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The doghouse

A Beagle...

61 replies

DeliaOliver · 11/04/2012 12:48

Has anyone got one? Can you be honest with me?

We are hoping to get one in the summer. I have 3 DC, 6yo,3yo and 1yo. I'm a SAHM.

Am I barking? (pun intended!)

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WestWinger · 19/04/2012 10:35

Just been out on the common and bumped into a lady who has a 16 month old lab. She is having a nightmare training it - it is going through the adolescent phase. All pups are hard work, especially the teething/biting stage and then the adolescent phase, but you get that regardless of the breed.

There were a few moments when I did wonder what I had done, but I would have thought that of any dog. As with children, most of it is a phase that they will get through. Establishing yourself as pack leader is the key to success really.

I know several Beales round here and, with the exception of one, they are all lovely, well adjusted dogs not displaying any negative traits. The exception is a Beagle cross (rescue) and she is dreadful on the recall and quite aggressive to other dogs.

I meet up with the rest of my dog's litter occasionally and all the owners are happy with their dogs. Some are better trained than others (naturally) but no one regrets getting their hound.

Could you ask the breeder if she could put you in touch with some owners of her previous litters and speak to them - they will have a good grasp of their dogs' temperaments and may be able to help you make your decision one way or the other.

God luck whatever you decide and a pic please when you do get your pup, whatever the breed!

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DeliaOliver · 19/04/2012 10:22

I told her my circumstances and she is happy to let me have a puppy from her. She is very well renowned.

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SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 19/04/2012 10:04

Your theory is true, but you also have to factor in the breed character. What did the breeder who's list you are on have to say on the subject? If she is any good she won't let you have one if it isn't suitable.

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DeliaOliver · 19/04/2012 09:07

Allergic- we have three children aged 6, 3 and 1. The lowest age a rescue round here will rehome to is 6.

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DeliaOliver · 19/04/2012 08:55

Jaynerae- where did you get your beagle?

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DeliaOliver · 19/04/2012 08:54

It's interesting to here the different accounts of what it's like to own a beagle. I'm taking the accounts of "my sister's neighbours mum had a beagle and..." with a pinch of salt as it's difficult to make judgement when you don't know the background etc.

I guess my feelings are that, as with any dog, sometimes you get a good 'un, sometimes not. Suppose it's a risk you take with any dog, regardless of breed.

Obviously it's good to be armed with the facts so that I'm able to start tackling immediately (recall being the most obvious).

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AllergicToNutters · 19/04/2012 07:26

are you going ahead with a Beagle OP? It does sound like you have your heart set on one. If it were me I would be heading for the local greyhound rescue! Grin Good luck Smile

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Jaynerae · 18/04/2012 23:00

I have a 2year old Beagle, and I can honestly say if I knew then what I know now I would never of had a Beagle.

I am an experienced Dog owner, did loads of research before I had her, but the research does not prepare you for the reality of owning a Beagle. Thay are so different to any other breed. She barks a hell of a lot. She requires hour and half walking per day. She gets stir crazy if she doesn't go out, can't miss A day no matter what.

She chews everything and anything. I have to keep her crated when I leave her, even 2 minutes to go to the loo, she will steal and destroy in that 2 minutes. I have to watch her like a hawk when she is not in crate, will steal anything, is totally obsessed with food. Steals off worktops, bins, your plate when it is in front of you!

She has stolen from people's picnic in park. jacket potato and tuna went down well, that she stole of couple eating lunch in park. She is a nightmare.

Digs up lawn, has to be chained in the garden as she escapes.

I have been taking her to dog training since she was eight weeks old, we still go every week for fun, she is very good at training, brilliant recall, fantastic off lead, Unless she's smells food. Have silver award in obedience. And the reason she is brilliant at training is because I use treats.

Honestly she is really really hard work.

I have a cavalier King Charles as well and I can't tell you how easy he is.

I have children, and I work from home most of the time. Beagle goes in day care when I am in office which is once in 3 weeks 9.30 to 3.00, but I can't leave her that long as I have to crate her.

Seriously think about the commitment a beagle will mean. Plenty of other posts on beagles if you search dog house, some from me and other owners saying the same.

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Stopsittingonyoursister · 18/04/2012 22:30

We had a beagle when I was growing up. She was very friendly and loving, and a good dog to have around young children.

However, three issues that I remember being problems:

  1. We got ours from a breeder who kept the puppies in outside accommodation. The dog needed walking for miles and miles and miles, and never got tired. Ever.


  1. She could eat for England, and probably a few other countries as well. Because they are pack animals, their instinct is to eat as much as they can, when they are given the opportunity. She once got into the garage and ate hundreds of dog biscuits. And she once ate an entire casserole. Didn't seem to do her any harm though, although the poos were interesting.


  1. Once she got a scent, she was uncontrollable. We had to keep her on the lead when walking in the hills because she would run off after a rabbit or a hare and go through fields of breeding sheep which is obviously not a good thing. I remember coming home from walks on more than few occasions with no dog because she had got a scent and just gone. She would always come home though, fortunately without a rabbit.


I don't remember her being particularly noisy, although she did used to bark at birds in the garden, but no more than any other dog in our area. I also remember she used to "yip" when she did get a scent.

For all the above, if I were to get another dog, I would get a beagle. They are lovely, friendly, happy dogs, very affectionate and a real part of the family.
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WestWinger · 18/04/2012 22:21

Watfordmummy - lol at the stick - yep!

