According to the American Kennel Club the Beagle is the 5th most popular dog in the United States.    Perhaps is why the Pocket Beagle is gaining world wide recognization.

The Pocket Beagle Registry supports the breed standard of the American Kennel Club. Pocket Beagles are a smaller version of the 13 and 15 inch Beagle.  They look like toy Foxhounds and should have the same coloring as any true hound.

AKC Breed Standard for the Beagle

According to the American Kennel Club regulations,  pocket beagles fall into their 13 inch and under category.  However, by  definition of the Pocket Beagle Registry, Pocket Beagles should be not taller than 12 inches and should weigh less than 20 lbs.

The goal of many pocket beagle breeders is to bring the standard of the Pocket Beagle down to 10 inches.   This would put the Pocket Beagle in the company of the breeds like Chihuahua, Toy Fox Terrier and the Pug.

The Pocket Beagle Registry recognizes the difficulty in reducing the size of the regular beagle which ranges from about 13 to 15 inches down to a range of 9-11.5 inches.

Historically, the development of all breeds have allowed other “breed” genes into the registry in order to create the new breed.  For example, the Thoroughbred allowed the offspring of Thoroughbreds and Arabians to be registered as Thoroughbred from the formation of the registry in the 1700′s till about 1900.  The American Quarter Horse still allows the infusion of Thoroughbred horses into their registry to define the American Quarter Horse.

The Pocket Beagle Registry recognizes the independence of breeders to infuse other appropriate genes into their breeding program in order to create the emerging Pocket Beagle.    The trick is to chose other breeds that enhance the look of the pocket beagle and does not change the basic type body and disposition of the breed.  Some of the toy breeds that have been built from beagle stock in the past include  the rat terrier, the toy fox terrier.   Breeders must be diligent not to  create a high energy, nippy, non-social dog.  The pocket beagle is a merry, mellow, kid loving, people friendly, dog.

This philosophy allows the registration at this time of dogs that look and act like beagles and are at  least  50%  beagle.  These dogs are eligible for Limited Registration. However, Pocket Beagles with Limited Registration and limited known ancestors must be bred to Pocket Beagles with Full Registration in order for the puppies to be registered in the Pocket Beagle Registry.