At age 8 weeks, Merlin and his twin brother, Capt'n Jack Sparrow, are quite a mini-pack. Merlin is the one with the SPOT in the middle of his head. We call it his "Easy Button" because when we want him to do something we (or his brothers, Robin & Falcon) press it. (Of course when we want him NOT to do something, it becomes his "RESET button".)

By the time he's 5 weeks old, Merlin is already getting into trouble. Notice that Jack is in the background on lookout duty while Merlin investigates the bag.

By Halloween, the twins are barely 2 months old and there is nothing cuter than a beagle puppy (unless it is one in a costume). Merlin the Wizard of Arthurian legend makes his rounds here at Random Walk Farm.

Meanwhile, a hundred miles away, Capt'n Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean handsomely lives up to his namesake as well. He participates in a local holiday parade.

Just before he leaves for his trip to Random Walk Farm, Merlin poses for his travel photo with the help of brother Jack who is trying to peek under him at the camera.

Merlin gets a very nice card from his new hound friends which could act as his passport. As you can see, the normal size card is as big as Merlin.

When we pick up Merlin for the first time, he poses between Falcon, his new father/mentor, and his mother. Mom knows that Merlin will be in good paws with Falcon.

Once they get home, Merlin has no trouble paying attention to Falcon's wise advice. He has a lot to learn and has a great teacher to help him do it.

By the second day at the farm, Merlin is beginning to get the idea of how we do the stand for examination. When his brothers, Falcon and Robin, stand straight, he learns quickly that all beagles must remain in place and pay attention to mommy during this exercise.

By Thanksgiving, Merlin is 3 months old and has learned to follow his elder's lead. He is used to wearing costumes and knows all about sitting and posing for pictures. Sometimes, Falcon wishes he wasn't so attentive.

The folks who Falcon & Robin visit at the nursing home can't wait to meet Merlin. So as soon as he finishes all his shots, Merlin begins his training in animal assisted therapy. Not surprisingly, Merlin takes to this immediately. He already learned from his brothers how to pose for the camera.

Merlin's small size really helps him to get up close and personal when he visits. Of course, his outgoing, carefree personality and his beagle charm doesn't hurt either. He sure can brighten up everyone's day.

The lads sit quietly for their serious Christmas photo. Merlin doesn't understand why everyone is being so quiet while daddy fusses with the camera. But if that's what it takes to earn a cookie, he'll do it.

However, between takes, Merlin is not above a little puppy FUN. When he's not in training or posing for a photo shoot, Merlin is just a "wild and crazy" guy. He's not above a little slapstick humor even if it is at his own expense. Falcon gets exasperated when he acts like a puppy but Robin (who is still only 3 years old) thinks he is a riot.

Merlin gets to go swimming in the ocean and he loves it. Swimming is FUN. But WATCH OUT for the waves!.

We warned him about the wave. But, hey, it's cool dude. It's, like, TUBULAR. Merlin likes to body surf too!

Merlin's first rally trial is more like a family reunion. He gets to play with his twin brother, Capt. Jack, who he hasn't seen since they were pups. Even at a distance the twins recognize each other and pick up the playing where it left off.

Merlin also gets to show brother Jack and breeder Kris how much fun he can have playing at rally. You have to keep an eye on mommy and both ears open so you can hear what she wants you to do next.

He learned from brother Robin that when you sit and mommy walks around you, people like to take pictures. So he stays and smiles for the cameras. Hey, Jack, look at me. I'm doing rally. Just like uncle Falcon. It's FUN.

The down and walk around is a very serious exercise. If you get up, you won't qualify. But Merlin waits and QUALIFIES on his first try ever. This is quite hard for a 10 month old beagle. Lots of ice cream for Team Beagle today.

With three qualifying scores at his 1st three shows, Merlin earns his Rally Level 1 title at 10 months of age.

Merlin demonstrates how he learned to do rally by imitating Falcon during the off-lead recall at this brace competition. Notice the same look, the same eyes (squinting in the sunshine), the same ears and, best of all, the same raised leg!

A few months later, Merlin gets his first perfect score in rally, earns first place in a class of over forty competitors and gets a ribbon as the highest scoring Therapy Dog.

That same day he receives the annual "St. Hubert's shining star award" as the team that "embodies the spirit of rally". His name will be added to a perpetual plaque. He certainly is our SHINING STAR.

When Robin's movie agent wants us to send her a portfolio for Merlin, we laugh and send her three photos. This is his "serious" one showing how he would look if he had to do "Hamlet" or another dramatic role like the one that Robin did.

Of course if they want the happy-go-lucky Merlin for a comedy role this picture shows his playful side. It also gives you a much better idea of just how BIG Merlin really is. You better plan on a lot of close-ups if you want to see him.

