It was my friend who suggested I put up a web page on our Scottish Beagle Club web site. Having never reached dizzy heights in the show ring, “who would be interested?” I thought. “It’s your web page,” my friend retorted, “ you can put in it whatever you want.” So that got me thinking, that’s exactly what I would do. I had always maintained I could write a book on my experiences living with this great breed of dog. I suspect many beagle owners could also write a book.. So here I go ; I will tell you it, as it was, and as it is, and how it all evolved.

                                                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My introduction to this breed all started many years ago after the death, at eighteen years of age, of my little rescue Heinz variety dog Jasper. Heartbroken we decided no more dogs for us. HOW I have lived to eat those words as we lasted only two weeks! The house was dead and, as for us, we were very much missing all the activity and long walks associated with owning a dog. Having made the decision to look for another dog off we trotted to the library to read up on all the different breeds. We had decided that we would go for a pedigree this time (snobs!) There were no computers in those days for checking out the different breeds so after much deliberation we settled on a beagle. “Not for you!” I was told by someone who had our best interests at heart but must remain anonymous, “What about a little dachsund?”
“ NO!” said the boss (no offence meant to the little dachshund, they are lovely little dogs). So back to the drawing board, so to speak, we went, and what did we come up with yet again? Yes, you’ve guessed it - a beagle. My husband  had beagle on the brain by this time (still has)  so it was a beagle or nothing. After making some enquires lo and behold there was a little boy pup available in Frank and Eleanor Bothwell’s kennels. I guess he was just waiting for us. Many thanks, Frank and Eleanor, for introducing us to this super breed of dog. I might add life has never been the same since!
                                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So along came “DANNY BOY” - Portonian Boy ( Ch.Norcis Ike x Norcis Cherry).
Danny Boy was a beautiful bright tri with just as bright a disposition to match his colours. We thought him the greatest little dog, we were so proud of him. Again it was a friend who asked us “ Had you ever considered showing him?”
“ No, we had not thought about it,” we replied.
“How are his teeth?” she said. Offended, I replied that they were beautiful of course! I had always faithfully given him his calcium tablets (no calcium tablets nowadays). Laughing and explaining what she meant she checked his teeth (how NAIVE I was.) To this day I still have two of his baby teeth....Ahhh. My friend, liking what she saw, then suggested we try him in    the show ring. She had just planted the showing seed (deliberately, I have since learned.) Although I was unaware of this at that time I was now on the way to being hooked on showing. Looking on it as an experience in life I thought “Let’s give it a try, why not?” Off I ventured with my prodigy to our first show at Livingston where I anxiously waited until it was our turn in the ring. Apprehensively I entered the ring and went through the motions of showing. I could not believe my ears when I heard the judge say “In spite of his behaviour I must give him first.” I believe she was nicely trying to tell me he needed ring craft training, ignorance is bliss.  That was what sealed my fate -  the red rosette.
That was me, there was no going back as I was well and truly addicted to showing. I went on to win many classes with him and when I qualified him for Crufts I thought I had won the lottery. My first time showing at Crufts was an experience not to be missed and one I will never forget. I ate slept and thought Crufts for weeks before. Of course I was going to win, of that I was certain. I never did win but I came home with a Champion in my eyes. My boy did me proud. We had many  long and happy years together in the ring, He taught me all about this lovely breed of little dog. We learned together and made our mistakes together in the show ring. I must add you never stop learning as each dog is an individual and must be handled accordingly. To this day we still talk about our boy. They say your FIRST show dog is always the best I BELIEVE this to be so.
We had Danny for over a year when we decided to go for another beagle, primarily for company for Danny, and if it turned out to have show quality that would be a bonus.
