If you have been thinking about adding a beagle to your family you have probably been doing a bit of research on the Internet regarding this wonderful breed. If so, then you have come across some advertisements for miniature beagles and are probably wondering what they are and how they differ from either the standard or pocket beagle.
The truth is that no one seems to know what a miniature beagle is or if there is even really such a thing. If you do much research into the miniature beagle you will find people who claim that pocket beagles and miniature beagles are one and the same. However, most descriptions for a miniature beagle states that these dogs are 13 inches high and weigh 22-25 pounds which makes them the smallest height for a standard beagle and larger that the pocket beagle.
Other site’s claim that a miniature beagle is really a small beagle crossed with another small dog breed to get a smaller than average beagle that may or may not have some of the beagle traits. However, most breeders concur that there really is no such thing as a miniature beagle and that this is a term employed by unscrupulous breeders to sell their dogs for more than they are really worth.
As most breeders point out, since the descriptions for a miniature beagle is that of a smaller size dog, there is no way you will know when purchasing a so called miniature puppy what size it will be when it is grown. With a pocket beagle you can at least tell that it is clearly smaller at birth and at 8 weeks than a standard size beagle.
The truth is if you are looking for a beagle on the small end of the standard size range then your best bet is to contact a reputable breeder. While there is no guarantee that the puppy you get will remain small most breeders are pretty good at judging those members of a litter that are going to be on the smaller size and they won’t charge you a considerably higher price if you want the runt of the litter.
Keep in mind that even a large beagle is a fairly small dog standing under a foot and ½ in height and weighing between 20-25 pounds so even if these miniature beagles did exist they certainly wouldn’t be worth paying $100.00 or more extra dollars for. If an extra two or three inches of height is a real issue for you then perhaps you should consider a pocket beagle or a dog of another breed that tends to run a bit smaller.
When choosing a beagle for your family it is important that you do your research and be aware of not only what the breed has to offer but, any scams that are waiting to take your money while not delivering on their promises. The most important thing with choosing a beagle is a healthy, well-socialized and energetic dog.
