[MissionGary]

Hi guys,

New to the site.

I really wanted your advice and would like to briefly explanation our situation.

I have bought a new house, completed soon – and myself and partner would really like to get a dog. We have done a lot of research and it would seem that one of our first choices – beagles – seem the most suitable. Consider the fact that we are going to have a medium sized garden and so forth.

We are more than aware of the devotion that will need to be given to a new puppy – and we’re looking forward to it. So, please don’t think this is a rash decision and that we’re stepping into this with our eyes closed!

From what I have read on other forums, there seems to be a general train of thought – and that is that although it is not completely ideal that the dog is left on their own for great lengths of time, that this is (in today’s environment) somewhat unavoidable due to people / couples / families being at work and so forth. This will be the case with me and my partner – and a typical day will see myself heading out to work at 930am, him at 830am – and both of us returning at approximately 6pm. There will be some days, however, when he will be going to work at 1pm – and then I will be home at my usual time of 6pm. Obviously, if there is a dog walker in the area then this may be an option during the early stages of the puppies life.

We have read pages and pages of the pro’s and con’s of leaving a puppy outside and, at present, have read sufficiently to suggest that getting a beagle would, overall, be a good idea. I am very open to suggestions otherwise though – and would welcome further questioning of our circumstances?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Gary /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[conniew]

Welcome to Beagle World Gary!
The first thing that surprised me about Beagles was that they must be on a leash or have a fenced in yard. I did not research the breed prior to adoption.
Other than that, my main consideration was hair all over the place, and it seems that my Beagle does not shed as much as my Beagle-mix does.
But we adore our Beagles, and wouldn't even consider any other breeds! :wave:

 

[Murphys Dad]

Well... I think you have found the right place. It is very unlikely that you will not get an answer for any question you may have on this breed here.
A beagle is an excellent choice (obviously). However, beagles are pack dogs and have a hard time being left alone for long periods of time. Chloe (7 months old today!!!) is being left alone for about 8 hours a day. She is fine with it, I'm just a little behind on her housebreaking (she is almost completely trained thank god). I will have 2 weeks off now and hopefully will be able to put an end to it.
Back to our business. Your hours away from home are relatively reasonable, and if you take a dog walker, that's good too. You should be open to the idea of having a doggy door which allows the dog to go in and out, but make sure you have a high fence around the perimeters. Beagles tend to follow trails of scents and just wonder off....

One more option for you, and an excellent one as well, is to consider adopting a young beagle from one of the rescue societies. They are usually housebroken already, and adorable and loving as any other beagle you would raise from puppyhood.

Good Luck :thumbup:

 

[Murphys Dad]

Welcome to BW. Though I have little experience with puppies, there are others here that more than make up for me.

Being that beagles are pack dogs, might I suggest getting two? They would keep each other company during the day, thus keeping them happier while you are not at home. It just an idea.

 

[jeffmeden]

I would agree that adopting a well-mannered older dog is a good idea if frequent attention during the day isn't an option. A doggy door can only do so much, and beagles have been known to jump over or dig under fences to find their own adventures, so be careful if considering this as well. Your dog can probably jump a lot higher than you think!

In my case, our dog was adopted at about 9 months of age and she is alone in her cage (a 2'x3' grid kennel) for 4-6 hours at a time at most, if we are away any longer we return to a very unhappy little girl! Having two dogs or a friendly dog/cat combo can help with their self-sustainment if you give them free run over a house or a room, but beware of antisocial doggy behavior like chewing, peeing, digging, etc. when they are left to their own devices.

The only thing I urge (as do just about all others here) is *DO NOT get it from a puppy store or unknown breeder!!!* Adoption is the first preference, you are saving a life! If you feel strongly about getting a 'new' pup, find a certified breeder who is willing to show you how the dogs are born and raised, meet the 'parents', etc. before you spend your hard earned money. By all means, don't support the puppy mill system by buying from a pet store!

 

[Murphys Dad]

Welcome to Beagle World. :wave: I'm with the, you might try a rescue, group. I adopted my Li'l Girl when she was somewhere around a year old, and she's a wonderful companion. We do have other dogs, and we're fortunate to be around home most of the time, so we haven't had the lonely dog problem.

