The beagle is a breed of small scent hound, similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound. The beagle was developed primarily for hunting hare.

What breeds make a Beagle?

The Beagle we know today was created from several breeds, including the Talbot Hound, the Northern Hound, the Southern Hound and the Harrier. Known as "scent hounds," these breeds imbued the Beagle with a great sense of smell, making them excellent hunters of rabbits and rodents.

How are beagles created?

Early Beagles — small enough to fit in your pocket

In the 18th century, two new hound breeds were developed: The Southern Hound and the North Country Beagle. As fox hunting increased in popularity, these dogs were crossed with larger dog breeds such as Stag Hounds, eventually creating the Foxhound.