Anyone have a Beagle?

[meandtheguys2]

I love beagles! But they smell funny. At least the one my grandma had when I was a girl. Maybe they've bred that out of them. He had an awesome wail, too. We liked it!

One of the nicest, best dogs I've ever met in my life. Protected us from a mean varmint (I can't remember what it is called! I hate getting old!) of some sort when we were young.

 

[beagle744]

Not all beagles howl. I have 2 and only one howls. the other has never howled in her life

Bear in mind that they are extremely smart dogs. They are supposedly the #1 problem solving breed. Usually the problem they feel needs to be solved is how to get food, or in my case how to get out of the yard and get food.

I have to agree with this. They are very food driven too. I had a beagle that was very interested in the food we put on the table before we sat down to eat. When we weren't looking, he'd yank on the tablecloth pulling all the dishes and food to the floor so he could chow down. Lost more than one meal to this problem solving trait.

ETA: As you can see by my user name, I am a beagle fan. And as others have described, they playful, loving, mischievous and the sweetest dogs.

 

[NewJersey]

I have to agree with this. They are very food driven too. I had a beagle that was very interested in the food we put on the table before we sat down to eat. When we weren't looking, he'd yank on the tablecloth pulling all the dishes and food to the floor so he could chow down. Lost more than one meal to this problem solving trait.

Oh man! Can you train them not to do that? Or is it just something you have to keep an eye on?

I was checking out that BREW site and I'm torn between a beagle or a Westie. I can't make up my mind!

 

[beagle744]

Oh man! Can you train them not to do that? Or is it just something you have to keep an eye on?

I was checking out that BREW site and I'm torn between a beagle or a Westie. I can't make up my mind!

The dog just trained us to have someone watch the table while we getting dinner on the table.

That particular has since died but we still have 3 in our house and none of those dogs are quite as 'smart' about getting food in that way.

 

[LucyStorm]

I have had two beagles, both from rescues, both left in the woods by hunters after being shot. My suspicion is that they were shot because they were not good hunters. Both were the sweetest but dumbest dogs you ever wanted to meet. One was an escape artist, the other wouldn't leave home no matter what you do to her. Both got fat from their penchant for food. Neither howled, or barked much. Beagles are excellent with kids (don't know if that is a consideration) and not a lot of work. Shedding is minimal if you brush them once a week or so. Not a lot of health problem traits as far as I know other than being overweight. Both wanted to be close to you and the latest would be happy if she could just crawl into your skin, she wants to be that close. Sara (the current beagle) went with me for 3 years to work, and stayed in the Alzheimer's unit because she was so gentle and sweet. One of my best memories of her was when she crawled in bed with a patient who was dying, and the smile on his face as she nuzzled him.

My mom has had several beagles who were very smart dogs. I think it is like any other breed. There are temperament tests you can do when you go to pick out a puppy to see if the one you are looking at is submissive or dominant. If you want a more laid back dog, go for the submissive one.

And forgive my ignorance, but aren't Westies pretty high strung?

 

[NewJersey]

A friend of mine has a Westie and its an excellent dog so I haven't looked up as much information on them as a Beagle ( don't know anyone IRL who has a Beagle). I guess I should now!

The only two things that worry me about the beagle is the howling and the shedding; but it doesn't seem to be over the top.

 

[hercamore]

Hi

My Sam looks like Kathy's beagle, except he's male. Also doesn't howl much at all. He has to be really really excited to howl...like a deer in the yard or some other unuusal "intruder".

He does shed tho. He is the best dog ever. Funny, loyal, happy. He is not overweiight because I measure out his food.

herc.

 

[ElizK]

My beagle (Dixie) looks like Kathy's beagle, too, only fatter and older!

Things I love about my beagle:
She's the SWEETEST dog ever, and always happy. We found out that she had really bad teeth (had to have 13 teeth pulled!) only because we found a tooth and checked her mouth. They had to have been bad for a long time, but we didn't know because her disposition never changed, though she did sleep more. She rarely barks, never howls. She sheds, but not anywhere close to as bad as my beagle/cocker mix dog does. If you brush her once or twice a week the shedding won't be a big deal.

Things I don't love about my beagle:
She recycles her food, if you know what I mean...
If she gets out the front door, she's OUTTA here. She runs far and fast, and it becomes a game of catch-me-if-you-can. Stupid dog.
She is a GLUTTON. As is typical for beagles, she would literally eat until she explodes if we let her.

 

[unbroken chain]

I have one that is 1/2 beagle, 1/2 lab, and another dog that is a Heinz 57.

The 1/2 beagle, 1/2 lab does not shed much at all. She does bay, but not all the time. If she does bark, you know she's a hound though.

She is not as snuggly as the Heinz 57. She did chase the cats for a long time, but less so now.

She is very smart, but, very stubborn. She will try to snatch food off the table the second you are not looking. She knows better, but does it anyway. Also, when I tell the dogs to go out, the 1/2 beagle will run into her crate instead with a "this is good enough, right?" look on her face, whereas the other dog actually goes outside as he's told. She is also constantly jumping on the couch. I let them get on the old couch, but not the new one. The other dog figured out that he wasn't allowed on the new couch and doesn't get up there (much). The 1/2 beagle knows she isn't allowed on the new couch too, but gosh-darn it, she was allowed on the old one and the new couch is comfy, so she's going to get up there whenever you leave the room and stay there until you go tell her to get off.

 

[KathyTX]

The 1/2 beagle knows she isn't allowed on the new couch too, but gosh-darn it, she was allowed on the old one and the new couch is comfy, so she's going to get up there whenever you leave the room and stay there until you go tell her to get off.