 

[MissionGary]

Firstly, thanks to you all for a very swift and helpful response!

Taurus Mom - done a lot of research and realise that beagles do have to be on a lead. In all honesty, I had kind of hoped for countryside walks, letting the dog off the lead. Is this an absolute definite with all beagles? I really dont want to be chasing my beagle when he smells scent! Coming home at lunch can be done from time to time but its like a 25 minute drive! But yes, I would be willing to do that 2 / 3 times a week to settle my new puppy down! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Chloe's Mum - afraid a doggy door would be out of the question due to the fact that we only have a front door that looks out onto the road - and then a patio door at the back. Looked recently at rescue centres, and realise the benefits of having a dog that is already trained, but am I really selfish in saying that I'd want a puppy from the start? :-/

Murphy & Summer's Dad - at first, your suggestion of getting two scared me a little! But thinking about things, I might be coming round to the idea. Thinking first in terms of commitment - its still the same amount of time you need for walkies, its still the same amount of time you need for training, its pretty much the same time for everything isnt it? How much do you guys actually spend on one dog a week? Does it increase dramatically with two? What about pet insurance for two dogs? I havent really thought about the implications of two dogs and would welcome suggestions. But it would be really cool for them to keep each other company during the day!

JeffMeden - my better half really wants a cat - and I agree that would be a cool combo. But surely when the cat heads off for the day and leave beagle to it, then beagle is bored again? Dont worry - am well aware of dodgy breeders / pet shops - and will be insisting on seeing parents etc /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

SandyJ - I hear what you're saying. I suppose adopting at 1 does cut out a lot of the hard work, but my frame of mind at the moment (and my partners) is that we want to go through the whole 'bringing up' kind of thing.


Guys - thanks so much for your continued help and opinions. This is a really big step for us and a big time to make decisions what with buying a new house. We're moving out of the city centre of Leeds to a small town called Mirfield which is very rural, so am really looking forward to the opportunity really.

Gary /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Genie]

Hi Gary,
Welcome to the group!! Congratulations on your new house and upcoming family addition. It's great that you've done your homework about beagles. They're a wonderful breed, but even better if you know more or less what to expect! I'm more in the adopt an older dog group too. It just seems that it would be easier on you both and your new beag if h/she is gonna be alone all day. But I understand what you're saying about wanting to raise a puppy--and beagle puppies are so cute and sweet! I would suggest crate training, if you do get a puppy. And maybe you could get someone to come in a couple of times during the day to let him out and check on him. You mentioned in your original post something about leaving him outside during the day. I don't think that would be a good idea. First of all, a puppy is pretty small and defenseless--anything could happen to him and nobody would be there to protect him. Or what if he knocked over his water bowl, and was out all day with no water or food. Or got himself tangled up in his lead and became trapped? (We have new neighbors across the street who leave their dog tied up alone outside 24/7, which I'm sure you wouldn't do. But this is a sore subject with me. Sorry.)
Anyway, sounds like you've given this lots of thought, and I'm sure you'll make the best decision. Good luck, and be sure to post pictures of your new babe when you get him/her!

 

[conniew]

just a thought, I know there are doggie doors that work with sliding patio doors. I've seen them in the Pet Stores.
My dogs would bark if I left them out during the day, so we have never looked into it. But I know lots of people that those doors work for... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[jeffmeden]

I have considered getting a playmate for my girl, but at this point what deters me is the cost (everything is 2x roughly) the space (twice as much dog hair everywhere they go!) and the time. It's not a direct overlap when you have two dogs to take care of, since one will always want more attention than the other and even though they have each other to keep from being lonely, they still cherish the time they get with their human pack members. Training is also a one-on-one experience (especially with beagles) so each will need your full attention in order for it to be effective.

 

[MissionGary]

Quote:Originally posted by Genie:
I would suggest crate training, if you do get a puppy. And maybe you could get someone to come in a couple of times during the day to let him out and check on him. You mentioned in your original post something about leaving him outside during the day. I don't think that would be a good idea. First of all, a puppy is pretty small and defenseless--anything could happen to him and nobody would be there to protect him. Or what if he knocked over his water bowl, and was out all day with no water or food. Or got himself tangled up in his lead and became trapped?

