[BlueIceBeagles]

I have had my beagle for 4 years and we bought him purely as a companion, not to hunt with. I really have no knowledge of how beagles hunt but figure I ought to know. We recently moved to an area with a high volume of rabbits and squirrels. His natural instincts are in high drive like I've never seen before (why do beagles need trained to hunt if it's their instinct?)

All purebred dogs have an instinct for a certain type of work or function, but Beagles are one of a very small number of dogs who actually are not trained for hunting. They simply need experience and to be taught by the hunter and older hounds how to go about the business in the correct way. I train my pups with scent starting around 10-12 weeks, then around 4+ months will start taking them out to the field for experience. They either will or will not have the qualities it takes to make a rabbit dog, and it's up to the hunter to hone them.

I have seen my beagle countless times now slowly stalk a rabbit, then give chase, while screech-barking (hilarious). He gets so much excitement out of it. Unfortunately I have to keep him leashed or he probably wouldn't come back. So he never gets to really chase. I wish I could let him fulfill his natural desire to chase, really curious whether or not he would catch one.

He's not hunting, he's giving a sight chase, and barking out of frustration that he cannot get to the bunnies Beagles are expected not only to track the rabbit (or hare), but to do it in a certain way, by following the line of scent. A Beagle needs to be precise, and the pack is faulted for takign shortcuts - i.e., if the rabbit travels from point a, b, c and d, a "cheating" hound might go from point a, to b, then take a shortcut to d, instead of puzzling out the scent. That trait is why Beagles have such a problem solving intelligence. And it's also one of the most important abilities hunters try to hone in young pups.

How do hunters ensure their beagles will not get lost and come back? Is there something I can do for fun to explore this side of my beagle?

There are a few ways, and the first starts with genetics. An intractable hound is always, without question, culled from my pack. Independence and complete lack of biddability, or not caring it it's praised or reprimanded, is literally the worst personality trait a dog can have. Personally, I try to keep back hounds that have "selective hearing" but do listen to me in a tight spot and can, to a small extent, prove reliable off leash. I once called my foundation bitch off game that crossed a busy road, and this willing to please trait is in many of her pups. My hounds hunt with me, not for themselves. And I think that makes a slight difference.

There are also things like tracking collars or shock collars that can prevent a dog from getting into a deadly situation if it doesn't come when called back. Accidents will happen even with the best trained dogs, but I think obedience training under distractions and genetics are the best ways to prevent wandering Beagles. Aside from that, they're worn out after a hunt, and many will seek out the owner as if to say "Stick a fork in me, lady (or sir)".

Anyway, that's just my experience.

 

[BlueIceBeagles]

A secondary requirement was a white tipped tail so they could be spotted visually.

I've been hunting either both seriously and just for kicks (lol) a few times a year with Beagles since about 1994, and never heard that from any Beagler except the show breeders. Not sure where they got that one from, but there's no such requirement in the breed Standard, you can't see their tails in the brush when they're wagging it like a neurotic rudder, and many hunters love blueticks, redticks and black & tan's that will generally have dark colored tails.