Beagle Dog
Beagle Breed Standard
The standards which have been adopted by the American Beagle Club and approved by the American Kennel Club set the present-day ideal for which Beagle breeders are aiming. It is by these standards that the dog is judged in the show ring.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: A sturdy, compactly-built hound.
HEAD: The Beagle is one of the most refined dogs. The skull is not flat, but rather slightly domed. The muzzle is slightly longer than the top skull, full and broad.
The mouth of the Beagle is even, with a scissors bite, when the upper incisors overlap the lower ones only so much that their inner surface just touches the outer surface of the lower incisors. An overshot mouth (short and weak under jaw, or "fish mouth") and the undershot mouth (protruding lower jaw) are penalized.
EYES: The eyes should be dark brown or hazel; yellow or other light color is a fault. The eyes must be set well apart; there should be approximately the breadth of one eye between the eyes.
EARS: The ears are long, naturally round at the tip.
NOSE: The nose is solid black in Beagles that have black anywhere in the coat marking. In dogs with tan markings only, a liver-colored nose may be acceptable, although even in them, black is preferred. The nostrils are large and open.
NECK AND SHOULDERS: The neck is long and strong. It is long enough that the dog is able to take food from the floor without spreading its front legs. The shoulders are flat, without evidence of short, bunched or bulging muscles over them. Un upright shoulder is one of the worst faults in Beagle.
BODY: The back must be short and level, and the body compact.
LEGS: The front legs must be absolutely straight. Bowed legs (lower legs curve outward) or trussed legs (the feet are farther apart than the elbows) are considered faults. The feet should be short, round, small, and cat-like, with rugged, substantial nails, worn down short. The pad is thick and tough for long usage over rough or rocky terrain without crippling injury. The hindquarters are wide and thick with generous musculature.
TAIL: The tail should be carried high, in a slight graceful curve, but not so far forward as to lean toward the front. The tail is never docked.
COAT: The coat of the Beagle is moderately long, but smooth, heavy, straight and flat. There is no undercoat. The coat on the head, ears, and front of the legs is short, with a longer frill on the neck, back of the legs, and tail. The coat is never trimmed or shortened.
COLOR: The color is "any true Hound color": black, tan, or black-and-tan on a white ground, although gray, brindle, or grizzle are acceptable. Liver color is not acceptable.
SIZE: Minimum height at withers should be 33 cm (13 inches), maximum height 40 cm (16 ins).
MAJOR FAULTS: A very flat skull, narrow across the top; excess of dome; eyes small, sharp, and terrierlike or prominent and protruding; muzzle long, snippy or cut away below the eyes, or very short. Ears short, set on high or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin. A thick, short neck; chest disproportionately wide; very long, swayed back; flat narrow loin; flat ribs; a long tail; rat tail with absence of brush; short, thin or soft coat; height over 15 inches.
CLASSIFICATION: According to the official standard of the Beagle by F.C.I., Beagle is classified under Group 6 (Scenthounds) - Small-sized Hounds with working trial. At bench shows and field trials, Beagles are subdivided into two classes: dogs 15 inches in height or under and those 13 inches or under.
Field Trials: During field trials, beagles are run in braces (pairs). Most generally, the cottontail rabbit is used as game, although hares are used too. The trainer tries to get the beagle to follow a comparatively cold trail until the quarry has gone to earth or has been caught. The young beagle must be the type to enjoy working in rough, unknown territory, irrespective of the weather.
|