History of the Beagle

“From whence cometh our merry little hound?”

Today it’s all about the history of the Beagle.
With a pedigree that flows from Ancient Greek, hunting hounds to English royalty, a nose that hits top 3 in the dog world and stamina that will race a rabbit till the sun goes down – beagles have been loved centuries over for their hunting abilities, song-like howl and happy-go-lucky nature that captures hearts in royal estates and families alike. Nowadays the Beagle’s dedicated pack instinct translates into family loyalty, to the Beagle his family becomes his pack, creating truly a hound of hearth and home.

Origin of the Beagle:
Beagles were originally renowned as rabbit hunters on the Isle of Britain. By the 1500s, nearly every noble English house took pride in owning a pack of these sturdy little hounds.
One of the earliest references to Beagle love can be found in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, where Sir Toby Belch says, “She’s a Beagle, true-bred, and one that adores me.” The Beagle’s roots, however, go even further back, with evidence of similar hounds in ancient Greece, where hunting became a pastime of the nobility.
The English gentry took great pride in their Beagles’ stamina and pack loyalty. A pack of 30 Beagles, trained to stick together and “sing” while chasing prey, allowed hunters to follow on foot, making Beagles true team players under the guidance of a master hound handler.

Pet Beagles became more prominent especially when Queen Elizabeth I owned a famous pack of “Pocket Beagles,” also known as “singing” or “glove” hounds. These small, charming hounds were the talk of her court and helped popularize the Beagle as a companion animal. The modern 13-inch Beagle variety, which originates from these royal hounds, continues to carry the legacy of the queen’s beloved pack.

Beagles in USA
Beagles first crossed the Atlantic to hunt America’s forests and fields, with early American settlers and even the founding fathers owning packs of hare hounds that roamed their plantations. The first Beagle kennel in the U.S. was established in 1830 by Rev. Philip Honeywood, and the AKC Beagle Club was founded in 1884.

As Beagles began to take root in America, they evolved from noble hunting dogs to loyal family pets. Unlike the large British packs owned by the gentry, American Beagles became companions in the home, offering their pack loyalty to the family rather than the estate, becoming a hound of hearth and home.

Beagles as Folk legends
We all know and love “Snoopy” , beagle star of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts cartoon. Snoopy quickly became America’s folk dog, symbolizing the Beagle’s stubborn yet playful and loyal spirit. Other famous beagles have included the movie star “Shiloh,” the cartoon character “Brain” from Inspector Gadget, and even the famous beagles owned by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had a pair of littermates named “Him” and “Her” in the White House.

Beagle popularity has been on a rise since the foundation of the breed and now holds the top 8th place in the nation!

The history of the Beagle is filled with rich tradition and love, from royal courts to family homes across America. Whether as a hunting companion, a beloved pet, or a cultural icon, the Beagle has earned its place in history—and in the hearts of families.

At Rosehaven, we are committed to preserving the Beagle’s legacy and hold to the AKC standard while we strive to provided families in Colville, Spokane, Washington State and all America with loyal, loving companions. If you are interested in bringing a Beagle into your family, we’d love to connect with you and help you find the perfect hound of hearth and home.

Beagle Temperament:
This “Merry Little Hound” is just that: happy, friendly, and courageous without being foolhardy.  As pack hounds, they must be good-natured and coexist and work with other dogs happily.  
General Appearance:
 A miniature Foxhound, solid and big for his inches, with the wear-and-tear look of the hound that can last in the chase and follow his quarry to the 
death.

The National Beagle Club Standard