Breed origin

Beagle Breed Standard

Head: The skull should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput, with cranium broad and full. Ears: Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the end of the nose; fine in texture, fairly broad-with almost entire absence of erectile power-setting close to the head, with the forward edge slightly inturning to the cheek rounded at tip. Eyes: Eyes large, set well apart-soft and houndlike--expression gentle and pleading; of a brown or hazel color. Muzzle: Muzzle of medium length-straight and square--cut--the stop moderately defined. Jaws: Level. Lips free from flews; nostrils large and open. Defects: A very flat skull, narrow across the top; excess of dome, eyes small, sharp and terrierlike, or prominent and protruding; muzzle long, snipy or cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-face expression. Ears short, set on high or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin.
Body. Neck and Throat--Neck rising free and light from the shoulders strong in substance yet not loaded, of medium length. The throat clean and free from folds of skin; a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, may be allowable. Defects--A thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed "throatiness."
Shoulders and Chest: Shoulders sloping--clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded--conveying the idea of freedom of action with activity and strength. Chest deep and broad, but not broad enough to interfere with the free play of the shoulders. Defects--Straight, upright shoulders. Chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth.
Back, Loin and Ribs: Back short, muscular and strong. Loin broad and slightly arched, and the ribs well sprung, giving abundance of lung room. Defects--Very long or swayed or roached back. Flat, narrow loin. Flat ribs.
Forelegs and Feet: Forelegs--Straight, with plenty of bone in proportion to size of the hound. Pasterns short and straight. Feet--Close, round and firm. Pad full and hard. Defects--Out at elbows. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs crooked or Dachshundlike. Feet long, open or spreading.
Hips, Thighs, Hind Legs and Feet: Hips and thighs strong and well muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical and moderately bent. Feet close and firm. Defects--Cowhocks, or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open feet.
Tail: Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back; with slight curve; short as compared with size of the hound; with brush. Defects--A long tail. Teapot Teapot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail with absence of brush.
Coat: A close, hard, hound coat of medium length. Defects--A short, thin coat, or of a soft quality.
Color: Any true hound color.
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.
Height and Weight: Height: Dogs 14-16 inches (36-41cm) Bitches 13-15 inches (33-38cm)
There are two height classes, 13-15 inches (33-38cm) and under 13 inches (33cm).
Weight: Dogs 22-25 pounds (10-11kg) Bitches 20-23 pounds (9-10kg)
Life Expectancy: About 12-15 years