Can someone answer this about beagles?

Question

I am certain I want the breed of a beagle. Is there any facts I should know about beagles before I get an adorable male beagle puppy? (health, grooming, food, good with kids, where to keep his cage? )

Or I might get a dachshund... so which is the better 1st pet a beagle or a dachshund?

Answer 1

Neither are good first pets - especially a male! Don't get a dog just because it's "cute" - you have to be able to live with its behavior!!!

Properly socialized Beagles are usually very sweet with kids, but they are scent hounds bred to live in packs and hunt all day. They are harder than average to housebreak even if you use a crate, but as far as general training - unless you're training them to hunt rabbits, you are very nearly wasting your time. They have powerful tracking instincts which nearly guarantee that they will try to run away every time you open the door. You can get them to sit and do tricks for treats, but you will almost NEVER see a beagle in an obedience competition. They can be incredibly stubborn and they will dig, chew, bark and howl endlessly if left alone.

Dachshunds, like terriers, can be very aggressive and stubborn - a real challenge to obedience train. They are prone to back problems.

I'd suggest that you consider the English (or Welsh) Springer Spaniel. They require some grooming, but don't shed too much, are generally great with kids and easy to train. Females are a little bit easier than males, but either should make a terrific pet. They will need a good thirty minute walk every day.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and ENGLISH Cocker Spaniels (NOT American!) are great too and need less exercise. They are small, sweet and quiet.

Australian Shepherds, Vizslas, Setters, Labs and Goldens are usually great with kids but they're bigger and are very boisterous until they are about two. Labs shed a LOT.

Before you get ANY dog, you should do some reading so you'll be ready. These are the books that I recommend to my students; you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Find a good breeder referral by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. This is a breed that can have hip and aggression problems - you should get the best one you can!
http://www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm

You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm

The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.

Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog that is often sick and may have falsified registration papers. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_puppymills

Answer 2

Beagles are very friendly. They are also very curious. They were bred for tracking so they will follow an interesting smell. Grooming is very easy. Just a bath and a brush every few months. But make sure their nails are trimmed and their ears cleaned. Floppy eared dogs can get ear infections easily. If you are gonna crate-train him/her, make sure the cage is only big enough to let him/her lie flat in it and wide enough to turn around in. Any bigger and they will use half the cage as a bathroom and the other a bed. With feeding keep an eye on his weight. Many owners overfeed and end up with an obese beagle. Should be able to feel the ribs when petting but not see them and should be able to see a waist. Ask the breeder about feeding and only get a pure-bred puppy from a reputable breeder not a pet store! Pups that are sold at pet stores are at high risk for illness. Also, you don't need to spend a fortune on food. We've used Purina for years and our dogs are fine with it. One last thing, I have a bit of a warning. Beagles voices sound odd. Some of their barks sound like they're being tortured but its their normal bark. Warn your neighbors. Some beagles only bark at certain times and some bark more often but just so you know their bark is different.

Answer 3

Generally beagles are great with kids, grooming is a snap, they have very few genetic health problems, need a good quality dry dog food just like any other dog, and you keep his crate in a convenient location. Beagles, like all the scent hounds, follow their nose, so letting them off the leash is not a good idea until they're older and have been well trained. Also, like all the hounds, they can have a bit of a stubborn streak (but that's easily worked around).

All in all, they make great pets. My son has one and the dog spends a lot of time here with my greyhounds.

Answer 4

Beagles get bored very very very easily. I wouldnt leave them home alone unless you are sure that they wont go tear up your couch. Also, since they are scent hounds, there is a possibility if you go out in the wilderness, they might get carried away and run off with an interesting scent they found. They also have a tendency to like to bite ( not aggressively just hold your habd in your mouth when you are petting them ). If i were you, i would probably start out with a dog that is a good first pet. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Beagles are very playful dogs....they also can be loud...as any dog can be...dashunds are more timid and calm though...I would not keep him caged up though. Also think about the fact that it's a male...male dogs tend to be more hyper (not always) just with all the dogs that I have ever had. Both dogs are vwery loving and great companions...if your looking for something that has more spunk...I would choose a beagle.

Answer 6

I have a male beagle. They are very stubborn, so training when they are puppies is VERY important. Also, mine was very hard to potty train. He still pees in the house sometimes and he's 5! He knows it's wrong, but he tends to do what he wants. He's a great dog, but very difficult sometimes. Good luck!

Answer 7

Mini dachshund are the best they are not yappers and they are just really cool. They have smooth hair and long hair mini and micro mini. Lots of diff colors. They are just the best to me. I have a lab and a chiwawa not spelled right but I am just you got it and I have 3 dachshund,,, my daughter has 2 and my son has 1 we are turning in to a dachshund family. LOL either way have tons of fun with your new pup what ever you decide.

Answer 8

dont keep him in a cage thats cruel i have a beagle whos 11 hes realy goo with kids health wise u may be spending alot of money because mine hates the vet hates getting his nails clipped and his breath smells.NEVER GET A FEMALE DOG IF U DO GET IT SPAYED OR NEUTERED.play alot of sniffing games with him they have good smelling so u can also take him hunting and train him to track down the animal.personally i think mine likes hunting

Answer 9

Beagles are hyper and ours is obsessed with cats, and blood. Guard your sanitary products well. Otherwise, Your beagle should be affectionate. Make sure he has plenty of water, as ours will throw up if dehydrated.

Answer 10

Well they are very friendly to people but when they're sleeply they dont like to be bothered um.. just feed it soome dog food bought at a store! Give it a bath every once and a while i would let the puppy sleep in its cage or with you when your gone put it in its cage! Well i geusse thats about it!