Beagling and Beagles - Classic 1931 Guide to Hounds and Kennels

In this review of Beagling and Beagles the reviewer finds a thorough, oldstyle manual aimed at readers who want historical, practical coverage of beagling and beagle care. Originally published in 1931 and republished by Read Country Books, this edition preserves original text and artwork and is best for enthusiasts seeking a period perspective on breeding, kennel practice and field work rather than a modern training manual. Its single biggest reason to buy is the depth of coverage across breeding, kennel management and hunting roles, making it a compact reference for breed historians and traditionalists.

Key Features

• Historical depth: Draws on a 1931 edition to provide a period perspective on hounds, breeding and hunting that modern summaries often omit.
• Comprehensive chapters: Includes dedicated chapters on brood bitches, whelps and young hounds, and kennel management to guide readers through life stages and care.
• Practical hunting material: Covers the huntsman, whipperin and the field with detail useful to those studying traditional beagling practice.
• Original illustrations: Uses artwork from the original printing to clarify points about hound conformation and working roles.
• Affordable reprint: Read Country Books republishes the work in a modern, high quality edition that makes a scarce title accessible.

Who It's For

This book suits readers interested in the history and practice of beagling, breed enthusiasts researching early 20th century working beagles, and kennel keepers wanting traditional guidance on brood bitches and young hound management. The preserved illustrations and original text make it particularly valuable to collectors and those studying historical approaches to hunting and care.

It is less useful for readers seeking contemporary training methods, veterinary guidance or modern welfare standards; those readers should consult recent manuals or veterinary sources. Likewise, casual readers wanting a short overview may find the period detail denser than necessary.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extensive chapter coverage gives a rounded view of breeding, kennel practice and field work for beagles.
• Original artwork supports the text and helps visualise hounds and hunting scenes.
• Republished in an accessible modern edition, making a scarce 1931 title affordable.

Cons

• The book reflects the era it was written in and does not include modern veterinary or welfare updates.

Specifications

Title	Beagling and Beagles
Author	J Otho Paget
Original publication	1931
Edition	Read Country Books reprint
Content focus	Breeding, kennel management, hunting and hound care
Illustrations	Original artwork reproduced
Audience	Beagle enthusiasts, historians, kennel keepers

Our Verdict

Beagling and Beagles is a valuable reprint for anyone interested in the historical practice of beagling and the management of beagles in sport and kennel. Its strong coverage of brood bitches, whelps, kennel management and hunting roles makes it good value for collectors and traditionalists, though readers seeking modern veterinary or training guidance should pair it with contemporary sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the original 1931 text?
Yes, the Read Country Books edition preserves the original 1931 text and reproduces the original artwork.

Will this book teach modern training methods?
No, it reflects practices and perspectives from the early 1900s and should be supplemented with modern training and veterinary resources.

Who benefits most from this reprint?
Collectors, breed historians and kennel keepers interested in traditional beagling practice and historical reference will benefit most.