Did you know that Beagles have 44 times the scent receptors than those of humans? Yes, they have 220 million to our 5 million. Their acute sense of smell has the capability of recognizing up to 50 different scents which is why they are often used by law enforcement at international airports to sniff out any drugs, explosives or foreign insects from imported goods. You may have even seen the USDA’s “Beagle Brigade” patrolling an airport.

Aside from their cuteness, they were chosen simply for their noses as they are not much of a security dog. Although their loud barks would definitely startle anyone, they were used more for hunting with their yodeling howls called “baying” alerting the other dogs of an interesting scent. Then there’s the beagle’s forlorn howl that you will see them do if you howl first or if they are sad. In fact, beagle in French is “be gueule” which means wide throat or wide mouth. .

Now, if you have seen the viral video of the beagle howling while playing piano along side a dancing baby, then you can imagine Barry Manilow and his beagle, Bagel (not kidding), having a music sesh themselves back in the 70’s. Bagel is even on some of his albums. Shortly after, he adopted another one named Biscuit. This is making me hungry! .

Two other wonky beagle names were Lyndon B. Johnson’s beagles, Him and Her. 🤔 Him died and Edgar, the new beagle, was given to Lyndon by J. Edgar Hoover. Him and Edgar. 🤔 .

I’m having too much fun with these beagle names and the most famous, who makes any kid’s face light up, would be Snoopy from the comic strip “Peanuts”. Who doesn’t love Snoopy? Along with Odie, from Garfield. Apparently, he’s supposed to be a beagle but he doesn’t look like one nor does he have any white in his tail to prove him as a purebred. You got me…but I am wanting a bagel with peanut butter now!