Bluetick Beagle

The Bluetick Beagle, though less common than the red-and-white and red-and-black-and-white Beagle, are acceptable with the AKC. Bluetick color pattern in Beagles is in many ways similar to that of the Bluetick Coonhound, featuring dark-blue spots and flecks that can be of various colors. Actually, Beagles can occur in various hound colors.

Although the breed was officially registered in the 19th century, the breed’s history started much earlier. Beagle dogs were known back in the times of Edward VII, Henry II and Elizabeth I. Those early Beagle-type dogs were much smaller than the Beagle of today, and were commonly referred to as “Glove Beagles”, because they were so small that they could well fit on a glove. Those small Beagles were very different from modern Beagles. In the 1700s, there were two larger Beagle-type breeds: the North Country Beagle and the Southern Hound. These two breeds had different body formations, but both had a great sense of smell and were valuable among fox hunters. They are most likely to have contributed their gene to the modern Foxhound. In those days, Bluetick Beagles, were as common as those featuring other hound colors.

The 19th century was a turning point in the history of the breed, and the dog made a significant approach toward the Beagle of today according to appearance in the 1840s. However, dogs still varied in size, and there were two types: rough-coated (now extinct) and smooth-coated Beagles. The modern Beagle was developed from a pack of Beagles owned by Phillip Honeywood, who breed dogs with an emphasis on hunting instincts. Thomas Johnson continued to breed the dog, and he strove to make the Beagle more refined and attractive. Bluetick Beagles were also admitted to the breeding process.

The Beagle of today is a medium-sized hound-type dog, measuring 11-16 inches tall at the shoulder. The dog has inherited most traits typical of hound dogs in general, such as long hanging ears, moderately long limbs, and, in particular, very acute sense of smell. Beagles are very kind-hearted and people-oriented dogs, and they do not show aggression toward strangers. They are also very playful and energetic, exhibiting particular liking to activities that can boost their mental abilities. Their keen nose often interferes with training process, which makes them a little hard to train for inexperienced owners. Beagles of all colors are entitled to participation in field trials that evaluate their natural hunting aptitudes, and the Bluetick Beagle is no exception.