Does anyone have a Beagle?

[Manda1219]

I'm sure there are a few of you!
Anyways, shopping for puppies last week, I came across the most adorable Beagle puppy. I fell in love with her, hard! I have been doing some research (mostly just looking at pics!), but I'd like to hear from people who actually own them.
Are they easy to train? Cuddly? Messy?
Any info is appreciated...I don't want to be uneducated in regards to such a big/important purchase. I'd like to know as much as possible, and not just make an impulse buy!!!
Thank you in advance!!!

 

[DocRafiki]

Why on earth would you "buy" a dog?

www.petfinder.com

 

[WilmaBud]

I have 4 beagles. They are precious, sweet, and loving companions. They are not particularly easy to train. And you can NEVER let them out of the house without a leash (unless it's in a securely fenced-in yard). Once they catch a scent of something, they go!

People always say beagles bark a lot. That's a complete misconception. They are excellent watch dogs, but they don't bark very much when they're kept as house pets. Unfortunately, lots of beagles end up with knuckleheads who keep them penned up outside.

I've had 5 beagles, but my one boy died a few years ago. We did buy our 1st one (she's 14 and the love of our lives), but the rest have been rescues. Sadly, there are lots and lots of beagles in need of good homes.

Beagles are happiest in "packs" (two beagles are actually easier than one). They get along great with cats and they are gentle as can be with children. They are completely "food-motivated" (ie. gluttons). And my terminally-ill 13 year old beagle still gets into the trash when it's left unlocked! They can be a bit mischievous, but nothing too dramatic.

I think beagles are the sweetest souls. I never set out to have all these beagles. LOL! I always say God sends me beagles. But I adore them, and I can't imagine not always having at least one.

If you've fallen for the little girl beagle, I say go for it (after doing your research and making sure she's healthy). Maybe in the future, you'll be interested in rescuing a brother or sister for her! If you're ever interested in the names and websites of beagle rescue organizations, just pm me. Good luck!

 

[wdwnutze]

I have an 9month old Beagle that I got at 6wks. I chose a Beagle because of all I read about them(good with kids, loveable). She is the sweetest puppy. She loves attention and is full of life! Although she is house broken(wasn't too hard to do), she is very tough to train. She knows Sit, Stay(sometimes) and would just about stand on her head if it involved food! We are starting her in obedience training this weekend. She will not walk on a leash(too busy tracking scents) so this is one of the main reasons we are going to training. WE have crate treained her and she really likes her crate. She is very good tempered and loves to play (the cat gets a little tired of her sometimes). She loves to be held or to sit on someones lap while we watch tv. My puppy rarely barks but her brother(my s-i-l has him) barks a lot. I don't think you'll find a sweeter dog. Good luck. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

 

[WilmaBud]

I'm giving this a bump because I know there are other beagle owners here!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I do I do. We have Ricky, a 10 year old beagle who is my second. He is a lovable, gentle, lazy, old soul. Good with the kids, and my 2yo son adores him. Like the others have posted, my beagle also is a real glutton. Still to this day, food cannot be left on the counter, table, can't turn my back on an open fridge door, he would eat himself into a coma, I am convinced.
Fortuneatley, his running away days are over, if he does get out of the yard, he just goes to the fromt porch and waits to be found. But that wasn't always the case, as a pup, he got into more trouble in neigbors yards and such. The only problem which is huge, is this dog has had chronic ear infections from the beginning. It is getting worse and worse, to the point we are considering the inevitable. (please no flames) The expense is becoming too much and the smell is overwelming. I clean his ears 2x a day, he goes to the ve once a month or so, I have tried herbal remedies, even "people" antibiotics to no avail.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[chesirechik]

I have a three year old female beagle that we rescued from a shelter about a year ago.

We just love her to death. She loves to cuddle and sleep under blankets. She also sleeps with us at night. She's a total sweetie

She rarely barks either. We do crate her when we go out because she was being destructive, but from what I hear that's a fairly common trait in beagles (they get bored) and the crating solved the problem. She can be a bit of a terror on the leash if she gets on a scent. We've been to training and she can do sit and down, but that's about it! We NEVER EVER leave a plate or food out becuase she will be on it in a second (like someone else mentioned, they are very food motivated).

