The American Beagler Forum

Hello.
I'm currently in the process of selecting the breed of dog I'm going to be getting soon. I really like Beagles. From what I've read their personalities are great, they are smart, loyal, etc. But there are some Beagle facts that seem to be inconsistent. Some websites I've read say that Beagles are very hard-headed, stubborn, michievous, destructive, etc. Other sites say none of that... Same with excercise demands. I have a large un-fenced yard, and it's hard to explain, but fencing it properly would not be an option. Also theres a train track running right behind my backyard, I'd be too worried about the dog escaping somehow and getting hit by a train (it happened to one of our cats already, years ago). With that said, would a Beagle make a good pet (note that I have no interest in hunting, dog shows, or anything like that... I just want a companion pet dog) to a medium/small sized home without being left out in a yard for exercise? I plan on walking the dog daily.

So basically I want to find out from Beagle owners themselves what the general temperment and excercise demands are of a Beagle, and if you guys think a Beagle would be suitable for me. I've spend many many hours researching the breed, but information is just too inconsistent on the 'net.

Thanks very much!

Beagles are hounds and hounds like to run. That being said, they also make great family pets. Yes, they are stubborn and bull-headed, but that is what makes them great hunters. They don't give up. You will (no matter what type of dog you end up with) need to be willing to put some time in with your dog if you expect it to mind and do what it is told. The idea of an unfenced yard doesn't sit well with me if you are just going to let a dog out off leash. I would suggest buying a cable and attaching it to the house and maybe a clothes line or a tree. Put a pulley and a length of chain on it and let the dog have a "run". This will limit the area that you will have to clean up the mess and will also give the dog some exercise room. One disadvantage is that you might end up with a worn spot in your lawn depending on how much time the dog is left out there. Beagles, just like any breed need exercise and need affection. The more you put into your dog, the more he will give back to you. Beagles will dig and they will bark, but so do any other breed of dog if properly bored to death.

Hope this helps.
Emery

I had a very active beagle in an apartment that I had to leash-walk, and it wasn't a problem. In fact, the 1-2 longer walks we took time for each day were very relaxing and good for both of us. Some of the shorter potty breaks can be a pain when it's 6am, raining, and cold, so you have to be aware of things like that.

I recommend against allowing any dog to roam un-fenced, especially a beagle.

Every breed has varying levels of intelligence, exercise demands, etc, from dog-to-dog. Many people confuse dog trainablity with intelligence. Most people consider border collies to be among the smartest breeds, but we house-sit a border collie occasionally that constantly chases a ceiling fan when he's in our living room - even when it's stationary. Beagles can be very smart, but they'd often much rather do what they want (or what their nose tells them to do) than what you want them to do.

Thanks.
What is the risk of having the dog tied (I'm referring to your idea, Emery)? Is it possible that the dog could accidentally hang himself?

And Boomer, what did you find was a good amount of time for walks per day for your Beagle?

I generally walked him about 20 minutes in the morning and something like that in the afternoon or evening, too, and kept potty breaks to 5-10 minutes. I also tried on as many days as I could to take him to the local park and walk him for a mile or so there, and I tried to do more on weekends and when the weather was nice. Some of my friends thought it a chore to take that time out, but it was fair exercise, relaxing, and often quite fun.

I would do what you can to not have to chain a dog, and I certainly wouldn't leave a dog chained-up if you weren't at least checking on the dog every few minutes.

There are two ways you could do the "run".

One would be to put it into the ground on a cable and stake the cable down (tightly stretched) at both ends. If you were worrying about the dog hanging himself. You woudln't necessarily have to have a pulley, but that would save on your cable wear and tear. This would chew up the ground, and you would need to be careful when you mowed the lawn.

The other would be to put it high enough in the air that you didn't decapitate yourself when walking around in the yard. Same principle applies here. Make it as tight as you can, throw a pully on in and attach a long chain. If the dog starts to wrap itself around the tree or whatever, put a stopping mechanism short of the tree so the dog can't get around it. You should be able to find some sort of a thru-bolt at any hardware store, that would stop the pulley from advancing any further.

Clear as mud?
Hope this helps.
Emery

They make tie-outs that screw down into the ground and have a fifteen ft. cable on a swivel. If you positioned it to where it couldn't get wrapped on anything, yet allow enough room to get inside a box, you should be ok. Joe West has suggested before that if you use a clothesline system, it allows the dog to run the length of the clothesline.

If the hound is to be indoors as much as outdoors, you can also purchase or build an above-ground kennel run and box that would be very secure for the period of time they are out of doors. Nothing replaces a good play in the grass, so daily walks would be recommended if you opt for the above-ground kennel.

Truly, if you have no interest in hunting, I would choose another breed for your circumstances. Although cute and quite loveable, Beagles are one of the hardest to train because they've been bred to run above good sense. They are definitely a kenneling challenge, and even if kept in the house, there's the fear that they'll dart out the door every time it's opened. In short, there are easier breeds to keep as house pets when a person has limited experience with dogs. I love Beagles, but I have to be honest about my feelings.

