They come in two small sizes, either 13 inches or under at the shoulder or over 13 but under 15 inches at the shoulder. They weigh around 18–25 pounds, though they are “food hounds” and can easily become overweight, reaching 40 pounds or more. Beagle coat colors are usually a combination of white, brown and black, with the black forming a saddle over the back and the white normally encasing the legs, chest, neck and nose. Some Beagles are lemon-colored with white; the lemon coloring is either in patches or in a saddle-like pattern as in the typical tri-colored Beagle. Beagles have short, easy-care coats but they do tend to shed—a lot. Aside from brushing, Beagles don’t require much grooming other than consistent cleaning of their fold-over ears to prevent ear infections and regular trimming of their nails.

Beagles have broad skulls and slightly rounded straight muzzles. They have strong wide feet, great for traversing any terrain. Their eyes are hazel brown, their ears long, soft and pendant. They normally carry their straight tails high, but never over their backs. Their black noses with wide full nostrils are built for scenting. Beagles were bred as scenting hounds, and not many other dogs can surpass this breed’s ability to track game and stay on a trail for extended periods of time. They have a distinct loud howl/bay that alerts their human hunting companions to the location of their quarry.

Due to the Beagle’s (shown here) head traits, the Puggle offspring have longer muzzles and less wrinkling than a purebred Pug.

This medium to small breed has a good life expectancy at 12–15 years. Long life expectancy makes the hybrid pups more attractive to potential buyers. The average litter size is 7, though as many as 14 pups can be born to one mother.

There are some lines of Beagles that are prone to certain health problems, which include heart disease, eye and back problems and chondrodysplasia (dwarfism). But, when compared to the problems that are found in many other breeds, such as the popular retrievers or spaniels, the number of potential health issues found in the Beagle is relatively minor.

Beagles have great temperaments. They’re sweet, curious and lively, and are very social with other dogs and people. In fact, they love people so much that they can easily develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. Beagle owners who have long work hours often have more than one dog so that they have the company of each other.

Because Beagles are hunting hounds, they do have a huge prey drive. Beagles are difficult to control if they catch the scent of other animals, as their instincts take over 100%. This attribute might make them difficult companions in households that have cats or other small pets.

This breed also requires a lot of exercise. While their size is ideal for life in a condominium or apartment-style community, they do need to be allowed regular opportunities to run, play and socialize. Without this, they can become very destructive.

Beagles are very determined, stubborn and alert, a combination that can make them difficult to train for anyone who doesn’t have patience, persistence and the willingness to be consistent at all times.