Points taken.

It seems to me that 95% of people think crate training is a good idea. I'm a soppy sod and would just feel so guilty (despite completely reading up on the subject and agree that its a very good idea!).

I suppose keeping him inside would quell barking too to some degree.

 

[MissionGary]

Quote:Originally posted by Taurus Mom:
just a thought, I know there are doggie doors that work with sliding patio doors. I've seen them in the Pet Stores.
My dogs would bark if I left them out during the day, so we have never looked into it. But I know lots of people that those doors work for... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

I had a quick look earlier on but just dont understand how a doggy door can work in a GLASS door!?

 

[MissionGary]

Quote:Originally posted by jeffmeden:
I have considered getting a playmate for my girl, but at this point what deters me is the cost (everything is 2x roughly) the space (twice as much dog hair everywhere they go!) and the time. It's not a direct overlap when you have two dogs to take care of, since one will always want more attention than the other and even though they have each other to keep from being lonely, they still cherish the time they get with their human pack members. Training is also a one-on-one experience (especially with beagles) so each will need your full attention in order for it to be effective.

Hmmmm I suppose with some things (taking them for walks together), you kill two birds with one stone so to speak, but you do need to devote a lot of one-on-one time to each indivudual pup.

Without asking personal questions, how much do you guys spend on your dogs welfare / food / etc / everything?

Thanks once again for the replies /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Murphys Dad]

Quote:Originally posted by MissionGary:
...

Without asking personal questions, how much do you guys spend on your dogs welfare / food / etc / everything?

Thanks once again for the replies /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Well, my rescue beagle Bagel cost me $50 to get off death row, which included neutering, his necessary shots, and a microchip. He was between 3 and 5 years old when he got abandoned. Other than an every other year to the vet for shots and a look see, and two $50.00 visits when he pulled muscles and I wanted to rule out back injuries, all the other cost has been food and he goes through a $18.00 50 Lb bag in about 4 and half months. I know that over the last almost 10 years, I’ve spend maybe $800 so the Bagel costs less than two bits a day, a very small price to pay for his companionship /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Murphys Dad]

I'm the last person to ask about the costs of beagle healthcare. If I tell you what Summer & Murphy have cost us, you may run and hide... seriously.

Just keep in mind, we are at the high end of the cost meter. Most people will never run into what we have gone through.

 

[MissionGary]

Two really conflicting stories then. Again, it presents the possibilities and I thank you guys again for the response!

Am I allowed to ask why M&S have cost you so much?

Thanks.

 

[Murphys Dad]

MissionGary, just browse through Murphy's world...

 

[Murphys Dad]

I'll be the first to admit that I'd also spend the thousands of dollars the Joe has put out for Murphy should my beloved Bagel need such care. Having a dog can be sort of a crapshoot, you never know when they will need serious care, some may never, but the love you get from them comes with an obligation for you as well. For Murphy's story, try http://murphysworld.jaisp.com/

 

[Murphys Dad]

Quote:Originally posted by bob:
Having a dog can be sort of a crapshoot, you never know when they will need serious care, some may never, but the love you get from them comes with an obligation for you as well.

:exactly: With Maggie I'm in the "I'd better not tell you or you'd run" category. Let's just say that I haven't put a dime into my savings account for months and I am now taking lunch to work every day ... that said, I wouldn't do it any differently given the same choices with Maggie or any future beags!

 

[MissionGary]

Read a lot of Murphy's story - really is one hell of a rollercoaster ride but your dedication to your dog is just as moving as Murphy's unfortunate luck.

There is always the chance that any dog we choose may suffer the same misfortune - and resultant medical bills.

To what extent does pet insurance cover things like this? I might be best researching this myself though as I'm based here in the UK - and 99% of you are based in the US. I just prefer to hear advice / stories from experienced owners like yourself, not base my research on some force-fed marketing that I would get if I didn't use this forum.