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Rhett x Vanity
This thoughtfully planned and deeply meaningful breeding has been completed.
If successful, puppies are expected on or around March 25, 2026.
Remembering Rhett
Rhett was born in 2004 and lived a beautiful, full life of nearly 14 years. Bred by Bev Davies of Waskasoo Beagles, he remains to this day one of her all-time favorite Beagles and it’s not hard to understand why.
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He was one of those hounds who was simply easy to live with. Content, happy, and often seen carrying a toy proudly in his mouth though never willing to share it. At home, he was uncomplicated and joyful. But the moment he stepped into a show ring, everything shifted.​
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He had that unmistakable “I know what I’m doing, let me do it” attitude. Bev often had to take a hands-off approach because Rhett truly did know how to present himself. His multiple Group placements and Best Veteran wins at Hound Specialty shows proved he was, through and through, a natural showman.
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But Rhett was more than a flashy dog. He came from one of Bev’s most versatile litters to date, with nearly all of his littermates earning performance and/or conformation titles. Ability ran deep in that family.
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His sire, CH Waskasoo’s Dealer’s Choice “Chance,” was a son of Bev’s first Daragoj import, CH Daragoj Gold Label “Boomer,” brought to Canada from Finland. Through him, Rhett carried strong and deliberate European influence within his pedigree. His dam, BISS Ch. Daragoj My American “Telle,” was also bred by and imported into Canada by Eeva Resko. Telle remains, in my view, one of the closest phenotypic representations of the Beagle I strive to preserve and reflect within the FoxFire program.
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Rhett was the happiest little guy and would show for anyone he simply loved to work. Almost every show weekend found him in the Group ring, confidently collecting his “paycheque.” Dogs like that are born, not made. As a breeder-handler, that natural charisma is something I deeply value.
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Beyond his fabulous temperament and the gorgeous head he was known to consistently stamp on his offspring, it was how Bev spoke about his movement that ultimately made the decision for me. Rhett never broke into a canter - even as a veteran. He had effortless ground coverage and the “up and go” to truly use himself. Bev often laughed that he was a dog who made her pause and rethink how best to exhibit him because when he moved, you simply didn’t hold him back.
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Originally, I had planned to use Rhett on Eloise. However, given how similar they were in both strengths and areas needing refinement, I ultimately chose my sweeter, more easy-going Vanity whose phenotype offered a more complementary balance to his.
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It’s not every day you find a mover like Rhett. And if I stand any chance of solidifying truly sound, efficient movement within my program, I knew I needed to source it from proven and reliable avenues. When I stepped back and considered the full picture structure, temperament, presence, and pedigree the decision became clear.
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Rhett was the obvious choice.
Pictured: Rhett's Dam "Telle" BISS CH Daragoj My American
Vanity Through
& Through
Vanity, or as I often call her, “the Beagle I Don’t Deserve” is exactly that. Too pure for this earth. She has never met a stranger. In fact, she loves - often times too much - every person, creature, or thing she encounters. She wags her tail at snowmen. At murals. At inanimate objects that simply exist. She is, quite honestly, the easiest house dog I have ever lived with. I don’t believe she has gotten into a single thing in her life.
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She was also one of my favourite expressions to date: soft, feminine, and has that unmistakably "soft pleading" . But beyond her beauty, it is her temperament that sets her apart.
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In every aspect of daily life, Vanity is simply a joy. And I firmly believe that a temperament like hers deserves preservation on its own merit. When selecting a stud for her next breeding, doubling down on temperament was non-negotiable. Much like my philosophy with Eloise’s movement, I refuse to water down what makes Vanity special. My goal is not to drastically change her but to keep her temperament as true to her while improving on a few areas she could use some help in.
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In the show ring, Vanity was consistently appreciated by breeder-judges, while some all-breed judges found her longer than preferred. Her rib, both in spring and length, is something I value immensely, not only in a bitch but in a Beagle overall. A short rib or sternum is a hard no for me, as it can greatly impact function. Reinforcing length of rib through Bev’s Daragoj-influenced lines is a conscious and important decision. The rib I obtained through my Shadynook ties was not something I was willing to lose and protecting that piece is part of this pairing’s purpose.​​
Speaking on function, it was Vanity’s enthusiasm and drive in the field that truly opened my eyes to her value within my program on a level that made her different than my other girls.
As I move forward with FoxFire, I have set a personal goal that my Beagles earn their HBI (Hunting Beagle Instinct) title to demonstrate they are capable of doing what they were originally bred to do. It is not common for show lines to genuinely take to running rabbits, and even less common for them to open on scent.
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In 2024, Vanity proved she was more than a pretty show dog. She demonstrated excellent drive on scent and, after keenly following a scent line that broke into a sight chase, she opened up and earned not only her HBI title but also a leg toward her Hunting Beagle Novice title.
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Vanity brings traits to the table that I find very valuable: structure, bone, movement, free-whelping ability, hunting instinct, and most importantly, an unwavering kindness of spirit.
Who This Litter May Be Best Suited For
This litter is anticipated to offer a true middle ground within the pairings I've done this year.
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These puppies will likely be enthusiastic, confident individuals who enjoy having a job and engaging with their people. While they may not carry the same level of intensity seen in some of Eloise’s offspring, I do expect them to possess meaningful drive particularly through Vanity, who has consistently passed along her natural hunt instinct to her previous litter. Several of her puppies demonstrated early interest in scent and tracking, and I plan to conduct temperament evaluations on rabbit to identify individuals who may stand out in this regard.
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Rhett’s influence brings an added dimension of natural showmanship and outgoing character. Combined with Vanity’s stability and willingness, I anticipate puppies who are both exciting prospects for the ring and more easily adaptable to life as house dogs.
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This pairing represents a balance - not as high-drive as I would predict Eloise’s potential litter, yet offering more drive and animation than what may be expected from Sugarbee’s. The goal is to produce Beagles capable of excelling in multiple avenues, whether that be conformation, performance, or as deeply engaging companions.
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Phenotypically, these puppies are expected to reflect a thoughtful blend of both North American and European influence, combining strength, balance, and functional type. Only tri-colours are expected from this pairing.
This breeding carries special meaning, made possible through the support and partnership of Bev Davies of Waskasoo Beagles - Rhett’s breeder and co-breeder of this potential litter. Rhett was a dog Bev bred, raised, and knew intimately, and it is an honour to work alongside her in preserving and continuing the virtues she so carefully cultivated within her program.
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Bev’s dedication to producing Beagles of sound structure, beautiful movers, capable temperament is evident not only in Rhett, but in the Beagles he too produced for her program. Her excitement for this pairing, particularly as it involves a dog she bred herself, makes this breeding all the more meaningful. It is my hope that through this FoxFire × Waskasoo collaboration, we are able to carry forward the qualities she valued and worked so diligently to establish, bringing them into a new generation.
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I would also like to acknowledge Eeva Resko of Daragoj Beagles, whose influence lives on through Rhett’s pedigree. The dogs she bred laid an important foundation that continues to shape breeding decisions today, and I am grateful for the lasting impact her program has had on the breed and on my own vision for FoxFire.
This pairing represents not only a blending of two individual dogs, but a continuation of legacy, mentorship, and shared purpose.
Honouring the Past, Carrying It Forward
