Can anyone tell me about Beagles? Are they a good first dog?

Question

I am interested in a Beagle puppy, preferably around 2-4 months old.

Please tell me anything based on known facts and personal experience. thanks

Patch G:

My cousin has a chihuahua and I have some experience with it so I'm not like BRAND new at dogs.

I'm 17 and in good shape so i don't have to worry about the dog being too hyper for me. for my mom however....lol

Answer 1

I have a beagle-mix. She's incredibly loyal and GREAT with our son (who came along after we got her). She's also extremely smart. However, she is REALLY hyper. I liked the book "The Idiot's Guide to Beagles." It really shed some light on some of her behavior, like inclination towards barking, digging, compulsive eating and food stealing. They're ruled by their noses, and your food or garbage smells just too good!!
Overall, they are nice dogs, just do your research.

Answer 2

yes they are very good dogs....The Beagle is a gentle, sweet, lively and curious dog that just loves everyone! A happy little tail-wagger! Sociable, brave and intelligent. Calm and loving. Excellent with children and generally good with other dogs, but should not be trusted with non-canine pets, unless they are socialized with cats and other household animals when they are young. Beagles have minds of their own. They are determined and watchful and require patient, firm training. This breed doesn't like being left alone. Consider buying two if you will be gone a lot. A Beagle has a loud baying cry that was a delight to hunting horsemen, but can be disturbing to family and neighbors. Beagles have a tendency to follow their own noses. They may take off on their own exploration if let off their leash in an

as for illnesses...........Some lines can be prone to heart disease, epilepsy, eye and back problems. Also prone to chondroplasia, aka dwarfism (warped front legs, like a Basset's).

they are great dogs!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

The biggest problem I have with mine is that he can climb chain link fences.. and loosen the boards of wooden fences.. so he cannot ever be left outside alone.. even for five minutes.

He's a great dog.. I did not have him as a puppy, but he learned to walk well on a leash in only a week or so.. (he pulled like crazy.. now I can even rollerblade with him)

They are high energy.. so find ways to exercise them.. the exercise is key.. if they have alot of excess energy inside they take it out in other ways.. like excessive barking, swallowing anything small enough to fit in their mouth, and just being a nuisance.

Overall, a great breed.. after having lived with Schnauzers my whole life Beagles are EASY.. well.. almost.. the fence thing has me stumped..

Answer 4

Beagles are typically very sweet, loving dogs. I've met a ton of them, and never met one I didn't like :)

That being said, like ANY breed you need to do lots of research. Especially if this is your first dog. You're on here asking questions, so that's a good start. Just be sure to keep on asking questions to LOTS of different people, and do a LOT of Web research. You'll find there's a wealth of good information out there (and some of it not so good!).

If this is your first dog, a Beagle is not a bad choice. They do come with their set of challenges, however. They are hunting hounds, scenthounds, which typically means they are likely to follow their nose wherever it leads them. Many Beagles can be escape artists and door-dashers. They can dig, jump, climb and bolt out of open gates and doors....catch an interesting scent, and be gone in a flash. Like most hounds, when they're on the "trail" of something, they don't pay attention to anything else, including you calling his name, and the traffic in front of your house- many Beagles meet their demise this way. Just be aware of this trait and start early with LOTS of training and reinforcement on the "Come" command. A puppy training class will be worth its weight in GOLD. And don't leave a dog unsupervised in the backyard where they may dig out, be careful about open doors and gates, etc.

Also, many Beagles can be barkers. Especially if they're bored. Leave your Beagle outside with nothing to do....and your neighbors will be treated to a symphony of baying and howling and bawling and barking all day, and all night :). Of course no dog ought to be left alone outside....this is an even better reason to give your Beagle lots of attention and exercise and allow him to be an indoor dog.

If you're looking for a puppy, contact the National Beagle Club of America: http://clubs.akc.org/NBC/

There is lots of good information for prospective puppy buyers and a Breeder's List. Chances are, any breeder who is a member of the National Beagle Club will be an ethical breeder producing healthy puppies. They are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics in order to be a member.

Whatever you do....stay FAR, FAR AWAY FROM PET SHOPS! All the puppies for sale in pet stores come from puppy mills, large scale commercial breeders who are only in it for the money and breed with NO regard for the health of the animals. The classified ads in your newspaper are also NOT the best place to find a puppy, as these breeders are typically "backyard breeders" who breed their Beagle to the Beagle down the street and know next to nothing about the lineage, genetic health, etc. of the dogs they're breeding.

Answer 5

Beagles are good dogs, but you have to find a dog whose personality works for you, not their looks.

A beagle might be too hyper for a first time dog owner.

Try a friend who owns a beagle first. See the dog and watch them. Interact with them and see if that energy level is right for you.

Try a humane society and see their beagles. An older beagle might be right for you, one that is calmer due to age.

I admit, beagles are very cute (especially puppoes), but they might not be right for a first time dog owner.

Answer 6

im 18 well personaly i have a beagle i have raised him as a puppy.. i got him when he was only a few weeks old and just barley able to walk.. they are normally born in a litter of 4 .. the litter smokey came from was 2 girls n 2 boys his brother my nexdoor neighbor has him.. ( duke) but yes i would say that a beagle puppy is great for a first dog he was mine.. my dog is great around children off all ages..newboarn babies to 10 year olds.. this is my first dog persoally and i ahve grown up around alot of dogs.. labs basits.. you name it my imidiate ( except mom n dad) had dogs n so did friends n extendd fam n friends.. so i grew up around alot of them.. but i will tell you this do not think for a second that they wont take of i stress THEY WILLLL uness you train them like a hunting dog to come back to you or a certain place... these dogs a good for their sence of smell... and they will no have even the SLIGHTEST second thought of taking off.. my parents n myself invested in a gate .. we have a small piece of land.. in a little town .. but we got a enclosed gate all around so that he can not run off... i will tell you this a pure bread will tend to be more high strung!! mine is a mix of two different beagles... so if i were you i would train this dog with much care... we did n my dog tured out great he listens very well he is well fed n very !!! healty ... beagles are a little bit harder to train at first but as soon as a connection is formed it will not be broken .. but remember this.. the dog picks the owner ... not the other way around.. my tog chose me as a pupy he would follow me every where.. followed by my dad he really dosnt liek my mom or my sister.. but that is him .. hell play with them but he always welcomes me n my father first.. but we were also the major role in the begining of his life.. so .. yeah .. everything is isn the teachings in your dog.. but to get down to it yes i would agree that a begal is a very good dog!!! if you would liek i can send you a picture.. hope this helps...

Answer 7

Yes yes yes!!! All three of my dogs have been beagles ... well, had beagle in them. Very very sweet.