[cobismom]

Well, with all our looking for a new beagle baby we have asked a lot of questions, but I am not sure they are the right ones.
So, I'm asking this panel of experts; what questions do you or did you ask before you took your pup home? We will be getting him from a breeder, but he won't be show stock, so, what should we be asking or looking for? Also, because most of them are over 100 miles from out vet, we can't have them checked out by the vet we trust to be honest with us....any suggestions?

thanks again , Cathy J

 

[Murphys Dad]

Since Li'l Girl's a rescue, I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you. In her case, since there was no history, I just brought her home hoping for the best. Happily, that worked out beyond my fondest expectations.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Here are some of the questions I think are important:

1. ask to see the parents or at least the mother, her environment and behavior are important and will give you some indication on how the pups should be acting.
2. were the puppies always caged? live inside/outside?
3. have they started pad training? most breeders start getting the puppies used to pads, as part of their toilet training.
4. were they exposed to different noises, sights, feels (different surfaces and such)?
5. how old were they when they started eating solid food?
6. what vaccines did they receive by now? have a vet seen them? (not all breeders have the vet visit, as they think they know everything.
7. it's important that with the pup they provide the certificate to ask for the dog's AKC/UKC papers (initial registration is usually provided).
8. A health certificate that is signed by the vet, providing the pup is healthy (certificate should be 1-2 days old).
9. have a purchase contract with the breeder, something that would say they are responsible (to at least half) of medical bills if a disease is discovered within the 1st year of the dog's life. You're buying a pup to be part of your family, but it's still a business deal - until you bring him/her home!!!

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

 

[cobismom]

Amazingly, the breeder answered all those questions without my asking!!! She is fantastic and comes very highly recommended.
So now, it's a matter of when and where. More later!

 

[Toby & Lucky]

It says a lot to me when the breeder's contract stipulates that they have first right of refusal should you ever want to get rid of the dog. I LOVE that my breeder does that. She knows that a beagle just isn't going to work out with every family and she takes them back with no hesitation!