Explore the fascinating history of Beagles, from their ancient origins to their rise in the dog show world and beyond.
Dr. Charles Kitchell
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, March 2014 issue.
Tone-age people in Europe
Some 20,000 years ago, tamed dogs to help them track game.
700s
St. Hubert, the Patron Saint of the huntsmen, kept a pack of pure hounds in the Ardennes, Belgium, during the early 700s.
1066
William the Conqueror introduced the Talbot Hound when he invaded England from France in 1066. The Talbot hound became the old Southern Hound and had a strong influence on the breed’s development.
1695
King William III, William of Orange, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, kept a pack of Beagles. William organized the great hunt at Welbeck in 1695 that was followed by 400 horsemen. Later hunts were enjoyed on foot.
1735
William Somerville wrote the classic poem, “The Chase,” in 1735. He kept twelve couple of Beagles.
1845
Royal Rock Beagles, the oldest active pack in the world, was established.
1857
The Cockermouth Beagles were established in 1857 at Cockermouth, England. Dr. John Henry “Stonehenge” Walsh, the first all-breed judge in England, referred to the Cockermouth Beagles to compile the “points and description,” the first Beagle standard.
1876
Beagles were exhibited for the first time in all-breed shows in the US in the three cities of Chicago, New York (not Westminster), and Kansas City. Lee (Turner’s Warrior x Rowett’s Rosie) placed first at Kansas City.
1877
Three of the seven Beagles exhibited at the first annual Westminster show were bred by General Richard Rowett.
1884
Dr. L.H. Twaddell, General Richard Rowett, and Norman Elmore authored the first American Beagle standard at the request of the American English Beagle Club. The standard was based on the Stonehenge standard.
1890
The National Beagle Club “merged into” the American English Beagle Club. A field trial was held during the first year. 13″ Dual Ch Frank Forest was named the winner of the first event.
1901
Ch Windholme’s Bangle, a bitch, was the first Beagle to receive a best in show. Windholme was the leading kennel and pack in the early twentieth century.
1921
F. Banting and H. Best injected the first dog, a 15″ tri-colored Beagle named Marjorie, with the new insulin extract that has saved the lives of numerous human and animal diabetics.
1925
The Wisconsin Snow-Shoe Beagle Club was formed. Four years later, the first licensed Beagle specialty was held. Imp Torpe Satchville Bellman was named the first Best in Show. The Wisconsin Beagle Club is the oldest Beagle specialty in the world.
1930
“Snow-Shoe” was dropped when cottontails were hunted. Also, the 13″ gold and white Ch Saddlerock Sandman was named number one sire and proved that “any hound color” was permissible.
1937-38
Mrs. W. “Sadie” Edmiston received three bests in show with her 14″ bitch, Ch Merry Hicks. Sadie was the first AKC female all-breed judge. Also, Fd Ch Sammy R was said to be “one of the very best 13″ dog hounds in America today.”
1945
A picture of Ch Duke Sinatra was published. A painting of Duke Sinatra is permanently displayed at the AKC offices in Raleigh, NC. The picture is often mentioned as the epitome of the Beagle standard.
1949
Life Magazine featured 15″ Am Can Ch Tornridge Wrinkles in its publication. Wrinkles was the number one conformation sire of all time.
1954
Fd Ch Gray’s Linesman remained the number one field trial sire of all time. Lineman was known as the “sire of sires.” Owned by Elmer Gray, Indianapolis.
1970
Eight-time best in show winner 15″ King’s Creek Triple Treat was named Best of Breed at the first national specialty held at Aldie, Virginia. Bred by all-breed judge Michelle Leathers Billings.
1976
Seven-time Best in Show winner 15″ Ch Navan’s Triple Trouble Rick was the first Beagle to win successive breeds at the national specialty. Bred by Nancy Vanstrum, Florida.
1980
15″ Am Can Ch Starbuck’s Hang ’Em High was named number one Beagle of all time. “Pru” amassed 21 all-breed Bests in Show and 8 specialty Bests of Breed. Bred by David and Linda Hiltz, Michigan.
1985
13″ Am Can Ch Teloca Patches Littl’ Dickens was named number one sire and 13″ Beagle of all time with 12 Best in Show wins, 1 national specialty win, and 3 Westminster varieties. Bred by Marie Shuart, Florida.
1993
Twenty-four-time best in show winner 13″ Ch Lanbur Miss Fleetwood was named number one Beagle of all time. “Judy” also received two national specialty bests of breed. Bred and co-owned by Wade Burns and Jon Woodring, North Carolina. Co-owned by Eddie Dziuk.
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