THE BEAGLE 73 



tells us nothing about the size of the hound most 

 to be desired, but we learn from history that the 

 Beagle was known in the days of the ancient Britons. 

 Old authorities tell us that they were very slender 

 and small, so bred that one hand might encompass 

 the whole of their body. Queen Elizabeth had a 

 pack which were called " Singing Beagles," and 

 James I. was much devoted to them. George IV., 

 when Prince of Wales, hunted on the Downs round 

 Brighton. However small they may be, they are 

 game little fellows, even the toys, or Pocket Beagles 

 as they are usually called, of 10 inches and under, 

 facing the thickest gorse with magnificent courage, 

 in order to drive out rabbits. The Beagle used for 

 hare-hunting must of necessity have a fair pace, 

 and in order to achieve this his legs must be fault- 

 lessly straight, the body well put together, with deep 

 ribs and loins, and thighs hard with muscle. A 

 Rabbit Beagle may stand on shorter legs, and it is 

 not so much of a drawback if his body is longer 

 and heavier in proportion. Probably the rough- 

 coated ones are better for this work than the smooth, 

 being more fitted to stand rough usage in gorse and 

 scrub. In getting together a pack one has a choice 

 of various sizes ranging from 10 to 16 inches in 

 height at the shoulder, but the latter should not be 

 exceeded. 



In general appearance the Beagle is compactly 

 built, without any trace of coarseness. The head 

 is of fair length and powerful without being coarse, 

 the skull moderately wide showing a certain amount 

 of peak, and the stop well defined. The muzzle 

 should not be snipy. The eyes may be brown, dark 

 hazel, or hazel, neither deep-set nor prominent, and 



