Dogs, and cats, are great whatever breeds they are. I growned up in a country house packed of dogs and cats, and I still remember the name and the personality of everyone, and we are talkin about dozens of them.
Never had a beagle, but I had a mastiff, (the first one, and most beloved by the family, his name was Sam), neapolitan dogs, dobermanns, danes, belgian sheeperd dogs, a pinscher, and a very loooong list of mongrels. I'll post some photos as soon I'll convince my sister to scanner them if you'd like.
this is one of the fews I have: a very young Porcy with Sam: