Why was Shiloh a beagle?

my class and I have been reading your book Shiloh for the last few weeks and we are about to watch a movie about it too! We have enjoyed your book very much but, I do have some questions, Why is Shiloh a beagle? Why did Judd beat his dogs? And why didn’t Judd give Shiloh to Marty for free if Shiloh was hurt and wasn’t going to be a good hunting dog? Well,enough of that! I would like to tell you my favorite part of your book was when Marty asked for spoiled for cheap and the man at the store thought the Preston family was going through tough food times and the man told people in the town and they started to put food at their front door. Oh by the way I’m in fourth grade and I go to Waynesville elementary school. Your friend, Avia.

Judd was a hurt and angry man, and he took his feelings out on his dogs, making them obey out of fear.  He was too proud and mean a man to give Shiloh to Marty, even though the dog had been hurt.  He couldn’t admit he was wrong about training his dogs.  I made Shiloh a beagle because the abused dog I found in West Virginia had the same coloring as a beagle.