Finally the agent says to be sure to include a "drop dead gorgeous" photo of Merlin for the portfolio. Since he's not the rugged breed champion that Robin is, we go for the cuteness factor. Everyone who sees this picture just smiles and says "Ahhhh".

The "cuteness" factor works and Merlin gets the role in "Malevolence - bereavement". As you can tell from the title, it's not exactly a comedy. It's a VERY scary, HORROR movie but Merlin does a very nice job. Here is a picture from the trailer with Merlin and one of the stars. Obviously they wanted "cuteness".

The day after the movie is completed, it is back to rally for Merlin and Team Beagle. He earns a double Q by qualifying in both level 1 and level 2 (off-lead) at the same trial. His heeling is getting to be very good.

Merlin can also handle off-lead rally. Not only can he do all the rather difficult APDT level 2 exercises but he can also do the extremely hard bonus "down at a distance". In this trial, Merlin earns first place only a single point away from another perfect score.

At his very first obedience trial, Merlin earns a Qualifying score toward his CD-H title. Even the people who act as posts during the off-lead figure 8 can't help but smile at the happy puppy.

Merlin earns his Rally Level 2 title at an outdoor trial on a cool, windy day. Based on his height, Merlin is supposed to jump 4 inches but the ring crew forget to lower the jump. Merlin obviously has no trouble clearing the 8 inch jump with Marie more than 6 feet to the side as required.

Merlin does an internet video for the NFL. We never expected Merlin to be an NFL star but I guess you never know.

It is not the most FUN Merlin ever has but they want him to be cute and he certainly delivers on that.

Merlin enjoys doing agility in the regular venues with the full size equipment even though some of the obstacles are VERY BIG for him. He doesn't even need to lower his tail as he races through the full size tunnel.

However, Teacup agility uses equipment which is scaled down to be proportional to the size of the little dogs. In this venue, Merlin just fits in the tunnel with his tail lowered. But he races just as fast.

The full size A-frame is too high and too steep for Merlin. But we let him do the Teacup A-frame. Obviously he loves to play on ALL the Teacup equipment. Hitting the yellow contact zone is not a problem for Merlin.

Merlin is not just an agility specialist. Between his runs in the various agility venues, Merlin finds time to earn his rally championship, ARCH (shown here) as well as his novice obedience title, CD-H.

With the finish line in sight, Merlin blasts out of the chute and races to the end. He recognizes the electric timers that mark the end of his run.

Merlin is totally fearless on an agility course. He has no problem "walking the plank" as he just continues going along the teeter as it drops to the ground.

Merlin is all ears as he focuses on his mommy to earn his tenth double Q (qualifying score) and finish his ARCHX (APDT Rally CHampion eXcellent) title. Falcon was a great teacher but from now on Merlin is on his own. There is only one level higher than this in all of rally.

Merlin loves rally and is able to do things that Falcon never could. Not only does he go on to earn his RL3 (Rally Level 3) title but he does it with three scores of 195+ and hence also earns an Award of Excellence at the highest level in rally.

Now that Merlin has mastered level 3 rally, there is no stopping him. The little man has now earned his ARCHEX. He really LOVES rally. Notice the smile and the ear (matching his mommy's hand) indicating that he knows that he will have to go to the left.

The ARCHEX ribbon (and his level 3 championship ribbon) is much bigger than Merlin is. And well it should be. He needed 10 double qualifying scores in levels 2 and 3 (same trial) with scores of 195 or higher. But Merlin is up to the challenge.

Merlin loves doing STUFF. So we enter him in Open level obedience, fully expecting that he could never do anything this difficult. The hardest exercise is the GO OUT. He must leave mommy and go straight out to a line on the floor and sit. He amazes everyone and does it.

This has to be Merlin's most amazing achievement EVER. He is very proud of his CDX ribbon. Just follow my eyes and read the ribbon. It says that I did real good.

Surrounded by his favorite Teacup judges, Merlin celebrates the completion of his TMAG, (TDAA Master Agility Games championship). After earning his level 3 title with 5 Qs, Merlin had to earn 10 additional Qs in the highest level of Teacup.

Just to top off a truly fabulous year, Merlin completes the 2,000 points necessary to earn his L2T-PLT title and plaque in CPE agility. This requires him to earn over 100 Qs in Level 2 agility. He earns the bar that he is jumping along with a HUGE ribbon. All his friends sign his bar as a tribute.

About 1 year after completing his level 2 plaque, Merlin gets an additional 1,000 points to earn his L1T-PLT. He gets his picture taken with his new "favorite" CPE judge. By the end of the day, she is calling Merlin by name and cheering when he crosses the finish line.

