The American Beagler Forum

well what do you think 13" or 15" I also have another ? When can you tell how big a dog will be. I have a 4 1/2 month old female that is 11 1/2" tall already. Her dam and sire were 13" dogs but this seems big for one so young. What do you breeders think 13" or 15"? The pup is mostly turbo breed with some ace, jack, gunsmoke, and home brew if this jumble of crosses helps you.




Stampede Beagles

I've always heard breeding was like shooting crap!!!! Not sure till ya roll em!!!

Crew Chief

I doubt it gets over 13 1/2.

I personally like a beagle in the 14 - 15" range. Are they better? No. Maybe faster on average if you are looking for speed. The key is to pick a size and try to stay in that range. I've heard that 13" beagles do better in the briars - I agree that size may be a factor, but the biggest factor is the hounds desire to get in the briars and size is secondary.
-Pete

I like 13 inch dogs smaller they are smaller places they can get in

I think the best is 13 Bitch then 15 Male then 15 Bitch last is 13 Male as an overall.

let me ask you a question which is better a beagle that is 13 inches or a beagle that is 13 1/4 inches? one is a 13 and one is a 15

It all comes down to personal preference in the long run. Size doesn't determine how great or un-great a hound is to me. Instead their quality or vaule in my opinion is determined by how big a heart they have along with how much desire and hunt as well. Not to mention pursueing their game in accurance manner. I've not seen any great ones, but I've seen plenty very good ones.

I like 13 in females and 15 in males. I own a female thats 14 in and she does fine. Where I hunt its very thick and on the average a female is a better hunter so I like a smaller hound,they make a better jump dog here,and nothings better than watching a big male run.

Wow, this is one of those questions there is no real answer to.

I have both big dogs and small dogs and there are advantages to both. Big dogs seem to have more sustainable speed and endurance while small dogs can usually handle the thick stuff a little better.

In field trialing though I would have to say big dogs have the advantage. It seems most of the hunts I go to are won by 15 inch dogs. Maybe the reason for this is that the areas where a small dog can show his stuff are the same ones that judges tend to shy away from or when they are in it the judge dosen't award points because he didn't see which dog earned the points.

These are just my 2 cents. I don't have any statistics to back it up. What do you guys think?

I believe I own the biggest full beagle ever born, 11mos old currently 18 inches, and I'm not sure he's done growing yet.
Check him out in the best looking lemon and white contest, held last month. He's not hard to find.

To answer the original question, size does not matter. Size does not impact, jumping,tracking, checking, abilites. What does matter is the size of the his/her heart (disire) and brain. Bottom line, a 10'' dog with a big heart and rabbit smarts, will out hunt a big guttless dog any day.
One mans opinion

Big Mike,, Any hound measuring more than 15" is not considered a beagle!!!!!

Crew Chief

I don't agree, he may not be elgible for any sanctioned field trails or shows, but the dog is a beagle. If you'd like to see the 32 field Champions in his pedigree, it's available. However his size is of no concern to me, just big ole pup that just kept growing. he's a "Rabbit dog".
Just posted the info for fun, I didn't figure anyone would bad rap my dog.

Plain and simple. Open country 15" is better, thick cover 13" is better if both dogs are equal in everything accept for size. If a 13" dog is very good and the 15" is very sorry, the 13" will beat the 15", but not as bad as the other way around.

Beagleboy

Big Mike,, I'm not ragging your hound... 32 FC's on the pedigree and you've got a pup 18"s at 11 months,, see where I'm going with the Block Head Or Pointed Head Thread?????

Crew Chief