Canis lupus familiaris
Beagle
Featured photobeagle.jpgThe Beagle is a small scent hound developed in England for hunting hare. The modern breed traces to the pack established by Reverend Phillip Honeywood at Midhurst in Essex in the 1830s, which became the foundation of the Beagle Club of England (1890). The AKC registered the first Beagle (Blunder) in 1885; the FCI assigns the breed to Group 6. The standard describes a sturdy, compact hound 33 to 41 cm at the withers with a short dense double coat and the long, low-set ears of the scent-hound clade.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- England
- Origin period
- 16th century
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Tricolour (Black, White, Tan), Lemon and White, Red and White, Blue Tick, Red Tick, Hare Pied, Badger Pied
- Average lifespan
- 12-15 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1885 · FCI 1957 · UKC 1884 · Group 6 — Scent Hounds and Related Breeds (Section 1.3: Small-sized Hounds)
Origin
The modern Beagle dates to the pack established by Reverend Phillip Honeywood at Midhurst, Essex, in the 1830s, which combined the white-bodied Southern Hound with the lighter North Country Beagle to fix the modern compact type. Earlier 'beagle'-like small scent-hounds — the Glove Beagle, the Pocket Beagle (small enough to be carried in a saddle pouch) — are documented in England from the 15th century but had largely died out by the time Honeywood's line stabilized. The Beagle Club of England was founded in 1890; the American Beagle Club followed in 1888.
Recognition
The United Kennel Club recognized the Beagle in 1884 — its first registered dog of any breed. The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1885, registering Blunder as the first Beagle of record. The Kennel Club (UK) recognized the breed in 1873. The FCI standard (FCI No. 161) is held by the Kennel Club on behalf of the country of origin (Great Britain).
Standard
The AKC standard recognizes two size varieties — under 33 cm at the withers (13-inch) and 33-38 cm (15-inch); the FCI standard sets the range at 33 to 40 cm without a sub-variety split. The double coat is short, dense, and weatherproof. Recognized colours include the classic tricolour (black, white, tan), lemon and white, red and white, the blue and red tick patterns, and the hare-pied and badger-pied variants. Hallmark features are the long, low-set ears (which reach the tip of the nose when extended forward) and the moderate, white-tipped 'stern' tail carried high but not curled over the back.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-29
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
What is the Beagle's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Beagle in the Hound Group. The Hound Group gathers breeds developed for the hunt by sight or by scent — the Beagle is a scent hound, alongside Bloodhounds, Coonhounds, Foxhounds, and Dachshunds. The FCI takes the same view and classifies the breed in Group 6 under the Scent Hounds and Related Breeds.
When was the Beagle officially recognized?
The Kennel Club (UK) recognized the Beagle in 1873. The United Kennel Club, founded in 1898, registered the Beagle as its first breed of record in 1884. The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1885, registering Blunder as the first Beagle of record. The FCI standard (FCI No. 161) is maintained on behalf of the country of origin Great Britain.
What is the average lifespan of a Beagle?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Beagle's average lifespan in the 12 to 15-year range. The Kennel Club (UK) 2004 purebred-dog health survey median was 12.7 years, and AKC parent-club longevity data is consistent with that figure across the modern registry.
