Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle (Toy Beagle) Breed Standard

General Description

Joli is only 10 lbs. as a full grown adult

The Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle is the Toy Beagle.  It resembles the standard beagle, in miniature, but was bred to be a pet, and may have a softer look than the traditional hunting beagle hound that was bred for the field.

The Toy Beagle head is in proportion to the body. Skull- fairly long, slightly domed, not too narrow or too broad. Ears set near moderately low, long, rounded, not narrow. The ears should not be excessively heavy. The muzzle is of fair length and straight with the top moderately defined, not roman nosed or thin. It is proportional to the face. The muzzle can be moderately square cut or rounded, but should not be pointy or dish shaped. It should come to a blunt end. The chin definite enough to preclude snippiness. The teeth meet in a scissor bite. Eyes large and round, with a gentle, soft, and intelligent expression. Any eye color is allowed. The skin covers well and is not excessively loose. The neck should be well proportioned to the body, not too thick and not too thin. The neck can be of medium length to moderately long but is never short or excessively long. The throat should be clean and free from folds of skin. Shoulders sloping, are clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded, conveying the idea of freedom of action with activity. The back is moderate to medium in length. The length from back of the front leg to stop of the tail preferred at a ratio of no more than 1:5 compared to height. The overall substance of the dog should be proportionate, without being overly light or cloddy. The hindquarters are strong and cleanly muscled. The tail is moderate as compared with the size of the dog free of kinks or twists. Tail set may vary so long as it is not carried tightly onto the back. The coat length is short to medium and sleek with good hair coverage. The coat may have a variety of textures to its coat including a smooth coat, a softer coat, a curly coat, or a slightly wired hound type coat. All colors and patterns are allowed.

Temperament

The Toy Beagle is a family dog first. It should have a love for humans and a preference for its master over its canine pack. Less vocal, than its predecessor, the beagle, the Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle has diminished prey drive and lower activity level, making them more suited to the sedentary life of a house pet.

The Toy Beagle is a gentle, typically calm dog.  But it has a lively and curious nature making it entertaining with children and generally good with other dogs and pets ideally when socialized with them from early on.

They are cuddly and love to be near their owners.  However, they should be walked on a leash and confined to a fenced yard because they love to explore.

Size

Height: Standard - 9-13 inches (23-33 cm.)

Height: Miniature 5-11 inches (12-28 cm.)

Weight Standard: 12 - 20 pounds (5.4 - 9 kg.)

Weight Miniature: 4 - 11 pounds (1.8 - 5 kg.)

Health

The breed development began in 2002 and there have not been genetic health issues.  Early testing was done on breeding stock as initially selected for improvement of the breed.

History

In Medieval times, there was a breed of dog called a pocket beagle, which stood at 8 to 9 inches. Small enough to fit in a “pocket” or saddlebag, they rode along on the hunt. The larger hounds would run the prey to the ground, then the hunters would release the small beagles to continue the chase through the underbrush into their burrows. Queen Elizabeth I often entertained guests at her royal table by letting her pocket beagles cavort amid their plates and cups. This genetic line is now extinct. The modern Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle is a re-creation of that dog.

The Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle was originally started and trademarked in 2002 by Rebecca VanMeter of Indiana.  It was the foundation line for the toy breeds developed by the the Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle Foundation breeders.  Only child safe breeds were used that were stable in temperament and were not snappish.  In 2011 it was decided that the Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle be re categorized as a ‘toy’ rather than ‘hound’ based on its unique genetic heritage, companion dog temperament, and smaller toy dog size and should henceforth be recognized to be the Toy Beagle.

A companion breed of toy grouping

The Toy Beagle will do fine in an apartment. Their small size makes them a great alternative for someone who loves the larger Beagle but wants a companion dog that will be content as a house pet, not a hunter.