If beagles are so popular at #4, where the heck are they? In my 50 years I don't think I've seen more than half a dozen.
Many rabbit hunters have beagles and usually, they have more than one. I've never hunted rabbits but friends who have with beagles say that it's a great sport to be involved in. They say just watching the beagles work is a blast.
Characteristically, Beagles the world over will run away if given a chance. Where to, no one knows...
There's your answer ;-)
You have to remember, these are AKC REGISTRATIONS. Most of those registered dogs are going to the shows. Show people can be quite a bit different from Joe Schmoe. Beagles are very popular on the show circuit.
And I haven't seen a whole lot of Beagles myself. But I have seen some - or at least obvious mixes.