Everyone cheers when Merlin crosses the finish line. He is always so much FUN to watch and he is always smiling. He is shown here completing his Teacup superior standard title, TSAD. Teacup standard times are VERY fast and you can not make even the slightest mistake. But Merlin can do it.

Merlin has become very good at doing the weaves. He likes the teacup weaves which are a little closer together so he can bounce back and forth but the full size weaves are fun too.

Because of his special conditions, we never imagine that Merlin will be able to run agility. But obviously he can. In fact, agility has strengthened his muscles and greatly increased his flexibility.

Merlin has a lot of FUN hunting for the rat in the bales of hay. He goes through the tunnel, climbs the bales, finds the rat and earns his RAT Instinct and his RAT Novice titles.

He overcomes all his handicaps and learns to run VERY fast. Merlin amazes us all by earning his Teacup championship by qualifying on the same courses and the same standard course times as Robin.

Following in the footsteps of his brothers, Falcon and Robin, most people might think that the road may be too hard for little Merlin. Afterall, they are pretty BIG paw prints.

But he proves that he can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. He earns the highest title in all of Rally when he gets his ARCHMX with a huge ribbon and a personalized rosette.

The final exercise in his quest for his ARCHMX is the retrieve. Merlin loves to "GET THE DUCK" and bring it back to mommy. He nails the exercise for a perfect score.

Merlin knows just how he wants to celebrate achieving his ARCHMX. More than any of the other beagles, Merlin loves to go swimming at his own private beach. There are ducks there, too.

Perhaps all of the agility he has done is helping Merlin's flexibility. He is running much faster (and more accurately) than ever and quickly earns his 2nd teacup championship.

Even when he is not competing, Merlin is always happy. He loves to just run around the back yard at the shore, smiling and having FUN. Look how fast I can GO.

When Merlin earns his CPE championship, he gets LOTS of STUFF. He proudly displays the cup with CS-ATCH MERLIN that reads: "This is me being awesome."

He also wants everyone to see him with his bar and ribbons and all his gifts. He generously lets his personal assistants join him in the picture as well (to hold his STUFF).

At ten years old, after working so hard to earn his ARCHMX, Merlin finally gets to enjoy the rally veterans class. No wonder Merlin (and his mommy) has a big smile on his face.

In fact, Merlin is so good as a veteran, he actually finishes 2016 ranked FIRST in the WORLD cynosport rally (aka APDT) year end rankings (all breed). He is really an overachiever.

He earns his first CPE individual class championship. Of course, it is Snookers. He is the first of our beagles to earn several level C rainbow ribbons in snookers. Good through 7.

To prove that his first championship was not a fluke, Merlin remains in level 5 until he earns his CS-ATCH2 under his favorite judge. Now he can return to Level 1 and finish his agility career.

Of course, he earns all his level 1 titles in a single weekend. But he continues in level 1 to earn his 1,000 point level title. Merlin can still fly over the jumps when he needs to.

He really LOVES working the crowd at these 4H and Camp America demos. By now, Merlin has gotten so good at getting the kids to cheer that he often goes off script just to get an extra laugh.

By now Merlin has become so famous that his fans are demanding more from him. So it is only natural that we clone him so that he can be in two places at the same time.

The clone is exactly the same size as Merlin. He has the same nose, tiny toes and hovers when he lays down. From the top view, he even has the same spot on the top of his head.

At 13 years of age, Merlin still excels at agility. When CPE introduces a new obstacle, the dreaded WALL, we make it clear to Merlin that, for safety, he is NOT allowed to jump it.

But, like the A-frame, Merlin does not listen. He ignores the instruction to GO AROUND the WALL and flies right over it. Notice the smile on Merlin's face and the fear on his mommy's.

There is a new canine challenge, TRICK DOG, which seems to be made just for Merlin. Movies, videos, competition, HELLO, Merlin does all this. Bring on the tricks. So in one day, he earns all 3 trick titles. Here he shows the judge his special trick, how a beagle with floppy ears can use them as turn signals. After showing the left and right turns, he does the hazard lights above.

"Everything that goes around, comes around". In rally, it all ends as it began. Here is Merlin earning his 6th Veteran championship with a high score before retiring from rally. His stiff joints are making it hard to do sits and downs. With his favorite judge/trainer (who judged his first Q) in the background, Merlin knows exactly where to expect his mommy to appear after the "sit and walk around".

At his final trial before COVID closing forces Merlin into retirement, Merlin gets to run SNOOKERS and use his famous "turn back" on obstacle #1 and #4.

At the end of another great run, his favorite agility judge, Mike Conroy, congratulates Merlin for another very successful run and a fabulous career.