beagle retirement age?

rimfirematt · Post by **rimfirematt** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:47 pm

My dog is still young, (2 years old) but when should I be thinking about a replacement hound when he goes. Obviously I want him still hunting to train the new pup. I feel kinda bad talking about him dying already, but really I just want a excuse to have two beagles. Currently I am not allowed. I have to come up with a reason.

beaglecrazy-scott · Post by **beaglecrazy-scott** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:21 pm

BEFORE I WAS AROUND MY FATHER WAS HUNTING HIS FEMALE BEAGLE AT 16 YEARS OLD, HE SAID SHE WAS THE BEST DOG HE HAS EVER SEEN OR OWNED.....SCOTT

Bunny Runner · Post by **Bunny Runner** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:27 am

You should have more than one beagle! They need pack mates! Even if you only have one more, he would run better and stay young longer if he had a "buddy". This would also allow you the opportunity to get another dog started while this dog is still young and they could grow up together. Don't think of his retirement, think of his purpose in life. Beagles are "pack" animals and cannot fullfill their purpose with out others of their kind. They are much happier dogs with others around them. They need alot of simulation.
Here is your "excuse"
You have to have another beagle in order for your current one to be the best he can be and live a happy, long, life!
Good Luck..

Renee'

Huntin54 · Post by **Huntin54** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:09 am

My dog was 3 when i got another one it was the best thing i ever did they teach eachother new things. And they are both great runnin dogs now.

Emery · Post by **Emery** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:40 am

Your dog will be happier with a companion. They can keep each other occupied while you are gone, there is less chance of digging in the yard, chewing up things they shouldn't and just doing things out of plain boredom.

Given another dog, your hunting will be more productive. Granted your dog should be able to do it solo, but when in a pack mode you won't have as many losses. You should be able to account for more game and basically have a better hunting experience. With another dog, your dog will learn to pack with other dogs, which is a necessity if you are going to trial (don't think there are any in AK) or are going to take your dog/s out with other people's dogs to hunt with.

If your wife is the obsticle, just ask her how she feels when you are gone for a lengthy time and then use that as how your dog feels when he is left all by himself all day long!

show dog · Post by **show dog** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:35 pm

I had my first beagle by herself until she had her first litter. She was a picky eater, seemed sad, etc. We kept a pup. It sure made a difference for Krunch- she was much happier having company. I now have that daughter and a younger bitch. My husband puts up with the dogs! I, the wife, have the say but also have to do all the hound work! Two is a much happier state for beagles but 2 years between is good. Two pups, in the house, are very exhausting and they may bond more to each other than to you. That is good and bad depending on the work requirements of the dog- mine are multi taskers since they aren't the greatest hunters. Besides, its more fun to watch two bealges working than one and you get to see more bunnies! Carolyn

rimfirematt · Post by **rimfirematt** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:38 pm

Well the problem is I already have another dog, A german shorthair though. SO I cant give the excuse of he needs a buddy. I agree though that I need at least two beagles. I think what it is gonna come down to is moving to a bigger house with a bigger yard. And with house prices the way they are, I dont see that happening anytime soon. guess Ill just have to keep trying to recruit new beagle owners up here.

I am thinking of maybe "rescuing" a beagle for awhile

then saying well, this dog has been with us for a couple of months, we might as well keep it honey. It just might work.

englishman · Post by **englishman** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:06 am

Matt,
Take a look in the wife's bedside draw or maybe on the mantle peice above the fire! look for a little bag, that is were she will be keeping them! you know your gonads!!
I hate to be so crude, but if a grown man can't buy a dog when he wants one, God help the boy that he trys to raise!!
Go get a hound, bring it home and say "look darlin' this is the new dog, ain't it a cutie?"
Try it Matt, life is great when your living it!
Good luck with the new dog.......

Big Boy Patch · Post by **Big Boy Patch** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 7:43 am

We got a beagle that is 22 years old. He was one of the best dogs I ever saw. I'm not saying this because I own him. This dog has had thousands of rabbits shot over him. He has been retired for the last 5 to 6 years now. Start going blind and was going deaf just could not hang with the young dogs anymore

Huntin54 · Post by **Huntin54** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:44 pm

Big Boy Patch wrote:We got a beagle that is 22 years old. He was one of the best dogs I ever saw. I'm not saying this because I own him. This dog has had thousands of rabbits shot over him. He has been retired for the last 5 to 6 years now. Start going blind and was going deaf just could not hang with the young dogs anymore

How did it live until 22 if it was a hunting dog maybe if it was a pet.

keith2210 · Post by **keith2210** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:35 pm

Huntin54 wrote:
Big Boy Patch wrote:We got a beagle that is 22 years old. He was one of the best dogs I ever saw. I'm not saying this because I own him. This dog has had thousands of rabbits shot over him. He has been retired for the last 5 to 6 years now. Start going blind and was going deaf just could not hang with the young dogs anymore
How did it live until 22 if it was a hunting dog maybe if it was a pet.

i would think just the opposite. a pet just lays around and gets a walk once a day at best. but a hunting dog gets ran ALOT. i look at like people. whos going to live longer a couch potatoe or a guy that gets out and exercises daily. just the way i look at it though....keith

DRamey · Post by **DRamey** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:07 pm

I had a female that died on Thanksgiving Day, 2002. She was 15. I had gunned over her the season before, but her health had so failed that she didn't go out during the weeks before her death. Most houndsmen that I know retire their hounds when they see them begin to suffer aches and pains after a run that wouldn't even wind a younger hound. Ages vary from 8 to 15-16, as some of the above posts have stated. I agree fully that hounds need packmates. Beagles are social dogs and you may need to trial-and -error some before you find a good combination for a brace or a pack, but the rewards of hearing several hounds in full cry are worth some effort. Remember, run what pleases you and never try to tailor your pack to someone else's standards. If you are satisfied with them, phooey on anyone else's opinion!

show dog · Post by **show dog** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 7:18 am

My friend keeps 6 shelties and 3 cats in a 600 sq ft apartment with no yard. I will have 3 beagles, a lab and a jack russell for Thanksgiving in a 1200 sq ft bungalow with a fully landscaped town lot. How many is too many? How small is too small? Depends what you are willing to put up with. Beagles don't take up much room! Carolyn

Big Boy Patch · Post by **Big Boy Patch** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 11:44 am

Huntin54 wrote:
Big Boy Patch wrote:We got a beagle that is 22 years old. He was one of the best dogs I ever saw. I'm not saying this because I own him. This dog has had thousands of rabbits shot over him. He has been retired for the last 5 to 6 years now. Start going blind and was going deaf just could not hang with the young dogs anymore
How did it live until 22 if it was a hunting dog maybe if it was a pet.

I can tell you he is no pet.