POCKET BEAGLES OR MINATURE BEAGLES


The first reference about "Pocket Beagles" can be found in the Elizabethan period. Queen Elizabeth I- was known to have these type beagles. It is said that they were small enough to be carried in a glove or gauntlet.  The standard of the British Beagle Club in 1890 stated "that they should be no more than 10 inches in height......should be compact and symmetrical throughout, of true Beagle type and show great quality and breeding."

The current British Beagle Standard and the current American Kennel Club Standard DOES NOT make mention of the "Pocket Beagle", at all. In England the standard reads that "the desirable height should not exceed sixteen inches or fall below thirteen inches.  The American Standard has two size "varieties"  13 inches and under, or over 13" to 15 inches.  Any dog over 15 inches in America can be disqualified from the showring.

While there may be a few beagles that have the genetic tendency to be very small, you must also consider whether the dog looks like a beagle or just a small dog with beagle coloring.  Many structural problems, whelping problems and other genetic concerns must be considered when breeding beagles.  Breeding for size only could be a disaster waiting to happen.

I would hesistate to purchase a beagle for its unusual size, especially if the breeder was wanting a higher price for this "rare" pocket beagle.  One source  states that a "reputable breeder" does not breed for pocket beagles.  Pocket Beagles are DEFINITELY NOT a special size recognized by AKC.

FYI--you can breed two 13 inch beagles and get an entire litter of 15 inch beagles and vice versa.  Or you can get a litter with some of both sizes AT MATURITY.  Reputable breeders make educated guesses at 8-12 weeks of age; but no one can guarantee that a puppy will stay a 13 or 15. That would be like looking at a 6 year old and guessing if he will be tall enough to play basketball or be stocky like a linebacker.!!
  
 

Pocket beagles were bred in the 1300's and 1400's and were said to be about 9" at the withers (shoulder). There is no such thing as a modern-day pocket beagle and in fact, the term "pocket beagle" has become synonomous with poor quality puppies bred for the pet market, and often sold to pet shops. Reputable (U.S.) breeders breed according to the Standard defined by the American Kennel Club, which includes two height varieties: not exceeding 13" at the withers, and not exceeding 15". The light bones, high ear sets and toyish heads that tend to go along with very small sized beagles are listed as faults.

In addition to not breeding according to the standard, the majority of "pocket beagle" breeders allow many of the common genetic defects (e.g., hip dysplasia and epilepsy) to be passed along. The result is often an unhealthy dog.

If you still want a small beagle, then consider the option of adopting a fully grown adult from a rescue or the pound. Most beagles are fully grown by about 1-1/2 years, and breeders can usually tell by about 8 months if a beagle will remain under 13".

Author - Ruth Darlene Stewart 
www.AlaDarBeagles.com
Thank you Ruth