Like most hybrid breeds, very little of the Toy Fox Beagle’s
history is known. It is likely, however, that the two dogs were mixed to
combine the best traits of the Beagle and the Toy Fox Terrier in one dog. The
Beagle originated in England in the early 1800s and was bred to hunt and trail
rabbits. As a scent hound, the Beagle is happiest when he has an opportunity to
follow his nose. The modern Beagle was developed by crossing the Talbot Hound,
the North Country Beagle and the Southern
Hound. The breed arrived in the United States in the 1840s and was kept strictly
for hunting purposes. The Beagle’s happy, friendly disposition quickly helped
him win his way into the hearts of many families and became popular as a
companion animal. The Beagle also became well-known in pop culture, with Snoopy
being the most widely recognized member of the breed. The American Kennel Club
officially recognized the breed in 1885, and the National Beagle Club was
founded in 1888. The Toy Fox Terrier originated in the early 1900s. A direct
descendant of the Smooth Fox Terrier, this breed was created in the United
States to help get rid of rats and other vermin. Modern hunters still use this
breed to flush foxes from their dens. Due to their small size and agility, Toy
Fox Terriers were also frequently used in traveling circuses. The breed was
first registered by the United Kennel Club in 1936, and in 1949, the National
Toy Fox Terrier Association was founded. It was not until 2003, however, that
the breed became officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.