If you want some assurance of breeding quality look for CKC registrations. But, I have owned oodles of hounds (walker, blu ticks, beagles), none with CKC and they could all hunt.
I currently have 3 beagles of various pedigrees, I don't hunt any of them, but they will if I let them. The oldest is 11 and has no pdeigree other than looking like a beagle, her stature isn't quite right so I never bred her. The middle one is 8 years, UKC registered, she is too leggy and has a bad back. Once I saw she was not to standard she was fixed as well. Both will hunt but age and years of trying to break them of chasing mean they are only good for short runs. I give them free reign on the local red squirrels which keeps them happy, but they leave the deer alone (mostly).
My youngest is 5 years old is a CKC standard, no papers but she could have been registered if the original owners had wanted the papers. She has all the right dimensions and is a very nice dog, she is also fixed. She loves to hunt, much to my constant irritation and exercise chasing her around the concession when she makes a breakaway. I got her as a rescue and she came from Manitoba and the name Branco was mentioned. Her one medical issue that just started this past fall is she has seizures, only 2 so far in 6 months but not a good sign.
Not sure any of this helps, but its a slow day at work so I had the time to write it. Well, time for coffee break.
