Should we keep the Beagle?

Question

We found a Beagle walking the streets. He almost got ran over by a car so we let her in the fence. Nobody claimed her and she didn't have any tags, I can see where someone may have thought she was cute and bought her, then decided she was just too much and dumped her, she is very active...very! So the kids got attached to her and here she is. Who gets to take care of her...you guessed it Mom! I've read all about the dogs breed, sounds like a lot of work. We have a Great Dane and they get along well. It's just the Great Dane's so much easier to care for(imagine that). What should we do keep the Beagle and work hard trying to train this stubborn thing, or break the children's hearts and find her a new home? We live in a small town so that will be hard to do, and the animal shelter here isn't a desirable place to be. What do I do?

Answer 1

Beagles are great. I have one that I got from a work colleague who was going to take her to the pound. I got her when she was a year old. When they are young, they like to chew. So I just bought a cage and put her in that when I had to leave. No worries then. Theres not much care really for them, same as any dog, clean out those floppy ears, cut the toenails and brush her out.
She does shed alot.
Smart dog though, I taught her to stay, then to speak at the back door instead of scratching to get in. And my babe magnet command to "roll over".

Great dog, hope you decide to keep yours.

Answer 2

Don't waste your time trying to o/b train the Beagle the same way you do the Dane, it will never happen. Rest assured the Beagle will adapt to your lifestyle without much effort on your part. Just have a well fenced yard or else someone else will be telling this story next week. They do take well to being crated so don't hesitate to do that when you leave the house.
They do not do well when left alone for extended periods of time. Since you have the Dane this shouldn't be a problem for you.

Answer 3

Have you had her scanned for a Microchip? Have you advertised at you local shelter and the Vets in you area? Beagles can get lose and wander. Their nose will get them in trouble. They will follow a scent and get lost. If you have tried to find where it really belongs and can't then keep it! A Beagle is a great dog. They can be a bit stubborn and a bit hard to train but they will learn. They can also be a bit of a clown and make you laugh. Here is Snoopy when he went to take a nap in my bed:

http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa19/rcordellft2/?action=view¤t=Snoopyinpillows.jpg

Hey Mom, I have four of my grandsons dogs and guess who does most of the care, yes, Grandpa. I love the dogs so much that when he moves out he is not going to get the dogs.
I had Great Dane/Irish Wolfhound mix and she was so easy to take care of so I know what you mean.
If the kids love the Beagle, keep it. They are great little dogs.

Answer 4

I would suggest to keep looking for the owner, you didn't say how long you tried. But if you can't find her and everyone is getting along, and you can afford it I suggest keeping the dog. They can be stubborn but treats work well ( I have a beagle/basset mix--both stubborn breeds) Also with another, adjusted dog he will learn after the Great Dane. So maybe that will help but the call is yours.

Answer 5

you sound as if you are willing to give it a try, and that's what I think you should do! Make the training fun, get the kids involved and have the dog become part of the family.
And if worst comes to worst, and you have given it all that you have, you should try and find a rescue that can train it, ect.
You might also want to look into getting an obedience trainer, because they have lots of tricks that make training easier. Or I would search the Internet for help.
Thanks so much for being a great mom to this dog!!! hope it all works out!

Answer 6

Since the kids like her, have them provide play, exercise. Beagles are great little dogs. I'd have the vet check her over to be sure she is OK. Don't want your Dane getting sick. Take a stool sample to the vet to check too. Maybe have the kids learn to train her? Is there 4H in your area? Dog obedience classes?

Answer 7

she should settle in after she has been with you for a while. they are a buzy dog. i had two of them dropped off yrs ago when i lived in the country.i found homes for them but they were always ready to go hunt for what ever they could find then i would hear them baying all day until i located them.they do make a good pet a little hard to train but lovable and good with kids.you could place adds in the local paper or stores and if no one claims her keep her and tell the kids they have to help. she will be company for your dane. watch though she might be expecting and that is why she is no longer wanted. good luck.

Answer 8

I would keep it, but I love beagles. They are alot of work but they can be the most loving dogs ever. She sounds like no one has ever tried to train her, so after a some work she might start behaving better. Beagles are wonderful family pets because generally they are so tolerate and sweet.

Answer 9

You should bring it to the local vet and have it scanned for a microchip. Often people think that if their pet is found, that someone would automatically scan it so no other ID is necessary. This way, if the pup is micrchipped, you can also put out notices about the pup and when someone tries to claim them, they have to show proof of ownership by knowing the microchip number.

If after a couple of weeks you dont find the owner (and have tried), then I would say that you can welcome it into your home as a family member.

Good luck!

Answer 10

If you can afford it, take her to training. My beagle mix if VERY food motivated, which helps with the stubbornness. Find a favorite treat and use it diligently!