beagle

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beagle

, breed of dog

beagle, breed of small, compact hound developed over centuries in England and introduced into the United States in the 1870s. It stands between 10 and 15 in. (25.4–38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 20 and 40 lb (9.1–18.1 kg). The breed is divided into two varieties on the basis of size: those under 13 in. (33 cm) in height and those between 13 and 15 in. (33–38.1 cm). The beagle's short, close-lying, harsh coat is usually colored black, tan, and white. Once widely used, either singly or in packs, to hunt hares, today it is more popular as a field-trial competitor and pet. See dog.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Beagle

an English three-masted man-of-war famous chiefly for its expedition around the world in 1831–36 under the command of Robert Fitzroy, with the participation of C. Darwin.

The Beagle’s displacement was 235 tons. Biological and geological research was carried out on the Beagle, including studies of the structure of coral reefs, volcanic islands, and other phenomena. On missions for the British Admiralty from 1826 to 1830,1831 to 1836,1837 to 1841, and 1841 to 1843, the Beagle conducted hydrographic studies for a survey of the coasts of South America, New Zealand, and northern Australia.

Beagle

name of the ship in which Charles Darwin made his five-year voyage. [Br. Hist.: NCE, 721–722]

See: Journey

beagle

a small sturdy breed of hound, having a smooth dense coat usually of white, tan, and black; often used (esp formerly) for hunting hares

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

References in periodicals archive ?

We made the short drive and released seven anxious beagles at 9 o'clock.

A memorable day of running bunnies

After some futile attempts to open the sealed lid, many of the beagles looked to the human for help.

DNA variants tied to dog sociability: genes may shape propensity to look to people for help

The beagles in cages never get a name - it's really sad."

Giant beagle to lead vivisection protests; Designers back scheme to stop tests on dogs

(I had Tillie spayed after bringing her home, to dispense with the hassle of heat cycles.) Although they enjoyed hunting with males, they all said beginners will generally find female beagles more biddable, which is an important consideration when switching from bird dogs to your first hound.

Beagling for bunnies: if your pheasant hunts have turned into death marches, grab a hound

AsKed what the beagle hunt meant, he said: "It's about being out together, watching a fine pound of beagles together and enjoying the camaraderie with friends.

Young and old join hunting tradition; Big turnout as Holme and Colne beagles combine

Their campaign has been picking up momentum since B&K Universal, which also breeds beagles for medical testing, applied to build a site in the village of Grimston, East Yorks.

A DOG'S STRIFE; PS50bn test scandal

The first in the Legal Beagles series is available for $12.95 from www.legalbeagles.us.

Legal Beagles: Danny's Yo-Yo Adventure

Hunt said fewer people are training beagles for field trials, which are sanctioned by the AKC.

The thrill of the chase; When the beagles bay, it's a bad hare day

When everything is clicking, rabbit hunting with beagles can be more fun than a clown on fire, but it takes hundreds of hours of work, not to mention expense, just to get to the fun part.

Beagle or not: you can bag bunnies without a hound, but who would want to?

Many a dull day in Grangemouth was brightened up by the appearance of Murray the beagle wearing a trilby, a kipper tie and a pair of sunglasses.

Faye Adams: Out of this world; Lost Beagles in space, killer royal hounds and a denturewearing mutt. It's really all gone to the dogs these days, it has to be said

Beagles & Ramsay's work frequently foregrounds images of evacuated subject-hood (for example, Ramsay's hilarious 1996 solo piece Robot Snorkel Parka Prototype, in which a remote-controlled robot "visits" the Macintosh Gallery of the Glasgow School of Art); it also evidences a persistent interest in devalued symbolic currency, critical motifs that have collapsed through over-use (see here their blending of "burger culture" and celebrity worship in the performance BURGERHEAVEN--THE TRUE TASTE OF STARDOM, 2001/2002, or We Are the People--Suck on This, 1999, in which Ramsay, clothed and coiffed a la Travis Bickle--hero of art-school undergrad thesis projects the world over--delivered a meaningless two signature petition to Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street).

Beagles & Ramsay: Gasworks Gallery

Beagles require little care other than a good diet, plenty of fresh water, a yearly visit to the vet, occasional brushing and the companionship of their families.