ABR E24

Updates on ABR. We answer a few questions. What is a pocket beagle?

Transcript

Alaska Beagle Ranch

Episode 24

Hello everyone and welcome to the Alaska Beagle Ranch. I’m Dave Dorsey and I manage the ranch located near Wasilla, Alaska. There are presently 15 beagles and 1 basset at the ranch right now. Alaska Beagle Ranch is the only rescue in Alaska dedicated to beagles only.

Thank you to all our listeners. This week we have new listeners from Bolivia and Berlin, Germany. Our largest listening cities in the US besides the ones in Alaska are Seattle, Washington and Camillus, New York. I hope you like what we have for you here. We do appreciate your support. The Alaska Beagle Ranch has over 800 downloads since we started doing our podcast last November. We are available wherever you listen to podcasts.

 While we’re talking about it, will you take a moment and write us a review. Tell us what you think, how we are doing and maybe what you would like to hear more about. Help us get the word out about the Alaska Beagle Ranch.

You also can help support our podcast by donating on PayPal @Beagle Ranch 907.

We hope everyone’s spring weather is as nice as it is here in Alaska. Our temperatures at night are in the low 30’s but during the day it’s a nice low 50’s. Those of you in the lower 48 that are affected by the floods or tornados, we hope you are staying safe.

ABR Update:

First, sorry for not having a podcast last week. It was a crazy busy weekend. Board meetings, spring cleanup and life got in the way.

Right now, we don’t have any beagles available for adoption. Keep following us because that can change at any time. So far, we’ve adopted 4 beagles to wonderful families in Alaska.

Charlie Two has been adopted by a nice family with another beagle and some two-legged young friends. Have a happy beagle life Charlie Two.

Jasper has returned to ABR for a visit while his human is on vacation in the lower 48, or as we say in Alaska, outside.

Bentley is visiting also. He’s being fostered by the same volunteer. Bentley has a spinal injury from being kicked or stepped on by a moose or a horse. We’ll be doing some fund raising for his care soon. He is getting around but has obvious injuries to his rear end.

Time to answer a couple questions.

Why should I listen to your podcast? I don’t have beagles, but I do have a dog.

Thanks for the question. Though our podcast is called Alaska Beagle Ranch and it’s geared towards beagles, a lot of the information can be used for all dogs.

Can we visit the Alaska Beagle Ranch? The Alaska Beagle Ranch operates out of my home. I’m not really set up for tours or visitors. Right now, I am working full time, but that changes on May 31st when I retire. So, in the meantime, my free time is spent caretaking the dogs and maintaining our home. However, I do make exceptions from time to time to donors and supporters.

ABR had its official first board meeting on Sunday. Joy our board president, Patti our treasurer and I discussed a few things to make our operation a little smoother. ABR is lucky to have two awesome volunteers on our board of directors and as fosters. After our meeting we went to Chepo’s Mexican Restaurant in Wasilla for a late lunch. It was awesome.

Have you heard of the pocket beagle? Well, here’s the Pocket Beagle – What to expect from the miniature version by Jane Pinzhoffer. The pocket Beagle is a smaller version of America’s favorite hound dog. There are already two different standard Beagle sizes: those standing under 13 inches, and those between 13 and 15 inches. The pocket Beagle was created for people who want an even smaller version of this popular breed.

Miniaturizing dogs is achieved by outcrossing with smaller breeds, introducing dwarfism to a breeding line, or selectively breeding from runts over several generations.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using these methods to create the Pocket Beagle.

The Beagle

The Beagle is a scent hound that was developed in England for hunting rabbits. Compact and sturdy, the breed has an overall miniature Foxhound appearance. An adorable face with big eyes and a beseeching expression is framed by long drop ears. Their short, sleek coats are most commonly found in tricolor. But you’ll also see them in a range of other shades, including red and white, and lemon.

Beagle Temperament

This breed is highly regarded for their friendly, companionable nature.

Originally bred to hunt in packs, the Beagle famously gets along with other dogs and people. But this makes them very social creatures who don’t like to be left on their own. They’re also an energetic breed that has a strong instinct to chase. Nothing makes this cheerful and curious dog happier than tracking an interesting scent.

