About

Beagles make great family pets. Their moderate size, their low maintenance coat and their affectionate, yet independent, temperament make them an ideal pet for many families. Like any breed, though, beagles are better suited for some situations that others. Beagles are suitable only for those with a great deal of patience...and a great sense of humor!

Do you have children? Do you look back fondly on the toddler years? Adopting a beagle is like inviting a toddler to live with you.....for fifteen years! Beagles are great with children but, if you have very young children, a beagle puppy may not be the right dog for you. Raising any puppy properly is a lot of work and young mothers are often overwhelmed by the needs of both puppy and toddler. For families with young children, we recommend adopting a young adult beagle.

Do you have a very securely fenced yard? Beagles are scent hounds, bred for many, many generations to follow a scent. They require a fully fenced yard with a 5 foot fence and chicken wire or cement buried at the fence line. (Invisible fencing is not suitable for beagles!) They must also be walked "on leash" at all times. Their nose can get them into all kinds of trouble and it takes a clever owner to anticipate potential danger. Young beagles are quite active and will be happiest in a home that can provide a safe and secure yard in which to play.

Do you work outside the home? Will your beagle spend eight or nine hours alone each day? If so, this may not be the breed for you. Beagles were bred to live and work in packs. They are happiest when they can live in close association with their families. Beagles that spend too much time alone are beagles that develop behavior issues such as barking or destructive tendencies. An ideal home for a beagle is one in which they spend no more than four or five hours alone each day.

Are you bothered by barking, chewing, digging? Not all puppies will develop behavior issues but you will play a big role in the development of your puppy. Do you have the time and patience to raise the puppy properly? Will you attend puppy kindergarten or home obedience classes? Your breeder will do everything they can to provide you with a well socialized, well-bred puppy but once it goes home, it's up to you to raise it properly. Do you have what it takes to give your new puppy the best possible start in life?

If you're just getting started on your search for the perfect dog for your family, a great place to start is the AKC web site. Here you'll find lots of information about the more than 150 breeds recognized by the AKC. You'll also find great articles about choosing the right breed and finding a breeder who will help to find the right dog for you.

For information specific to our breed, we recommend a visit to the National Beagle Club web site, visiting breeders in your area and reading books about the breed. We recommend:

	The New Beagle by Judith and Anton Musladin and Ada Lueke
	Your Beagle's Life by Kim Campbell Thornton. The "Introduction" to Your Beagle's Life gives a particularly accurate description of life with a beagle.

A responsible breeder is someone who is passionate about their breed. They're actively involved in their breed, through conformation, obedience, agility, field trial or other events. They're a member of a breed club and they're knowledgeable about their breed, their sport and about the breeding and raising of puppies. A good breeder does not: breed dogs as a source of income, let puppies go to their new homes before they're 8 weeks of age and they will require a home inspection before selling a puppy. A good breeder will be there to answer your questions throughout the life of your puppy.

Breeder referrals are available through the AKC web site. You can also meet breeders by attending AKC events in your area or by visiting the Show Beagle Resource Center where you'll find a list of show beagle breeders throughout the United States.

Millions of unwanted dogs are euthanized each year. Help control the pet population by purchasing your new pet from a responsible breeder. You may also want to consider adopting a dog from a local rescue organization, such as Seattle Beagle Rescue. Rescue organizations can also assist you in finding the right dog for you.