The Beagle originated in England around the 1500's, where they were used by English gentlemen to hunt rabbits. Beagles were popular because they were easy to follow on foot as opposed to horseback, so people who couldn't afford a horse or weren't physically able to ride a horse could still hunt. The original Beagles were much smaller and called "Pocket Beagles", but became extinct as people began favoring slightly larger hunting companions. Beagles consistently rank as one of the top 10 breeds in the United States.