April 22nd is dedicated to Beagles! These cute, lovable pooches make cheerful and happy family pets. They deserve their own day of celebration! A veterinarian discusses this charming pooch below.

History

The Beagle has been around for quite a while. The name Beagle itself may have ancient roots. It could stem from the Gaelic word beag, which means ‘little.’ Some say it could stand for be’geule, which is a French ‘translation’ of the sounds hunting dogs make. Records of small hunting hounds in England predates the arrival of the Romans in 55 BC. The AKC officially registered the first Beagle, a pup named Blunder, in 1885.

Grooming

A Beagle’s coat colors can range from yellow to red and white. Many are tricolored. As you may know, these pups have adorable floppy ears. They are prone to ear infections, so you’ll need to keep Fido’s ears clean. Regular brushing is also a must. Beagles shed continuously through the year, but they shed most heavily in spring. Dental care and nail trimming is also important. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Hound Dog

The Beagle is naturally a great tracker. That cute little nose is quite powerful at picking up scents! Snoopy is also a foothound, which means he can be followed on foot. This trait was once highly valued. It used to be common for people to hunt for their food. Not everyone could afford a horse, which made hunting difficult. People with Beagles could keep up with their quarries on foot. 

It’s worth mentioning that Beagles are famous for following their noses, and are known for running off after scents. Make sure that your fencing is secure, and don’t let your canine buddy run around off-leash.

Activity

Beagles are small dogs, but they’re very active and playful. Fido will need lots of exercise and playtime. These lovable pups are also extremely sociable, and tend to get into trouble when left alone. Make sure your Beagle has a friend to play with!

Snoopy

Ons of the most famous Beagles ever is Snoopy. Charlie Brown’s furry buddy was ‘born’ back in 1950. If you want to see something really cute, look up the animated video of the iconic pair meeting.

Do you have questions? Contact us, your veterinary clinic, today!