The beagle is a breed of small hound that is similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound. The beagle is intelligent. It is a popular pet due to its size, good temper, and a lack of inherited health problems. By the 18th century two breeds had been developed for hunting hare and rabbit: the Southern Hound and the North Country Beagle (or Northern Hound). The beagle was accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885. In the 20th century the breed has spread worldwide. (The brown may take between one and two years to fully develop.)