I can't think of a better doggie to get!

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

We have a 9 yo male beagle named Sam.

What can I say? He is the most wonderful dog and I can't imagine life without him.

My dd is at college and misses him terribly.

He is even tempered doesn't drool, (important in a dog), doesn't get desstructive when he's home alone. He has the run of the house when he's alone except for the bathroom. Otherwise, he'll be investigating the garbage, LOL. Not a big barker either. He is afraid of the howling winds and thunderstorms and the vacuum. Otherwise, he's pretty calm.

As other have posted, beagles are food nuts. We do not leave food out on the counter or it will be gone.

Good luck with your choice herc.

 

[Zurg]

We have two.

We maybe insane.

Beagles are a life support systen for a nose and the rest of the system follows the nose. The also have a loud noise alert system connected to the nose to let you know they smell something unusual.

They will follow their nose where ever it goes and will wander off if given the chance so be sure to fence the yard ot use an invisible fence.

They are pack animals and you become their pack. This makes them very happy to see you when you come home.

I am not so sure you train them I think they trained us.

All kidding aside they are fun dogs and we love ours but they like any dog are a lot of work and take a lot of attention - you are wise to ask around and read up.

 

[2bemarried]

My parents and I had a beagle named Jarrett. He was hit by a truck and killed on 8/6/02 b/c someone let him out of the house without his leash on.

You definitely need a fence/leash..etc for a beagle. They catch a scent and don't even remember who you are till the scent is gone. They really are the sweetest dogs on earth...but also a handful. Crate training was probably our most difficult task with Jarrett. His first 9 months he's randomly pee on the floor or in his crate....they have VERY small blatters..so you need to take them out more often. Like another poster...he didn't like walking on the leash...it's all about hunting for them...so be prepared for that. Beagles don't bark...they howl!! Jarrett was a riot. He loved to play with empty 2 liter bottles, tennis ball, squeaky toys, marrow bones..etc. He'd crush the bottles..slobber all over the balls...then get them stuck under the couch..and the howl at 'em until someone retrieved 'em. When I left home he became the baby...and believe me...he LOVED it. When mom and dad left for work in the mornings he'd lay down on the couch and mom would cover him with his own blanket..and he'd sleep there most of the day. Now he also had a jealous streak. He hated the telephone. If one of us was on the phone and not paying attention to him...he'd get something he knew he wasn't supposed to..b/c he knew that it would make us get off the phone. Spoiled rotten is what he was. I remember I was on the phone with my mom one night and I heard her say "Jarrett...NO"...of course I asked what he was doing...her reply "he's got a tube of my lipstick"...
So...long story short...beagles are great pets...you just need to know there's plenty of work involved with training them. I miss him so much....pets really are like real kids. My mom's still not over his death..and it was 2 years ago.

 

[TerriP]

We have the world's best Beagle!! (not that I'm biased!)

I agree with what everyone else has said. Beagles are sweet, charming, and very gentle. They are usually good with kids, kitties, and other dogs (we have a Labrador as well). Our Beagle, Beags, just recently learned to bark and he's TEN and a half years old!! Contrary to the myth, not all Beagles are barkers. Beags only barks when prompted or when he has to potty.

Do plan on some good obedience training as Beagles are scent motivated and need to be trained to *listen*. But, as someone else said, they are very food motivated as well ~ so that helps in training.

Also, Beagles are abundent in rescues. Please consider getting a rescued Beagle. They have young Beagles, older Beagles, already trained Beagles, Lemon Beagles, Tri-colored Beagles, 13 inch Beagles, 15 inch Beagles....you name it. Don't think just because you go to a "rescue" you can't get a purebred Beagle, either. You certainly can. There are thousands of wonderful Beagles that need homes. "BREW" is an organization that rescues and re-homes Beagles in several parts of the country. Go to their website and look at all the Beagles that need a home. If they don't have a rescue operation in your area, they will help you find a Beagle rescue that does.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Why on earth would you "buy" a dog?

www.petfinder.com

I "bought" my dog, does that mean I'm going to hell now?

