notsoape posted:

Most of the day, the beagles are dead quiet. They would only start barking if something walked in front of the kennels, or somebody unfamiliar came into the kennels during the day. They also go mental at feeding or walk time, but that is to be expected .

Now, howling is a really interesting topic. If we ever have to seperate a beagle due to illness, he or she will howl up a storm - a sort of loud, deep, pretty annoying 'oh god where is everybody, where are you guys ' howl. There's also the alarm howl - this, to me, sounds most like a 'BAROOO!'. But when hounds are in kennels together, they don't howl - they sing. One hound will start off, and the rest will join in - it builds up in a sort of crescendo. To my ears, it is absolutely haunting and beautiful. It sends shivers up my spine to hear it. It is essentially the same behaviour as when you see wolves coming together to howl in unison - it strengthens the pack bond. I take it as a signal that the hounds are well fed, content and feel stable as a unit. I might try and tape some for you guys, if I can, when I go over to visit next (although that won't be until at least some time next week due to stupid exams ).



P.S - sometimes, when the mood takes me, I may have been known to howl along with them