The Beagle

Dialynne Tolliver of Tragband

(Breeder: M. Spavin; Owner: A.H. Brace)

My "image" of beagle standard

The beagle is an "all round" dog.

• When playing with children, he is the most active. No child can discharge his "batteries".

• Beagle enjoys playing with other dogs.

• He will enjoy long walks with your teenage daughter.

• Beagle is the best grandfather's partner for hunting.

• Faithful grandmother's companion for nap in an armchair.

• The best father's help in garden and garage.

•  He will follow every mother's move in the kitchen. He knows best, where she keeps food.

In one word, The Beagle is the best solution, for each family member.

But, ...

Are you sure, you know everything about beagles?

I dare to say NO. NOBODY DOES.

Philosopher Socrates used to say: "Scio se nichil scire." (I know, I know nothing.)

It seems, he was talking about beagles.

To be a good beagle owner, you have to learn, as much as you can, before you let one to enter your home and life.

To be prepared, is the only way to avoid "surprises" in life with beagles, and dogs generally.

Each family member has to agree with arrival of new pet in the home. Otherwise, you'll have a hell.

How to prepare yourself?

• Visit American Kennel Club's page with very useful questioner  for you and your family, and check yourself.

•  Visit the Starbuck Torbay Beagle Kennel's web site with lot of advices how to prepare yourself to have a beagle. German spoken visitors can visit von Helmahof Beagles web site and download nice Power Point presentation with basic info and instructions for beagle owners.

• You have to read and study the F.C.I. breed standard , which gives general "picture" of the breed. Lot of standards are  issued by all mayor canine organizations (American Kennel Club, The Kennel Club,...). All of them are similar, but different in details. Use the one, which is used in your country.  If you don't understand, ask somebody to help you.

• Visit dog shows, and meet the beagles and their people. Ask them about their dogs and their problems with beagles. Meet the breeders and arrange visit to their kennels.

• Visit breeders and owners, and talk to them. Responsible breeder and/or owner will honestly tell you everything, he knows almost everything about beagle's good and bad habits and manners.

How to recognize good breeder and/or owner?

• If you ask me, the right person is the one, who keeps dogs in his home. Of course, breeders who have lot of dogs, cannot let all the dogs live in the house.

• Check the life conditions of breeder's dogs. Kennels have to be clean and dry. Water bowls have to be clean and full of fresh water. Food bowls have to be clean. The dogs have to be in good condition, with clean and shiny coat. All the dogs have to be socialized. If you notice anything wrong, go home. He is not the right one.

• In good kennels, you will meet senior dogs living in the house with their masters, as family pets. If the breeder has no seniors, ask him where they are. If he keeps them in kennels, he is the wrong one.

• Good breeder keeps books, pictures, dogs' papers, and breeding records organized, updated and transparent. 

• Good breeder WILL ASK questions and will check YOU. He cares for future life of his puppies, and lets them go only in families who meet his "standards". The wrong one, just wants to sell you a puppy.

• Visit American Kennel Club's page with lot of advices how to find a good breeder

How to prepare your home for new family member?

The procedure is almost the same, as for a newborn baby. There are some significant differences:

• Fist of all, you have to be with your new puppy during first 3-4 weeks 24 hours a day.

• Puppy is coming from litter. - He is alone for the first time in its life.

• Puppies are growing up very fast. - One puppy's day is more than week in baby's life.

• Puppy crawls and runs all over the house, since the first day. - Babies are in cradle.

• Puppy needs housebreaking. - Babies need dippers.

• Like with babies, correction of mistakes is very hard job to do. Do your best to avoid mistakes. 

The home has to be technically prepared for new puppy:

• Prepare suitable space for your puppy's bedroom. If you ask me, the dog crates are the best solution. Read about crate training. It will help you.

• Prepare lot of toys, to occupy its attention. Very important is to bring something from his litter. Some toy or blanket which kept the smell  of its previous home, and reminds on brothers and sisters.

• Prepare bowls for water and food. And, of course, buy some puppy food. (Ask breeder which brand.)  

• Try to remove everything, what could become puppy's toy. Puppies love to chew everything what has your smell.

• If you have "pet not allowed" rooms in the house, use baby fences, to "close" the doors, and stairs.

• If you don't have, you should build the fence around your garden. Beagles love to explore surrounding of their home. The fence should be, as one breeder says, "dig proof", chew proof" and high enough to keep your beagle at home. Beagle proof in one word.

•  BE PATIENT YOU HAVE THE BEAGLE IN YOUR HOME.

• LOVE YOUR BEAGLE AND YOU WILL HAVE THE BEST FRIEND FOR LIFE.

Note: Everything on this page is only my personal opinion.