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(C) Johnson County Animal Clinic
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March Dog: Beagle 
The Beagle has existed in Britain at least since the reign of Edward III. It is said that Edward III used a pack of 120 of them on the battlefield during the One Hundred Years' War. The name Beagle may come from the Old English or Welsh word for "small" being "beag", or the French word for "open throat" or more idiomatically, "loudmouth", "begueule." During the Renaissance they were used to hunt hares and wild rabbits in Wales and France, and have also been used to hunt wild pig and even deer in Scandinavia, as well as cottontail rabbit in the United States. In both Canada and the U.S. the Beagle was used as a gundog to both seek out and retrieve. Beagles were known as the best hare dog among small hounds. They are small-medium sized dogs today, but during the reign of King Henry VIII, were said to be so small they could fit in your pocket. Beagles in their day were allegedly about 8 or 9 inches tall. This coined the name "Pocket Beagles", in which King Henry VIII's daughter Elizabeth I owned many. These "Pocket Beagles" are allegedly extinct, although some claim they crop up in litters once in a while. Beagles are the most chosen dog for animal testing due to their passive and adaptive personalities. During 1954 they were the most popular dog in the United States, and continued to remain on the Top 10 most popular dog breed list for many years. Today, Beagles serve as drug-sniffing dogs, as well as sniffer dogs that search out food in luggage being transferred to the U.S. These Beagles are called the Beagle Brigade. Beagles have been used in numerous films such as Copper from The Fox and the Hound by Disney, comic strips such as Peanuts by Charles M. Shulz, and books such as Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds.
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The Beagle has soft brown or hazel eyes that give way to their warm personality but do not reveal their admirable courage and stamina. A truly trustworthy friend can be found in Beagles and they makes a great family pet as they are eager to romp and play. Beagles are a good watchdog as they can be trained to hunt. Known as the "singing Beagle," they have a sweet hunting voice, but if left alone may howl. Training will alleviate this problem, and they usually do not howl when inside the house with family. They will adapt well to a home or kennel environment, but new owners should be aware of natural hunting instincts and they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Beagles come in a variety of colors, but usually with white feet and chest, as well as the tip of their tail, with tan and black markings on their backs. They are small and lean, and slightly longer than they are tall. Beagles have ears that naturally droop down. The Beagle also has excellent scenting abilities, as they are of the Hound group, and will follow a scent if given the opportunity. Known for their short stature and sweet disposition, Beagles make excellent companion and hunting dogs.