Beagles?

[Twinkleinmyeye]

We lost our old (mongrel) dog recently, and we miss having a dog around. It got me thinking about our next pet!

Does anyone have a beagle? I've never had one but would love to, though I've read how unreliable they can be off lead when they catch a scent (unsurprisingly!). If you have one, do you let him off the lead at all on walks?

Is there much difference between male and female beagle temperaments?

Thanks.

[LittleBlackDress]

I have a Beagle! He is 4 and an absolute gem. Hardly ever walk him on the lead - his recall is excellent. A fair bit of training in the early months (best to allow 12 -18 months) was required, but he is now 100% reliable. I know several other Beagles who are good off the lead and well trained. Best to get one from show stock rather than hunting stock. Some Beagles can be a nightmare, but you could say that about any breed. Lots of solid training should mean you end up with a lovely dog.

[Twinkleinmyeye]

Ah, that's really encouraging, thanks. We'd probably go for a youngish rescue dog, but I was just wondering if I was starting on a wild goose chase (if you excuse the pun!!)

[glasscompletelybroken]

Hi, we have one and I have posted on here before and about her unreliable recall. She is now 16 months old and improving! The other thing I think is common in beagles is that they are out and out thiefs and will steal any food they can. This is true of ours but we just don't leave any in reach so don't have a problem.

What I will say about our beautiful girl is that she's the most affectionate dog I have ever known and absolutely loves children. She is a real character and everyone loves her. She has been hard work (and still is sometimes) but she is SO worth it!

[LookBehindYou]

Beagles are lovely dogs. You need to start training recall as early as possible but it is definitely possible. As they love food you have a pretty good tool. They have great personalities and are adorable when they get their stubborn look. A really pretty female beagle plays with my dog. I guess the one thing to bear in mind is that they need a lot of exercise.

[Twinkleinmyeye]

This is all sounding great. The rehoming website I've been looking at is really labouring the point about their poor recall which was making me think it was a no-go. Our old dog was a bugger for stealing food, so we're used to that. The exercise won't be a problem as my DS1 will run about with him all day, they can tire each other out! (We will do "proper" walks as well though of course). My concern I guess was that we'd never be able to let him off the lead when out, but it sounds like it can be done!

I guess the next thing to do is contact the rehoming centre for assessment convince DH...

[glasscompletelybroken]

The other thing I would say about recall is that our beagle is absolutely fine when she is with another (well-behaved) dog. It's only when she is on her own that she gets ideas about going off. If you have someone with a well behaved dog you can walk with it may help you while you are teaching recall.

[MiggleMoo]

Read my post (just posted!) on my beagle!

[thebestisyettocome]

I used to walk mine with a lady with two beagles. They had awful recall. When ours would all happily come back she was stressed out, praying they'd come back. I know a couple of other people who have them and they are also very wary about walking off lead. I personally love walking my dog off lead and my favourite times are when the dc are off exploring in the woods or sand dunes and the dog is racing after them. For this reason I would never have a beagle.

[Twinkleinmyeye]

Eek migglemoo, that sounds awful! I hope you find some answers soon. :(

Thebest, can I ask what kind of dog you have? The scenarios you describe are my ideal too, if I'm honest. Perhaps a beagle isn't the way forward, though there are a few looking to be rehomed who are "good off lead".

Though as migglemoo's situation points out, that could change...