From The International Encyclopedia of Dogs:

The Beagle is a scent hound, developed in the British Isles Where it hunted mainly rabbit and hare in packs, the huntsmen originally following on foot. In the ancient Celtic, French, and Old English languages you can find similar words words- each meaning "small"- beag, beigh, and begle. One of these may be responsible for the smallest scent hound's name.

Written references to the breed can be found as far back as Chaucer in the fourteenth century and the Beagle has evolved quite naturally ever since, free of cross breeding and exaggeration. Huntsmen of the 18th century often worked with small beagles which could fit in their hunting coat's pockets, their diminutive size later giving rise to the expression "pocket beagle" which is used to describe the smaller specimens.

As the population of game in parts of the United States and Canada decreased, the Beagle's involvement with hunting became centered more and more on rabbit. Whilst they are sometimes hunted as packs, and accompanied by mounted horsemen, Beagles were originally bred to be followed on foot and this is largely a practice that persists. The British Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1873, and the original specimens seen in the show ring were pack-bred hounds. With the decline of hunting in the United Kingdom since the 1950's the beagle has become increasingly popular as a companion and show dog, as it is in the United States where many field trials are held to this day. The compact size, robust physique, and biddable temperament of this smart little hound have contributed to it's great popularity as a companion. Sadly, these are the very qualities which have found favor with vivisectionists, and it remains a constant cause of concern among Beagle breeders that, without careful vetting by prospective purchasers, their puppies may find their way to laboratories via unscrupulous middle men. However, many research establishments now breed their own Beagles in sterile surroundings and fewer dogs are brought in.

In recent years the American beagle has contributed significantly to the progress of it's British counterpart as a show dog with a number of prepotent imported stud dogs traveling across the Atlantic to the breed's homeland. This has resulted in the British Beagle becoming a more compact well knit breed with a better finished muzzle and softer expression, more level topline, and greater hind angulation. The "smartness" of the American influence has helped to establish the Beagle as a regular contender in Variety competitions, and since the 1970's the breed has produced many Group and Best in Show winners in the United Kingdom.

The fact that the breed is shown as two different sized varieties in the United States has meant that America's loss has been Britain's gain, with the American maximum height in the larger variety (15 inches/39cm) being 1 inch/2.5 cm less than it's British equivalent. There still remains a tendency for the British show beagles to be at the upper limits of the Breed Standard's requirements for height, which is why there is never any shortage of buyers when a top-class American Beagle "measures out" in the American show ring. The maximum height of 15 inches/39 cm has in many cases been a great asset to breeders in Great Britain and will probably long remain so.

The Beagle should be amiable and alert, able to cope with any situation and never ill-adjusted. It is an ideal family dog and the perfect children's companion. A Beagle will join in the most boisterous of games, and enjoy any amount of exercise, remaining tolerant and placid no matter what childish indignities are leveled against it. Although not developed as a guard dog, and lacking any aggressive tenancies, it will none- the-less fill the role of home protector in that it will soon let it's owners know of the presence of strangers, with it's unique "baying" bark.

Beagles respond well to basic obedience. It is essential that the breed to come when it is called, as this can avert disaster should a potential "hunting" situation arise and it's apparently buried natural instincts surface!

Because of it's equable nature, handy size, and easily cared for coat, the beagle adapts well to a home or kennel environment, but owners should always be aware of the breed's hunting instincts, deep seated as they may be after many generations. One solitary beagle left in isolation for long periods will soon become bored and out of sheer frustration may become destructive in the home. Given the company of another human or canine, it will thrive and be quite undemanding.