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WestWinger · 18/04/2012 22:20

Leaving him on his own - built him up gradually (but over a relatively short period of time) - pretended to have left the house for a few mins at first, then left the house and waited outside, then 15 mins, then 30 mins. Now he is happy on his own for quite long periods of time - normally don't like to leave him longer than 4 hours, but he has been left for up to 5 when I got stuck in snow and ended up delayed. He was fine though. Still in his bed, snoring. He gets left on his own for at least an hour every day now. Often for 2-3 hours if we go out at the weekend. I'm a SAHM but am always popping in and out and that doesn't seem to bother him.

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watfordmummy · 18/04/2012 22:16

we had a beagle as I was growing up, and he really was the most intelligent dog, with the best personality. I disagree with others who say they are stupid, they in my opinion are intelligent as thay know their own mind and when you throw a stick will look at you as if to say "you threw it, you geti it!!"

Ours was very loyal, but was hard to train, and I remember him destroying my mums' kitchen floor. lo

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WestWinger · 18/04/2012 22:14

We did for about the first year and a bit. Think it really helped him feel secure in his little 'house' and he was never able to damage our house while we were out and he was at the chewing stage, so helped teach him how to behave in the house on his own. Now he has the run of half of the downstairs of the house when we go out and he rarely moves from his bed - lazy sausage that he is!

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DeliaOliver · 18/04/2012 22:10

Sorry-so many questions!Grin

You said he's fine left at home, how long for? Did you have to get him used to being alone?

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DeliaOliver · 18/04/2012 22:09

Also intending to feed raw meaty bones as I've heard this helps with temperament.

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DeliaOliver · 18/04/2012 22:06

We are on the waiting list for a pup from show stock. Thank you so much for your advise WestWinger, I was starting to think I'd made a massive mistake! Can I ask if you use a crate?

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WestWinger · 18/04/2012 22:06

Just realised you mentioned the breeder has show stock. Sorry. Blush

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WestWinger · 18/04/2012 22:01

It is doable. I'd recommend you find a Beagle from show stock, rather than working stock. They have a better tendency not to follow scents and are more likely to settle into normal family life. A good working Beagle is very different from a pet Beagle. It will be a challenge though.

I had my heart set on a Beagle - right size of dog (can pick it up if need be), short coat, looks nice but the only downside was the training - as everyone says they are difficult to train. And they are really quite stubborn - you need to find what will motivate it to do what you want. With my dog it was liver paste - ugh.

I am no dog trainer, so can't really say what did the trick (and it was a few years ago) but one of the main things I was doing wrong was always telling my dog "this way" or some such communication on the walk. Apparently cos he could hear me, he always knew where I was, so there was no need for him to pay attention to staying close to me. When I stopped talking to him, carried on walking without him and hid behind trees occasionally he would suddenly realise he had 'lost' me and then had to try to find me. This works well when they are younger. He then learnt that he had to check where I am in order to be able to always find me. I am not explaining this well!! But now I almost never call him on a walk, he is always within range and the minute I turn a corner he comes bounding over to catch up.

A lot of succesful training is about establishing yourself as the pack leader - if you do this well, then the dog (depending on personality of course) will be much more likely to do as you ask it. My dog is quite submissive in nature and therefore does not aspire to be a pack leader, so is much easier to train than a more dominant dog.

Would recommend a good dog whistle too. Every time you get his/her dinner ready, blow the whistle and then the dog will start to build a good association with coming to the whistle.

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DeliaOliver · 18/04/2012 21:37

He sounds fab Smile in your opinion do you think training/ having a beagle pup with three young children is do-able? What solved the recall problems?

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SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 18/04/2012 21:20

We had a cocker and two tiny children. She was an absolute angel.

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WestWinger · 18/04/2012 21:15

Delia - love the name, do you like cooking? Training now - zero. And he just looks after himself. Either he sleeps in his bed (does this a LOT), plays with me and my DD for a bit or is out walking.

I did some one on one lessons when he was a pup - we didn't get on with the village hall type set up. The main thing we found was start young and be 100% consistent. I didn't have my DD then so was easy to achieve consistency - may be harder with kids, but am guessing they would just be playing with the dog, rather than training.

With the one on one lessons we didn't need many and spaced them out to give us time to practice what we had learnt, so wasn't that expensive overall. Not sure where you are in the country, but can recommend Amy Hatcher - Sussex / Surrey / London areas. She is a behaviourist as well as a trainer and has lots of experience with Beagles.

On our first recall lesson, our dog ran off with two other black labs and never paid me any attention. She said, yes recall does seem to be an issue!!! Two lessons later and he was almost 100% reliable - took a couple more to get the full 100% reliability but the difference she made was huge. Now he is safe with sheep, chickens, cats - just plods along minding his own business.

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DeliaOliver · 18/04/2012 20:57

Springers bit too big, we want a small/medium breed, but one sturdy enough to withstand three young boys. The beagle seemed to tick all boxes

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DeliaOliver · 18/04/2012 20:56

WestWinger- how much of your time did you need to dedicate during puppy stage, and now?

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WestWinger · 18/04/2012 20:52

I have a Beagle. He is 4 and is just wonderful. He did require proper training, but he is a joy to walk off-lead - never runs off, recall is brilliant - hardly ever walk him on the lead. He stays on his own quite happily at home - no separation anxiety, barking etc. He is so friendly, kids love him, such a gentle nature - not an aggressive bone in his body. He doesn't bark, except if he is the front garden and someone walks past, never howls - honestly IME Beagles are brilliant. But you need to get decent training in from the outset.

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AllergicToNutters · 18/04/2012 20:52

I'd echo what batsintheroof says about Springers. Or possibly Cockers. Or a retriever breed. Good luck!

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