but I do have some. My uncle, back in the 50's and 60's raised them as hunters. They are quite good hunters, as you may know.
Personally I have owned two in my life... and both long ago. So I can't speak for a beagles temperament other than anecdotally.... and my opinion is this: You described every beagle I have ever known.
In my experience beagles and 'rules'... whether the rules be manmade OR part of their DNA just don't seem to apply. They have only one 'rule'... and that is that there are NO 'rules'.