Jessie has the same imperious attitude and sense of entitlement. She's not at all obnoxious about it, just assumes that she can do whatever she pleases when you're not watching. She's a bit of a .

But such a sweet girl. She'll sit at my feet, or beside me on the sofa. She'll shadow me as I move from room to room in the house. She'll dance and prance and act like she's ecstatic to see me when I come home from work.

 

[NewJersey]

Jessie has the same imperious attitude and sense of entitlement. She's not at all obnoxious about it, just assumes that she can do whatever she pleases when you're not watching. She's a bit of a .

But such a sweet girl. She'll sit at my feet, or beside me on the sofa. She'll shadow me as I move from room to room in the house. She'll dance and prance and act like she's ecstatic to see me when I come home from work.

Our old dog used to do the same thing about the couch! Finally, we just said, fine you can get up there.

 

[Crankyshank]

Oh I know what you mean about a beagle My Roswell truly thinks the sun rises and sets according to her whims. She's not as tenacious as my other beagle, but she is very good at getting what she wants. She's the one that can turn on the remote and open the pantry

This is a day in her life:

 

[NewJersey]

Oh I know what you mean about a beagle My Roswell truly thinks the sun rises and sets according to her whims. She's not as tenacious as my other beagle, but she is very good at getting what she wants. She's the one that can turn on the remote and open the pantry

This is a day in her life:

Love the pictures!!! Especially the one of her watching tv. Our Scottie used to do that.

 

[Crankyshank]

Love the pictures!!! Especially the one of her watching tv. Our Scottie used to do that.

She loves tv. We have a new entertainment center and she loves the fact she can now watch tv and look out the window at any incoming squirrels at the same time Her new favorite show is Planet Earth.

Beagles are very funny dogs. I've been around a lot of different breeds and except for my parents' pug, no dog has come close to amusing me as much as my beagles. They have pretty distinct personalities.

 

[Cantw8]

Can you tell me the good and the bad? Thanks!

I just had one this morning good=toasted with Strawberry cream cheese bad= untoasted Hope this helps

 

[ckay87]

We have a beagle mix and we had a beagle mix when I was growing up. Those crazy beagles sure are swingers; they tend to mix a LOT.

She does NOT bark a lot. When she does, we know she means it.

As far as running....we adopted her at 3. First time we let her off the leash, she R-A-N as far and as fast as she could. But I realized later that she was just heading home. As soon as she learned that we were her home, she stayed put. We don't have a fence or anything, we just open the door and she stays in her yard. We also can and do let her off leash at the park or woods. She knows who her people are, she's not going anywhere. Very loyal.

We see that hound-dog nose in action when walking her. She never has and never will learn to heel. It is nose-to-the-ground-drag-momma-down-the-road. Was watching the Westminster dog show once and they introduced the beagle as "the nose with four legs."

One thing that I have noticed about beagles that has not been pointed out...and maybe I'm wrong....but they tend to be VERY fearful. Even our tough-as-nails mutt from my childhood would be a quivering mess in a thunderstorm. And this one...she's even afraid of the grill.

Smart...yes definitely. This one understands our conversations. I don't mean one or 2 word phrases but things like "hey, do you think we should take the dog along to my mom's?" She recognizes household patterns like if I put my sneakers on at a certain time of the day, it means a walk.

They are very very cool, loyal, vulnerable, loving dogs. We're looking for a puppy to add to the pack after our WDW trip. I can't wait!

 

[hercamore]

OMG, Roswell is so funny! Is that Dog Whisperer she's watching?

I've always said beagle know how to get their needs met!

My Sam has absolutely no interest in the TV.

ckay, I agree with you about beagles recognzing the household routine...my beagle seems to know the difference between my "good" clothes and "around the house" clothes. Good clothes mean, "she's leaving and I get the house to myself", LOL.

herc..

 

[officer tigger]

We have a 10 month old Beagle. She has been going to dog training classes for the past 6 months. She is doing real well, but at this age she really needs to be watched.
She recently chewed a hole in the kitchen wall because she was upset that she was alone.
If you can't keep an eye on her she needs to be in her crate. During meals she is usually on a leash with it attached to something. That way she can be with us and can't jump up on the table.
She is a very loving dog that enjoys to be with the family and is great with my two young daughters.
I have no trouble walking her on the leash and she'll come when called if she is off leash. Also she does not bark much at all and never howls.

 

[ckay87]

Great, now y'all have me searching Petfinder. There are SO many beagle puppies out there. Hopefully there will be just as many in June

They are the cutest puppies ever, aren't they?

 

[joshsmom]

I have two beagles and they are, for the most part, outside dogs. Neither of them like to be cooped up inside unless its extremely cold (I consider below 35degrees cold) or REALLY hot (above 95).

The pros: they are so loving, loyal, and protective. If there's someone around our house, they know it and they tell us. Neither of my beagles just bark to be barking--its always because something is amiss. Although they do have a strong urge to hunt, they can be easily trained and they are so eager to please, they get in the groove of training/rewards quickly. They are very smart dogs.

The cons: mine DIG!!!! They are supreme escape artists. However, I bought an electronic monitoring system at PetsMart and we have not had any escapes since. It is not an in ground fence system--it is a unit that you place in the house that uses a signal to cover your property. The dogs wear collars similar to the electric fence ones and when they get too close to the perimeter, it sends a beeping signal that they need to back up. Mine have only been shocked once each, and now they know their limits. Its been a GOD SEND!!!

I love my beagles and when their time comes to go to doggy heaven, I will get more beagles. Both of mine are rescue beagles and I think they are GREAT dogs!