From what I’ve read, the Beagle dates back to medieval times, what is the story on this?
Actually, some believe the Beagle dates back even further. However, this breed had a great history during medieval times when it was actually known as a Pocket Beagle due to its small size, being able to fit into a pocket. In addition, hunters would use this smaller variety for hunting, placing them in the horse’s saddlebag. The history is that the larger variety actually would run after prey on ground at which time the smaller Pocket variety would be let loose to get under low-lying brush. Another fascinating aspect of this breed during medieval times was that Queen Elizabeth I would place this smaller variety on the table when guests were dining, letting the dog serve as the day’s entertainment.
