Originally posted by Jerry Russell: I would second talking to the folks at your local beagle club. I would additionally suggest leaning towards a 13" beagle in that you are a "leashed blood dog" state so there is no advantage to a dog with speed. The smaller the better when it comes to following a leashed dog in heavy cover. Over the last 30 years I have just about every common breed of blood dog and some less than common ones. The second best blood dog I have owned (next to my current Bavarian Mountain Hound)was a beagle crossed with something unknown. I got him from a rabbit man that gladly gave him to me cause "all he wants to do is run deer".