Beagle

Appearance: With their big, brown 'puppy dog' eyes and long, velvety ears that frame their faces like a 70s haircut, Beagles are undeniably cute. They are compact, sturdy hounds with a short coat that usually comes in the classic tri-color pattern. Their white-tipped tails act as a flag when they're on a scent trail, which is basically all the time.

Traits & Characteristics: Beagles are ruled by their noses. If they catch a scent, they will follow it to the ends of the earth (or at least the end of the neighborhood). They are merry, friendly, and possess a unique vocalization called a 'bay'—which sounds like a very dramatic opera singer trying to tell you there's a squirrel in the yard.

Origins: England, where they were bred for hunting rabbits in packs, though now they mostly hunt for snacks.