Don't laugh, but a minitature poodle (not a toy poodle) is probably one of the best purebred house-pet/companions you could get. They are intelligent, easy to train (mind well off-lead), home-minded but travel well, good natured and don't shed. I've had two in my lifetime and they were the least amount of trouble of all the smaller breeds I've had. My boxers also made good housepets, but they are 70lbs of horseplay.

I am not sure what kind of area you live in (city, rural, etc.) but the train tracks could pose a definite problem for a beagle. I have yet to see a beagle, bad or good at hunting, that will pass on a chance to run a fuzzy. Unfortunately, train tracks seem to be rabbit magnets when they have any type of field or open land around them. If you do decide on a beagle, that run or swivel leash is a must in any area where there are rabbits. Otherwise your dog may be gone for a few days, then return looking like death warmed over. A well bred beagle, if given the oppurtunity, will hunt until it passes out from exhaustion. No joke.
As a side note. I would consider dogs that are bred for the type of lifestyle you lead. The best and worst dog that I ever owned was a weimeraner. They are beautiful, high energy, super loyal dogs, but bred to hunt birds. I haven't the foggiest on how to train a bird dog. Despite the amount of exercise I gave her, she still wasn't happy. She wanted to hunt. Most dogs are bred with certain attributes. They aren't difficult on purpose, they just want to do what they are bred to do. Anyway, beagles truly are a great breed. Phenomenal with kids, loyal to owner. Hope I was of some help and you find what you are looking for.
Johnny

In the for "what it's worth catagory", I also would recommend a different breed. Beagles are beautiful and we all think highly of them. My first ones were pets too, but I have to agree with Bev's statements. The other breeds that I've owned were much, much easier to train and have as house companions. If you are really found of hounds themselves, my humble recommendations would be (1st) Bassetts, as after their puppy phase, they are very calm, relaxed and consider sitting on the couch a form of exercise.... (2nd) Basenjis are worth looking into. They are loyal, quiet and very clean. They do require a lot of exercise, but the trade off is their cleanliness. I have never owned any other "small" breeds so that's the limit of my expertise. On a completely "unresearched note", I have always loved the looks of Pugs, but don't know Jack about them. .........and in closing (hoping you have a sense of humor), we as members of the board brain trust, ALL want you to get rabbits as pets. Not the fancy Frech lop ears, but a nice cross between some cottontail and hare. That way you can sell us all your babby bunnies as I/we sure aren't having much luck trapping them

I have yet to meet a Beagle that could not, with the proper training, handle any living situation offered it. As a rescuer I have placed Beagles in homes ranging from city condo's to 500 acre farms where the dog is allowed to roam about. The Beagle is a VERY flexable, tolerant dog! The biggest thing to keep in mind about a Beagle...any hound...is that they have thier own agenda! You just have to be smart enough to use that
agenda to your advantage!
The Beagle is motivated by two things...its nose and its stomach...offer your Beagle play and time to explore both of these motivations and your Beagle will do just about anything you ask it. You would be surprised what a Beagle will do for just a cheerio!!!!
The nay sayers who say that Beagles are destructive and the rest....well so is a Labrador pup! Beagles can be very active pups...and troublesome...and if mis managed they will grow to be bad dogs as well....but that is true of ANY dog!

Have you given any thought to an under ground fence?

I would suggest to you that you go somewhere, either a hunter or a rescue in your area and meet the breed, ask questions etc.
If you were interested in that , depending on where you live, if you are close enough to one of the rescues, I can help you there!
there is info on my website http://www.robdarsbeagles.com
or email me robdar@robdarsbeagles.com
We will answer any and all questions you may have!

RobDar, please don't be mad at me and I hope you take this in the light in which it is intended, but the reason you are business, so to speak, (and thank God for you) is because of the difficulty the layperson has in training and succesfully housing beagles. They are by their very nature escape artists. They can and often do; chew through leads, climb over under or go through chainlink fences, ignore electric fences and shock collars at time, and even with experienced hunters/handlers will often become lost should they hit the wrong game.

As you know from first-hand experience, any animal shelter, local pound, or rescue center will admit that one of the more frequent visitors is the Beagle. I love them and you love them, but I can't personally recommend them as strictly a housepet OVER other breeds. I agree with what you say about the Beagle's ability to adapt to different living environments, respond to proper training, and being very tolerant, but it doesn't come easily. I just hate to see this fella give you another customer because he made his decision without hearing all the pros and cons.

Telex, after reading all of this you still want a beagle and are up to the challenge, I/we will certainly stand behind you and give you all the support, knowledge and experience we have at our avail. They truly are a unique and fun breed, and who knows - maybe we can get you to learn to enjoy running rabbits with your beagle one day (you don't have to shoot any rabbits to enjoy the music).