A-Quality Beagles, Reg'd

AKC Beagle Breed Standard

Did you know?
-In 1888 the National Beagle Club was formed and held the first field trail.
-The height limit of a Beagle in the United States is 15 inches; in England, 16 inches.
-Beagles do not drool or have a doggy odor, and shedding is minimal.
So you want to own a Beagle?
The Beagle’s coat is short and requires minimal grooming. A regular brushing and bath will help control the shedding process.
No Beagle should be allowed to roam free, as its nose will surely get it into trouble.
Future Beagle owners should be aware that Beagles are known to bark as part of their hunting heritage.

Breed Standard

Head
The skull should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput with cranium broad and full.
Ears--Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the end of the nose; fine in texture,
fairly broad-with almost entire absence of erectile power-setting close to the head, with the forward edge slightly inturning to
the cheek--rounded at tip.
Eyes--Eyes large, set well apart-soft and hound like--expression gentle and pleading; of a brown or hazel color.
Muzzle--Muzzle of medium length-straight and square--cut--the stop moderately defined.
Jaws--Level. Lips free from flews; nostrils large and open.
Defects--A very flat skull, narrow across the top; excess of dome, eyes small, sharp and terrier like, or prominent and
protruding; muzzle long, snipy or cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-
faced expression. Ears short, set on high or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin.

Body
Neck and Throat--Neck rising free and light from the shoulders strong in substance yet not loaded, of medium length. The
throat clear and free from folds of skin; a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, may be allowable. Defects--A
thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree
termed “throatiness.”
Shoulders and Chest--Shoulders sloping--clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded--conveying the idea of freedom of action
with activity and strength. Chest deep and broad, but not broad enough to interfere with the free play of the shoulders.
Defects--Straight, upright shoulders. Chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth.
Back, Loin and Ribs--Back short, muscular and strong. Loin broad and slightly arched, and the ribs well sprung, giving
abundance of lung room. Defects--very long or swayed or roached back. Flat, narrow loin. Flat ribs.

Forelegs and Feet
Forelegs--Straight, with plenty of bone in proportion to size of hound. Pasterns short and straight. Feet-Close, round and
firm. Pad full and hard. Defects-Out at elbows. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs crooked or
Dachshundlike. Feet long, open, or spreading.
Hips, Thighs, Hind Legs and Feet--Hips and thighs strong and well-muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles
strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical and moderately bent. Feet close and firm. Defects--Cowhocks, or straight
hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open feet.
Tail--Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned over the back; with slight curve; short as compared with the size of
hound; with brush. Defects--A long tail. Teapot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail with absence of brush.
Coat--A close, hard, hound coat of medium length. Defects--A short, thin, or of a soft quality.
Color--Any true hound color.

General Appearance--A miniature foxhound, solid and big for his inches, with the wear-and-tear look of the hound that can
last in the chase and follow his quarry to death.

Scale of Points

Head
Skull                                                             5
Ears                                                            10
Eyes                                                             5
Muzzle                                                          5                      25
Body
Neck                                                             5
Chest and shoulders                                   15
Back, loin and ribs                                       15                     35
Running Gear
Forelegs                                                      10
Hips, thighs and hind legs                            10
Feet                                                             10                    30
Coat                                                              5
Stern                                                             5                    10
Total                                                                                        100

Varieties--There shall be two varieties:
Thirteen Inch--which shall be for hounds not exceeding 13 inches in height.
Fifteen Inch--which shall be for hounds over 13 but not exceeding 15 inches in height.
Disqualification--Any hound measuring more than 15 inches shall be disqualified.

Packs of Beagles

Score of Points for Judging
Hounds
General levelness of pack                                      40%
Individual merit of hounds                                       30%
                                                              70%

Manners                                                                 20%
Appointments                                                         10%
Total                                                                   100%

Levelness of Pack--The first thing in a pack to be considered is that they present a unified appearance. The hounds must
be as near the same height, weight, conformation and color as possible.
Individual Merit of the Hounds--Is the individual Bench-show quality of the hounds. A very level and sporty pack can be gotten
together and not a single hound be a good Beagle. This is to be avoided.
Manners--The hounds must all work together gaily and cheerfully, with flags up--obeying all commands cheerfully. They
should be broken to heel up, kennel up, follow promptly and stand. Cringing, sulking, lying down to be avoided. Also, a pack
must not work as though in horror of master and whips. In Beagle packs it is recommended that the whip be used a little as
possible.
Appointments--Master and whips should be dressed alike, the master or huntsman to carry the horn--the whips and master
to carry light long whips. One whip should carry extra couplings on shoulder strap.
Recommendations for Show Livery--Black velvet cap, white stock, green coat, white breeches or knickerbockers, green or
black stockings, white spats, black or brown shoes. Vest and gloves optional. Ladies should turn out exactly the same except
for a white skirt instead of white breeches.

Approved September 10, 1957

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