
Head: The skull should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput, with cranium broad and full.
Ears – Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the end of the nose; fine in texture, fairly broad-with almost entire absence of erectile power-setting close to the head, with the forward edge slightly inturning to the cheek-rounded at tip.
Eyes – Eyes large, set well apart-soft and houndlike-expression gentle and pleading; of a brown or hazel color.
Muzzle – Muzzle of medium length-straight and square-cut-the stop moderately defined.
Jaws – Level. Lips free from flews; nostrils large and open.
Defects – A very flat skull, narrow across the top; excess of dome, eyes small, sharp and terrierlike, or prominent and protruding; muzzle long, snipy or cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-face expression. Ears short, set on high or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin.
Body:
Neck and Throat – Neck rising free and light from the shoulders strong in substance yet not loaded, of medium length. The throat clean and free from folds of skin; a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, may be allowable.
Defects – A thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed «throatiness.»
Shoulders and Chest:
Shoulders – Sloping-clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded-conveying the idea of freedom of action with activity and strength.
Chest – Deep and broad, but not broad enough to interfere with the free play of the shoulders.
Defects – Straight, upright shoulders. Chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth.
Back, Loin and Ribs:
Back – Short, muscular and strong.
Loin – Broad and slightly arched.
Ribs – Well sprung, giving abundance of lung room.
Defects – Very long or swayed or roached back. Flat, narrow loin. Flat ribs.
Forelegs and Feet:
Forelegs – Straight, with plenty of bone in proportion to size of the hound.
Pasterns – Short and straight.
Feet – Close, round and firm. Pad full and hard.
Defects – Out at elbows. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs crooked or Dachshundlike. Feet long, open or spreading.
Hips, Thighs, Hind Legs and Feet:
Hips and Thighs – Strong and well muscled, giving abundance of propelling power.
Stifles – Strong and well let down.
Hocks – Firm, symmetrical and moderately bent.
Feet – Close and firm.
Defects – Cowhocks, or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open feet.
Tail: Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back; with slight curve; short as compared with size of the hound; with brush.
Defects – A long tail. Teapot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail with absence of brush.
Coat: A close, hard, hound coat of medium length.
Defects – A short, thin coat, or of a soft quality.
Color: Any true hound color.
General Appearance: A miniature Foxhound, solid and big for his inches, with the wear-and-tear look of the hound that can last in the chase and follow his quarry to the death.
Varieties:
There shall be two varieties:
Disqualification:
Any hound measuring more than 15 inches shall be disqualified.
Levelness of Pack:
The first thing in a pack to be considered is that they present a unified appearance. The hounds must be as near to the same height, weight, conformation, and color as possible.
Individual Merit of the Hounds:
This refers to the individual bench-show quality of the hounds. A very level and sporty pack can be put together, yet not a single hound may be a good Beagle. This is to be avoided.
Manners:
The hounds must all work gaily and cheerfully, with flags up—obeying all commands cheerfully. They should be trained to heel up, kennel up, follow promptly, and stand. Cringing, sulking, or lying down should be avoided. Additionally, a pack must not work as though in terror of the master and whips. In Beagle packs, it is recommended that the whip be used as little as possible.
Appointments:
Master and whips should be dressed alike. The master or huntsman should carry a horn. The whips and master should carry light thong whips. One whip should carry extra couplings on a shoulder strap.
Ladies should turn out exactly the same except for a white skirt instead of white breeches.
Approved September 10, 1957