I think any dog which has been encouraged from an early age to use his nose will make a decent tracking dog. Sure, there are specialists, just as there are with bird dogs, but what a dog can do with its nose just defies anything we humans can imagine.
I think beagles are bred and trained to be independent trailers, who might move too fast on a cold track. Here in Michigan, they must be on a lead, so the speed is easy to control. I'd be surprised if a beagle would not do a good job with a bit of training.
I think my Curly is just thoroughly disgusted with me not taking a shot yet.