A pocket beagle was a very popular breed back in the 1300s and 1400s with royalty and was prized by the royal family. They were called pocket beagles because they were measured at no more than 9 inches at the shoulders. Currently the American Kennel Club, the standard that many breeders use for determining the health and other important factors of a dog breed, only recognizes beagles that are 13 inches or 15 inches in size. So what happened?