Beagle’s Scent Tracking & Hunting
Dogs have noses that allow them to smell from much further away than humans. In fact, it’s estimated that Beagles have up to 220 million scent receptors in their noses, compared to the human’s 5 million. Dogs have incredible noses and Beagles are near the top. Along with their ability to retrieve and hunt game for themselves, Beagles can hear quite well, too. They can hear small noises such as crushed leaves and even grass being stepped on from far away. By pairing their top-notch sniffer with the undeniable hearing from their low-hanging ears, they’ve proven themselves to be one of the best hunting dog breeds in existence. And according to The Spruce Pets, they’re one of the 10 best hunters!
Ideal Hunting Companions Beagles use their noses to smell a specific scent – usually one that’s given to them by the hunter. They then proceed to track that scent, even if it’s hundreds of feet away. The hunter will then follow the Beagle closely while they locate the prey. One of the main reasons that hunters love to use Beagles for tracking is because you can follow them on foot. Let me explain what I mean. Most hunting dogs have long legs, which results in a long, fast stride. You will likely have some trouble keeping up with a Labrador Retriever, for example. This means you may need a vehicle, horse, or many hours of training to ensure the dog remains within earshot of you. Beagles have short legs that give them a short, slow stride. As long as the hunter keeps his distance so as not to scare away the animals that they’re hunting, tracking game with a Beagle is a relatively easy experience. Typically, dogs like Beagles will bark intensely at the game and circle around the animal. This act is called “baying” and it’s where the loud barking associated with these dogs come from. Hunting dogs will howl to indicate that the prey has been caught. For example, when the Beagle initially corners the game, the dog will let out a howl to alert the owner where he and the animal are. The Beagle’s howl is often described as bigger than the dog itself. According to owners, they let out a deep and loud howl, which makes him seem much larger than he actually is.
https://thesmartcanine.com/what-beagles-bred-for/