Going to look at a beagle tomorrow...

[CheerfulYank]

She's at the shlter, she's 8 years old, and she was used for breeding. When she got older, they just gave her away. :( Poor baby. I can't wait to see her!

However, I've never had a beagle before. Are they as crazy as I've heard? Will she a bit more mellow now that she's older?

All I can say is not to take first impressions as a lasting one - she may well be quite introverted to begin with if she has been used as a breeder - ex breeders often have little/no experience of normal life - they don't know how to live indoors, often don't even know how to play or have fun. They often do best in a house where there are other dogs who can lead them and teach them about normal 'pet' dog behaviour. But once she settles and begins to learn, it's quite conceivable that she will be just as mad as any young beagle would be - she hasn't had her 'time' to be a puppy and either way, I think beagles never really lose it! There's a thread on here not long ago from someone considering having a beagle, and all of the beagle owners essentially warned her off them - they are definitely not a breed to consider lightly, and a lot of people, whilst they love them dearly, would not have a beagle again after experiencing them once as they are so high maintenance.

Essentially you should see an ex-breeder dog the same as you should see a puppy - they will probably need to be house trained, probably won't know any commands and probably won't be socialised with the outside world - you'll need to teach all this and more - not an easy job but a very rewarding one :)

Ok, thanks for the advice. :) I do have another dog (a golden retriever mix) who loves other dogs and loves to play, so that might be helpful.

Yes that's probably going to be very good for her - most ex-breeders are very used to living with other dogs, so she'll probably quickly bond with your other dog and learn from him/her.

I have a 5 year old Beagle, she's just lovely. I think we got a 'broken' Beagle cause she's really chilled, can be let off the lead in the fields where we live, doesn't 'bay', only the occasional bark. She follows you round the house everywhere and thinks she's a lap dog. Beagles are very affectionate.

We have a 7 month old beagle and she is very hard work but also completely soppy and affectionate and worth the trouble!

We have a ten year old rescue beagle who was also used for breeding. When we got her she wasn't toilet trained and even struggled go walk in a straight line, I don't think she had ever had a lead on. She had no idea how to run and play as well.

However, we've worked very hard with her and she has dramatically improved. She doesn't need a lead in the park as she's like a shadow and rarely leaves our side. The only thing I would say is beagles are renowned for pleading starvation and don't leave any food around (especially a Christmas cake on the kitchen work surface!).

I wouldn't be without her for the world though, she's so affectionate (although blinking heavy when she thinks she's a lap dog!).