The Pocket Beagle

As far back as the 13th century, small Beagles that stood only 8 to 9 inches tall were popular throughout England. These hunting dogs were known as glove Beagles because they could be held in the palm of a glove. Or pocket Beagles since they fit perfectly into hunters’ pockets. However, this genetic line became extinct in the 19th century. So, it should not be confused with the pocket Beagles you’ll see today.

Modern pocket Beagles are part of a growing trend towards smaller and smaller versions of purebred and mixed breed dogs. These pint-sized pups typically stand from 7 to 12 inches and weigh between 7 and 15 pounds. They are roughly half the size of the standard Beagle.

The Appeal Of The Pocket Beagle

Smart, funny, playful, affectionate, and sweet. It’s easy to see why Beagles are such a popular pet. Taking all of these nice attributes and putting them in a smaller package holds plenty of appeal for those who live in apartments or tiny homes. There’s the view that these dogs eat less food. Plus, they don’t take up as much space or require as much exercise.

And you can’t deny that a pint-sized Beagle is cute.

But where do pocket Beagles come from? And how does miniaturization impact the dog?

Where Do Pocket Beagles Come From?

There are basically three ways that breeders can create a pocket Beagle.

The first is to breed a purebred Beagle with a smaller dog. But this means creating a mixed breed that may not have all the desirable qualities of the Beagle. Some breeders introduce the gene for dwarfism to create a dog with very short limbs. Others will use the runts of litters as breeding stock to produce the smallest possible puppies in the next generation. Each of these breeding techniques comes with certain disadvantages or health risks that we’ll look at more closely.

Mixing With A Smaller Breed

The healthiest way to get a smaller Beagle is to cross it with a smaller breed. A drawback to this method is that you may end up with puppies that resemble the other dog in terms of appearance and behavior. There’s also the chance that they’ll inherit the Beagle’s size. Here are some smaller breeds that could potentially make a pocket Beagle.

Cheagle

The Cheagle combines the Beagle with the sassy, little Chihuahua.

These dogs can weigh anywhere from 6 to 30 pounds and measure from 5 to 15 inches tall when fully grown. Whichever parent the offspring takes after, this is sure to be a dog packed with personality. You can expect a people loving pup, who may be small, but will expect big-time attention.

Ideally, they’ll inherit the gentle, joyful nature of the Beagle. But if they take after the Chihuahua, they could be aggressive towards other dogs.

Borkie

A cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Beagle, the Borkie combines two high-energy breeds with a high prey drive who can be quite vocal.

Yorkies are much smaller dogs, standing from 7 to 8 inches and weighing 7 pounds. However, this cross often combines the silky longer coat of the Yorkie with the build of the Beagle. Borkies typically measure in the 12 to 15-inch range and weigh from 20 to 25 pounds. Both parents are friendly, affectionate, playful, and love people, especially their owners.

Poogle

The Poogle mixes the Beagle with the highly intelligent Poodle. Typically, the Miniature Poodle is used to produce this crossbreed. Poogles usually stand about 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh 20 to 30 pounds. Using a Toy Poodle who is only 4 to 6 inches and weighs under 10 pounds could produce a smaller dog. Since these dogs look quite dissimilar, the appearance can vary. They could have short or a low-shedding, curly coat.

Introducing The Dwarfism Gene

Beagles are already at risk for a type of dwarfism called chondrodystrophy.

So, breeding two Beagles with this condition is a not uncommon way to get a smaller version of the breed. Instead of miniaturizing the dog entirely, this genetic disorder causes abnormal growth. This creates shorter than normal legs, a large head, and a curved back. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which affects the spinal cord, is a big problem for dogs with dwarfism.

This condition can be very painful and in severe cases can cause paralysis.

Breeding From Runts

Selectively breeding from the smallest dogs, often referred to as runts, is another way that breeders can create a pocket Beagle. This technique ensures that the puppies are purebred Beagles that are very likely to be undersized. But runts are often weak and subject to numerous health problems that they can pass along to their offspring. This is in addition to the health problems that Beagles are already at risk for.

