The Beagle, also called English Beagle (due to its origins) is a small dog with a long history, its origins can be traced back to the 5th century BC. All hunting dogs of this time, the Beagle being one of them, were imported to Rome, and from there possibly even to Roman Britain. Since medieval times, the term beagle was used as a generic description for all smaller hounds, and the standards for this race were drawn as late as 1901. Beagles were imported to the United States by 1840, and the breed was accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884. They have always been more popular in America than in any other country, and many clubs for this specific breed have been formed. It's a very common race, used for both hunting and as family pets. They were the most popular breed in America during the 1950s. They were bred to hunt rabbit and hare during the 17th and 18th centuries. The name Beagle dates back, according to the Oxford Dictionary, to 1475.

In general Beagles look very similar to foxhounds. They have short-haired and smooth fur-coats with colours ranging from red and white, tan and white, lemon and white to blue. The most common colouring is a mixture of tan, white and black. This breed tends to be very stubborn without the right training, and can be very stubborn while training as well, but once trained it fits nicely as a family pet. It is kind, loyal, affectionate and playful. It might be good to note that the younger Beagles chew a lot as well, so keep valuable items far out of reach. They also tend to wander off if you don't keep an eye on them.

Beagles were created to hunt, an activity that has later become known as beagling. They were perfect companions for older people who could not follow on horseback without tiring themselves, and for others who could not afford horses. Before the 19th century hunting was an activity that took the whole day, and was more of a hobby than a necessity for the richer part of the population. The Beagles ran together in pack, side by side, to cover a larger area. Beagles have been used for other tasks as well, such as detection and therapy. They are also the breed of dogs that have been used most for animal testing.

The regular lifespan of a Beagle is 10-14 years, and some of the common sicknesses they may acquire during this time are thyroid problems, hip dysplasia, spinal problems, cataracts, glaucoma, epilepsy, retinal atrophy and bleeding disorders.