                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then along came “JILLIE” - Haughmill Lady in Red (Ch Tragband in Town Tonight at Newlin  x Newlin Unity). Jillie was a sweet little bitch who again did well in the ring very rarely going unplaced and picking up many rosettes, too many to mention. By the time I started to show her I had made most of my mistakes and learned the ropes regarding showing - (note most of my mistakes,  I can still make them) and had experienced all the ups and downs of the show scene. Jillie, I swear, came trained and until the day we lost her, at the grand old age of sixteen past, she never needed a voice raised to her. She was just a naturally well behaved beagle. In saying that she ruled Danny with iron paws! Poor Danny, he could never be the “hard man”as she was top dog from the day I brought her home. He was her shadow, and if he ever lost track of her, on one of their many expeditions foraging through the woods, he would run frantically in circles searching her out. She in fact couldn’t have cared less. There were more interesting things out there, like rabbits. They had a lifetime of running free, doing what beagles do best, hunting out the enemy. Oh! the fun of a chase.  Sadly they are no longer with us but we have a great deal of happy memories of our time with them.
                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then along came the pups. I have only ever bred once, the mating being with PORTONIAN BOY AND HAUGHMILL LADY IN RED in other words Danny and Jillie. We decided we would like another beagle and to breed my own seemed like a good idea. Together they had a healthy litter of six pups ; four bitches and two boys. Apart from the one I kept (Tegan), they all went to good homes, to people I vetted so very carefully. I was lucky it all went smoothly but breeding is not something that one should ever go into lightly. We have talked of taking another litter and may do so someday. It was an experience my husband and I both enjoyed.                                                     
So then along came “TEGAN” -  Nosirrom Future Time Girl (Portonian Boy x  Haughmill Lady in Red). Anyone reading this will have realized by this time how the title of  this web page HOOKED ON BEAGLES evolved!
Now on to Tegan - yet again a super dog, winning many, many rosettes and getting her name in the stud book. Tegan loved showing and moved in the ring like she owned it. She was a pleasure to show, albeit she was a little on the big side for many of the judges, but that did not deter from the challenge and enjoyment she  brought to us. She is thirteen now and still goes for her long walks where she meets up with all her furry pals. She has been known to chase off any suspected foes as she can be a MADAM - she much prefers the pals she knows. Tegan is a happy dog, a true canine friend and a pleasure to own.
                                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then along came “ CLEOPATRA” - Norcis Cleopatra’s Eyes at Nosirrom  (Norcis Sine Die x  CH. Norcis Mrs Madrigal).
Cleo is my fun beagle, a lovely bright tri. Sadly she has an aversion to showing and is not happy in the ring therefore we very rarely show her. This aversion belies her true temperament which is fun loving and mischievous, a perfect companion on our long walks with the other dogs. She very rarely needs a lead, rarely going too far afield and always keeping an eye on you. She prances about waiting for her ball to be flung. She loves this ball with a passion and woe betide any dog who has designs on it, she carries it all the time. Even on a rabbit chase she always returns with her ball clasped firmly in her mouth, a truly remarkable little dog. Along with the other beagles she loves to run on the whippet track at our many fun outings. Cleo just enjoys life ; a truly pleasurable little dog and a delight to have.
                                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then along came “TAMMIE” -  Tannahill Lilly at Nosirrom ( Norcis Sine Die x    Fallowfield Darkness)
Tammie Shanter, as she is known, came to us at around six months of age and she just slotted in to our mad household (thanks Lorna) which by the way contains a large African grey parrot with an evil disposition and an even more evil beak. All humans and beagles quickly learn to treat him with the utmost  respect - it is not wise to cross him! Tammie is a lovely dog and has done well in the show ring winning Best Puppy at the Beagle Club of Ireland in 2003 also gaining an excellent type certificate at Clonmel & District Canine Club international dog show in Ireland in 2005 and qualifying for Crufts at her first championship show at the Hound Association of Scotland in 2004. She has been consistently placed at shows. She is a gentle, friendly little dog and together we hope to have a long and happy time in the ring.
                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This brings me to the end of this web page.  I have tried not to make it too long or boring - only briefly covering, as already said, as it was and as it is with many ups and many downs.  We hope , in the very near future, to be adding another beagle to our crew - so watch this space. Lets face it,  we’re hooked on beagles!
Summing up this web page and having been so fortunate to have discovered and owned  this breed, I see these little beagle dogs as clever and fun loving. They are filled with character and also single mindedness. They are not, however, for those of a nervous disposition, or the faint hearted, and most of all not for the control freak. The beagle is a super little dog.