Beagles were developed primarily for hunting hare, an activity known as beagling. Hares have traditionally been hunted in Britain by beagling and hare coursing. The beagle is a scent hound, developed primarily for hunting hare (beagling). His leisure activities included beagling, fly fishing, gardening and protecting the Hampshire countryside. Hunting of rabbits involving dogs (usually beagle or basset hounds) is called beagling.