Anyone have a beagle?

moodymare1987

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I have been considering getting another dog, got a border collie we rescued but wanting to get something to register with kc and do some dog shows and things like that.
I love the look of beagles nice size and not too hairy. Have seen some with dog walkers and look like good sorts, but would like a bit more info if anyone has any on them :D

Does anyone have one and got any pics of them. Anything I should be wary of about the breed. Would also get plenty of exercise and will be doing some training and fun classes to keep us both busy.
 
I don't own one but some basic knowledge gleaned from beagles I have known / come across:

Like any scent hound it will have its nose permanently glued to the floor
It will only stay with you on walks when on a lead, if loose it will either be in the nearest hedge (if you are lucky) or 3 fields away (if you aren't)
It will be desperately unhappy on its own but will get on with almost any dog.
It will go all day and take as much exercise as you can throw at it and get fat if you don't give it enough.





Can you tell I wouldn't have one? :p But then again I can't talk, I have sighthounds who do all the above with their noses in the air but they do need a little less exercise :rolleyes:
 
Good luck with that! Ha ha.

Lovely dogs, but no recall, opinionated, and can be very frustrating. Loving, friendly and noisy.

My friend has 2, she loves/hates them equally (but wouldn't be without them)
 
Haha oh dear that doesnt sound too good. My border collie has his nose glued to the floor sniffing things. Maybe I got the dud one haha.
I am planning on doing the training classes, and hopefully the recall thing wont be a problem with any luck?

Or what other smallish dogs would you recommend.
 
Beagles were on our shortlist.... but their reputation for terrible recall put us off (that and we have a rabbit which we were told it would never leave alone).

Have to say at obedience classes the difficult dogs did always seem to be Beagles!

We went for a GSP although obv they are bigger. Vizlas, Dalmations were also on our list. Shorthair was the top of our list!
 
Oh not sure what to think now.
I did have a quick look on the internet and seem to have mixed reviews about the breed, some say they are no harder to train than others. And some say just to be consistant and go to the puppy training classes.

Hmm might have a look see if I can find something more suitable if thats the case. I am not fussed about having to train and spend a lot of time with a dog, just by sounds of it they arent the best?
 
I love springers, we had one when i was little and loved her!! she smiled if you tickled her nose :)

cockers are smaller .. I dont have anything against them, my mums dog hates them!! we have no idea why! theres a couple in the villiage that really do offend him.. so whenever I see one I get all tense until I remember hes not there lol :)

King Charles' are just cuteeeeee :D
 
Can't say I have good experiences, our neighbour had her sisters for a week, the noise! It made this kind of baying noise and was crazy apparently couldn't nbe let off the lead. Feel free to correctme but they are bred to hunt in packs, not ideal as pets in my eyes.
I am sure there are nice ones out theere though!
 
I have a Beagle and also look after some. They are wonderful dogs and I would have another but I would consider carefully what sort of dog you want and what your lifestyle is before getting one.

They are stubborn and not easy to train (especially the recall!!) but crate training helps with house training and separation anxiety and they can be trained with treats as they are very food driven. They don't like being left on their own but if you have another dog and can give it plenty of exercise you should be ok.

Warning though they do like to howl a lot! Best of luck if you do decide to get one they are very affectionate and provide lots of amusement! :)
 
My vets receptionist has two, and when I was considering one she said don't if you value your nice garden. Apparently they trashed hers :D

Other friends of mine got 2 bitch pups, about 4 months apart and from the FB updates they're much loved, but the cause of a fair amount of frustration :)
 
I have had two - both show beagles as opposed to hunting beagles. Love them to bits BUT:
1. Forget recall of any kind.
2. Can be food aggressive.
3. Destructive.
4. Definitely need to be with other dogs.
5. No bin within a 5 mile area is safe!
They are wonderful dogs, but will disappear off hunting at the drop of a hat. Too many end up in the wrong hands and it is very sad. Oddly, they make good town dogs.
I decided that I could not face the stress again (I do adore them, though)and have now got a whippet which I completely love. Just as much fun, but they do come back.
Good luck with your search.
 
I have a Beagle and also look after some. They are wonderful dogs and I would have another but I would consider carefully what sort of dog you want and what your lifestyle is before getting one.

They are stubborn and not easy to train (especially the recall!!) but crate training helps with house training and separation anxiety and they can be trained with treats as they are very food driven. They don't like being left on their own but if you have another dog and can give it plenty of exercise you should be ok.

Warning though they do like to howl a lot! Best of luck if you do decide to get one they are very affectionate and provide lots of amusement! :)

I would have plenty of time to train and exercise, I do have another dog also but hes getting old now and not sure if the plan would be to get another aswell as the beagle, I am sure we would as my mum wants another little one aswell as mine.

I think it wil be hard work but once you have done the training are they enjoyable to have around?
 
I have two beagles and wouldn't swop them for the world. Sure the breed can be a bit of a handful but if you go in with your eyes open and work hard they are just fantastic dogs to have. One of mine is nicknamed "the trustee" because she is just that - trustworthy in any situation. She is the sweetest and most loyal dog I have ever known and her recall is just fantastic. The other one is a bit more typical beagle like but I still wouldn't swop him for the world. He will get in the rubbish though and his bark is a bit loud once he does but neither of mine bark a lot to begin with. He does not go off the lead because of socialisation (people and dog) issues that began before we got him. Being a bit more beagle-like though he definitely shows signs of not having good recall. Both of them are super food driven which is actually pretty useful :).

Like any breed there are good ones and there are bad ones ... if you get one of the good ones you won't want another kind of dog again. But you have to keep them busy, well walked, and let them sniff because that's what they live to do.

Gratuitous pics of my hounds:

Dakota - enjoying a break during a long walk

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Bella - sniffing with our other dog while Dakota wants to head off down the trail (he's on the lead, she is not)

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And Bella most definitely being a beagle in a blizzard in our back garden ("there is a squirrel up there mum, I KNOW it!")

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And proven right (not much escapes that nose!) as she stalks the squirrel from the deck, still in the blizzard

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All the hounds enjoying a break on another walk

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I would have plenty of time to train and exercise, I do have another dog also but hes getting old now and not sure if the plan would be to get another aswell as the beagle, I am sure we would as my mum wants another little one aswell as mine.

I think it wil be hard work but once you have done the training are they enjoyable to have around?

Yes they are very enjoyable dogs to own, if you can put up with the negatives and train them well from the start then you'll love them to bits! I wouldn't have one on its own as they love company so much. I'm a dog walker / pet sitter so constantly have other dogs around and he loves it and I know he'll get on with any dog I bring home. Let me know what you decide and if you want any training tips!

some beagle pics...
http://www.allcreatures-greatandsmall.co.uk/boarding.cfm
 
Aw max and Jake are lovely what breeding are they. I love the one with black head was either max or Jake. Im in my phone so can't go back. Lovely dogs though bit might have to consider another
 
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