Pocket Beagle

Beagles are one among the most popular dog breeds. It is believed that beagle like dogs have been found with humans for a very long time. It was during the latter half of the nineteenth century that the modern breed of beagle was developed in England. Since then, this dog breed has been loved by the people of this land and now, they are available in other parts of the world too. There are many different types of beagles and pocket beagles are one among them.

What is a Pocket Beagle

Beagles are hounds that have drooping ears, wide eyes, short legs, athletic bodies and short hair. They are active dogs with a gentle disposition. These intelligent dogs have been raised by humans for hunting purposes. Even though, there was no set standard to classify a dog as a beagle, by the medieval period, people started classifying smaller hounds as beagles. It was during the 1300s that miniature beagles were developed in England. Even the British monarchs kept such dogs as pets, who accompany the former during hunting. It is said that Edward II and Henry VII had glove beagles (so named after their size that can fit into gloves) or old English pocket beagles. It is said that these dogs were small enough to fit in the pocket and during hunting, they used to chase small animals like rabbits, through the underbrush.

Even Queen Elizabeth I had a small-sized breed of beagle and it was termed as pocket beagle. Records suggest that these beagles had a height of around nine inches at the shoulder. It is said that both pocket and glove beagles are terms used to refer to the same breed only, but, some people claim that both are different. There are some other references like, the one made by the 17th century poet Gervase Markham, who referred to a miniature beagle small enough to be accommodated on a man's hand. However, it is believed that these breeds became extinct and the miniature beagles that exist today are the result of the efforts made by breeders in recreating such small-sized beagles. These dogs are being sold in the name of Queen Elizabeth pocket beagles and old English pocket beagles.

Set Standards

Today, pocket beagle is a much controversial topic, as experts consider that original breed has become extinct and the present day variety is said to be created through poor breeding. As per the standards drawn up during 1901, a pocket beagle, must have a height that ranges between 7 to 12 inches (at shoulders) and a weight of 3 to 7 kilograms. They have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years and come in a variety of colors like tan, white, lemon, black, red and orange. These beagles are found to have a gentle nature and are also excellent with kids and other pets. Another advantage of this dog is that it is perfect for a small house or apartment, due to the small size. They can be trained easily and require less grooming.

Due to the controversy regarding the breeding standards of this dog, you must check the pedigree, before buying one. It is said that some breeders create small-sized dogs by breeding beagles with dachshunds. There are various other such allegations so, be careful while adopting a pocket beagle. In case, you are going for a Queen Elizabeth pocket beagle, you must ask for the Queen Elizabeth Pocket Breeds Foundation birth certificate, which is issued by the International All Breed Canine Association. In case of an old English pocket beagle, a registration with the Olde English Pocket Beagle Registry is required. Y