All About Miniature Beagles
You’ve hunted around in a shelter or at Petfinder.com and see a really cute little dog described as a “Miniature Beagle”. You go to the American Kennel Club (AKC) website and see there is no such breed as a miniature Beagle. What’s going on here? Well, the dog could very well be a new trend in Beagle breeding ? for “teacup” or sizes under twelve inches tall at the withers (highest point of the shoulder.)
The first recorded miniature Beagle was in the 1300’s. They appear in royal portraits with noses pointier than today’s standards and legs more like Corgis or Bassett Hounds than the rangy Beagle. Lovers of Beagle information found that miniature Beagles were also called “Pocket Beagles” and “Glove Beagles.” Sometimes today they are advertised as “Teacup Beagles”, although the term “Miniature Beagles” is much preferred.
Miniature Beagles are part of the growing group of dogs known as “designer dogs”. Although designer dogs can include hybrids and mixes for the desired result, many designer dog breeders focus their efforts at producing miniature versions of popular breeds. Officially the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize a breed called “Miniature Beagles”. “Miniature Beagles” seems to be more of an advertising gimmick to catch the eyes of someone who is looking specifically for a small dog. With the popularity of small dogs used as fashion accessories by starlets like Paris Hilton, any small dog that looks different from the usual suspect breeds will draw attention.
Miniature Beagles have been successfully trained to be happy home companions and playmates for children and other dogs. But you must be patient and keep at it. All Beagle types were bred to be busy. However, unlike some other purebreds, all Beagle types will move heaven and earth for food. Here is a great key for training your miniature Beagle. Be consistent and keep training sessions just a few minutes long. Save a special treat to be given only on the successful execution of a desired behavior.
So how small is a miniature Beagle? The average height is a mere ten inches tall. But getting a litter of miniature Beagle puppies is a genetic crapshoot. All Beagles have the genes to be any height. So, even if two miniature Beagles are bred, the puppies may grow well over thirteen inches tall at the withers.
Beware of any Beagle eating himself sick. And don’t leave out any food on the counter unsupervised! Some miniature Beagles have been trained to use a cat litter box.
But are miniature Beagles healthy? They sure are cute and full of personality. But as a whole, miniature Beagles are an unhealthy and supremely hyperactive lot. Designer dog breeder are, of course, working on making this Beagle type more healthy, but results will be generations (in dog years) down the line.
If you really want a unique looking dog, go adopt a mutt from an animal shelter. It’ll cost you a lot less and save a dog’s life.