O.K. Mister Jim, the basics you will need will be a bowl for water and one for food. We use the type that stands on a stand. We use a collar with the dogs identity disc on, and a harness for walking. Our leads are the type that can be wrapped arond the body or over the head and shoulders, so if you slip there is no chance of losing the beagle. Then you could consider a basket with comfy bedding. Before you bring the pup home ask the breeder about food. It would be a good idea to stock up with the same food to start with. Some people crate train their pups, i.e. make them sleep in a cage. We havent done this but they say it helps house-training. A few toys are also a good idea. A childs hot-water-bottle with a cover, is useful for the first few nights to help the pup adjust to having no siblings to cuddle up to. Some people also use a ticking clock placed nearby.
As you live in the UK, consider now whether or not you ever plan to take your beagle outside the country, holidays etc. Although quarrentine has been relaxed in Britian, you still need a good 7 months preparation before you can re-enter Britian the first time. Just incase, get your vet to microchip your pup BEFORE he vacinates it against rabies. It has to be done in that order. Then after the vacination one has to wait a month before the vet takes a blood sample and sends it to an EU recognised laboratory. You will then get a certificate to say the dog is vacinated successfully against rabies.Your vet will then issue a Passport for your beagle, which has to be kept up to date- i.e. the annual vacinations have to be done before they run out. The first time you have to wait six months before you can re enter Britain, but after that as long as the passport is up to date you have no waiting time. There is a final thing you have to do before re entering GB and that is the dog has to be vacinated against a special worm and ticks, a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 48 hours before crossing the border. Sorry, it is GB you live in!!!!!
If you see a couple with 2 beagles and a German camper-car, in April, it could be us.
