The inspiration for the formation of the Devon, Cornwall & South West Beagle Society is down to one lady, Mrs M M Stevenson (Stevee). The first meeting took place in her sitting room at Bude in Cornwall in 1969. The meeting was attended by half a dozen Beagle enthusiasts in the West Country, namely Salter, Baskerville, Eslick, Ninnis and of course 'Stevee'. 

The inaugral meeting followed on February 15th 1970 at the moorland Hotel, Shough, Plymouth attended by 28 founder members, and the KC gave approval to the formation of the Devon & Cornwall Beagle Society in April 1970.

The first elected officers were: president Mrs Maisie Salter, chairman Mr Mel Ninnis, vice-chairman Mrs Una Baskerville, secretary Mrs M M Stevenson, treasurer Mrs H Halliwell, and a committee of eight.

Their first open show was held in the same year with the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Society, followed by a members limited show in Exeter the following year.

In those early days membership of the executive committee was reserved to residents of Devon and Cornwall. In 1977 the KC approved an amendment to the residential clause and it was widened to include Dorset and Somerset. Also in that year two new committee members were elected, one from each County, Teleri Sincock and Mick Carpenter.

In 1977 the KC granted the Society championship status for 1978, and in that year Stevee indicated that she wished to retire as secretary but agreed to stay on as show manager for the first Ch show.

The present secretary, Mick Carpenter, was elected to this position. The judge for the first Championship show was Marion Spavin.

In 1990, under KC instructions, the name was changed to how it is today as they felt it better reflected the area of its operations.

In 1995 the society celebrated its silver jubilee show with an entry of 201/272, judged by Ferelith Somerfield.