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The doghouse

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Original poster

Would you keep this dog? (Beagle pics)

105 replies

TartanHare · 16/08/2017 23:36

I have been doing a bit of dog sitting on and off for various friends and neighbours recently.
2 weeks ago I recieved a message asking me if I could have a beagle as it was being unruly whilst the family had visitors with young children, I look after this dog fairly often so told them just to bring him round.
They have now said that they don't want him back.
He is 11 months old, he has a lovely nature but is very enthusiastic about everything and needs a LOT of training.
My own dog is almost 4 years old colliexlab. I also have cats.
I have been told beagles can be challenging and I cant walk them together alone. They pull! DH is v on board in theory and is pushing to give him a home here.
However I know in reality the bulk of the work will fall to me.
Questions: How trainable are beagles?
Is it true they can never be trusted off lead?
Are they generally ok with cats? (he seems ok supervised) but keep separate when I'm not about.
I know the sensible answer is to take him to the dogs home or try to rehome him, but he's lying here curled up and snoring and my heart has melted
Maybe I could make this work

OP posts:

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Abra1d · 17/08/2017 07:44

Two lovely smiley doggie faces! They look so happy.

whiteroseredrose · 17/08/2017 07:44

A definite yes! He's gorgeous.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 17/08/2017 07:45

If you don't want him, send him round here!

We had two beagles - gorgeous, affectionate, funny: but utter scavengers and never off lead. The cat soon had the measure of them and asserted herself so they knew she was boss.

For the pulling, we got them harnesses - it did help. And patience is key. When one of ours died the other was initially inconsolable but then became a much more confident and settled dog, whose favourite place was under the table in the pub.

BeakersofNaiceHam · 17/08/2017 07:50

My dogs best friend is a beagle we meet at the park. They love each other and the owner does let her off lead when there is a dog to play with, but has to watch her. But they are lovely family dogs, very good natured.

Patchouli666 · 17/08/2017 07:53

My parents had beagles. Lovely dogs but they are scent hounds and I remember them going nose down and buggering off - they became deaf to any shouts when switched on to a scent. We just had to wait till they returned ( which they did as they could scent us!)

Regarding pulling, I now have Great Danes or irish wolfhounds ( Wolfie ATM) and I use a dogmatic. They are amazing, dogs don't mind them like they seem to do with haltis etc. It will mean you can walk them together. My ten year old can walk our 90kg IW without problems.
Then when you walk them, let them have time off lead separately. Don't be too focused on getting them back all the time to improve recall, they will switch off and ignore. Take some tasty treats ( buy some chicken liver, cut into cubes, dry in low oven and coat in wheat germ or cornflour and use them as training treats) take them out hungry so they are focused on treats.
When you have each individual dog returning reliably then try them off together using same principles as above.

RJnomore1 · 17/08/2017 07:59

How can you even ask! Check the smiles in that photo.

I have just realised I may be a beagle. Totally food obsessed and driven by my nose.

SuperBeagle · 17/08/2017 08:00

My name says it all. My beagle is the greatest dog I've ever had, hands down.

But no, they're not particularly trainable. They're actually very intelligent, but as hounds, they're inclined only to follow a scent, and not to obey. Ours sits, shakes, goes outside, gets into his bed and stops on command, but he's not a trick pony.

He's not to be trusted off-lead unless in an enclosed area. He's 6.5 years old and we've never managed to train him to have good recall. But I know a couple of beagles who do have good recall (seems to be rare), so not impossible evidently!

Ours is fine with our cat, but the cat preceded the dogs. He ignores the cat most of the time. Wouldn't trust him with rabbits or anything small like that though.

Keep the beagle.

Soubriquet · 17/08/2017 08:03

Oh god you can't get rid of him now!! Look at them together.

Regarding pulling, could you try a halti?

We was adamant that our little dog is going to be our only dog..however we've been asked if we would be willing to take in another one of the same breed when if the owner wants to give him up. We have said yes

CryingShame · 17/08/2017 08:11

Oh, and stop having your friend's dogs when they have visitors with small children. Who on earth asks someone to look after their dog then refuses to take it back?

squishee · 17/08/2017 08:20

Just look at them together. Resistance is futile

Apparently beagles are (sadly) used in testing labs due to their sweet docile nature

StarHeartDiamond · 17/08/2017 08:26

They look like partners in crime already! So cute together. If you can, I would keep

Crispbutty · 17/08/2017 08:49

Aw they look so happy together! What sweet smiles

Nancy91 · 17/08/2017 08:52

OH THEY ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER!!!!

Congratulations on your new dog

TSSDNCOP · 17/08/2017 08:53

They look made for each other. You can't give him up. Plus I love the word Beagle. My friend had a very naughty one. It was referred to always as The Beagle.

Nancy91 · 17/08/2017 08:53

Plus it is easier to train a dog if there is already a well behaved dog in the home, they kind of follow the other dogs lead.

Whitney168 · 17/08/2017 08:55

I know Beagles that walk well on their leads and have good recall (if a little 'yes, yes, coming, wait a mo ...').

I also know Beagles that are horrific off lead and can definitely only be let off in very secure spaces by owners who are happy to waste time until they decide to come back.

If you can't live with it if this dog turns out to be of the latter type (and for interest, the ones I know who are better behaved are bitches), then a Beagle is probably not for you. Training will obviously be a help, but there is no guarantee that it will overcome centuries of genetic conditioning LOL, so bear that in mind.

Cookingongas · 17/08/2017 08:56

I haven't got a beagle but have been in you're exact position. I now have two dogs, and have for two years. It wasn't easy, and the "new" dog gave the old dog bad habits just as the old dog gave the new dog better habits. But once they were friends, well, it just wouldn't do to separate them. They are best friends and one of the joys of my life

Whitney168 · 17/08/2017 08:59

Oh, and if you do decide that he's not for you, and the owners are determined to give him up, the best thing that could be done is to contact Beagle Welfare who will assist in finding him a Beagle-proof home.

www.beaglewelfare.org.uk/

BeakersofNaiceHam · 17/08/2017 09:00

@tssdncop I love the word beagle too! I normally tell my dog she's a dog, but with the beagle I tell it, it is a beagle.

SuperBeagle · 17/08/2017 09:07

TSS and Beakers Our beagle is "The Beagle" too. Must be a thing.

Veterinari · 17/08/2017 09:09

My second dog claimed me too OP. She was basically feral for her first two years. Now she's mostly good but still has a dickish-streak.
However I luffs her - and more importantly so does DDog1

Good luck!

PhuntSox · 17/08/2017 09:17

We have an on lead beagle but he doesn't pull, or smell, and isn't noisy. He is always happy and loving and wonderful with children. Go for it!

bluetongue · 17/08/2017 09:42

I wasn't sure until I saw your current dog and the beagle together, They are so adorable together.

As long as you are okay with the finances and practicalities of two dogs together go for it. Mind you I am the owner of a food obsessed hound that can only go off lead in fenced spaces and pulls like a train so what would I know (he starts training this weekend so I'm working on it)

SparklingRaspberry · 17/08/2017 10:49

Look how happy your dog looks next to the beagle you couldn't possibly separate them...

As long as you train him I don't think you'll have any problems. He's claimed you already!

Original poster

TartanHare · 17/08/2017 11:18

Found them chilling out like this.

OP posts:

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