 

[padisneyfan]

I have 2 beagles who we are sure are sisters and are 8 years old. We did buy one and got the other from the SPCA 2 years later. They are both blue tick beagles which you don't see as often. We feel they are sisters as there is only one person in our area who raises blue ticks and being the same age. We live near the woods so mine are always on a leash or we have 20 foot tie outs that I can put them on and watch they get tangled up around each other and trees. Mine are barkers when outside. That drives my husband crazy. We see nothing but they are out their barking and then if they get a scent of anything they do that howling barking. If for some reason they get off the leash off into the woods they go. Usually several hours later the dog returns or we get a call from someone that they have her. While one is gone the other goes crazy running to the window (we have a huge bay window that they can see out and of course bark at people when they walk past), going to the front and back door until her sister returns.

Does anyone elses beagle, crawl under the covers? Our one gets up in the bed and crawls under the covers to sleep. I make the bed every morning and everyday when I come home it looks like someone has been sleeping in the bed all day.

Nancy

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Why on earth would you "buy" a dog?

www.petfinder.com

Maybe if you want a very specific breed, and a puppy, not an adult dog. I see nothing wrong with that, as long as you've done your home work and are committed to the time and resources of owning a pet.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by Blondie
I "bought" my dog, does that mean I'm going to hell now?

Well, of course not. I think the Doc was just trying to let her know that there were other options other than buying a dog. I followed the link and found 175 beagles available for adoption within a 100 mile radius of where I live. This makes me very sad.

 

[Blondie]

Manda, if you want to "buy" a dog, that is your option. If you choose to "rescue" a dog, that is another.

Don't feel guilty if you find a breeder and "buy" a puppy.

 

[Crankyshank]

I have 2 - a 6yr old harrier that was a 6mos old rescue, and a 4yr old 13inch we bought. (Add it to the list of reasons I'm going to hell )

My male barks and howls (he also is called Humpy McGillicutty for a reason). My female barks on occasion and has never howled. She trilled, which is a singing/squeaking noise that beagles also do.

They are very loving, loyal, gentle, easy going dogs. They are very stubborn though and not the easiest to train. Especially to potty train. All training tends to go out of their heads once they catch a scent.

I would highly recommend them, especially if you have children. They are great rough and tumble dogs with kids. They are pretty healthy and not known for too many major hereditary health issues.
My male can play fetch all day if you let him. a laser pointer is beagle fun for hours!

If you do get one, please don't let them out unattended. Even if you have a fenced in yard. Beagles are very smart dogs. My female can easily escape the fence if she is so inclined. She can also open the fridge. Electric fences do not work on scent hounds . You also need to be very patient in their training and not expect miracles, because like I said - they are stubborn little buggers and are more interested in their surroundings than your instructions

 

[chesirechik]

Originally posted by padisneyfan


Does anyone elses beagle, crawl under the covers? Our one gets up in the bed and crawls under the covers to sleep. I make the bed every morning and everyday when I come home it looks like someone has been sleeping in the bed all day.

Nancy

Mine does this ALL the time. She comes running anytime she sees you with a blanket. She has her own blankets in the living room and on the bed. Somehow though she always ends up under mine!

When I'm sittting on the sofa watching TV with blanket on my legs she loves to being under the blanket half laying on my legs.

 

[Manda1219]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Why on earth would you "buy" a dog?

www.petfinder.com

Just saw this before reading the rest of the thread and I wanted to note, I am looking into adoption as well!

 

[Manda1219]

Ok I have read the thread!!! Thank you so much everyone for your comments and support! I AM looking into rescuing a beagle, but I am so in love with the one I found the other day I am kind of tempted to buy her. I am definatly an animal lover though, so if I buy her, I would definatly consider rescuing a brother or sister for her!

I appreciate the web site info and organizations! Thanks again!