AKC Breed Standard.
The Beagle Standard outlines exactly what makes a Beagle, a Beagle and is what every show breeder strives to breed for. Conformation dog shows are a competition to find which dog matches closest to its written breed standard, judged by AKC licensed judges. To learn more about AKC conformation dog shows, click here.
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Official Standard for the Beagle
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 houndlike-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 terrierlike, or prominent and protruding; muzzle long, snipy or cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-face 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 clean 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."
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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.
Running Gear
Forelegs and Feet: Forelegs-Straight, with plenty of bone in proportion to size of the 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 forward over the back; with slight curve; short as compared with size of the 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 coat, or of a soft quality.
Color: Any true hound color.
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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 the death.
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Scale of Points
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Head
Skull 5
Ears 10
Eyes 5
Muzzle 5
25
Body
Neck 5
Chest and shoulders 15
Back, loin and ribs 15
35
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Running Gear
Forelegs 10
Hips, thighs and hind legs 10
Feet 10
30
Coat 5
Stern 5
10
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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.
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***Not included is the portion on Packs of Beagles. These paragraphs pertain to working field dogs which Van-Mar Beagles does not breed. Illustrations included on this page are from the NBC Judge's Education website.
To read the full standard published by the American Kennel Club, click here.
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To read the Visualization of the Standard published by the National Beagle Club of America, click here.