Hi, I wanted to chime in. I'm a life-long Beagle fan and owner, I currently have two.
Please take the time to really educate yourself about the breed. Beagles are hounds & pack animals. Having one which has to spend all day alone in an apartment may not be the ideal situation for a Beagle to truly be happy in.
They can be difficult to potty train, they are very independent and can be stubborn, you cannot use any form of physical discipline with a Beagle, they can and do remember it. They can be quite vocal, howling, whining, barking, singing etc.
They are prone to dig and chew, especially if left alone for long periods without companionship. They need a good secure yard as they will follow scent by instinct. They need a good amount of exercise as they can be prone to weight gain. Some beagles do have seizures. One of mine years ago had epilepsy which was controlled easily by daily medication. My two current boys do not have any sign of epilepsy.
Their ears need good care to avoid any problems, and many beagles need their anal glands expressed monthly.
Beagles are at their happiest when their is at least one person home during the day. (I am a stay at home wife, and my kids were homeschooled so the pack was always there). We have a total of 5 dogs so the beagles are never alone or lonely.
Be prepared for a 15 year commitment at least. Beagles require monthly heart worm preventive medication, regular dental care, and be aware that some hounds can get cherry eye so be on the watch for that as well (also they tend to get very enthusiastic when chasing rabbits etc so their pads, paws, nails, eyes, ears etc must be carefully checked when they come in).
be prepared to NEVER let your Beagle off the leash when out no matter how well trained. They are instinct driven to follow scent. Don't take the chance!
The upside is, they are loveable, adorable, devoted companions. Very strong & healthy with few health issues, they are generally good with children and elderly people.
you have to look at this the same as if you were to have a child. Anything less and you may end up doing the dog a disservice. Basically just be sure you understand the breed, they have quirks which for those of us who love them are not a big deal, but way way way way way too many Beagles end up in rescues or shelters because people got the dog without understanding what it is like to have hounds and they aren't prepared to put in the work to have a well-adjusted Beagle.
Please take the time to really educate yourself about the breed. Beagles are hounds & pack animals. Having one which has to spend all day alone in an apartment may not be the ideal situation for a Beagle to truly be happy in.
They can be difficult to potty train, they are very independent and can be stubborn, you cannot use any form of physical discipline with a Beagle, they can and do remember it. They can be quite vocal, howling, whining, barking, singing etc.
They are prone to dig and chew, especially if left alone for long periods without companionship. They need a good secure yard as they will follow scent by instinct. They need a good amount of exercise as they can be prone to weight gain. Some beagles do have seizures. One of mine years ago had epilepsy which was controlled easily by daily medication. My two current boys do not have any sign of epilepsy.
Their ears need good care to avoid any problems, and many beagles need their anal glands expressed monthly.
Beagles are at their happiest when their is at least one person home during the day. (I am a stay at home wife, and my kids were homeschooled so the pack was always there). We have a total of 5 dogs so the beagles are never alone or lonely.
Be prepared for a 15 year commitment at least. Beagles require monthly heart worm preventive medication, regular dental care, and be aware that some hounds can get cherry eye so be on the watch for that as well (also they tend to get very enthusiastic when chasing rabbits etc so their pads, paws, nails, eyes, ears etc must be carefully checked when they come in).
be prepared to NEVER let your Beagle off the leash when out no matter how well trained. They are instinct driven to follow scent. Don't take the chance!
The upside is, they are loveable, adorable, devoted companions. Very strong & healthy with few health issues, they are generally good with children and elderly people.
you have to look at this the same as if you were to have a child. Anything less and you may end up doing the dog a disservice. Basically just be sure you understand the breed, they have quirks which for those of us who love them are not a big deal, but way way way way way too many Beagles end up in rescues or shelters because people got the dog without understanding what it is like to have hounds and they aren't prepared to put in the work to have a well-adjusted Beagle.