Pocket Beagle Health

Beagles have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Pocket Beagles should be able to reach the same age if they do not inherit certain health conditions. Epilepsy, hypothyroidism, hip dyslasia, and luxating patella are all conditions for which responsible breeders will screen their breeding stock. Beagles should also be tested for eye disorders. They’re prone to cataracts, glaucoma, cherry eye, and progressive retinal atrophy.

Musladin-Leuke Syndrome (MLS) is a connective tissue disorder that affects Beagles. It’s characterized by extensive fibrosis of the skin and joints. Although there’s some evidence that mixed breeds are healthier, puppies are still at risk for health diseases found in either parent.

Is A Pocket Beagle Right For Me?

A pocket Beagle may suit your lifestyle and living accommodations. But the health and welfare of the dog should always come first. Dogs that have the dwarfism gene are subject to an array of skeletal problems. Such as, enlarged joints, bowing forelimbs, spinal deviations, and abnormal bone shapes. Of the three methods that breeders commonly use to miniaturize dogs, mixing with another breed is the most humane. Although there’s no guarantee what the puppies will be like, it poses the least risk for the offspring.

Finding A Pocket Beagle

Due to the popularity of the breed, contacting shelters that specialize in Beagles is a good place to look for an older mixed breed. This will allow you to see exactly what you’re getting in terms of appearance and temperament. If you still want a pocket Beagle puppy, be very selective when choosing a breeder. It’s crucial that they have proof of health testing for inherited conditions. Good breeders will also allow you to visit where the puppies are housed and let you meet the parents and siblings. Buying online or from pet stores means running the risk of buying a dog who came from a puppy mill. In addition to the health problems we’ve discussed, these dogs are also at risk for health and temperamental issues due to lack of proper care.

Beagle Spotlight: With the fall weather finally turning out nice and being able to get some yard cleanup done, memories of Joy, Aria, Lucy, Hank and Cooper are everywhere. You guys might have gone over the bridge, but your memory is still strong at the ranch.

Shoutout: Shoutout to Alaska Beagle Ranch supporter who set us a nice order of salmon oil, Chuck It balls and Waffle Treats from our Amazon Wish List. If you would like to donate from this list, go to our FaceBook page Alaska Beagle Ranch for a link.

Alaska Beagle Ranch is a nonprofit and we depend on donations to help us with our mission. What is our mission? Our mission and our goal are for every beagle, especially in Alaska, to have a happy home. For our beagles to be happy, they need to be healthy. We only adopt healthy beagles, so we need your help in paying their medical bills to get or keep them healthy so they can find their forever home. Beagles that can’t be adopted become resident beagles at ABR. Their medical, food and upkeep can be costly. We know that the economy isn’t as good as we would like it to be. Just a few dollars add up and goes a long, long way. You can find us on PayPal @Beagle Ranch907 or go to our Facebook page of Alaska Beagle Ranch and you can find links to PayPal and our Amazon wish list.

Looking for a sponsor.If you have a business or product that is dog related and you’re looking to sponsor or advertise on a dog related podcast and you like ours, give me a call Dave 907-202-4226. It can be dog food, treats, daycare, training or whatever. It doesn’t have to be strictly for beagles. Let’s talk about it. 

We are also looking for some wonderful fosters. There can be a lot involved in being a foster, so think it over. Some of our beagles might have special needs like having to go to the vet, or they might need to take meds and maybe it might need some additional training. Of course, they always need some good loving. Sorry, but you must live in the Matanuska Susitna Valley area, specifically near Wasilla or Palmer. Email me at akbeagleranch@gmail.comor call us at 907-202-4226 for more information. Remember, our goal is for every beagle, especially in Alaska, has a happy home.

Thank you for listening to the Alaska Beagle Ranch. If you know of a beagle needing a good and happy home, put the owners in contact with us. If you know someone who is looking to get a beagle, please share our podcast with them. All the episodes will tell you what you need to know about beagles. If you have any questions about beagles and if they are right for you, email me at akbeagleranch@gmail.com or call us at 907-202-4226. You can follow us on Facebook at Alaska Beagle Ranch or on Twitter at @beagle_ranch. 

Be sure to like, follow, subscribe, review, and maybe send some feedback or ideas.See you at Alaska Beagle Ranch next week.