Snoopy from the Peanuts cartoons is a Beagle. They were bred to hunt in packs, so they enjoy company and most even do well with cats. Both the Beagle and Basset hound descend from the Saint Hubert hound or Bloodhound. But Beagles are also crossed with the Talbot and other smaller hounds for scenting out the hare (known as beagling) and foxes. The Hunting Act of 2004 has banned hare and fox hunting in England and Wales because of their rapidly declining populations. It is quite a brutal sport - the hares are chased and ripped apart by packs of dogs.

The modern Beagle breed was developed in Great Britain in the 1930s, it is a medium sized hound dog. They can make wonderful family pets when understood. Possessing a gentle, loving nature the Beagle is quite popular as a pet. Owners of the breed are attracted to their cute smiling faces, big eyes and long floppy ears. The tail is upright and white tipped. Active and attentive they require moderate exercise and walking. As a pack-dog they do like company and may suffer from loneliness and boredom when left to themselves. They instinctively bay, bark and howl which can become a problem. Their water-resistant coats have a moderate to high rate of shedding and it needs regular grooming. The long ears also require regular inspection and cleaning.
Beagles are notoriously difficult to train and command. Training needs to be fun and interesting for the dog to pay attention, especially when they are ‘locked-on-to’ an interesting scent. Food and positive reinforcements work well. As with all dogs, understanding the individual’s character and building a strong connection and bond is the ideal cornerstone of dog management and training. This breed loves its food, and many Beagles are fat, they love to raid food sources. They are often used for work at airports to scent out illegal agricultural products.
It is unfortunate for these dogs that they are the most commonly used breed for laboratory experimentation. Beagles have been used for this purpose for a long time, hundreds of years. Mainly because of their size, their easy going and gentle nature. They are docile and submissive dogs that tend to give birth easily and they often have good sized litters. Typical longevity of the Beagle is 12-15 years. In 2021 Human Research Australia estimates that more than 7,200 dogs were being used for research and testing in Australia in one year. There is no need for cruel and expensive animal testing and experimentation in the 21st century, we have simulators, computers and we can grow human tissue and organoids.
Pam Brandis,
Dip. Canine Prac.